The Hukilau photo highlights: Thursday’s Tiki Tower Takeover and Kick-Off Party

Tiki Tower Takeover in the Pier Top Lounge at Pier 66
(All photos by The Atomic Grog except where noted)
Atomic Grog recap, recipes: Tiki’s top barmen take over the Pier 66 tower

The Hyatt Regency Pier 66 is and its exclusive rotating top-floor lounge are primed and ready for today’s events.

The 17th-floor lounge offers a panoramic view of Fort Lauderdale Beach.

With prep completed, the Tiki Tower Takeover’s all-star cast of bar professionals joins The Hukilau’s Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White (center) for a group photo. (Photo by Go11Events.com)

The event featured an exclusive gathering of four of the country’s most acclaimed Tiki barmen serving up signature drinks …

1. Brian Miller (Tiki Mondays With Miller, New York City)
Assisted by Garret Richard
The drink: Pandanarama Daiquiri

2. Paul McGee (Lost Lake, Chicago)
Assisted by Shelby Allison
The drink: Lost Lake
* Review, recipe

3. Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco)
Assisted by Rebecca Cate
The drink: Formidable Dragon
* Review, recipe

(Photo by Go11Events.com)

4. Jeff “Beachbum” Berry (Latitude 29, New Orleans)
Assisted by Steve Yamada
The drink: T.O.T.C. Swizzle
* Review, recipe

The Hukilau’s Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White welcomes Beachbum Berry (right) and Steve Yamada.

Crazy Al Evans (left) and King Kululele (plus Pablus, not pictured) provided the entertainment.

The bars are busy as the crowd flows in.

Some drinkers were double-fisted (Joe Desmond, New York City).

Among the VIPs joining The Hukilau’s Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White (left) were artist Dave “Basement Kahuna” Wolfe and The Cooking Channel’s Jim Stacy (right, with wife Kim). Background: filmmaker Duda Leite (left) and author Jeff Chenault.

The Atomic Grog’s Hurricane Hayward (right) runs into New York City’s Adam Kolesar, creator of the Orgeat Works products.

As the two-hour happy hour nears its conclusion, the crowd and the lines grow.

Brian Miller (left) and Garret Richard cranking out their Pandanarama Daiquiri.

Shelby Allison works on the elaborate garnish for the Lost Lake cocktail.

Martin Cate’s Formidable Dragon was named for the term 18th century British Admiral Edward Vernon used to describe drunkenness in his 1740 decree that ordered the watering of rum rations and the birth of grog. (Photo by Go11Events.com)

Steve Yamada (left) and Jeff “Beachbum” Berry were swamped trying to keep up with demand for the T.O.T.C. Swizzle, but they performed like rock stars.

The Atomic Grog’s Hurricane Hayward (left) and Jimi Gonzalez of the Straw Hat Barmen enjoy the T.O.T.C. Swizzle.

The Tiki Tower Takeover team celebrates a job well done. (Photo by Go11Events.com)

To cap off the evening, the Tiki Tower Takeover crew (and Adam Kolesar, right) recreate The Last Supper in The Molokai bar at The Mai-Kai. (Photo by Pablus)

Official photos: Browse the Tiki Tower Takeover gallery from Go11 Events

Atomic Grog recap, recipes: Tiki’s top barmen take over the Pier 66 tower

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Kick-Off Party at Pier 66

Georgia’s Kinky Waikiki. (Atomic Grog photo)

Kinky Waikiki play authentic Hawaiian music. (Atomic Grog photo)

The Intoxicators from Tallahassee rock the house. (Atomic Grog photo)

Gary Evans and The Intoxicators were Thursday night’s headliner. They were later joined by Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid. (Atomic Grog photo)

Official photos: Browse the Kick-Off Party gallery from Go11 Events

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More Thursday official photos from Go11
Tiki Treasures Bazaar | Mermaids and The Real McCoy pop-up bar

Photos by day: Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday/Sunday