Tiki Central / Other Events
Eighth annual Hulaween at The Mai-Kai on Oct. 28
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Hurricane Hayward
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Sun, Oct 9, 2016 9:05 PM
The Mai-Kai's eighth annual Hulaween party is cursed by cannibals *** Friday, Oct. 28 – Hulaween 2016: Curse of the Cannibals featuring Slip and the Spinouts at The Mai-Kai, 3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. (954) 563-3272. Free admission. Happy hour 5 to 7 p.m. Live music and costume contest in The Molokai bar, 7 p.m.-midnight. More info at http://maikai.com and http://atomicgrog.com It's that time of year again, when ghouls and ghosts haunt the historic Fort Lauderdale restaurant The Mai-Kai, scaring up frightening fun at the eighth annual Hulaween on Friday, Oct. 28. The event takes a savage turn this year with the theme "Curse of the Cannibals" in honor of the famous Polynesian eatery's upcoming 60th anniversary. Featuring live music from South Florida's long-running retro rockabilly band Slip and the Spinouts, drink specials and a wild-and-wacky costume contest, Hulaween has become a South Florida favorite for those looking for a vintage Halloween experience. Happy hour begins at 5 p.m. and the party runs past midnight. The best part: There's no cover charge or minimum. But The Molokai bar fills up fast, so get there early. Hulaween is once again sponsored by Appleton Rum, which will provide special giveaways and drink specials. The official Hulaween cocktail is the Appleton Zula, based on the vintage Zula cocktail that has been featured on The Mai-Kai's menu since 1956 and dates back to Tiki drink godfather Don the Beachcomber. Appleton is the most popular rum on the extensive menu, featured in dozens of drinks.
Another Hulaween fixture is Slip Mahoney and his all-star band, a familiar face at South Florida events for decades and always a favorite at The Mai-Kai. The band will play three sets of classic covers and originals, keeping the party going past the witching hour. The band is adept at an incredibly eclectic variety of genres, from rockabilly to Western to swing, surf, blues and roots rock. Also look for Slip and company to get into the spirit of things with their own festive costumes. This will be the band's sixth Hulaween appearance. Around 10 p.m., don't miss the costume contest featuring cash and prizes for the winners. This year's theme will allow guests to fully explore their primitive sides. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with The Mai-Kai's famous happy hour, annually rated among South Florida's best. Most of the bar's nearly 50 tropical cocktails are half-price, along with an expanded menu of small bites.
In addition to the long list of classic pupu platters (Crab Rangoon, Shanghai Chicken, Javanesian Beef), an extensive new selection of sushi and signature tapas was added this year by new chef Mark Rivera. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus Rivera's inventive modern-meets-classic approach to such mouth-watering new additions as charred octopus; street tacos; and duck, wagyu beef and pork belly sliders. Along with the tasty food and drinks, the restaurant's other claim to fame is the authentic South Seas decor, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The Molokai has its own unique look and feel, designed during a 1971 remodeling to look like an 1800s Pacific seaport. Much of the decor was not only inspired by the 1962 movie "Mutiny on the Bounty," but many items are actual pieces from the film, acquired when the MGM prop department closed in 1970. Another distinctive element of The Mai-Kai's design that dates back to its opening are the iconic "three cannibals," which have been depicted in artwork on menus, on coasters, in advertising, and even the streetside sign. It's one of many classic elements borrowed from Don the Beachcomber, which featured the Cannibal Room bar and trio of Tikis in the Chicago location in the 1940s and '50s. This restaurant was an inspiration to Chicago brothers Bob and Jack Thornton, who went on to open The Mai-Kai in 1956 with the help of many key Chicago staff from Don the Beachcomber.
Perhaps the greatest legacy of The Mai-Kai is the Polynesian Islander Revue (est. 1961), the longest-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States, including Hawaii. Don't be afraid to duck away from Hulaween to catch this one-of-a-kind vintage dining experience, or make reservations for a meal in one of the appropriately dark and secluded back dining rooms. Look for the shrunken skulls displayed in the Samoa Room, rumored to have come from one of the Thornton brothers' expeditions to the South Seas to collect authentic artifacts. Are they real? It's one of many mysteries of The Mai-Kai. Full coverage from The Atomic Grog: |
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Hurricane Hayward
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Wed, Oct 12, 2016 10:56 PM
Update ... The Appleton Zula will be 50 percent off during the entire party, along with the normal Friday night specials: the deadly Shark Bite and Jet Pilot. Check out The Atomic Grog's reviews and tribute recipes for all three cocktails here: Zula ... Was this drink inspired by Betty Boop's "Zula Hula"? In this 1937 classic, Betty and Grampy are on an around-the-world flight when they’re forced to crash-land on an apparently deserted island. Though Grampy invents a number of gadgets that allow them the comforts of home, things take a turn for the worse when a group of cannibals shows up. Watch the video here: |
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Hurricane Hayward
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Thu, Oct 13, 2016 11:31 PM
Just confirmed ... During happy hour, The Atomic Grog will serve up a special playlist of jungle exotica music courtesy of Spyrate Radio. Then, before and after the live music, a brand-new mix of Halloween and monster music will fill The Molokai, culled from Spyrate’s special Tiki Oasis Radio live broadcasts during Tiki Oasis 16: Party on Monster Island in August. Mahalo Eric Lefler! |
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Hurricane Hayward
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Thu, Oct 20, 2016 3:33 PM
Hulaween was named the No. 2 Halloween party in Broward and Palm Beach counties by New Times! Only the giant MoonFest event is ranked higher ... http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/the-ten-best-halloween-2016-parties-in-broward-and-palm-beach-8152440/2 On a somewhat related note, The Molokai bar's manager, Ralph Meyer, just shared some info on a new drink special ... The season premiere of "The Walking Dead" is this Sunday, so join us for 1/2 price Zombies in The Molokai all evening until closing this Sunday and every Sunday after that!!! Or join us before the show for happy hour to debate which character Nagan will dispatch with Lucille while enjoying our appetizers, tapas and tropical concoctions, half off from 5 - 7!!!
Check out The Atomic Grog's review and recipes for the deadly (and delicious) Zombie ... |
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Hurricane Hayward
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Sun, Oct 30, 2016 11:46 PM
Here are some photo highlights. You can find a full recap and gallery on The Atomic Grog:
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tikiskip
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Thu, Nov 3, 2016 8:41 AM
Thanks for the pics Hurricane Hayward!! Adding photos after the event to TC makes people want to go next year. |
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