Jason Wescoat Archives - The Atomic Grog

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. .

DIRECT LINKS: TICKETS | HOTEL

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) — 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.

With April fast approaching and the final schedule posted, the best way to preview the event is to break down the activities by day. We’ll also provide some “don’t miss” suggestions. We hope to see you there! Continue reading “Event preview: Tiki-a-Go-Go enhances immersive Tiki weekender for a new generation”

FEBRUARY 2025 UPDATE: Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach was forced to close in September 2024 following two devastating hurricanes. New projects and locations are moving forward as planned. Click below for the full story:

NEW: Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
Get the official scoop from creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director and Marie King, revealed during a presentation at Inuhele in Atlanta with author Tim “Swanky” Glazner.

Original story on the Madeira Beach grand opening:

If there were any doubts that the inaugural “next gen” Don the Beachcomber restaurant and tropical bar would not live up to the high standards of its namesake, they were quickly put to rest during last week’s grand opening in Madeira Beach on Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast.

Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach looked immaculate before opening to the public at 11 a.m. on Feb. 23 (left). By the evening, nearly every indoor seat was filled. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

In-depth coverage below
* Menus and overview: Cocktails | Food
* Decor, music & more | Tips and guidance
Bonus cocktail recipe below: Doctor Funk
Previous: Revived Don the Beachcomber brand opens first location in southwest Florida
BREAKING NEWS: Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, three upcoming locations in Florida (April 2024)

The first location in a planned national rollout of escapist establishments inspired by the founding father of faux Polynesian cocktails opened to the public on Friday, Feb. 23, after three days of private parties for friends, family and VIPs. Owned and operated by Tampa- based 23 Restaurant Services, the vast 298-capacity restaurant was firing on all cylinders from the get-go.

“We are thrilled with our opening weekend, starting with a largely attended VIP party on Thursday evening,” Marc Brown, president of 23 Restaurant Services, said via email Monday. “We had over 1,200 guests join us Friday through Sunday.”

“We continue to be so excited to be a part of this community and look forward to sharing our amazing vibe and delicious food and drinks with you all,” he said, noting the huge social media reaction and “overwhelmingly positive” reviews.

The vintage booths at Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach, seen before the grand opening on Feb. 23, were designed by Tiki Diablo with contributions from others in the Tiki community. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

We attended Thursday’s pre-opening party as well as lunch and dinner seatings during Friday’s service, witnessing a nearly flawless launch by every measurable standard. The well-trained staff of managers, greeters, servers, food-runners, bussers, and bartenders operated like a well-oiled machine. And if there were any culinary or mixological misfires from the kitchen or bar, they were few and far between.

When we arrived late for the first official dinner service, all but one of the 20 tables and booths inside the highly immersive restaurant was full, and all of the 30 or so bar seats were taken. On the patio under a large thatched roof, at least a third of the tables were full despite a steady drizzle. Our Uber driver said he had been taking passengers there all day.

Customers were three deep at the bar for hours during the peak of service, beverage director Marie King told us later. “It was a good night.” And the crowds kept coming. The restaurant was just as packed when we left hours later, around 10 p.m.

The outdoor patio at Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach has a different feel during daytime and evening hours. The huge poles were carved on-site by Tiki Diablo and his crew. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 22-23, 2024)

Managing partner Sebastien Amoruso seemed very satisfied while surveying the scene and monitoring first-day operations. “It’s a good day,” he said during dinner service. “I’m happy. For the first day, we’re doing great.”

Amoruso estimated that 500 guests would be seated on opening day, but this might not include many who bellied up to the bar and didn’t register in the computerized point-of-sale system. I counted roughly 112 seats inside and 115 outside, plus lots of room for standing near the bar.

More seats could be added if needed, Amoruso, said. If opening weekend is any indication, that may be necessary. Saturday night was even busier than Friday, reported Donn Beach biographer Tim “Swanky” Glazner, who attended both.

The elaborately themed bar at Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach is prepped and ready to go before the grand opening on Feb. 23. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

But the venue never seemed crowded, with plenty of room for guests to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Amoruso cited the expertise and experience of 23 Restaurant Services.

Continue reading “Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success”