Tiki and bingo: Two things that go great together. The South Florida chapter of the Fraternal Order of Moai has proven that to be true over the past five years with a popular and ongoing series of monthly charity events at The Mai-Kai. The non-profit Tiki fraternal group kicks off its 2019 season tonight.
Jan. 17 – Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale hosted by the Gumbo Limbo Chapter of the Fraternal Order Of Moai. A fund-raising event featuring an extended happy hour.
The Tiki Times: See all the upcoming events
About Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai
The Fraternal Order of Moai (aka the FOM) has long been a proponent of fun social events that also raise money for its favorite charities. While the annual Ohana: Luau At The Lake in Lake George, N.Y., is the group’s major flagship event, the nine active chapters across the country also hold regular, more intimate gatherings for the general public as well as members. One such event is Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary in May.
Held nearly every month on a Thursday in one of The Mai-Kai’s most historic and secluded dining rooms, Tiki Bingo gives locals a chance to socialize and have a good time while raising a few bucks for those in need. The Samoa Room was part of the restaurant’s original structure built in 1956 and most famously contains shadowboxes featuring what are reported to be actual shrunken heads from the South Pacific. It seats around 50 people and is the perfect spot for a small group.
Event highlights
* Tiki Bingo has its own special happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Samoa Room with half-priced cocktails and appetizers from The Mai-Kai’s extensive menu. It’s the same happy hour menu you get in The Molokai bar from 5 to 7 p.m., so feel free to start there before heading back to Samoa for bingo. Also, if the great Mai-Kai cocktail menu isn’t enough, the South Florida members of the FOM are always looking to add special cocktails and rum sponsors to the bingo events. One past happy hour included a Mai Tai flight featuring versions from Trader Vic’s, Don the Beachcomber and The Mai-Kai.
* You can help South Florida charities via special raffles and fund-raising activities. Local animal and nature groups are usually earmarked. The Jan. 17 event benefits the Humane Society of Broward County.
* Meet and greet some of the area’s most dedicated Tikiphiles while enjoying the best food, drinks and ambiance you could ask for. Don’t know anybody? Don’t sweat it with this welcoming group. Don’t worry, there will be no hazing rituals. Unless, of course, you order a Mystery Drink, which is a whole different type of ritual.
What’s coming up?
Keep an eye on the Gumbo Limbo Chapter’s page on Facebook for future events. The plan for 2019 is to hold Tiki Bingo nights on the third Thursday of the month. The group also hosts other special events at The Mai-Kai, such as last year’s Sept. 29 happy hour sponsored by Lemon Hart Rum and featuring current, retired and lost cocktails plus prizes, giveaways and more. A previous Mai-Kai happy hour event featured cocktails from Smuggler’s Cove. Also, every summer, the group helps put on the Stripped + Stranded – Summer Luau at Stache Drinking Den in Fort Lauderdale.
The Tiki Times: See all the upcoming events
Related: The Mai-Kai Takeover and Demerara rum happy hour on Saturday, Jan. 19
The Fraternal Order of Moai
* Official site | Facebook page | Twitter
The Mai-Kai is at 3599 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, on the west side between Commercial and Oakland Park boulevards. Call (954) 563-3272 for more information or to make dinner reservations. Valet and paid self-parking.
* Official site | Trading Post | Twitter
* Facebook: Official page | Friends of The Mai-Kai group
* Instagram: Restaurant | The Molokai bar | Trading Post
* Mai-Kai history: Book and official website | Facebook page
* Google Maps: Explore The Mai-Kai in 3-D