The Mai-Kai celebrates 56th birthday Dec. 28, rings in 2013 on New Year's Eve - Other Events

HH Hurricane Hayward Grand Member (1 year) 16 miles from The Mai-Kai Joined: Jun 07, 2008 Posts: 1909	HH Hurricane Hayward Posted posted on Fri, Dec 21, 2012 7:02 PM On Dec. 28, 1956, the venerable Mai-Kai restaurant opened its doors on a desolate stretch of Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. In the ensuing half-century, the rest of the world has changed radically but you can still be guaranteed a totally immersive South Seas experience in this one-of-a-kind slice of Polynesian paradise. This mid-century marvel will celebrate its 56th anniversary next Friday (Dec. 28) with its annual Customer Celebration Party in The Molokai bar starting at 5 p.m. Live music will be provided all night by Ty and Andrew, The Mai-Kai’s house band, playing a mix of island and holiday music on ukuleles, bongos and guitar. Ty (left) and Andrew with fellow Mai-Kai Islander Hokulani at a recent catered event. The duo will be performing at the 56th anniversary party on Dec. 28. (Photo courtesy of The Mai-Kai) There will also be an extended happy hour all night in The Molokai. After 7 p.m., just tell your waitress that you’re there for the celebration party in order to receive half-priced drinks and appetizers. This includes most of The Mai-Kai’s legendary tropical cocktails, many of which date back to the early days of Tiki mixology in the 1930s. Taste history in a glass all night while you munch on decadent pupus such as Shanghai Chicken and Crab Rangoon. Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/421372501269257/ More from The Atomic Grog: http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2012/12/21/the-mai-kai-celebrates-its-56th-birthday-rings-in-2013-with-special-events/ Ring in 2013 Polynesian style Three days later, on Dec. 31, guests can turn from celebrating the past to embracing the future at The Mai-Kai’s annual New Years Eve festivities. There will be two special Polynesian dinner shows (at 7:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.) featuring The Mai-Kai’s legendary Polynesian Islander Revue, the longest running (since 1961) authentic South Seas restaurant stage show in the continental United States. It is still choreographed by Mireille Thornton, a former dancer and widow of late Mai-Kai co-founder Robert Thornton. Mireille Thornton in the early 1960s. (Photo courtesy of The Mai-Kai) In addition, The Molokai bar will be open from 5 p.m. until well into 2013, with its usual happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. and no cover charge all night. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, or a quieter alternative to the usual New Year’s Eve rabble-rousing, the bar is great option and tends to be relatively uncrowded. It does get festive at midnight, when The Mai-Kai passes out hats, horns and party favors. But as usual it’s done with class and style, The Mai-Kai way. More from The Atomic Grog: http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2012/12/21/the-mai-kai-celebrates-its-56th-birthday-rings-in-2013-with-special-events/#2013

On Dec. 28, 1956, the venerable Mai-Kai restaurant opened its doors on a desolate stretch of Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. In the ensuing half-century, the rest of the world has changed radically but you can still be guaranteed a totally immersive South Seas experience in this one-of-a-kind slice of Polynesian paradise.

This mid-century marvel will celebrate its 56th anniversary next Friday (Dec. 28) with its annual Customer Celebration Party in The Molokai bar starting at 5 p.m. Live music will be provided all night by Ty and Andrew, The Mai-Kai’s house band, playing a mix of island and holiday music on ukuleles, bongos and guitar.

Ty (left) and Andrew with fellow Mai-Kai Islander Hokulani at a recent catered event. The duo will be performing at the 56th anniversary party on Dec. 28. (Photo courtesy of The Mai-Kai)

There will also be an extended happy hour all night in The Molokai. After 7 p.m., just tell your waitress that you’re there for the celebration party in order to receive half-priced drinks and appetizers. This includes most of The Mai-Kai’s legendary tropical cocktails, many of which date back to the early days of Tiki mixology in the 1930s. Taste history in a glass all night while you munch on decadent pupus such as Shanghai Chicken and Crab Rangoon.

Facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/421372501269257/
More from The Atomic Grog:
http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2012/12/21/the-mai-kai-celebrates-its-56th-birthday-rings-in-2013-with-special-events/

Ring in 2013 Polynesian style

Three days later, on Dec. 31, guests can turn from celebrating the past to embracing the future at The Mai-Kai’s annual New Years Eve festivities.

There will be two special Polynesian dinner shows (at 7:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.) featuring The Mai-Kai’s legendary Polynesian Islander Revue, the longest running (since 1961) authentic South Seas restaurant stage show in the continental United States. It is still choreographed by Mireille Thornton, a former dancer and widow of late Mai-Kai co-founder Robert Thornton.

Mireille Thornton in the early 1960s. (Photo courtesy of The Mai-Kai)

In addition, The Molokai bar will be open from 5 p.m. until well into 2013, with its usual happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. and no cover charge all night. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, or a quieter alternative to the usual New Year’s Eve rabble-rousing, the bar is great option and tends to be relatively uncrowded. It does get festive at midnight, when The Mai-Kai passes out hats, horns and party favors. But as usual it’s done with class and style, The Mai-Kai way.

More from The Atomic Grog:
http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2012/12/21/the-mai-kai-celebrates-its-56th-birthday-rings-in-2013-with-special-events/#2013