Mai-Kai - Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

The Mai-Kai is perhaps the last of the grand Polynesian palaces still operating from when tiki was at its peak in the late '50s and early '60s. That the Mai-Kai not only still exists today, but is vibrant and thriving, is something we should all be very grateful for but not take for granted.

The Mai-Kai was opened December 28th, 1956 by two brothers from Chicago, Bob and Jack Thornton, in an age when roadside attractions were springing up all over Florida; eventually Bob took over the business. Like many of these attractions, the Mai-Kai grew over time to be quite a spectacle -- it includes eight dining rooms, a bar that on its own would stand as perhaps the best tiki bar in the world, tropical gardens with walking paths and waterfalls, a stage in the center to showcase the Polynesian floor show, and of course, a gift shop.

Today, experiencing the Mai-Kai is much as it was in the '60s. The experience begins as you listen to the wooden slat bridge you drive over to reach the porte cochere and valets. As you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by an elegant maitre'd. Be sure to bring some singles when you visit the restroom, as the bathroom has attendants on hand to assist you. The Mai-Kai's manager is Kern Mattei, who took over the position from his father.

When you're drinking at the Mai-Kai, you're drinking tiki history. The bar program here was created by legendary bartender Mariano Licudine, who came from the Don the Beachcomber in Chicago, and brought Don the Beachcomber drinks with him.

Bob and Jack have passed away, and the restaurant is now run by Bob's wife Mirielle. Bob met Mirielle when she joined the Mai-Kai as a Tahitian dancer, and still today she runs the Mai-Kai's Polynesian revue. As new dances are added to the show, Mirielle first visits the island where the dance originates to ensure it will be performed properly and will be blessed by its people. All dining rooms overlook the popular show, and dinner reservations are recommended.

The enchanting nature of the female form is something that is celebrated throughout Polynesian pop, but perhaps nowhere quite so extensively as the Mai-Kai. The beautiful waitresses to this day are attired in bikini tops and wraparound sarongs. For many years, a Mai-Kai calendar was offered featuring the many beautiful women of the Mai-Kai. This worship reaches its zenith with the Mystery Drink, delivered by the Mystery Girl, an experience that must be witnessed to be fully appreciated, so I will not describe it here, but rather urge you to visit the Mai-Kai yourself and order one.

In February 2015, the Mai-Kai was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

At the end of October 2020, the Mai-Kai announced what was hoped to be a temporary closure because of flooding and damage caused by heavy rains. This damage proved to be more extensive and the costs of repair more prohibitive than expected. Eventually, on January 21st, 2020, the Mai-Kai announced that it was making the business available for acquisition or joint-venture development.

On September 28th, 2021, the Mai-Kai made public that after considering numerous interested parties, the Thornton family agreed to a new joint venture with the Barlington Group, a South Florida-based real estate investment and development company focused on growing unique and eclectic legacy businesses that give their communities character, and Mad Room Hospitality, the proprietors of iconic establishments such as Ball and Chain, Los Altos and Taquerias El Mexicano.

*NOTE: !!! The current expected target re-opening timeframe of The Mai-Kai is early 2024 !!!

Type
Bar, Restaurant, Store & Floor Show
Address
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Permanently Closed?
No

Visits

  1. Slacks Ferret - 24 Jan 2019

    T'was awesome! My first time there. Felt like a big accomplishment to finally make it. Some enchanted evening! See about it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXyZpmWELA8

  2. 3VAb - 9 Jun 2018

    First visit to the Mai Kai for the Hukilau.

  3. Hala Kahiki Hideaway - Unknown

    Too many visits to list—can’t wait to return upon its reopening!

43 Tiki Mugs

  1. Zombie Glass - by Tiki tOny - for Hukilau 2017

  2. Cannibals Shot Glass - in Aqua - for the Mai-Kai

  3. Mai Kai Natural Shell Ashtray

  4. Mai Kai Handled Glass Mug

  5. Big Belly Tiki - Blue - for the Mai-Kai

  6. Mai Kai Shot Glass

  7. Morning After Tiki - Green - for the Mai-Kai

  8. Morning After Tiki - Brown - for the Mai-Kai

  9. Big Belly Tiki Salt & Pepper Shakers - Brown - for the Mai-Kai

  10. Kung Fu Tiki Mug - Blue/Brown - for the Mai-Kai

  11. Big Belly Tiki Shot - Green - for the Mai-Kai

  12. Chiki Tiki Bamboo Mug - for the Mai-Kai

  13. Mai-Kai Mystery Bowl - Gray - by Harper

  14. Big Belly Tiki Shot - Blue - for the Mai-Kai

  15. Big Belly Tiki - Green - for the Mai-Kai

  16. Kung Fu Tiki Salt & Pepper Shakers - Brown - for the Mai-Kai

  17. Mai Kai Mystery Bowl - Brown and White - by Otagiri

  18. Mai Kai Collector's Plate

  19. Mai Kai Dinner Plate With Blue Bamboo Trim

  20. Mai Kai Bread Plate With Blue Bamboo Trim

  21. Angst Tiki - Yellow - for the Mai-Kai

  22. Big Belly Tiki Salt & Pepper Shakers - Green - for the Mai Kai

  23. Morning After Tiki - Blue/Green - for the Mai-Kai

  24. Mai Kai Pirate Rum Barrel

  25. Angst Tiki - Brown - for the Mai-Kai

  26. Angst Tiki - Green - for the Mai-Kai

  27. Tiki Farm Mai Kai Rum Barrel

  28. Mai-Kai Abelam Mug Modern

  29. Kung Fu Tiki Shot - Green - for the Mai Kai

  30. Morning After Shot - Brown - for the Mai Kai

  31. Morning After Tiki - Blue - for the Mai-Kai

  32. Mai Kai Rum Barrel

  33. Mai Kai Abelam Mug

  34. Mai Kai Decanter Vintage

  35. Mai Kai Mystery Bowl Dynasty Brown and White

  36. Mai Kai Drum Mug

  37. Mai Kai Mystery Bowl Tiki Farm

  38. Morning After Tiki - Brown - for the Mai-Kai

  39. Mai Kai Shrunken Head Mug Vintage

  40. Mai Kai Shrunken Head Mug Modern

  41. Mai-Kai Coffee Mug

  42. Mai-Kai Coffee Pitcher

  43. Otagiri Mai Kai Tiki Mug

Attribution Meta

Source
Critiki
Source URL
critiki.com

Import Meta

Source
Critiki
Source URL
critiki.com
Date
2020-04-23 08:09:01

Entry Meta

Date Created
23 Apr 2020
Date Updated
29 Sep 2023
Author
mytikilife
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