Post #42122 by boutiki on Tue, Jul 8, 2003 1:09 PM

We were fortunate enough to have visited the Kahiki several times before it closed and have been to the Mai Kai three times in the past few years. We often debated the same issue until we concluded that they were both amazing, though different.

Now that the Kahiki is gone, I think the Mai Kai stands uncontested as the premier mainland Tiki bar/restaurant that I have seen. But while they both stood, a couple of things to consider: the Kahiki was in Columbus OH. That alone gives it an advantage in my book. To have a Tiki oasis in the middle of the snowy Midwest is THE definition of Tiki in my book. To give the patrons a tropical escape in landlocked Columbus is the kind of experience I think Tiki bars are all about. I mean, it's great that Tiki bars started with Don in California, but I have always maintained that if you are in Southern California, Hawaii or coastal Florida you are already in a tropical environment and while perhaps a nice change, a faux tropical experience is a little redundant. No offense to all the super cool left coast Tiki temples. I'm just admitting my bias. Living in Chicago, I think that we (and others in inclimate locals) NEED Tiki even more to get through those too-long winters.

Regardless, both the Kahiki and Mai Kai were well conceived and lovingly executed. The design and decor was impeccable. I never saw the gardens at the Kahiki that Jeff alludes to, so when I witnessed the Mai Kai for the first time, I too, was blown away. I have to say the Mai Kai has so much to offer, the bar, the hula show, the great food, the gardens, the gift shop- It's a very fulfilling experience and perhaps a little more complete than the Kahiki. We used to sneak downstairs at the Kahiki and look all around. I suspect that back in the day, when the Kahiki was really going full-tilt they were very comparable in their offerings. But with the Kahiki gone, we can only pray that the same never happens to the Mai Kai.