It’s a great time to be immersed in the modern Tiki lifestyle, which has grown from its humble revival a quarter century ago into a full-blown subculture that shows no signs of slowing down. Fueled a cavalcade of new artists, musicians, bartenders and home enthusiasts, the scene is attracting a new generation of fans and followers.
The Disasternauts headline the Saturday night event at the first Tiki-a-Go-Go in April 2024. (Sveinn Photography)
Nowhere is this more apparent than Florida, home to a blossoming new event that perfectly exemplifies the modern Tiki era, circa 2025. Launched last year to great fanfare, Tiki-a-Go-Go returns to Orlando on April 4-6 for a whirlwind weekend celebrating the past, present and future of the lifestyle and its many subgenres. SEE BELOW:Tiki-a-Go-Go daily schedule | 10 questions with the co-founders
Do you want to learn about Tiki, Florida and Disney history? Check. Craving delicious cocktails crafted by top Tiki bartenders? Check. Eager to browse and buy from a smorgasbord of vendors? Check. Need tips on how to build a home bar or make cocktails? Check. Does your perfect evening involve live surf and exotica music, a retro supper club and classy burlesque? Check, check and check.
Tiki-a-Go-Go also offers interactive activities for everyone, from a hands-on “drink and paint” class with artist Mcbiff to vintage hair styling. Presentation topics range from tattoo art, to aloha wear, to Tiki pioneer Don the Beachcomber. The top tier passes are already sold out, so it’s probably a good idea to reserve your hotel room and buy your tickets now. You don’t want to miss one of Tiki’s hottest up-and-coming events. .
April 4-6 – Tiki-a-Go-Go at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. Featuring 30+ symposiums and classes (Sven Kirsten, Tim “Swanky” Glazner, Garret Richard, Spike Marble, David “Mcbiff” McNeley, Matt Pietrek, Jonpaul Balak, Tiki Tom-Tom, Margo “Rocket Betty” Scott, Dave “Basement Kahuna” Wolfe, David “Dr. Skipper” Marley, How Bowers, Jim Bacchi, Tommy Tam, et al.), guest cocktail bars and bartenders, live music (Tikiyaki Orchestra and Tikiyaki 5-0, The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, Les Greene and the Swayzees, more), supper club and burlesque, artists and vendors, plus more. Bonus event:Magical Tiki Meet Up on April 6 at the Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World.
* Tiki-a-Go-Go on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group
• Atomic Grog coverage: 2024 photos, video on social media
Tiki-a-Go-Go is the brainchild of four longtime scene supporters and attendees of many events across the country. Jenna & Jose Villasana from Orlando joined forces with Mary & Jason Wescoat from Venice to create a Florida-centric weekender that honors the state’s roadside attractions and theme park history while also diving deep into Tiki history as well as contemporary topics not often covered elsewhere. They also linked their event to the established Magical Tiki Meet Up for a final day of fun at Disney World.
The event’s host hotel, the Caribe Royale Resort, is strategically located near Disney property and offers a tropical-themed vibe that complements the vast convention space. It’s a sprawling resort, so Tiki-a-Go-Go must share the facilities, but the Florida resort feel fits the event to a tee.
A view of the main pool at Orlando’s Caribe Royale Resort during the first Tiki-a-Go-Go. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, April 2024)
The first gathering was an unqualified success, featuring such notables as Sven Kirsten, Tim “Swanky” Glazner, Spike Marble, and Tiki Tom-Tom. These experts all return in 2025, along with an expansive lineup of presenters, musicians, mixologists, and much more. It can be an over-used term, but this year’s lineup is truly eclectic.
Hundreds of Tikiphiles flocked to Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend at the end of January for three days of artists and vendors, live music and entertainment, rum and cocktail tastings, plus a healthy dose of “edutainment.” The Omni hotel and Trader Vic’s were abuzz Jan 24-26 as enthusiastic guests enjoyed seminars and presentations on a wide range of topics. Previous coverage:Event overview, plus photos and video on social media
The Luau Lads (Kurt Rogers and Michael Bloom) and Tiki Lindy were among the rum and mixology experts at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
We gained a new appreciation for the work of pioneering artist Bosko, got mixology tips from the Luau Lads and Tiki Lindy, and received an exclusive update on the future of the Don the Beachcomber restaurants and upcoming book. The Atomic Grog was privileged to participate with an update on the reimagination and reopening of the Mai-Kai. Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
This was a follow-up to our 2023 symposium, Okole Maluna! The Return of The Mai-Kai, when we revealed details and a sneak peek at what would become an ambitious $20 million project that’s still ongoing. After the grand reopening in November, there was a lot new to report.
The famous “Mai-Kai that never was” painting by Al Kocab of a planned design that was abandoned before the 1970 expansion. It’s available as a 4-by-6-inch postcard, suitable for framing, in the restaurant gift shop along with 14 others for just $2 each. Click for larger image.
Following are some of the highlights of our slideshow, including two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller. Click on the images for a larger view. Below are notes pertaining to each slide.
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
Presented at Inuhele in Atlanta on Jan. 26, 2025 Historic photos from the Mai-Kai, Tim “Swanky” Glazner, and other sources. Current and recent photos by Hurricane Hayward and the Mai-Kai unless noted.
↑ Charles McKirahan was one of the foremost architects of the Mid-Century Modern movement. The Mai-Kai design was Inspired by Canlis in Hawaii, featuring a 40-foot steel A-frame allowing an open main area, flanked by dining rooms. McKirahan was responsible for some of South Florida’s most iconic buildings of that era.
↑ After attending Stanford University, Bob and Jack Thornton borrowed money from their parents and went on to create the biggest Tiki temple of them all. The Mai-Kai grossed $1 million during its first full year of operation (1957) as the 150 seat-restaurant served 1,000 customers a night. The colorized image is available as a 4-by-6 postcard in the gift shop.
In what amounts to a very expensive but insightful research-and-development project, the owners of the Don the Beachcomber brand have decided not to reopen the namesake restaurant and bar in Madeira Beach, which launched with great fanfare in February but was severely damaged by dual hurricanes that slammed Florida’s Gulf Coast in September and October.
Takeaways from this story
• Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach will be replaced by the Tiki Docks concept. [MORE]
• Brand owner 23 Restaurant Services is accelerating the rollout of Gantt Reserve Collection bars. [MORE]
• A flagship Don the Beachcomber is still on track for Central Florida. [MORE]
• Author plans more Donn Beach books after biography is released. [MORE]
• New custom mugs available in online store. [MORE] Bonus cocktail recipe:Tribute to Marie King’s The Seminole Heights
“There’s no reason to be concerned about the health of the brand moving forward, or whether or not we’re going to opening any more restaurants,” creative director Justin Peterson told a crowd of concerned Tikiphiles at the Inuhele weekender in Atlanta on Jan. 25. “Every project we had in the pipeline is still going forward. On top of that, we have stuff we can’t even talk about today, exciting stuff that is going to blow your mind when we get around to it.”
Peterson and beverage director Marie King broke the news on behalf of parent company 23 Restaurant Services, which added the legendary Tiki concept to its portfolio of a half-dozen brands in 2022. After dispensing with the Madeira Beach update – which Peterson admitted was “a total bummer” – the pair spent the remainder of their 45-minute seminar getting us up to speed on the company’s more positive advancements related to Tiki’s founding father, Donn Beach, aka Don the Beachcomber.
This includes an aggressive rollout of more small cocktail-focused bars in the Gantt Reserve Collection, an umbrella grouping of speakeasies that pay homage to Beach’s given name (Ernest Raymond Gantt). The first, Morgan’s Cove, made its debut in downtown Tampa in July. The next location may open in Plantation, west of Fort Lauderdale, in early 2026. All will have unique names and theming related to their location. Past coverage:Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa
The loss of the Madeira Beach restaurant, which will be replaced by the company’s more streamlined and tropical-themed Tiki Docks, will mean that the company will be without a branded Don the Beachcomber restaurant until what promises to be a spectacular new venue opens in Hamlin, just north of Walt Disney World, in 2026. From all accounts, it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, the pair spoke of keeping the brand in the public eye with pop-up appearances and an impressive array of merchandise.
Don the Beachcomber biographer Tim “Swanky” Glazner (left) joined creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director Marie King for a presentation on the state of the brand at Inuhele in Atlanta. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Jan. 25, 2025)
Author Tim “Swanky” Glazner, whose long-awaited biography (Searching for Don the Beachcomber) is on track for a fall 2025 release, joined his friends to talk about the book and reassure the Inuhele attendees that Beach’s legacy remains in good hands. “I believe they’re going to do a great job,” Glazner said of not only King and Peterson, but the entire 23 Restaurant Services team.
The presentation was perhaps the most information-packed and definitely produced the most breaking news from the entire event. Inuhele celebrated its sixth gathering of the tribe at a new venue (the Omni hotel) in downtown Atlanta with three days of symposiums, a Tiki marketplace, live entertainment, cocktail and rum tastings, room parties, and much more. A highlight was a luau and live music at another historic Tiki venue, the vintage Trader Vic’s that dates back to 1976. Related coverage:Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse
Following is a detailed breakdown on what we learned from Peterson, King and Glazner during the symposium. Please note that there are no set dates for any of the upcoming projects, just estimated dates as detailed below. Peterson wanted to make clear that these can change on a daily basis. So temper your expectations, but know that progress is being made.
From humble beginnings, Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend has risen to become one of the must-visit events of the year for tikiphiles, an alternative to the many summer events and an eclectic mix of modern and vintage art, music and culture. The sixth annual weekender returns Jan 24-26 at the downtown Omni hotel, with Saturday night’s luau and live music at the historic Trader Vic’s nearby.
Advance sales end Wednesday (Jan. 15) at 11:59 p.m., so don’t miss out. Weekend passes, priced at $225, may be available at the event if any remain. Day passes won’t be sold. Save $50 in advance when you order a standard pass ($175) online, which includes entry to the vendor hall; panels all weekend; live contests, bands and shows; live demos; the Big Uke Jam, Caftan Strut, Swizzle Swap, and more. Already sold out is the VIP pass, which includes entry to Thursday’s welcome party, early entry to the vending hall, a ticket to the Saturday night luau, a VIP swag bag, plus other VIP events.
What started as a bus tour of the city’s vibrant home Tiki bars in 2018 has evolved into a full-blown convention-style event in a city known for its pop-culture conventions. Like many of those fan-centric gatherings, Inuhele puts guests and VIPs into the same immersive fishbowl together. Like other Tiki conventions, the atmosphere is based on a shared love of Polyesian Pop art and culture.
The annual Swizzle Swap, as seen in 2023, is a staple at Inuhele. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Inuhele has relocated to the Omni after one year at the Marriott Century Center and the past four years at the Atlanta Sheraton Downtown. Located in the heart of the Centennial Park District (built for the 1996 Olympics), the hotel is also adjacent to State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center. In addition to skyline views, guests can enjoy many nearby attractions (World of Coca Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Center for Puppetry Arts). The pet-friendly hotel also boasts a heated pool, fitness center, plus three restaurants.
It’s just 1.3 miles to the Hilton Atlanta and its famous subterranean Trader Vic’s, est. 1976. One of the last remaining restaurants built during the lifetime of company founder Victor Bergeron, the vintage space is notable for its decor and artwork, which remain relatively unchanged after nearly 50 years.
• Venerable Trader Vic’s brand marks 90 years with a return to its roots
The Frigidaires from Atlanta will perform Saturday night at Trader Vic’s. (Official photo)
Check out our interview below with Jonathan Chaffin, who founded Inuhele with his wife, Allison. Together, they also run Horror In Clay, producing horror-themed Tiki mugs, barware, art, and accessories. The couple likes to keep the event very much a family-run passion project, and it shows. Their self-funded FlipKat Productions depends on ticket sales to pay for the event, along with a growing list of sponsors.
Event sponsors for 2025 include Trader Vic’s, Don the Beachcomber; The Bamboo Room Tiki Bar; Tiki Underground; The Luau Lads and Lark’s Head Rum; Spiribam (Chairman’s Reserve, Rhum J.M, Clement Rhum); Tandauy Rum; Bacardi (Bacardi Ocho, Santa Teresa 1796, Havana Club); Hilton Head Distillery; BG Reynolds Cocktail Syrups; Tip Top Cocktails, Fresca Mixed; Cerveza Pacifico beer; Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co.; Black Lagoon Coffee; and Uke Republic.
LIVE COVERAGE: Don the Beachcomber news, plus photos and video on social media
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai RestorationNEW
Attendees at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta enjoyed an exclusive look at the reimagination and revival of the historic restaurant during a special multimedia presentation featuring photos, video and inside tips. Check out slideshow highlights, plus two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller. DEEP DIVE:The renovation and reopening of the Mai-Kai
Annual retrospectives always include some bittersweet news alongside the happy achievements, and 2024 was no different. We sadly said farewell to some legends as well as a few beloved watering holes. But there was much to celebrate as new Tiki establishments opened and events were launched. The good certainly overshadowed the bad at the top of the list. Three major storylines dominated the year in Tiki, and we’re happy to report that 2025 promises to be even better for three iconic names that are poised for their biggest years in recent history. Related:The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video Bonus cocktail recipe:The Dirty Banana by Mike “Jetsetter” Jones
1. (TIE) CLASSIC TIKI REBORN: The Mai-Kai reopens after $20M restoration, Don the Beachcomber brand resurrected in Florida
It was impossible to choose one of these two highly significant events as the top story of the year, so we’re declaring it a tie. The importance of both cannot be understated. When all is said and done, this may qualify as the top story of the decade. Imagine a future without the Mai-Kai, and Don the Beachcomber just a figure in books and movies.
In mid-2021, we were still mired in the pandemic, the Mai-Kai had been closed for nearly a year and had yet to find new owners, and we had no clue that the historic Don the Beachcomber name had been acquired by a little-known restaurant group from Tampa.
By September of that year, the Mai-Kai was sold two a new ownership group, becoming the No. 2 story of the year. In 2022, the historic South Florida restaurant was in the midst of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar reimagination that grabbed the No. 5 slot. By 2023, Don the Beachcomber grabbed headlines (and the No. 2 top story) with an ambitious announcement of a revival of the brand by 23 Restaurant Services. The massive Mai-Kai renovation efforts, which we documented in great detail, was No. 4.
Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach was the first location to open as part of a planned national rollout of the iconic brand. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Which brings us to 2024, when both stories deservedly bolted to the top slot. Don the Beachcomber made news first, opening its first new restaurant Feb. 23 in Madeira Beach on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast. The full-service restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Cambria Hotel just blocks from the beach, was designed by Daniel “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and a crew of artists and craftspeople. The cocktails are in the highly capable hands of beverage director Marie King.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
In April, the team behind the ambitious brand re-launch took the stage at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando to offer a sneak preview of new locations planned for Florida, plus a new “brand within a brand” called the Gantt Reserve Collection from Don the Beachcomber. These smaller, speakeasy-style venues will allow the company to more swiftly expand. While the next large restaurant – a flagship location just north of Disney World in Central Florida – isn’t expected until at least 2025, the company was able to turn the key on its first cocktail-centric bar just three months later.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, upcoming locations in Florida
Morgan’s Cove in Tampa is the first Gantt Reserve Collection bar from Don the Beachcomber. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Morgan’s Cove, featuring a whimsical seafaring design executed perfectly by Gallardo and his team, swung open its secret door on July 18 on downtown Tampa’s Morgan Street. The city’s long history of pirate lore makes the theme a perfect fit. King rose to the challenge with a menu of elevated classic cocktails and unique takes on Donn Beach’s vision.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa
All that momentum came to a crashing halt in September. Hurricane Helene slammed the Gulf Coast, causing extensive damage to many homes and businesses, including Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach. The restaurant unfortunately fell victim to a perfect storm of unfortunate circumcstances. It was announced in January that it would not be reopening, but would be transformed into the sister concept, Tiki Docks.
That doesn’t mean the Don the Beachcomber brand is slowing its expansion. It’s just a temporary step back. Many new venues are coming soon, as we learned at Inuhele 2025:
Meanwhile on Florida’s southeast coast just north of Fort Lauderdale, work was progressing on the Mai-Kai, built in 1956 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. It closed in late October 2020 after a roof collapse took out the 1970s-era kitchen and revealed an aging structure in need of a lot of TLC. And, it turns out, even more money and time than projected. Luckily, the new ownership group led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller of Miami’s Barlington Group has deep pockets and even more patience.
Far from your typical restaurant restoration, this project demanded a high level of expertise. Creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller rose to the challenge, joined by a team of artists and longtime manager Kern Mattei. The excitement level started to build in June, when guests of The Hukilau received exclusive tours of some of the newly restored areas, including the Molokai Bar and showroom.
• Previous coverage:Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of the Mai-Kai restoration
The Mai-Kai showroom comes back to life during the grand reopening on Nov. 21. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
With a fall reopening in sight, hiring began in August, including performers for a rebooted version of the Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii). In September, Cory Starr (formerly of Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin and Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago) was named beverage director, overseeing one of Tiki’s most storied bar programs.
• Previous coverage:Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist
Even the parking lot received a creative makeover. Designed by the architects at Orlando’s Perry-Becker Design, whose resume includes Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the arrival experience became totally immersive with new waterfalls, lush foliage and a simulated volcanic caldera. The old porte-cochère was reimagined into the Bora Bora Bar with outdoor seating and another layer of story-telling for guests to enjoy.
The Mai-Kai’s outdoor Tiki garden reopened for the 68th anniversary on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai has been open every day since regular service began Nov. 26, including a 68th anniversary celebration on Dec. 28. The building and grounds look fantastic, but the $20 million project is far from complete. The expansive Tiki garden reopened for the anniversary, and several rear dining rooms are still being renovated. Allsmiller has more tricks up his sleeve as his work continues in 2025, but don’t hesitate to make a pilgrimage to Tiki’s mecca, a Polynesian paradise that defied the odds and returned bigger and better than ever in 2024.
EXCLUSIVE:Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide
Check out all past news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and resurrection of the Polynesian palace.
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2. THE DONN OF TIKI: Fans flock to premieres, boost film’s profile
The godfather of Tiki, Don the Beachcomber (aka Donn Beach), finally got his due in 2024 with the long-awaited public debut of The Donn of Tiki on the film festival circuit in April. By the end of the year, it had made the rounds at more than a half-dozen events and garnered numerous awards. In September, Kickstarter contributors were able to screen the movie at home.
Save these dates now and make plans for a full year of major events across the world of Tiki culture. We’ll also keep you posted on many worldwide gatherings for fans of rum, lowbrow and mid-century modern art, surf and rockabilly music, plus some Disney events and anything of general interest to the Tiki community.
For the first time since 2019, guests once again gathered for a full night of signature Mai-Kai cocktails, food and entertainment to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening on Dec. 28, 1956. Closed since October 2020, the historic South Florida landmark reopened in November 2024 after a $20 million restoration and reimagination.
Hundreds of fans enjoyed happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. in the vintage Molokai Bar and the new Bora Bora Bar outdoors under the porte-cochère. There were three dinner show seatings for the Polynesian Islander Revue at 4, 7 and 10 p.m. as the celebration continued all night. NEW:2024 anniversary, New Year’s Eve photos & video
The Mai-Kai, which is still in the final stages of the multi-year renovation project launched in 2022, held an anniversary party in the parking lot in 2020 after a catastrophic roof collapse over the kitchen shut down service indoors two months earlier. The popular restaurant persevered, securing new ownership and a creative team that is taking great care to meticulously restore every square inch of the 26,000-square-foot space.
In addition, ambitious new features have been added to the exterior, including a themed entryway that immediately whisks guests into an exotic tropical paradise. Opening to guests for sneak previews on Nov. 15, the Mai-Kai held its ceremonial grand reopening Nov. 21 and return of the signature dinner shows Nov. 22.
The Mai-Kai shortly after its Dec. 28, 1956, opening in a reimagined vintage postcard image. This 4-by-6-inch card, suitable for framing, is among the 15 Mai-Kai Classics postcards available in the restaurant gift shop. (Official photo)
With an emphasis on the important activity in recent years, here’s a look back at some key dates and events over the course of the Mai-Kai’s long history:
Dec. 28, 1956 – Young and ambitious Chicago brothers Bob and Jack Thornton fulfill their dream by opening a Polynesian restaurant on a sleepy stretch of Federal Highway in Oakland Park, bordering Fort Lauderdale in South Florida. It cost $350,000 to create, reportedly the most expensive restaurant built that year. They name it Mai-Kai, which means “the best” in Hawaiian. The futuristic A-frame design is the work of acclaimed architect Charles F. McKirahan Sr. The restaurant seats 225 guests in five dining rooms and the Surfboard Bar. Key members of the team include manager Bob Van Dorpe, mixologist Mariano Licudine and chef Kenny Lee, who all come from the Don the Beachcomber location in Chicago and bring a rich institutional knowledge of the pioneering Polynesian restaurant concept.
1957 – In its first year, the Mai-Kai earns more than $1 million, making it one of the most successful restaurants of its time.
The allure of the Mystery Girl is part of the mystique of the Mystery Drink. Myrna Weber (left) was a Playboy playmate of the month in August 1958.
1958 – The original Molokai Bar is built on the north side of the main building, creating a new lounge for the crowds arriving for dinner. Two iconic features are added: Sarong-clad serving girls and the Mystery Drink served by the Mystery Girl.
This year has been significant for the Tiki and Polynesian Pop scene in the Sunshine State for both its ups and downs. Luckily, the high points have been more plentiful than the lows with 2024 marked by the arrival of the first new Don the Beachcomber restaurant in decades, the debut of the Tiki-a-Go-Go event, and the triumphant return of the Mai-Kai.
The calm before the storms: The Don the Beachcomber crew, including Justin Peterson (left) and Marie King (right), at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando in April 2024. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
But in true Tiki fashion, there’s always a little bittersweet that goes into any potent cocktail. In this historic year, that meant a tumultuous hurricane season that wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, leading to the closing of Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach, and heavy damage elsewhere.
But resilience is a hallmark of the southernmost mainland state, and we’re happy to report that this year’s hurricane season did not deliver a knockout punch. To the contrary, many of those affected by the storms have emerged stronger than ever, poised for an even more memorable 2025.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was an extremely active and devastating one, reportedly the second-costliest on record with more than $220 billion in damage. Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida: Debby (Aug. 5), Helene (Sept. 26), and Milton (Oct. 9). The category 1 Debby brought heavy rain, flooding and widespread power outages to Florida’s Big Bend, but it was just a hint at what was still to come.
Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida in 2024.
The category 4 Helene caused widespread damage from the Gulf Coast to North Carolina. It was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with more than 150 deaths. In Florida, the storm cut a path of destruction from Naples and Fort Myers through Sarasota, Tampa and all the way to Tallahassee.
The category 3 Milton brought significant damage with a destructive storm surge resulting in many homes and businesses damaged. Milton’s impact still lingers with debris clean-ups across Central Florida and residents near bodies of water still dealing with flooding, according to Orlando’s WESH 2.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton both severely impacted Florida’s Gulf Coast and beyond.
Our deepest condolences to everyone impacted by this year’s calamitous tropical weather, especially those who lost loved ones. This story is intended as snapshot of how several of Florida’s most high-profile Tiki establishments were impacted and how they pulled through in a time of crisis.
As my story in the current issue of Exotica Moderne shows, we’re all looking forward to a fresh start in 2025 as we build a bigger and better Tiki community. Check our Tiki Times guide for the latest event announcements and follow our continuing coverage on the blog all year.
Updated March 25, 2025 This blog post will feature continually updated information from official sources at the historic Mai-Kai restaurant in South Florida. It will also include in-depth coverage and photos from journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward, along with information gathered from other reliable sources. Bookmark and return for the most accurate and complete guide to the reopening of the Tiki landmark, est. 1956.
• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive UPDATES: Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights
Mai-Kai beverage director Cory Starr (left) with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller in the Bora Bora Bar on Feb. 27. Tom Fowner (right) is joined by fellow South Florida artist Todd Ashbaugh on March 14. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, the Mai-Kai)
February-March 2025 update: Artists continue working on Mai-Kai design projects, upgrading vintage look and feel
Posted March 24, 2025
There has been a lot of activity at the Mai-Kai since our last full update in January, from the completion of the restoration of the waterfalls in front of the iconic A-frame, to the addition of vintage tikis in the outdoor gardens, to the pending installation of new carvings across the property, to a new signature Bora Bora Bar sign and its fascinating back story. This story will cover all those topics and more, hitting all the high points since our presentation at Inuhele in Atlanta (see full story). Also remember to check our separate blog post that covers all the latest Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, updated with coverage of two special events in March. RELATED:Mai-Kai joins spirits festival, welcomes brands for cocktail and rum tasting eventsNEW
Here are the highlights of the continuing renovations and restoration of the restaurant, including new videos and photos.
Historic water features running, new front deck completed
The return of the water features in front of the Mai-Kai completes the restoration of the iconic facade of the South Florida restaurant. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / March 7, 2025)
If you thought that the extensive restoration and renovation of the Mai-Kai was nearly complete at the end of 2024, think again. We watched the progress throughout early 2025, culminating with the long-awaited return of the waterfalls that cascade through the rock work in front of the 40-foot A-frame.
The elaborate water features in front of the building along Federal Highway, which date back to the early days of the 68-year-old restaurant, were finally operational by the second week in March. Waterfalls now also envelope guests who walk out onto the new deck added to the front of the Molokai Bar during the restoration.
Bringing the water system back to life was a long, involved process. The system is vintage (aka very old), but the Mai-Kai has been able to restore it with the help of an expert who specializes in keeping such legacy systems running. In addition to separate pump systems in front to the left and right of the entry bridge, there are classic water features surrounding the banyan tree next to the Bora Bora Bar, and also throughout the walking paths in the back Tiki gardens.
The restored water features next to the 1960s era carving by Barney West at the north end of the Mai-Kai property along Federal Highway likely date back 50 years. Note the banyan trees and Bora Bora Bar in the background. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 27, 2025)
Because the Mai-Kai is a local and national historic landmark, tearing out and replacing the vintage systems was not an option. As part of the reimagination, new rock work and waterfalls were added in front of the new outdoor bar. The most ambitious new water feature is the faux volcanic caldera and its water jets at the end of the entry driveway.
Manager Kern Mattei said they had to reboot, then typically replace, multiple aging pumps that had been shut down since 2020. Many hadn’t been working for years prior. Then crews had to inspect and debug every inch of pipe to make sure all the lines were working. They’re still plagued by leaks, but they’re finally all working correctly.
While this work was going on, “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller completed the conversion of the outdoor area in front of the Molokai Bar into a small Tiki garden, surrounded by flowing waterfalls. We got our first inkling that something special was coming in the summer of 2023 when Allsmiller restored the beam extensions on front of the bar.
The front deck of the Molokai bar is now complete, offering guests an additional outdoor garden area. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / March 12, 2025)
Over the next year, the new deck was built and the outdoor area in front of the bar became a public space for guests for the first time. When the Mai-Kai reopened in November after 5 years and $20 million in improvements, the former fire door became a public exit, but more work was still left to be done.
By late February, the woodwork on the front of the building had been painted, temporary barriers removed, and new bamboo planted to block the sights and sounds of busy Federal Highway. “You can’t see the street anymore,” Mattei said, noting the guests inside the bar are now totally cut off from the real world, as intended. With a few exceptions, you’ll have this same experience throughout the restaurant. This immersion is key to the original design and carried through the restoration.
