Mai Kai, Fort Lauderdale, FL (restaurant)

BREAKING NEWS: The Mai-Kai officially begins work on first phase of $8.5 million renovation projects

With three key building permits in hand, the new ownership group is finally moving full-steam ahead on major construction projects that will restore and reshape the historic Polynesian restaurant.

The the latest inside information at AtomicGrog.com or https://wp.me/p1xHjT-7eg http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/03/15/breaking-news-the-mai-kai-officially-begins-work-on-first-phase-of-8-5-million-renovation-projects/

[ Edited by Hurricane Hayward on 2023-03-15 12:39:10 ]

Great news!

Thanks again for the tremendous amount of detail in the articles!

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Behind the scenes at The Mai-Kai as restoration ramps up in 2023

With contractors and construction crews moving full-speed ahead on a massive renovation of the infrastructure and exterior of The Mai-Kai, a small team of craftsmen continues to meticulously restore the historic South Florida restaurant's elaborately themed interior guest areas in exacting detail.

Get the latest news on the renovations and take a peek inside at the restoration work led by creative director "Typhoon Tommy" Allsmiller at AtomicGrog.com or http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/04/04/exclusive-photos-behind-the-scenes-at-the-mai-kai-as-restoration-ramps-up-in-2023/

The Mai-Kai renovations, April 2023: Bora Bora building comes down as restoration efforts pick up steam.

The structural footprint of the historic South Florida restaurant changed dramatically with the demolition of a long-dormant building. Meanwhile, work accelerated restoring the vintage dining rooms and rebuilding the back of house.

Take a look behind the scenes in our latest deep dive at AtomicGrog.com or http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/05/28/the-mai-kai-renovations-april-2023-bora-bora-building-comes-down-as-restoration-efforts-ramp-up/

The Hukilau 2023 highlights: The Cobra's Kiss is served on Thursday, Typhoon Tommy talks about the refurbishment on Friday, Molokai Girls reunion on Saturday ...

Polynesian show on the main stage Saturday night ...

More highlights at AtomicGrog.com or https://wp.me/p1xHjT-7rD

Updated Cobra's Kiss review and recipe at http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2011/11/20/mai-kai-cocktail-review-cobra-kiss-is-an-exotic-taste-explosion-guaranteed-to-strike-your-fancy/

It was an honor to join Spike and Garret Richard on Spike's Breezeway Cocktail Hour during the closing ceremonies of The Hukilau.

You can watch our Rum Barrel showdown plus more cocktail geekery on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MhXpWiSNiq8

Here's the updated tribute recipe for The Mai-Kai's Barrel O’ Rum: http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2011/06/27/the-rum-barrel-the-rodney-dangerfield-of-tropical-drinks/

Okole maluna!

Getting anxious. Any word on when the Mai-Kai will reopen? We have a pet restoration project that we hope will happen, wondering if anyone there is soliciting input...

Also, just throwing this out there, since every time we've gone it's always been a little different, and from what we've seen in pics and film, all the old days from the 1950s beginnings to the expansions and do-overs, it's always been a little different ... so what's your favorite "era" of the Mai-Kai and why?

The Mai-Kai crew is headed to Tiki Oasis! I'll be joined by manager Kern Mattei and creative director Typhoon Tommy on Saturday, Aug. 5, for a special presentation, "Tiki History Reimagined: The Restoration and Reopening of The Mai-Kai."

Get more info and register for The Mai-Kai seminar now at https://www.tikioasis.com/seminars/saturday/

Mike and Marie,

I don't have one specific era in mind, but a sliver of time that I wish I could get back was early 1979, when I turned 18. That was the legal drinking age back then, and I missed my opportunity to meet and have a drink crafted by Mariano Licudine before he retired that same year.

Hayward, when was the first time you went to the Mai-Kai?

The late 70s and early 80s is an interesting period. We don't have too many shots of the Mai-Kai from that time, and would love to have seen it then. Meeting Mariano and getting a drink made by him would have been great. Our first time there, just over 20 years later, was an interesting time there. The Tiki Revival had not really happened, or was in its infancy. TC was just a Yahoo group, the BOT had just come out, TBRP was about the only site online for tiki. The Mai-Kai was pretty great then. The menu was huge, they used smokers quite a bit and the food was terrific. We would also love to have seen the Mai-Kai in the mid 90s, that period when the Cocktail Nation had just come out, which arguably was the precursor of the Tiki Revival.

We would love to see the front doors restored to their underwater blue (kind of the color of your shirt in the photo above), which we knew it as in the early 2000s.

Mike and Marie,

Unfortunately, I did not set foot inside until the Tiki Revival, early 2000s era. As a rambunctious young dude in South Florida in the '80s and '90s, I drove by many times and marveled at the exterior but unfortunately never ventured inside until later. I thought it was for old folks and tourists :>( ... That's my big regret. But I like to pick Kern's brain since he pretty much saw every era since the '80s.

We'll see you at Tiki Oasis in San Diego! Get your tickets now ...

Friday, Aug. 4 - https://www.tikioasis.com/seminars/friday/

Saturday, Aug. 5 - https://www.tikioasis.com/seminars/saturday/

NEW at AtomicGrog.com ... "Meticulous attention to detail is hallmark of The Mai-Kai restoration project," an exhaustive deep dive into all the work by the historic restaurant's artists and craftspeople over the past two months. See photos and exclusive info on the lamp-rebuilding efforts and other projects by creative director "Typhoon Tommy" Allsmiller and Scott "Flounder" Scheidly, plus lots more.

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/07/12/meticulous-attention-to-detail-is-hallmark-of-the-mai-kai-restoration-project-may-june-2023-update/

PLUS, a second full story: "Historic restaurant's new infrastructure begins to take shape," an exclusive look behind the scenes at the crucial work completed over the past two months in the multimillion-dollar restoration project ...

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/07/12/the-mai-kai-renovations-may-june-2023-historic-restaurants-new-infrastructure-begins-to-take-shape/

New on AtomicGrog.com ... Tiki Oasis here we come! The Mai-Kai team joins The Atomic Grog for two special presentations. We hope you'll join us. Check out the new story for a sneak preview of The Mai-Kai seminars, plus our picks for the top Tiki Oasis highlights.

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/07/31/tiki-oasis-here-we-come-the-mai-kai-team-joins-the-atomic-grog-for-two-special-presentations/

I was born in the Ft. Lauderdale area in 1970, and ever since I was a kid my family has been going to the Mai Kai for special occasions. But it wasn't until the early 1990s when I was in my 20s that I was able to fully take advantage of the magnificence that is the happy hour in the Molokai Bar. Most of my visits to the Mai Kai have been to the Molokai Bar because, frankly, doing the whole dinner show - while amazing - is a costly endeavor that I've mostly relegated to special occasions.

While I've always liked tiki, I really got into in 2005. It wasn't until then that I realized just how much I took the Mai Kai for granted. I never really understood or appreciated just how unique the Mai Kai was until I joined Tiki Central and saw that all of the other "Tiki Palaces" had closed and the Mai Kai was the last of its kind. Now I realize that it is a special place to be treasured and revered and that it needs our support to ensure its continued existence. Unfortunately, many South Floridians look at the Mai Kai as a tourist trap and don't support it.

Just updated at AtomicGrog.com: The history of the Derby Daiquiri story with lots more info and photos that Mai-Kai manager Kern Mattei and I presented earlier this month at Tiki Oasis. Okole maluna!

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2011/06/30/the-derby-daiquiri-the-mai-kais-100000-drink/

Check out the new dedicated page for all the latest exclusive news, photos and updates plus past coverage of The Mai-Kai restoration and reopening at AtomicGrog.com or http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/mai-kai-restoration-guide/

[ Edited by Hurricane Hayward on 2023-08-21 19:05:42 ]

[ Edited by Hurricane Hayward on 2023-08-21 19:06:04 ]

Aloha I've got a business trip out to watch a SpX launch on November 1st. I was hoping that I'd take a couple of extra days and get a chance to visit some Florida tiki, including the Mai Kai. Do you think there's any chance the Mai Kai will be open in early November? thanks and cheers

FunkyTiki, I'm afraid it won't be open yet in November. The parking lot project is just starting, and that's a three-month job. Look for a new update on the blog, coming soon.

NEW deep dive at AtomicGrog.com ... Outside The Mai-Kai: Artistic flourishes set stage for reimagination, early 2024 reopening The final phase of the multimillion-dollar renovation kicks off as artists and craftsmen restore and transform the signature porte-cochère. Get the latest news, photos and inside info on the work by creative director "Typhoon Tommy" Allsmiller and artist Scott "Flounder" Scheidly, plus the start of the massive parking lot project. We share updated info on a possible reopening date, plus full recaps of all the work done on the exterior of the property over the summer.

Get the full scoop at http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/09/23/outside-the-mai-kai-artistic-flourishes-set-stage-for-reimagination-early-2024-reopening-summer-2023-recap/

Also check out the second story featuring all the news on the interior restoration and infrastructure overhaul ...

NEW at AtomicGrog.com ... Inside The Mai-Kai: Detailed restoration advances amid total infrastructure overhaul (summer 2023 recap) Work is progressing on the historic South Florida restaurant's guest areas alongside a near total rebuild of the back-of-house facilities. Check out exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and the latest news on the meticulous restoration of the dining rooms and vintage lamps by creative director "Typhoon Tommy" Allsmiller and artist Scott "Flounder" Scheidly, the painstaking efforts of other craftsmen refurbishing interior walls and ceilings, plus updates on the build-out of the new kitchen and back bar.

Get all this and more at http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/09/23/inside-the-mai-kai-detailed-restoration-advances-amid-total-infrastructure-overhaul-summer-2023-recap/

[ Edited by Hurricane Hayward on 2023-09-27 16:23:56 ]

The Mai-Kai's creative director, "Typhoon Tommy" Allsmiller, talks about create immersive Tiki spaces on YouTube ... https://www.youtube.com/live/nE_pJRnHAh4?si=ba2fuoy0q0YuPt-Z

I was at a Postcard Collectors show this weekend and came across this postcard from the Mai Kai. I scrolled through all the pages on this thread and didn't see it posted anywhere..

The lovely Mai Kai Islanders

Back of card:

Not sure what year this would be from.

Any word on a reopening date or a rough idea - anyone?

They're shooting for "early 2024." If I had to guess, I'd say March is most likely. http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/09/23/outside-the-mai-kai-artistic-flourishes-set-stage-for-reimagination-early-2024-reopening-summer-2023-recap/#reopening

SBJiminyC, I checked with Swanky and he thinks that postcard is from the early '70s. Aloha!

Sorry, I forgot to post this earlier. I'll have another update at AtomicGrog.com before the end of the year ...

Mai-Kai update, fall 2023: Artists shine amid construction as final renovation projects take flight

While multiple construction projects are underway inside and outside the historic property, a small team of craftsmen is bringing the vintage decor back to life.

Take an inside look at the work that has been happening at The Mai-Kai over the past three months, including exclusive photos ... https://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/11/28/mai-kai-update-fall-2023-artists-shine-amid-construction-as-final-renovation-projects-take-flight/

Beyond Bora Bora: Reimagination of Mai-Kai entry experience evokes original vision

A new driveway and lushly landscaped parking lot will completely immerse guests in a South Seas fantasy world, just as the original owners envisioned. On the 67th anniversary of the historic South Florida restaurant, The Atomic Grog shared a deep dive into the history of the property, the plans for the outdoor spaces, plus the latest news and photos on the work leading up to a grand reopening in 2024.

https://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2023/12/28/beyond-bora-bora-reimagination-of-mai-kai-entry-experience-evokes-original-vision/

Mai-Kai refurbishment 2023 year-end recap: Updates, photos, timeline

The artists, craftsmen and management working on the multimillion-dollar reimagination of The Mai-Kai tied a bow on a busy year in late 2023, finishing several projects and taking on ambitious new ones. As the total transformation of the grounds outside becomes a top priority, the indoor guest spaces of the historic restaurant continue receive careful restoration with no detail left untended.

Get the latest news and images of work happening all around the property, then take a look back at the highlights of 2023 with our extensive month-by-month timeline featuring new photos and links to all the past coverage. We're looking forward to big news in 2024!

Check out the full story at AtomicGrog.com or https://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2024/01/07/the-mai-kai-refurbishment-2023-year-end-recap-updates-photos-timeline/

The Mai-Kai restoration was the No. 4 story of 2023. Check out the full list on The Atomic Grog, plus two new cocktail recipes ...

https://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2024/01/18/top-10-stories-of-2023-tiki-resurgence-and-appreciation-breathes-life-into-year-marked-by-loss/

January update: Mai-Kai renovations engulf entire property, reopening estimated for summer

Extensive infrastructure work moves underground, artists expand scope of restoration as project points toward completion by middle of the year. Check out photos and exclusive news from manager Kern Mattei and creative director "Typhoon Tommy" Allsmiller at AtomicGrog.com or https://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2024/02/12/mai-kai-update-january-2024-renovations-engulf-entire-property-reopening-estimated-for-summer/