RECENT NEWS & REVIEWS
Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history
As guests celebrate the $20 million restoration and reopening, take a look back at key dates and events over the rich history of the South Florida restaurant.
• SEE THE FULL CHRONOLOGY AND PHOTOS
NEW: 2024 anniversary, New Year's Eve photos & video
Florida Tiki weathers an unwelcome 2024 hurricane season, poised for promising 2025
Many of those affected by the storms have emerged stronger than ever. Don the Beachcomber reopening planned for early next year.
• News, photos of the hurricane season impact and plans for 2025
Tiki bars feel the brunt of the storms
• Don the Beachcomber: Down but not out
• The Honu: Turbulent season takes its toll
• Bar Tiki: Weeks of closures but miraculously unscathed
MORE: Florida Tiki spotlighted in Exotica Moderne magazine
Bonus cocktail recipe: Hurricane Dunder
Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
The food and drink menus now boast a vintage look and feel that dates back to the early days of the historic restaurant. The grand reopening also marks the return of the iconic cannibal trio, a Polynesian Pop symbol intrinsically linked to the founding owners.
• Deep dive into the design and history, plus news on what's next
Direct links to full coverage
• The cocktail menu: Welcome back to paradise, 1950s style
• The food menus: A modern take with traditions intact
• The cannibal trio: Mai-Kai's signature iconography
Mai-Kai grand reopening 2024: Answers to frequently asked questions
Check out our handy guide featuring all the basics you need to know to plan your next trip to the South Florida landmark.
UPDATES: Official information, tips and advice for guests
Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist
The revered cocktail program is in experienced and enthusiastic hands as the historic South Florida restaurant reopens.
>>> MEET THE MAI-KAI'S NEW HEAD BARTENDER
• 5 questions with Cory Starr
• Bonus cocktail recipe: One Way Ticket
15th Miami Rum Renaissance Festival features tastings of elite brands, Mai-Kai seminar, plus more
Florida's longest-running rum event celebrates the world's most diverse spirit with three days of activities for everyone from newbies to high-end enthusiasts, to industry professionals.
UPDATED: 2024 Social media recaps
Upcoming: Rum events calendar
Mai-Kai reopening announcement imminent as $15M restoration project speeds toward conclusion (September 2024 update)
With the four-year anniversary of the October 2020 closing looming, all hands were on deck at the historic South Florida restaurant to meet the mandate of a fall reopening. An immense amount of work was completed, including the hiring of staff and beginning of training inside the newly built kitchen and back-of-house bars.
PHOTOS, REVIEW: Trader Vic's blends pre-Tiki vibe with contemporary cocktails at new Bamboo Room in South Beach
The speakeasy-style bar is stylistically a throwback to the 1930s and the early days of Victor Bergeron, but the execution is pure 21st century craft and precision.
• FULL RECAP FROM OPENING WEEKEND
Direct links: The space | The cocktails | Updated menu, more
Exclusive: Q&A with Trader Vic's CEO Rhett Rosen
Bonus cocktail recipe: Suffering Bastard
PREVIOUS: Preview the new bar, get more info on Trader Vic's
Mai-Kai landscaping transformed as hiring begins for fall reopening (August 2024 update)
Clearly visible signs of a looming reopening emerged at the beloved South Florida Polynesian restaurant as dozens of workers and heavy equipment toiled daily on the massive project to reimagine the entryway and parking lot.
Mai-Kai restoration update: Parking lot reimagination accelerates as owner targets fall reopening (June-July 2024) EXCLUSIVE
Everything you need to know about the massive transformation of the grounds and landscaping of the historic restaurant, inside information and photos, plus a full recap of work completed over the summer.
Preview and recipes: Book reveals long-lost secrets and stories of P/Fassionola
Fassionola: The Torrid Story of Cocktails' Most Mysterious Ingredient features the full story of the obscure cocktail ingredient, plus more than 100 recipes. The authors have also revived the historic Passionola syrup with the original recipe.
>>> ALL ABOUT THE BOOK, PASSIONOLA RELAUNCH
Direct links: Read Hurricane Hayward's foreword to the book
• New Passionola syrup follows historic recipe
Bonus cocktail recipes: Mona Punch | 151 Tribute Swizzle No. 5 | Mission Valley Daiquiri NEW
See also: Sidewinder's Fang (Mai-Kai tribute) NEW
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan's Cove speakeasy in Tampa
The revival of the iconic brand has entered a new chapter with the opening of the first Gantt Reserve Collection bar. Check out our sneak peek, including an exclusive look at the menu.
>>> COMPREHENSIVE PREVIEW AND REVIEW
In-depth coverage: Speakeasy celebrates city's pirate past
LIVE REVIEW: The experience | The cocktails | The menu
Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, three upcoming locations in Florida
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of the Mai-Kai restoration
Guests of The Hukilau got a rare look at the renovated and reimagined areas of the historic restaurant in June 2024.
>>> NEW PHOTOS AND RECAP OF THE TOURS
Related coverage: More photos of the sneak preview during The Hukilau
The Hukilau highlights: Photos and memories from 2024 Tiki weekender in South Florida
Check out The Atomic Grog's deep dive into all the fun at the Beachcomber Resort and sneak peek at the Mai-Kai, including our favorite moments from throughout the four-day Tiki weekender.
>>> PHOTOS, VIDEO & COMPREHENSIVE RECAP
Direct links: The music | Presentations & classes (Beachbum Berry & David Wondrich | Matt Pietrek | Will Anders)
Photos: Exclusive tours of the Mai-Kai | More Hukilau photos
• Bars & cocktails | Bonus recipes: Tropical Messiah | Once A Villager
More on Spotify: Playlist of performing bands
The Hukilau 2024: Live coverage, photos and video from social media
For the 22nd time, Tiki enthusiasts enjoyed a long weekend full of surf and exotica music, expert symposiums, artists and vendors, world-class cocktails, and much more.
>>> SEE VIDEO, PHOTOS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Direct links: Pool party & bands | Symposiums & cocktails | Bungalow parties | Miscellaneous fun | Mai-Kai tours | Hangover party
More on YouTube: Live videos of six of the performing bands
SEE BELOW: More 2024 news and events
NEW & UPDATED RECIPES
NEW: Cocktail recipe: Set sail for a potent holiday adventure with the Atomic Navy Nog
What do you get when you mash up a classic eggnog with two Navy rums (both Planteray Mister Fogg and Hamilton Beachbum Berry's Blend), an infused brandy from Smuggler's Cove, plus two syrups from Don the Beachcomber?
>>> ATOMIC NAVY NOG RECIPE, BACK STORY
Winter holidays: More festive cocktail recipes
Okole Maluna Society: Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide | 100+ Mai-Kai recipes
UPDATED: Bring a friend and sink your teeth into the classic Sidewinder's Fang
Served in a giant 64-ounce snifter, the Mai-Kai's classic communal cocktail has roots in the mid-century Polynesian restaurant boom as well as ties to a an obscure syrup that became the subject of a new book.
>>> UPDATED BACK STORY, MORE
Direct links: Our Sidewinder's Fang review | Ancestor recipe
NEW: Tribute recipe features P/Fassionola
Okole Maluna Society: Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide | 100+ Mai-Kai recipes
UPDATED: The classic Demerara Float rises again ... and again
Check out the latest updates to our review of the Mai-Kai's Demerara Float, plus complete back-story of this classic.
NEW VIDEO: Demerara Float on Make and Drink
>>> HISTORY, RECIPES AND MORE
Mai-Kai cocktail review: The quest for the elusive Moonkist Coconut UPDATED
The intriguing back story of a Mariano Licudine classic from the original 1956 menu, inspired by a 1930s era drink by Don the Beachcomber that pre-dated the Pina Colada by decades.
>>> Full story and review
Deep links: Our Moonkist Coconut review | Ancestor recipes NEW | The back story NEW | Official Mai-Kai recipe
Postscript: Moonkist Coconut on Make and Drink (video)
Mai-Kai cocktail review: The Rum Barrel is the Rodney Dangerfield of tropical drinks
Maybe this iconic drink is finally getting some respect. "This is the most iconic Rum Barrel ...mainly because it's just delicious. It has everything you really want in a Rum Barrel," proclaims the Make or Drink channel on YouTube.
NEW VIDEO: Rum Barrel tribute recipe on Make and Drink
>>> Our complete Barrel O' Rum story featuring news, updates and history
Deep links: Barrel O' Rum review | Ancestor recipe NEW | Official recipe
Tribute recipe | New Mai-Kai rum coming soon
• Christmas Barrel review and tribute | The Rum Barrel on social media
Mai-Kai cocktail review: Double your pleasure with the exotic and delicious Zula #1 (and #2)
Take a deep dive into the history of a vintage cocktail from Mariano Licudine's 1956 menu. This Don the Beachcomber classic is still being reimagined by craft bartenders today.
>>> See the full story, from the 1930s to 2024
Direct links: Our Zula reviews | Ancestor recipe | Tribute recipes
NEW VIDEO: Zula vs. Penang Afrididi vs. Penang Punch on Make and Drink
COCKTAIL GUIDES
Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Hurricane Hayward reviews and rates the historic restaurant's current and past tropical drinks, plus reveals a treasure trove of ancestor and exclusive tribute recipes.
>>> A DEEP DIVE INTO THE COCKTAILS OF THE MAI-KAI
>>> List of all 100+ recipes
Atomic Grog Cocktail Recipes, A through Z
A comprehensive list of every recipe we've posted on the site since 2011.
>>> COMPLETE LIST OF 250+ DRINKS
MORE 2024 NEWS & REVIEWS
Mai-Kai restoration work expands, sneak previews offered at The Hukilau (May 2024 update)
The $15 million project continued to engulf the 2.7-acre historic property as event passholders were treated to special tours of fully restored indoor guest areas.
The Hukilau 2024 preview & flashback: Inside (and outside) the Mai-Kai with Tiki carver Will Anders
The South Florida artist shared his experiences creating authentic Polynesian art - both large and small - during a presentation at the annual Tiki weekender on Pompano Beach.
>>> EVENT PREVIEW, BACK STORY AND PHOTOS OF WILL ANDERS' WORK
AUDIO & PHOTOS: Walking tour with Will Anders, Kern Mattei, Hurricane Hayward in 2018
The Hukilau 2024 preview: Symposiums, vendors and more announced for 22nd Tiki weekender June 6-9
The East Coast's longest-running Polynesian Pop weekender featured an all-star lineup of musical, mixological and scholarly talent for its annual gathering in South Florida.
EXCLUSIVE: Mai-Kai reveals new images, plans for restoration at Orlando event, continues $15M project (April 2024 update)
Full coverage of the panel discussion at Tiki-a-Go-Go, including new photos and renderings of plans for the reimagination of the entry experience at the historic restaurant.
Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, three upcoming locations in Florida
Everything you need to know about the expansion of the iconic restaurant brand, including a full recap and photos from Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando, plus new renderings and info on the new sites.
>>> LATEST INFORMATION, PHOTOS, MORE
In-depth coverage
• Full coverage of Tiki-a-Go-Go presentation
• Renderings, plans for Orlando restaurant revealed
• Gantt Reserve Collection bars introduced
• Upcoming South Florida location uncovered
• The Donn of Tiki makes a splash at Florida Film Festival
• Donn Beach biography expected next spring
Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
The first Tiki-a-Go-Go is a retro roadtrip through mid-century culture, appreciation
The April 5-7 event was a trip back in time, taking guests on a rollicking ride through mid-century Florida theme parks, Tiki bars, and other retro touchstones.
>>> PHOTOS, VIDEO FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Event preview: Tiki-a-Go-Go looks to the past for a fresh take on the modern weekender
Mai-Kai kitchen and bar take shape as team heads to Tiki-a-Go-Go (March 2024 update)
As new equipment was being installed in the rebuilt back-of-house at the historic South Florida restaurant, cocktails were set to be shared at Orlando event April 5-6.
The Hukilau 2024 attracts bands, bars and VIPs from around the globe, returns to the Mai-Kai
Check out the lineup of headlining bands, special guest presenters and 18 guest bars attending the 22nd Tiki weekender in South Florida.
Beyond Esotico Miami: Kaona Room and Daniele Dalla Pola's cocktail and rum adventures
After closing his flagship Miami bar, the Italian master mixologist is hitting the road while the Kaona Room keeps his cocktails flowing. He reveals his plans to return, along with several other new projects in the works.
>>> FULL COVERAGE, PHOTOS AND VIDEO
• The Kaona Room keeps torch burning
• Photos, video: Esotico Miami memories
Cocktail recipe: Esotico Rum Cup
Mai-Kai update (February 2024): Exterior reimagination up next as $15 million Mai-Kai project plows ahead
The historic South Florida restaurant prepared for an ambitious transformation of its sprawling 2.7-acre grounds.
REVIEW: El Dorado's new High Ester Blend could be a mixologist's secret weapon
The first in a series of cask-strength releases is a fine premium sipper, but its true strength may be behind the bar.
>>> SEE OUR TAKE ON THE NEW RUM
Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
If there were any doubts that the inaugural "next gen" restaurant and tropical bar would not live up to the high standards of its namesake, they were quickly put to rest during the launch in Madeira Beach.
>>> OPENING DAY PHOTOS, RECAP, MORE
In-depth coverage
>>> Menus and overview: Cocktails | Food
>>> Decor, music & more | Tips and guidance
>>> Bonus cocktail recipe: Doctor Funk
In year 5, Miami Rum Congress matures into more complex and accessible spirits event
By moving to a major convention center on South Beach and expanding its scope, the event shows potential for an expanded audience.
Social media recap: Photos, coverage of Miami Rum Congress events
>>> Take 5: Q&A with organizer Federico Hernandez
First new Don the Beachcomber location on track to open in early 2024
The restaurant in Madeira Beach on Florida's southwest Gulf Coast is in the final stages of construction and staff is being hired. Photos and video provide a peek inside the first of many new Don the Beachcomber locations.
>>> FULL COVERAGE OF THE REVIVAL OF THE ICONIC BRAND
• Renderings, mission statement revealed at Tiki Oasis
• Merchandise: Mugs, glassware, apparel, ephemera
• Bonus cocktail recipe: Sunakora
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