Category: Restaurants

Posted on

Photos: Demerara rum flows at The Mai-Kai’s magical retro event featuring The Atomic Grog

The Atomic Grog was pleased to present a special happy-hour talk about “Demerara Rum: The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon” during The Mai-Kai Takeover event on Jan. 19, presented by the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled.

SEE BELOW: Event photo gallery | Previous: Atomic Grog event preview

Armed with a Zombie, Hurricane Hayward is ready to get started with his talk on Demerara rum
Armed with a Zombie, Hurricane Hayward is ready to get started with his talk on Demerara rum.

A big thanks to sponsor Lemon Hart & Son rum and brand ambassador Miles Maximillian Vrahimis for all the assistance, including the photos below plus the promo materials featured at the event as well as a special Blackpool spiced rum package that was presented to a lucky charity raffle winner. The raffle raised $275 for the Humane Society of Broward County.

The event kicked off at 4 p.m. with an extra hour of happy hour that included our talk in The Molokai bar. There was a full house of close to 100 people on hand for the 30-minute presentation, plus two sample cocktails featuring Lemon Hart’s two traditional Demerara rums.

Lemon Hart 151 is a legendary Tiki cocktail ingredient and one of the world’s most distinctive rums. The Mai-Kai features it in seven of its most flavor-packed (and strong) cocktails, including the Jet Pilot and Zombie. Guests at the Jan. 19 event were treated to a mini version of the 151 Swizzle, a classic that showcases the rich and smoky overproof rum.

Demerara Float samples make the rounds
Demerara Float samples make the rounds.

As a special treat, we also sampled the long-lost Demerara Float, perhaps the best of all the drinks from the 1956 menu that have been retired over the decades. It’s served only at special events, so it was a unique opportunity to try this Don the Beachcomber creation (originally known as the Demerara Dry Float) using Lemon Hart’s 80-proof rum, aka Original 1804.

Historically, this is the rum used by Don the Beachcomber and The Mai-Kai in their mid-century masterpieces that you can still taste at the Fort Lauderdale Tiki temple. Be sure to check out the Yeoman’s Grog (aka Navy Grog), S.O.S. (aka Three Dots and a Dash) and Bora Bora (aka Donga Punch). These days, The Mai-Kai employs the 86-proof Hamilton rum from the same distillery as Lemon Hart, the famed Demerara Distillers in Guyana.

Attendees received my handy checklist documenting all The Mai-Kai cocktails featuring Lemon Hart 151 and Hamilton 86, with the strong warning that I don’t advise trying all 13 in one sitting. Or two. Or three. Take your time and savor them.
RELATED: See all the cocktails featuring Demerara rum at The Mai-Kai

Here are some nuggets of info from the 30-minute talk:

Continue reading “Photos: Demerara rum flows at The Mai-Kai’s magical retro event featuring The Atomic Grog”

Posted on

Event preview: 2019 Tiki Bingo season kicks off at The Mai-Kai

Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai

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

Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai

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.

Continue reading “Event preview: 2019 Tiki Bingo season kicks off at The Mai-Kai”
Posted on

Magical Tiki Meet-Up special event: ‘Demerara Rum – The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon’

Demerara Rum - The Mai-Kai's Secret Weapon on Jan. 19, 2019

Updated Jan. 30, 2019

Mahalo to everyone who turned out to our talk on Lemon Hart and Demerara rum, plus all the festivities at The Mai-Kai Takeover from the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled. The rum raffle raised $275 for the Humane Society of Broward County.

Click here to check out our full event recap, including photos and highlights of our Demerara rum discussion …

Demerara Rum: The Mai-Kai's Secret Weapon on Jan. 19, 2019

EVENT PREVIEW:

The Atomic Grog is joining forces with the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled for a special talk at The Mai-Kai on Saturday, Jan. 19: “Demerara Rum – The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon.” This event is sold out!

The Mai-Kai Takeover on Jan. 19

Here’s the schedule:
4 p.m. – Early entry for happy hour in The Molokai bar. Meet and greet, Demerara rum discussion and cocktails.
5 p.m. – Seating for dinner.
* Advance dinner show tickets include early entry and sample cocktails. Happy hour tickets were also offered separately.
* Facebook event

Two sample cocktails featuring Lemon Hart Demerara rum, including one retired drink from the 1956 menu, will be featured at the Jan. 19 event at The Mai-Kai. (Atomic Grog photo)
Two sample cocktails featuring Lemon Hart Demerara rum, including one retired drink from the 1956 menu, will be featured at the Jan. 19 event at The Mai-Kai. (Atomic Grog photo)

Attendees will enjoy two sample cocktails featuring sponsor Lemon Hart & Son rum, there will be a raffle to win a bottle of rum, plus an assortment of free goodies.

Everyone who bought tickets or RSVP’d will have their names listed at the door. Early entry and the sample drinks are included for those who signed up for dinner. For those attending happy hour only, there will be a $15 charge for the Demerara rum drinks, which will include a “lost cocktail” from the 1956 menu that is rarely served.

Among the topics we’ll cover:
* What is Demerara Rum?
* The History of Demerara Rum and Lemon Hart.
* Tiki arrives with Don the Beachcomber.
* The Mai-Kai, Mariano Licudine and mid-century Tiki.
* Mixology magic: Demerara Rum’s greatest hits.
* Lemon Hart at The Mai-Kai: Yesterday and today. Brand ambassador Miles Maximillian Vrahimis will also be on hand to answer questions.

If you’re not attending the dinner show, feel free to hang out for the remainder of happy hour and we’ll continue to discuss the finer points of Demerara Rum and The Mai-Kai’s historic cocktails. For a little background, check out this deep dive on the history of this distinctive rum:
* Rums from Guyana star in The Mai-Kai’s classic cocktails

Continue reading “Magical Tiki Meet-Up special event: ‘Demerara Rum – The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon’”
Posted on

The Hukilau 2019 updates: Hotel room parties are back, The Surfrajettes return to The Mai Kai, plus more

The Hukilau 2019 official artwork by Baï, an artist based in Paris

As promised, news and updates on The Hukilau 2019 are flowing like rum from a barrel as villagers gear up for Feb. 1, when tickets and hotel rooms will go on sale for the 18th annual Tiki weekender in Fort Lauderdale.

Announcements last week included this year’s featured artist, plus countdown parties at Miami Rum Congress in February and The Mai-Kai in March featuring The Surfrajettes. Now, we have exclusive news that The Hukilau will be hosting its first guest room parties in nearly a decade. Scroll down for all the details …

The Hukilau 2019 official artwork by Baï, an artist based in Paris.
The Hukilau 2019 official artwork by Baï, an artist based in Paris.

The Hukilau: June 5-9, 2019, at the Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina and The Mai-Kai restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.
* TheHukilau.com | Facebook: Page and Group | Twitter | Instagram
Previous story: First official announcement promises enhancements, same vintage experience

NEW: Latest announcements on The Hukilau 2019

Hotel room parties return: It’s been quite a while since The Hukilau’s guests, known affectionately as “villagers,” have been able to throw their own official full-blown room parties at the host hotel. It was 2010, in fact, when we last enjoyed an official “crawl,” back when The Hukilau was at the Bahia Cabana and special guest artist Shag served as one of the room party judges. There’s now a pent-up demand for such parties, but they have unfortunately long been a logistical challenge.

In 2019, however, The Hukilau organizers have risen up to meet that challenge. There will be 10 room parties approved by Pier 66 and sanctioned by The Hukilau, we’re told. They will be held on one night only: Thursday, June 6, following the signature Tiki Tower Takeover. Organizers will begin accepting proposals for themed rooms starting next Monday, Jan. 21, and ending on Feb. 8.

Flashback: During The Hukilau 2010 room crawl, the artist Shag visits Robotiki's Planet of Forbidden Tiki while the Disasternauts perform in the Go11 Spaceport at the Bahia Cabana on Fort Lauderdale Beach (RIP). Click photo for a recap and gallery.
Flashback: During The Hukilau 2010 room crawl, the artist Shag visits Robotiki’s Planet of Forbidden Tiki while The Disasternauts perform in the Go11 Spaceport at the Bahia Cabana on Fort Lauderdale Beach (RIP). Click photo for a recap and gallery.

“This is a great opportunity for villagers to get more involved and help create and shape part of The Hukilau experience,” said Richard Oneslager, the event’s owner and head organizer. He explained that applicants will be selected with an eye toward creating a broad mix of styles and unique experiences. In other words, if you want your party proposal to be picked, be creative.

Continue reading “The Hukilau 2019 updates: Hotel room parties are back, The Surfrajettes return to The Mai Kai, plus more”
Posted on

A cure for your holiday hangover: All the Miracle pop-up cocktails, reviewed and ranked

Miracle cocktails by Death Or Glory

While visions of sugar plum cocktails are still dancing in my head (and on my taste buds), I would be remiss if I didn’t share my deep thoughts on the Miracle pop-up bar menu that recently dazzled imbibers at more than 80 locations around the world.
See below: Jump straight to the cocktail ratings

The inside bar at Miracle on Delray Beach by Death Or Glory. (Atomic Grog photo, December 2018)
The inside bar at Miracle on Delray Beach by Death Or Glory. (Atomic Grog photo, December 2018)

Florida was lucky enough to have nine Miracle bars, the most of any state, for the pop-up’s 39-day run from Black Friday through New Year’s Eve. I’m fortunate enough to work near the site of the dedicated West Palm Beach location and live not far from Death Or Glory, the Delray Beach craft cocktail haven that spearheaded Miracle’s entrée into South Florida.

I got a brief taste of the inventive concept in 2017, the first year of Miracle on Delray Beach. But it was enough to get me as excited as a kid waiting up for Santa when it was announced that the award-winning bar would launch a second location, Miracle on Rosemary, in a vacant space in downtown West Palm’s bustling CityPlace shopping and dining district.

This double-shot of Christmas cheer spurred an article I wrote for The Palm Beach Post following interviews with co-owner Ayme Harrison, beverage director David Bouchard, and executive chef Jessie Steel. You can find a bigger, longer, uncut version here on the blog:
* Festive ‘Miracle’ pop-up bar expands in South Florida, worldwide

The inside bar at Death or Glory's Miracle on Rosemary pop-up in West Palm Beach, which made its debut in 2018. (Atomic Grog photo, November 2018)
The inside bar at Death or Glory’s Miracle on Rosemary pop-up in West Palm Beach, which made its debut in 2018. (Atomic Grog photo, November 2018)

In the weeks that followed, I made regular stops at both locations to unwind from the hectic holiday hubbub. But more importantly, I was on a mission to sample everything on the cocktail menu along with some of Steel’s decadent dishes. The results are detailed below. As with all of my cocktail adventures, I couldn’t resist the urge to rate the drinks on my own 1-5 scale. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I also took plenty of photos that I’ll also share here.

But first, a tip of the Santa hat to Cocktail Kingdom owner and visionary Greg Boehm, who in 2014 created the original “Miracle on 9th Street” pop-up at the suggestion of his mother in the space that later became his bar Mace in New York City. (Hear Greg talk about this and many other geeky cocktail topics on the Bartender At Large podcast released Dec. 2.)

Perhaps it was simply a holiday miracle, but it appears in hindsight that Boehm omnipotently foresaw the coming confluence of craft cocktails and Christmas. The average American consumes double the amount of alcoholic drinks over the holidays than any other time of year, according to research. Now, some of us have many more craft options than the standard eggnog and coquito.

The entrance area of Death Or Glory in Delray Beach during the heart of the Miracle season. (Atomic Grog photo, December 2018)
The entrance area of Death Or Glory in Delray Beach during the heart of the Miracle season. (Atomic Grog photo, December 2018)

At Miracle, with the Christmas spirit flowing freely, cocktail newbies are more likely to dip in their toes, or just dive in headfirst. “We kind of trick them into drinking cocktails,” Boehm has been quoted as saying.

Or course, this interest has been building for years on both fronts. But while major metro areas have long become accustomed to having outstanding craft bars in every neighborhood, great swaths of the U.S. (and many countries overseas) are still in the cocktail dark ages. Enter Miracle, which has blown up as a contagious concept, adding some 30 locations last year alone. There’s no reason to believe it won’t top 100 in 2019.

Continue reading “A cure for your holiday hangover: All the Miracle pop-up cocktails, reviewed and ranked”
Posted on

Event preview: The Hukilau 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, June 5-9

The Hukilau returns for its 18th annual Tiki weekender in June, serving up five days of immersive rum-fueled experiences at the Pier 66 Hotel & Marina and The Mai-Kai restaurant, both 62-year-old landmarks in sunny Fort Lauderdale.

The Hukilau 2019 Organizers made the first official announcement of 2019 on New Years’ Day, promising the return of all the hallmarks that make the event one of the Tiki revival’s top summer destinations. Tickets and hotel rooms will not go on sale until Feb. 1, but more details are due to be released throughout the month.

It will be the fifth straight year that The Hukilau has pitched its tent at Pier 66, and the 17th year at the legendary Mai-Kai. (The Hukilau launched in 2002 in Atlanta before migrating south to Florida the next year.) Below you’ll find all the news from the initial communiqué, embellished with some of our favorite photos from last year’s festivities to whet your appetite. Stay tuned for future updates on The Atomic Grog.

The Hukilau official sites
* TheHukilau.com | Facebook: Page and Group | Twitter | Instagram

THE HUKILAU 2019: Official announcement
June 5-9 at Pier 66 Hotel & Marina and The Mai-Kai, Fort Lauderdale.

Tickets and hotel rooms go on sale Feb. 1. Look for more details throughout January.

What can you look forward to in 2019? The same things you love:

* Rooms and events at Pier 66 (plus B Ocean Resort)
The views of Fort Lauderdale from the 17th floor ballroom at Pier 66 are stunning. (Photo by Chris Kridler) The views of Fort Lauderdale from the 17th floor ballroom at Pier 66 are stunning. (Photo by Chris Kridler)

* Same Wednesday through Sunday schedule
Guest bartenders at Thursday's Tiki Tower Takeover included cocktail legend Brother Cleve (left) and Doc Parks of Pagan Idol and Zombie Village. (Photo by Heather McKean) Guest bartenders at Thursday’s Tiki Tower Takeover included cocktail legend Brother Cleve (left) and Doc Parks of Pagan Idol and Zombie Village. (Photo by Heather McKean)

* Tiki Treasures Bazaar
Vendors come from far and wide to The Hukilau. (Photo by Hukilau Mike) Vendors come from far and wide to The Hukilau. (Photo by Hukilau Mike)
* More photos from Hukilau Mike

* Tiki Tower Takeover (Thursday)
Italy’s Daniele Dalla Pola (Nu Lounge Bar) always puts on a show. (Photo by Chris Kridler) Italy’s Daniele Dalla Pola (Nu Lounge Bar) always puts on a show. (Photo by Chris Kridler)

Continue reading “Event preview: The Hukilau 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, June 5-9”
Posted on

The Tiki Times: Full 2019 events calendar now available!

The Tiki Times: Full 2019 events calendar

The Tiki Times

NEW: Announcing The Atomic Grog’s updated calendar for all the major events across the world of Tiki culture. This list includes rum events, plus modernism, surf music, Disney and other happenings of interest to the Tiki community. It will be continually updated throughout the year, so check The Tiki Times main page frequently:
UPDATES: FULL 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR
2018 in review: Photos, video, recaps of all the top events NEW
Social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

2019 EVENTS CALENDAR
Updated Jan. 18, 2019

Jan. 12 – The Original Tiki Market Place 7th Anniversary in Garden Grove, Calif.
* Atomic Grog event preview
The Original Tiki Market Place 7th Anniversary print by Clee Sobieski


Jan. 17 – Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.
* Atomic Grog event preview
Tiki Bingo at The Mai-Kai

Jan. 19 – The Mai-Kai Takeover in Fort Lauderdale.
The Mai-Kai Takeover Atomic Grog event preview: ‘Demerara Rum – The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon’ The Mai-Kai Takeover on Jan. 19

Jan. 25 – Book signing and spirited discussion with Jeff “Beachbum” Berry at Trader Vic’s in Emeryville, Calif.
Book signing and spirited discussion at Trader Vic's with Beachbum Berry

Jan 26 – Winter Surf Fest in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Feb. 8-9 – Miami Rum Congress in Miami Beach.
Miami Rum Congress
Takeover by Reàl Ingredients & The Hukilau at Miami Rum Congress

Feb. 14-24 – Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Calif.

Feb. 15-17 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend.
* Atomic Grog preview: Iron TikiTender goes on tour
Inuhele: Atlanta's Tiki Weekend

Feb. 22 – Taste of Aloha and Art of Tiki Cocktail Showdown at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach.

Feb. 23-24 – Polynesian Cultural Festival in Oakland Park, Fla.
Polynesian Cultural Festival 2019

March 2 – Exotica Moderne #3 release party hosted by House of Tabu at The Devil’s Reef in Tacoma, Wash.
Exotica Moderne #3 release party

March 2 – Taste of Rum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

March 3 – Adventureland Day at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

March 9-10 – Arizona Aloha Festival at Tempe Beach Park.

March 10 – Adventureland Day at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Orlando.

April 5-6 – Magical Tiki Meet Up at Walt Disney World, Orlando

April 12-14 – Arizona Tiki Oasis in Scottsdale.
Arizona Tiki Oasis

April 12-14 – Chicago Area Tiki Tour
Chicago Area Tiki Tour

April 13-14 – Rhum Fest Paris.

April 18-21 – Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend.
Viva Las Vegas

April 27 – Chicago Rum Festival.

May 16-19 – Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs, Calif.
Tiki Caliente

May 17-18 – Rum Renaissance Festival in Coral Gables, Fla. [Atomic Grog past coverage]
Rum Renaissance Festival

May 18 – Czech RumFest in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

May 23-26 – Nashville Boogie vintage weekender and car show.

May 25 – Club Rum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

May 27-30 – International Rum Conference and Madrid Rum Festival in Spain.

June 5-9 – The Hukilau in Fort Lauderdale. [Atomic Grog past coverage]
UPDATE: Hotel room parties are back, The Surfrajettes return to The Mai Kai
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Tickets go on sale Feb. 1
The Hukilau 2019

June 7-8 – Rum Love Festival in Wroclaw, Poland.

June 8 – Manchester Rum Festival in the UK.

June 15 – New York Rum Festival in New York City.

June 27-30 – Ohana: Luau At The Lake at The Tiki Resort, Lake George, N.Y.
Ohana: Luau At The Lake

July 5-7 – Tiki Kon in Portland, Ore.

July 16-21 – Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, La.

Aug. 7-11 – Tiki Oasis in San Diego, Calif.
Tiki Oasis 2019

Aug. 16-18 – Hi-Tide Summer Holiday: Asbury Park in New Jersey.
Hi-Tide Summer Holiday: Asbury Park

Aug. 31-Sept. 1 – German Rum Festival in Berlin.

Sept. 7 – California Rum Festival in San Francisco.

Sept. 20-21 – Southern Surf StompFest in Atlanta.

Oct. 19-20 – The UK RumFest in London.

Make our calendar better
Feel free to share events via email or Facebook message (special events only, no regular band gigs or general bar promotions).


More on The Atomic Grog
2018 in review: Photos, video, recaps of all the top events
* Past news and events from 2015-2017
Special spotlights: Artists | Bands/music | Bars | Websites | Rum | Cocktails

Posted on

The Year in Tiki 2018: Recap all the top events with photos and video

The Year in Tiki 2018

The Tiki Times

In 2018, The Atomic Grog consolidated previous news and events coverage into a comprehensive 12-month calendar that offers dates, links and previews of all the major Tiki and rum events, plus a touch of modernism, surf music, Disney and other happenings of interest to the Tiki community. Below, you can still find the official artwork and links to the official sites. Following the events, the calendar was updated to include images and videos culled from social media, along with some of our own photos and relevant press coverage. We’ve archived this full year of coverage for posterity.
UPDATES: 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR
Social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

THE TIKI TIMES: 2018 EVENTS RECAP

Feb. 15-25 – Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Calif.

Feb. 23 – Taste of Aloha and Art of Tiki Cocktail Showdown at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach.

Feb. 24 – Inuhele: Atlanta Tiki Homebar Tour. Atlanta Tiki Home Bar Tour

Feb. 24-25 – Polynesian Cultural Festival in Oakland Park, Fla.

March 4 – Adventureland Day at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.

March 31 – Bamboo on The Bayou’s Bamboo Bash in Houston.

April 7 – Magical Tiki Meet Up at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Magical Tiki Meet Up

April 7-8 – Rhum Fest Paris.

April 14 – Chicago Rum Festival.

April 19-22 – Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend.

May 17-20 – Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs, Calif. Tiki Caliente

Continue reading “The Year in Tiki 2018: Recap all the top events with photos and video”
Posted on

Festive ‘Miracle’ pop-up bar expands in South Florida, worldwide

Updated Jan. 4

PHOTOS, REVIEW: A cure for your holiday hangover: All the Miracle pop-up cocktails, reviewed and ranked NEW

Who says the Christmas spirit is a thing of the past? In the cocktail world, it’s been growing exponentially since the unwrapping of the “Miracle” pop-up bar concept in 2014 in New York City.

Beverage director David Bouchard (left) and executive chef Jessie Steele pause at Miracle on Rosemary while working to open the Christmas-themed pop-up bar at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. (Photo by James Wooldridge, The Palm Beach Post)
Beverage director David Bouchard (left) and executive chef Jessie Steele pause at Miracle on Rosemary while working to open the Christmas-themed pop-up bar at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. (Photo by James Wooldridge, The Palm Beach Post)

Palm Beach County will double its pleasure this year when Delray Beach’s Death Or Glory not only brings back the popular six-week holiday food-and-drink festivities, but also expands to a new location in downtown West Palm Beach. “Miracle on Delray Beach” and “Miracle on Rosemary” both launch Friday, Nov. 23, the latter popping up in the former Burger & Beer Joint space that has been closed since spring 2017.

Miracle on Delray Beach at Death Or Glory: 116 N.E. Sixth Ave. in Delray Beach. Go to DeathOrGloryBar.com or call (561) 808-8814. Also on Instagram and Facebook. Open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Street, lot and valet parking available.
Miracle on Rosemary at CityPlace: 550 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 158, West Palm Beach. Go to CityPlace.com or call (561) 808-8814. Also on Instagram and Facebook. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Street, lot and valet parking available.
Note: A shorter version of this story ran in The Palm Beach Post.

The CityPlace location is on the east side of Rosemary Avenue, just south of Hibiscus Street. It’s conveniently right next to the valet parking stop for the entire shopping and entertainment complex.

Many bars and restaurants have come and gone in CityPlace, but it’s unlikely the venue’s shoppers and moviegoers have seen anything quite like Miracle. Featuring more than a dozen whimsically themed craft cocktails and gastropub food items, the 4,200-square-foot bar is festooned with kitschy Christmas decor from floor to ceiling.

Facebook gallery: See photos from opening weekend, more cocktails at CityPlace
See below: Gallery of preparation and cocktail photos

Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r! (sweet potato, Barbados rum, cachaça, Trinidad overproof rum, dry curacao, marshmallow orgeat, lime), as served at the 2017 Miracle holiday pop-up bar at Delray Beach's Death Or Glory. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, The Atomic Grog)
Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r! (sweet potato, Barbados rum, cachaça, Trinidad overproof rum, dry curacao, marshmallow orgeat, lime), as served at the 2017 Miracle holiday pop-up bar at Delray Beach’s Death Or Glory. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, The Atomic Grog)

The venue seats more than 150, with large bars both inside and outside plus comfy booths throughout. Holiday music will play on a nonstop loop, featuring everything from classic Christmas crooners to the Ramones. And you may even run into “Bad Santa” serving his own special drink.

The menu definitely leans toward the naughty side, with potent drinks for all tastes including And A Partridge In A Pear Tree (tequila), Koala-La La La, La La La La (gin), Jingle Balls Nog (cognac), Snowball Old Fashioned (rye), Christmas Carol Barrel (rum), Christmopolitan (vodka), and Gingerbread Old Fashioned (bourbon). All are served in distinctive mugs and glassware that you can take home with you.

Non-adventurous guests will still be able to order many standard cocktails at the CityPlace pop-up. The spirits list will be limited, beverage director David Bouchard said, but “what we will have for each spirit category will be quality and with a purpose and a reason.”

While most of the drinks are standard across all the Miracle bars, the food menu was created by executive chef Jessie Steel, the general manager at Death Or Glory. Expect the same decadent bar food he’s known for in Delray Beach, pleasing all tastes from carnivores to vegans. “Our food menu is a reflection of what we do at Death Or Glory,” Bouchard said. “We’ve just gotten whimsical and playful with the names of the dishes to match the Miracle concept. There’s something for everyone.”

The festive windows at Miracle on Rosemary, a Christmas themed pop-up bar at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. (Photo by James Wooldridge, The Palm Beach Post)
The festive windows at Miracle on Rosemary, a Christmas themed pop-up bar at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. (Photo by James Wooldridge, The Palm Beach Post)

Among the dozen items are a Chinese Turkey entree of Peking duck breast and Feast of the Zero Fishes featuring vegan jackfruit “crab” cakes. “They’re all named after scenes from Christmas movies or songs,” Steel said. The menus at both locations will be mostly the same, Steel said, with the CityPlace selections tailored slightly to the specific equipment in the Rosemary kitchen. Getting the kitchen up and running has delayed the debut of the food menu until Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Miracle on Rosemary will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and will feature an all-day menu of small plates, appetizers and entrees. Steel also brought along some of his signature items from Death Or Glory, including the crispy chickpeas and fried brussels sprouts.

For the brunch crowd, there will be special Bloody Marys featuring Ketel One Botanical Vodka. Bouchard said he’s also planning a lineup of Moscow Mules featuring the low-ABV infused peach, grapefruit, and cucumber mint vodkas. “It’s almost like a gin, but it doesn’t have the juniper in it,” he said. Classic Moscow Mule mugs will also likely be employed. Other spirit brands will be featured with promotions and unique cocktails, he said.

Continue reading “Festive ‘Miracle’ pop-up bar expands in South Florida, worldwide”

Posted on

The Mai-Kai digs up old friends for 10th annual Hulaween party

Hulaween 2018: Back from the Dead - 10th Anniversary Reunion

Hulaween, South Florida’s Tiki-inspired and retro-themed Halloween bash, celebrates its 10th anniversary at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Oct. 26, with a “Back from the Dead” reunion party.

NEW: Hulaween 2018 photos on Facebook
The Atomic Grog’s gallery | The Mai-Kai’s gallery

Hulaween 2018: Back from the Dead - 10th Anniversary Reunion
Facebook event
Artwork by Robert Jimenez (Tiki Tower) | See the artwork from previous years

*** Friday, Oct. 26 – Hulaween 2018: Back from the Dead – 10th Anniversary Reunion featuring Slip and the Spinouts at The Mai-Kai. Sponsored by Appleton Rum. Free admission. Happy hour 5 to 7 p.m., plus drink specials all night. Live music and costume contest in The Molokai bar, 7 p.m.-midnight.
The Atomic Grog: See 2017 party recap, photos | All past Hulaween coverage

Returning for the eighth time to rock the house is veteran roots rock band Slip and the Spinouts, cranking out three sets of classic covers and originals in the historic restaurant’s Molokai lounge. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the bar’s extensive happy hour, featuring some 50 half-priced tropical drinks and dozens of appetizers. The festive mood is set by themed music and a fully-decorated bar, including the signature sarong-clad servers (aka Molokai Girls) in costume.

Slip Mahoney and Spinouts drummer Dominick Daniels keep the party hopping at Hulaween 2017. (Atomic Grog photo)
Slip Mahoney and Spinouts drummer Dominick Daniels keep the party hopping at Hulaween 2017. (Atomic Grog photo)

The live music kicks off at 7 as the always-creative costumed revelers get into the spirit of the festivities with some of the most clever and well-crafted creations. The costume contest happens around 10, with cash and prizes to the top three winners.

Guitarist/vocalist Slip Mahoney and his band will keep the party going late into the evening with an eclectic mix of styles, from blues to rockabilly to classic country to surf. The bar fills up fast, so get there early to reserve a table. The dance floor is always a sight to behold as costumed revelers shake, rattle and roll to the beat of the Polynesian Pop party.

Several of The Mai-Kai’s acclaimed tropical drinks will remain half-priced all night long, and Appleton Rum will also present specials and giveaways. New sponsor Drive-In-Sanity Films will provide ghoulish giveaways themed to its cult B-movies. The Atomic Grog blog is back as media sponsor and musical programmer for the seventh straight year. The exclusive artwork for Hulaween 2018 was created by South Florida artist Robert Jimenez.

Continue reading “The Mai-Kai digs up old friends for 10th annual Hulaween party”