Mai Kai

Tiki Bars—Even Better Than The Real Thing!

Posted by Ray on in Tiki Lifestyle

Mai-Kai Gardens

I was sipping a Mai-Tai at Foundation with my good friend Lisa. Lisa loves Disney World and was excited about her upcoming trip to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. She has a family and everyone is coming along!

Ray and Lisa at Foundation
Ray and Lisa at Foundation

Now, Lisa lives in Milwaukee and what I’ve heard is that Cancun is the most popular tropical destination for Mid-Westerners. I asked Lisa what she thought about traveling to Cancun for vacation. She said she would much rather vacation at Disney. What about the Caribbean, or the Florida Keys for that matter? Lisa still preferred Disney. Lisa had my curiosity now. Why would she prefer somewhere that is completely made up over going to an actual tropical destination?

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Tiki VIP #23 Tim Glazner Author of Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant and creator of the Swank Pad website

Posted by Ray on in Tiki VIP
Presenting on the Mai-Kai stage for their 60th anniversary Photo by Medusirena Marina
Presenting on the Mai-Kai stage for their 60th anniversary Photo by Medusirena Marina

The Mai-Kai is the most important Tiki establishment there is. It is one of the last Tiki supper clubs that survived all these years and still gives the same Tiki experience as it did back in the day. The Mai-Kai’s history needs to be documented. Tim Glazner agrees. That is why he wrote Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant. Tim has been into the Tiki scene for a long time. Tim’s Tiki history is documented here for you… Continue reading “Tiki VIP #23 Tim Glazner Author of Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant and creator of the Swank Pad website” →

Tiki VIP #13 Tiki Kiliki, aka Christie White

Posted by Ray on in Tiki VIP 1 Comment

Kiliki with Dawn Wells aka Mary Ann

DIY: Do It Yourself!

When I was younger and playing in punk bands, I learned really quickly that if you wanted things to happen, you had to do it yourself. Want to play a show? Set one up yourself. Want to read about the bands you liked? Start a fanzine. Want to make record? Start your own label! DIY.

Back in the day, the only Tiki show in town was Tiki Oasis, which took place in California. That’s great, but what if you lived on the other side of the country? Well, if you’re Christie White, aka Tiki Kiliki, you set up your own Tiki celebration! That’s exactly what Christie did when she created Hukilau and it has grown bigger and bigger each year. This is Christie’s story…

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Tiki Field Report #8 The Mai Kai Fort Lauderdale, FL 9/13/16

Posted by Ray on in Tiki Field Reports 3 Comments
Ray and Dave at The Mai Kai
Ray and Dave at The Mai Kai

You don’t know what humidity is until you go to Florida.

I just touched down in Fort Lauderdale and it’s so humid here that my glasses fog up as soon as I go outside. I flew in from Seattle on a six-hour flight and I’m here to do two things: visit the legendary Mai Kai and reconnect with my friend Dave who I haven’t seen since the early ’90s. Back in the day, we were heavily into skateboarding and punk rock. Time passed. I grew up to be a guy who blogs about Tiki bars and Dave became a professional photographer (Gittleman Studios). I made an offer to Dave: if he could take some pictures of the Mai Kai for me, I would pay for his drinks. It was a deal!

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The Polynesian Islander Revue At The Mai Kai Fort Lauderdale, FL

Posted by Ray on in Tiki Lifestyle, Tiki Music
Polynesian Islander Revue at The Mai Kai
Polynesian Islander Revue at The Mai Kai

Head on down to the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale, FL and for less than $15, you can be entertained by the Polynesian Islander Revue. The show is almost two hours of non-stop music, dancing, fire dancing and more! The coolest thing is you get to learn about Polynesian culture as you enjoy the show, eat, and drink. It doesn’t get much better than this. My buddy Dave Gittleman is a professional photographer and he got a ton of great shots of the show. Here’s a little taste of the action on stage at the Mai Kai!

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Tiki Bar Review #22 The Mai Kai Fort Lauderdale FL

Posted by Ray on in Tiki Bars 4 Comments
Mai Kai sign
Mai Kai sign

I live in Seattle. I booked a flight and flew six hours across the country to go to the Mai Kai. Why? Because when it comes to Tiki bars, the Mai Kai is it! My visit to the Mai Kai lasted five hours and I could have stayed longer. What is so special about the Mai Kai you may ask? Well, let’s start from the beginning…

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