Updated June 26
The Hukilau’s 2020 event in Fort Lauderdale may have been wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the Polynesian Pop lifestyle in the privacy of your own Tiki bar or with other villagers in your local scene. Following are a week’s worth of suggestions that pay homage to the participants, along with some ways you can lend a hand in these trying economic times.
See below: Bonus recipe for The Last Fang
* Virtual Main Event at The Mai-Kai on Friday and Saturday, June 5-6
Many of us were looking forward to the 19th annual edition of the East Coast’s largest Tiki weekender on June 3-7 at the B Ocean Resort and The Mai-Kai restaurant. But we’ll have to wait for next year’s 20th anniversary to meet up with all our old friends, savor rum and Tiki cocktails made by some of the world’s top bartenders, dance to live bands and DJs, watch Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid and her aquaticats perform through the portals of Wreck Bar, plus so much more.
But as the shutdowns, stay-home mandates and restrictions due to the pandemic stretch into a fourth month, it’s possible to get a taste of The Hukilau without going far or putting yourself and others at risk. We’ve come up with ideas stretching over seven days, from educational symposiums to a special virtual event set for Friday and Saturday at The Mai-Kai. While The Hukilau’s kickoff party typically doesn’t launch until Wednesdays, we know many villagers like to arrive early and get a head start. The Hukilau 2019 also featured special events for bartenders starting Monday, so we’re following that plan.
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Related posts
* The Hukilau hits the road to benefit closed Tiki bars
* Support Tiki bars now: Visit their online stores, contribute to fundraisers
* Daiquiris of Hope: Keeping the spirit of our favorite bars and bartenders alive
The Tiki Times: See what’s canceled, rescheduled – plus new online events
Here’s an outline of suggested Hukilau-related things to do this week. If you have any to add, shoot us an email or a message on our social media pages: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
MONDAY, JUNE 1: Learn about rum
Watch the replay: The London Docks and Rums of the British Empire hosted by Matt Pietrek of Cocktail Wonk and Minimalist Tiki.
Rum and education are two of the foundational elements of The Hukilau, so what better way to start the week than a special presentation by Matt Pietrek. The former Microsoft specialist and writer has turned his passion for rum and Tiki cocktails into a second career, earning an impressive three nominations in the upcoming 2020 Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail in July.
Pietrek was nominated for Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing for an article on his long-running Cocktail Wonk blog, plus Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book for Minimalist Tiki: A Cocktail Wonk Look at Classic Libations and the Modern Tiki Vanguard, written with his wife Carrie Smith and released last summer. The blog is also among the heavyweight industry players nominated in the Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication category.
In his debut at The Hukilau last year, Pietrek did double duty with a symposium (How the British Navy Influenced the Birth of Tiki) and Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy class (Stocking Your Home Tiki Bar). Pietrek also joined The Atomic Grog for The Rums of The Mai-Kai: From the Back Bar to Your Glass, a special presentation and discussion in the main dining room at the historic restaurant. He was in the midst of digging up more fascinating facts for this year’s Hukilau guests when everything was put on hold.
But Pietrek has kept busy over the past several months with regular appearances online in a very active and engaged rum community. This new presentation covers The London Docks and Rums of the British Empire, an offshoot of his fascination with Navy Rum. Minimalist Tiki is a DIY effort by Pietrek and Smith, so you can support them directly by purchasing the book online.
If you need to stock up on some rum while planning your week of festivities, we recommend you support the brands who support The Hukilau with sponsorship money, free samples, and merchandise. Among the 2019 sponsors were Angostura, Appleton, Cockspur, Diplomatico, Don Q, Gubba, Hamilton, Lemon Hart, Orgeat Works, Plantation, Pusser’s, The Real McCoy, Real Syrups, Rhum Barbancourt, Rum Bar, Rums of Puerto Rico, St. Benevolence, Sandy Feet, Santa Teresa, Tiki Lovers, Swedish Punsch, Tanduay, and Worthy Park.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2: Learn about cocktails
Watch the replay: Let’s Get Tropical with Georgi Radev and Jupiter Jones, featuring Oriol Elias on The Craft of Tiki Cocktails.
The Hukilau’s Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy classrooms may be dark this year, but there’s been no shortage of bartender knowledge spreading on the Internet, thanks to many talented mixologists around the world keeping their audience engaged. I’ve never seen so many professional recipes and trusted information available daily like it is now.
Elite among these engaging bartenders is Georgi Radev, owner/operator of Laki Kane in London, author of Let’s Get Tropical: More than 60 Cocktail Recipes from Caribbean Classics to Modern Tiki Drinks (2019), and a veteran Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy instructor. Last year, he taught Tiki on the Thames and Tiki Mayhem (the latter with international colleagues Daniele Dalla Pola and Ian Burrell
Since the pandemic hit, Radev has been tireless. He launched “Mixology From The Fridge” on YouTube and Facebook, featuring dozens of entertaining how-to videos with recipes for cocktails, syrups and more. You can support Radev by watching his YouTube videos, buying his book and ordering items from the Laki Kane online store.
Radev joined forces with another online juggernaut, Tiki marketing maven and event organizer Jupiter Jones, for a weekly “Tiki Tuesday” broadcast on the Zavvy network of shows and podcasts. Their past guests have included Tonga Hut manager and rum/cocktail expert Marie King; Tiki and music historian Brother Cleve; and Trader Vic’s marketing exec Eve Bergeron, granddaughter of company founder Victor Bergeron. All of these VIPs had presentations or pop-up bars last year at The Hukilau, and Brother Cleve was scheduled to return in 2020 as a DJ.
This week’s guest, Spain’s Oriol Elias, is a noted bartender and rum expert as well as an authority on his country’s Tiki history. He was preparing for his first Hukilau presentation this year as a new cocktail academy instructor. Instead, we can enjoy his presentation on The Craft of Tiki Cocktails, which includes the category’s rich history and techniques, along with tips and tricks to help you create your own delicious libations.
You can find more of Elias’ handiwork on his blog, Three of Strong, which features recipes, education, videos and more. Radev and Elias were also two of the featured bartenders in Minimalist Tiki, Matt Pietrek’s book touted above. The first cocktail we tried from the book remains one of our favorites:
Bonus recipe: The Last Fang
(By Oriol Elias, from Minimalist Tiki by Matt Pietrek)
* 1 1/2 ounces lime juice
* 1 1/2 ounces orange juice
* 1 ounce passion fruit syrup
* 1/2 ounce falernum
* 2 ounces soda water
* 2 1/2 ounces aged agricole rhum
Flash blend with crushed ice and pour into a large snifter. Fill with fresh crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and a bamboo skewer with three speared cocktail cherries.
A refreshing, creative Sidewinder’s Fang riff that achieves a perfect balance between sweet, rich and rummy. But the rhum is clearly the star of this drink. Use a quality agricole, such as Elias favorite Trois Rivieres Ambre. We had great results with Rhum JM XO.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3: Support artists and bands
Musicians and artists are among the many feeling the brunt of the nationwide shutdown that began in March and is only now starting to abate. But with the economy in tatters, it’s unlikely these creative professionals will be able to regain a semblance of steady income anytime soon.
In the current climate, the only way for most of these talented folks to make any money from their art is through online sales. So we encourage everyone to seek out their music and artwork, supporting them if you have the means. At the very least, follow them closely on social media and show them you care.
The Hukilau typically officially kicks off on Wednesday night at The Mai-Kai with a pre-party in The Molokai bar. The band du jour at this event is Gold Dust Lounge an eclectic Miami group led by guitarist Russell Mofsky. A new single, Masketeers, was recently released on BandCamp, joining many past releases. You can also find digital music on iTunes and physical copies in the band’s website store.
Two other Florida artists are also fixtures at The Hukilau. Tallahassee’s The Intoxicators have missed just one event since 2005. The instrumental powerhouse has a great catalog of music available for purchase on its website store. Hailing from the Fort Lauderdale area, surf guitarist Skinny Jimmy Stingray has played The Hukilau with his band every year since 2013. You can download some of his original tunes on Bandcamp.
Over the past several years, The Hukilau has developed a close relationship with Vincent Minervino and Magdalena O’Connell from New Jersey’s Hi-Tide Recordings. Not only have the hard-working label owners provided their DJ talents, they have steered many great bands toward Fort Lauderdale every June. This year’s lineup was no exception.
Canada’s The Surfrajettes have a new single (Hale’iwa Hustle b/w Banzai Pipeline) in addition to their popular Party Line 45 debut for the label. The Manakooras – a new surfxotica group featuring current and former members of Satan’s Pilgrims, Aqualads and The Intoxicators – have a debut extended-play 45 available for pre-order.
Another Hi-Tide band booked for The Hukilau is Argentina’s Los Frenéticos, who dropped their Teletransportación album last July. Digital albums can be downloaded via Bandcamp. Greg Townson, who was scheduled to play with his band The Hi-Risers, released his More! Travelin’ Guitar album via Hi-Tide. The band’s back catalog can be found in this website store.
Spike Marble, leader of Southern California’s The Hula Girls, was supposed to lend his DJ talents, but he now spends his time making some tasty cocktail videos from his home Tiki bar, Spike’s Breezeway. You can pick up the band’s extended-play 45 and Jungle Beach Party LP via Hi-Tide. Past albums and merch can be found here.
Headliner Eddie Angel is no stranger to The Hukilau or surf music fans as a founding member of Los Straitjackets. You can find the band’s vast back catalog on their official website, the Yep Roc Records store, and where ever cool music is sold. He also has a busy solo career, plus many side projects (Planet Rockers, Neanderthals). Click here for links to merchandise for all of the above.
UPDATED: The Hukilau playlists on Spotify
2020: Eddie Angel, The Hi-Risers, The Surfrajettes, Los Frenéticos, Manakooras, more!
2019: Surfer Joe, Tikiyaki Orchestra, The Volcanics, The Hula Girls, The Intoxicators, more!
2018: Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, Martian Denny Orchestra, Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica, The Madeira, more!
Artists and craftspeople are a key element in any immersive Tiki experience, from bars and restaurants to home decor, Tiki mugs and fine art. At The Hukilau, dozens of these talented people fill the Tiki Treasures Bazaar to sell their wares, enabling them to reach fans and friends directly. Small mom-and-pop vendors also fill vast merchant booths in the host hotel, offering a wide array of vintage goods.
While that same face-to-face experience is not currently available, most of these artists and vendors have online shops and/or use one or more of the Internet’s many transactional sites (eBay, Etsy, et al.) to reach consumers. While the official Bazaar lineup was not confirmed before The Hukilau was canceled, we urge you to check out some of the many artists who attended last year, including:
* Kymm Bang
* Eekum Bookum (John Mulder)
* Crazy Al Evans
* Jeff Granito
* Grider Adventure Art
* Robert Jimenez
* Tom “Big Toe” Laura
* David Outline
* Rarabird (Laura Harper)
* Tee-ki Togs (Audrey Moorehead)
* Tiki Diablo (Danny Gallardo)
* Topes Art (Mark Thompson)
* Tiki Tony
NOTE: If you planned on vending at The Hukilau and aren’t listed above, please let us know via email or our social media pages.
And let’s not forget The Hukilau 2020 official artist, Mitch O’Connell, whose work adorns TheHukilau.com as well as all of this year’s promotional items. While we await the release of the official 2020 mug featuring his design (produced by Eekum Bookum), we can buy stuff (books, prints, jewelry, original art, mugs, clothing, and more) on his official site.
You should also keep an eye on The Hukilau’s official merchandise site, ClickAloha.com, which will soon be updated with an assortment of new items that were earmarked for this year’s event.
UPDATES: Support Tiki bars now by visiting their online stores, contributing to fundraisers
We need to do our part to assist those in need: Buy merchandise, donate to crowd-sourced fundraisers.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4: Support Tiki bars and bartenders
Dozens of top Tiki bars and bartenders from around the world make the pilgrimage to The Mai-Kai and The Hukilau every year, manning pop-up bars at pool parties and special events, teaching Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy classes, and helping the bar team crank out a dizzying number of cocktails for thirsty villagers. Unfortunately, not only are these small businesses missing out on the trip to Fort Lauderdale, most have been closed for months and forced to lay off most of their staff.
As a result, it’s crucial to assist these hospitality workers and bar owners any way possible. We’ve documented many of these efforts on the blog and will continue to spotlight all the Tiki establishments in need.
Thursday is the perfect time to toast The Hukilau’s hard-working bar partners. For many, it’s the day the party kicks into high gear and was for five years (2015-2019) the home of the signature Tiki Tower Takeover event. This year, there’s a special Online Tiki Bingo Benefit being held for the staffs of Death or Glory and Esotico Miami, two South Florida restaurants with world-class Tiki bar programs and also regular participants at The Hukilau. The event, an online version of a long-running Thursday fundraiser at The Mai-Kai, is organized and hosted by the Fraternal Order of Moai Gumbo Limbo Chapter.
The Hukilau’s commitment to the craft of cocktails has grown over the past five years in sync with the burgeoning scene worldwide. It’s important to help out these struggling businesses in any way possible. Be sure to check out the takeout offerings of establishments closest to you.
Many restaurants and a few bars have been allowed to open with limited seating capacity. This does not guarantee a return to prior success. They will need help from loyal customers to continue to navigate these rough waters. One simple way to help from home is to order merchandise and make donations via official websites and crowd-funding sites.
Following is a list of the Tiki bars who were scheduled to attend The Hukilau 2020 and have online ordering, fund-raising, and/or dine-in and takeout efforts in place:
* Death or Glory in Delray Beach has reopened its dining rooms and outdoor Tiki bar. You can also still get bottled cocktails, beer and wine, “boozey shakes” and snacks via curbside pick up.
* Esotico Miami offers online ordering of “Tiki Away Cocktails” to go along with owner Daniele Dalla Pola’s unique custom bar tools and mugs. Esotico also has a GoFundMe page that benefits its employees. The restaurant reopened under social distancing restrictions on May 27.
* Flask & Cannon in Jacksonville, Fla., reopened May 4 and now is allowed 50 percent capacity under local and state rules. You can also order freshly made cocktails to go.
* Hidden Harbor in Pittsburgh offers a web store with gift cards, plus occasional releases of new mugs and other unique merchandise. Sign up for their newsletter to find out when new stuff is available. Hidden Harbor also recently received state approval to include spirits in all its takeout cocktail offerings.
Laki Kane in London has an online shop featuring mugs, plus the bar’s own spiced dry rum. Check out owner Georgi Radev’s book and many other activites above under Tuesday’s listing.
* The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale has a robust online store, aka The Mai-Kai Trading Post, offering custom mugs, apparel, jewelry, Tikis, artist prints, menus, and more. You can also buy gift certificates and join The Mai-Kai Club, a loyalty program that entitles you to 25 to 50 percent off food, drinks and merchandise. The Mai-Kai’s takeout and delivery options are robust, including cocktails by the gallon, bottles of wine, plus many appetizers and dinner entrees. Check the Friday-Saturday listing for this week’s exclusive items.
The Atomic Grog: Photos, full coverage of the The Mai-Kai’s takeout program during the pandemic
* Nu Lounge Bar in Bologna reopened on May 21 under Italy’s strict social distancing guidelines.
* Pagan Idol in San Francisco has an ongoing staff relief fundraiser on GoFundMe. Dj Tanoa “Samoa Boy” also hosts live music events on the bar’s Facebook page.
* Porco Lounge & Tiki Room in Cleveland will remain closed until Aug. 1, according to owner Stefan Was. In the meantime, check the Facebook page for occasional special takeout offers.
* The S.O.S. Tiki Bar in Decatur, Ga., can be helped through the GoFundMe page of its owner, Victory Brands. The owners are making plans to reopen all their venues in June.
* Suffering Bastard in Sanford, Fla., remains closed while awaiting the lifting of Florida’s restrictions on bars without food. You can often order signature cocktails for take-out from the Tiki speakeasy’s mothership, Bitters & Brass.
* Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago features a ton of merchandise in its online store, including signature mugs, apparel, and other cool items. Check the website for info on cocktail kits available for pick-up and delivery. Employees can also be helped via GoFundMe.
* Tiki TNT in Washington, D.C., has gift cards available online. Also recommended are the how-to cocktail videos from owner (and Thrasher’s Rum creator) Todd Thrasher, who was scheduled to be an Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy instructor this year. You can also help the cause by picking up some rum in the D.C. area. The Thasher’s Rum site also has gift cards and merchandise. Tiki TNT plans to open outdoor patios for food and drink service on Wednesday, June 3.
* Tiki Underground in Akron, Ohio is selling merchandise (mugs, T-shirts, pins, and magnets) along with gift certificates online. In late May, the bar reopened with limited patio seating to go with its ongoing curbside pick-up and delivery.
* Tonga Hut in Los Angeles can be aided via two GoFundMe pages, one for the staff and another for the owners. There’s also a virtual tip jar for the Palm Springs location. To keep its guests engaged, Tonga Hut has also been hosting a weekly Friday night party on Zoom. Check Facebook for event details.
* Trailer Happiness in London has a new online store featuring shirts, hats and bar tab vouchers. Owner Sly Augustin has promised 100 percent of the profits will go to the staff and the small independent suppliers that rely on the bar.
* VenTiki in Ventura, Calif., is selling signature mugs in its online store and also has a GoFundMe page for its staff. VenTiki reopened to guests in late May while continuing its to-go food and cocktail program.
* Zombie Village in San Francisco has a relief fund for its staff on GoFundMe.
NOTE: Please send any updates to the info above to TheAtomicGrog@gmail.com or our social media pages.
The Hukilau hits the road to benefit closed Tiki bars
The tour will include The Mai-Kai, other stops across U.S., plus The Hukilau London in October.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JUNE 5-6: Virtual Main Event
Online special event: Virtual Retro Rekindled Featuring Don Q & The Hukilau | Facebook event page
On Facebook: Watch the videos
Global ambassador Alexx Mouzouris chats about Don Q Rum, Gary Evans and Brian Crum of The Intoxicators share stories of the band and The Hukilau:
The Hukilau’s Richard Oneslager talks about the upcoming (MO)RE (ALO)HA Tour, Tim “Swanky Glazner shows off his Mai-Kai mug collection:
The Hukilau is a five-day event, but the bulk of the festivities happen on Friday and Saturday, when villagers can enjoy a non-stop schedule of symposiums, classes, pool parties, and musical performances from morning until night. Friday climaxes with the High Tide Party at the host hotel featuring dozens of Tiki bars and bands. On Saturday, everyone gathers at The Mai-Kai for a 10-hour party featuring live bands and two performances of the Polynesian Islander Revue, the longest-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States, including Hawaii.
Unfortunately, The Hukilau had to cancel this year’s June dates, but plans are in the works to take the event on the road later this summer to key locations across the country hosted by some of the Tiki bar partners listed above. Plans also call for one of these events to take place at The Mai-Kai, whenever state and local restrictions allow.
The owners of the landmark Polynesian restaurant have negotiated these trying times with a number of unique offerings, including a limited-edition rum and gallons of signature cocktails to go, followed by an extensive menu of appetizers and entrees from the kitchen.
More on The Atomic Grog: Expanded hot food menu joins cocktail ‘Gallons to Go’ as The Mai-Kai reopens to guests
After Florida lifted its order closing restaurants, The Mai-Kai reopened to the public May 29 under strict state and local guidelines. Face coverings are required and temperatures are taken. Guests can remove their masks only when they are seated in dining rooms reduced to 50 percent capacity. The Molokai lounge is offering its traditional happy hour, but seating and standing at the bar is not allowed. The Polynesian show, a major draw for the restaurant, also had a grand return. Hours and showtimes may vary, so be sure to check the schedule if you plan on going.
The Mai-Kai’s reopening, as well as curbside pickup and delivery options, are obviously great for us locals. But those not lucky enough to have easy access to the Polynesian Palace must wait for a future event, hopefully the upcoming “(MO)RE (ALO)HA Tour.” In the meantime, this week will offer a unique opportunity to celebrate The Mai-Kai and The Hukilau online. Locals get the added bonus of a special mug release and bonus takeout cocktail.
This two-day live streaming event, Virtual Retro Rekindled Featuring Don Q & The Hukilau, was spearheaded by event producer and Retro Rekindled organizer Jupiter Jones. She’ll serve as host of the events, which will be streamed on The Mai-Kai’s Facebook Live feed at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Each show will run roughly an hour.
Friday’s live stream will feature interviews with The Hukilau’s owner and organizer, Richard Oneslager, and author/historian Tim “Swanky” Glazner, author of Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant. Glazner was one of The Hukilau’s founders in 2002 and has attended all 18 events.
Saturday’s show includes global ambassador Alexx Mouzouris from sponsor Don Q Rum, plus two members of The Intoxicators and The Disasternauts – guitarist Gary Evans and drummer Brian Crum. Mouzouris and Don Q are regular sponsors of Jones’ events, and they’ve been longtime supporters of The Hukilau and The Mai-Kai.
Bonus recipe: Don Q Cocktail (Served at The Mai-Kai in 2014)
Even though the video will stream as a live event on Facebook, Jones actually pre-recorded the interviews while visiting The Mai-Kai before the reopening. The event will happen exclusively online, but those who can visit The Mai-Kai this weekend can take advantage of a nice bonus, thanks to sponsor Reàl Cocktail Ingredients.
The Mai Kai will offer a cocktail and mug package, available only at the restaurant for pick-up. If you order The Hukilau cocktail, you can also buy the Beachbum Berry 24-ounce Gecko Mug pictured above. Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, a Real spokesman, is the Tiki cocktail revival’s godfather, author of numerous classic cocktail books, and owner/operator of Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 in New Orleans.
The Hukilau cocktail, which will be made using Don Q Rum and Reàl Cocktail Ingredients, will be available for takeout, delivery and in person at The Molokai in multiple sizes this Wednesday through Sunday. The mugs are available only on Friday and Saturday, and only through the takeout package. Quantities are very limited, so call (954) 646-8975 or email Pia@MaiKai.com to reserve yours now.
* On The Atomic Grog: The Hukilau tribute recipe
To-go options include 32 ounces of the cocktail with the mug ($60), and a gallon of the cocktail with the mug ($110). You can also get the cocktail only. Click here to see all the ordering options, plus more info on the event. In addition to The Hukilau, the regular cocktail “Gallons to Go” are available as usual to fill your new mug.
Retro Rekindled, a semi-monthly event held at The Mai-Kai, is marking its second anniversary. Engaging the local community is a prime focus for Jones and her guests, who have included bartenders, shop owners, musicians and more.
Past Retro Rekindled events at The Mai-Kai
* Skinny Jimmy Stingray talks classic surf, performs at The Mai-Kai
* Demerara rum – The Mai-Kai’s secret weapon
SUNDAY, JUNE 7: Support the scene
In these dark times, it’s more important than ever to support fellow members of the community. It’s also a good time for Tiki bars and Polynesian Pop culture to provide a relief from the doom and gloom. This time-proven antidote has helped Americans get through other disastrous events, from the Depression through World War II and the Cold War.
As detailed above and on our special page dedicated to helping stricken Tiki bars, there are many ways to help online by ordering merchandise and contributing to fundraisers. Now we’re approaching a new challenge: How to support restaurants and bars as they reopen.
As long as strict capacity and social distancing guidelines remain in place, it will be difficult – if not impossible – for many businesses to return to normal. If they’re lucky, they’ll be able to stay afloat until the crisis passes. That’s where we come in. Remember to support businesses when they reopen, whether it’s visiting for a secluded dining or drinking experience, or continuing to order take-out and delivery of food and drinks.
But there’s more to community and the Tiki scene than eating and drinking. Remember to keep in touch with friends and fellow Tikiphiles, whether it’s via social media or video conferencing. Regular happy hour meet-ups have been springing up everywhere online, a healthy trend we hope to see continue even after it’s not absolutely necessary. We are social animals and need that interaction.
There’s also some hope that when all of this blows over, it may give everyone a chance to start with a fresh slate. Leave all your old prejudices and pre-conceived notions behind as we chart a new path, building a solid new community even more open-minded and less exclusive than ever. At this point, there’s no where to go but up.
UPDATED: Cocktail quarts join gallons as The Mai-Kai expands takeout menu
The historic Polynesian restaurant continues to adapt and adjust to meet guest demand, expanding the curbside pickup menu to include 32-ounce jars of five different classic tropical cocktails. Check out the full coverage of how The Mai-Kai is handling the pandemic, including behind-the-scenes photos. The Mai-Kai’s bar and dining rooms reopened to the public under social distancing rules on May 29.
MORE: The Atomic Grog coverage
UPDATED: The Tiki Times: Exclusive 2020 events guide
While we wait for our favorite events to come back, we’ve updated the Tiki Times calendar with some cool live online meet-ups, interviews and happy hours.
* CHECK FOR ONLINE EVENTS
* Latest on canceleled and rescheduled events for the rest of 2020
Daiquiris of Hope: Keeping the spirit of our favorite bars and bartenders alive
* Beachbum’s Special Daiquiri (Dedicated to Jeff “Beachbum” Berry)
* Martiki’s Merchant Daiquiri (Dedicated to Martin Cate)
The Hukilau past coverage
Photos: 10 highlights from The Hukilau 2019 in Fort Lauderdale
Take a look back at last year’s festivities with dozens of photos and 10 memorable moments from the five days of fun.
* 2019: Photos and video from social media
* 2018 social media recap | More highlights
* 2017 daily recaps, news, photos and video | More highlights
* More recaps: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2002-2008
