Tiki Bars
Raglan's Bistro
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Opened in 1999.
Small neighborhood restaurant, with a sort of beach/surf theme (it's named for the famous surf spot in New Zealand).
Decorations include bamboo, tin roofs, images of tikis, and a carved Rastafarian head with a joint in his mouth. They pull from several islands for inspiration and have tropical drinks, but for those expecting a traditional tiki bar, they might want to look elsewhere.
Kahiki Moon
Burlington, Vermont, United States (Closed)
Kahiki Moon opened in July 2004, and featured decor from California tiki institution Oceanic Arts, carvings by Washington artist Ken Pleasant, logo artwork by California artist Miles Thompson, and artwork by Florida artist Scott Scheidly. The Kahiki Moon shone brightly for a short time, winning rave reviews for the food and atmosphere, before closing in early 2005.
Tiki Tanning
Clive, Iowa, United States (Closed)
Opened in early February 2004.
Tiki Tanning was, as the name cannily suggests, a tanning salon.
It was located in the strip mall behind the Anglo building. Tiki had nine tanning beds and a high-pressure bed where you could tan in 12 minutes.
The owners were Wendy Burr and Jason Fielder. Wendy's mother, Ann Burr, was the manager.
Restaurant Tahiti
Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada
This restaurant was reportedly remodeled as of 2013 and little of its original decor survived.
Below you can see a photo of the bar with thatching and more decor surrounding it, and then the stripped bare and remodeled version.
Despite the stark white walls, there are some masks and other decorations still throughout, however.
Traders Restaurant
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, United States
Traders Restaurant is adjacent to the Aku Tiki Inn, and is sometimes called the Aku Tiki Traders Restaurant. There are a few pieces of tiki decor left, including some Witco carved furniture. It is just down the street from Hawaiian Inn.
Bob Lee's Islander
Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Closed)
This Chinatown restaurant was opened in 1951 by Bob Lee, a native of Canton, China, and called Bob Lee's Lantern House until 1960, when it was remodeled into a Polynesian paradise.
The visuals were over-the-top, with high-contrast, Technicolor carpeting and ceiling coverings, to create an effect that can only be described as "trippy."
Appears to have closed in 1977 after running afoul of health code violations over which Lee sued and offered an open door invitation for anyone to inspect his kitchen and restaurant. However, the damage appeared to be already done.
Big Fish Seafood Restaurant was in this location from @2006-2013. Jade Garden is in this location as of 2022.
Tiki Village Motel
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Built in 1968.
This 30-room motel features an A-frame at the front and a sign with spears, although it is now much shorter than the original sign.
There used to be many more tikis around the grounds, but it appears a previous owner in the 1990s cleared out many of the weathered original tikis and tried to remodel things for a more Japanese aesthetic.
Despite this, there are still quite a few Witco tiki lamps in many of the rooms as can be seen in their promotional materials.
*Not to be confused with the Tiki Village Supper Club that once existed in Prince George.
Don the Beachcomber - Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (Closed)
The Sahara itself opened in 1952 and has long been considered a classic of the early Las Vegas "Strip" casinos. This Don the Beachcomber opened there December 1st, 1962, in the third floor of the Sahara, and featured decor by Eli Hedley, who also created the large signature tikis for the nearby Aku Aku. Dining and cocktail capacity was set at 300 persons. The facility featured a sky room with dancing, cocktail lounge, a huge waterfall and individual Polynesian style huts suspended over flowing water for the comfort of diners. The menu featured over 40 varieties of dishes. The Sahara Don the Beachcomber’s first female hostess in 1963 was Ruth Maestas, who recalled that prominent local residents who were regular customers used chopsticks that were stored in their personalized bamboo containers at the restaurant. She and her late husband, Louie “the Blade,” would later own the hotel barbershop and claim among their clients singer Robert Goulet, comedian Buddy Hackett and jazz drummer Buddy Rich. The Sahara closed on May 16th, 2011.
The Outrigger - Denver
Denver, Colorado, United States (Closed)
When the Trader Vic's in Denver first opened in 1954, it was called The Outrigger. This restaurant was in the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel, which opened in 1926 and was demolished in 1984.
The Outrigger name changed to Trader Vic's in 1962.
This Trader Vic's closed in 1978 when the corporation decided they wanted a fresher location than the, by that time, 52-year-old hotel, and Trader Vic's opened a different location at the brand-new Denver Hilton three blocks away.
A Don the Beachcomber's moved into the vacated spot left by Trader Vic's at the Cosmopolitan.
The second Trader Vic's location at the Hilton lasted until 1985.
Mauna Loa Lounge - Portage la Prairie
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada (Closed)
Mauna Loa Lounge was in the Mayfair Hotel, built during the early 1960s by George Kelly Hill.
The project was executed on the eastern part of the hotel. The walls and ceilings were of grass matting sewn on the large bamboo poles. The room resembled a large Polynesian hut with colored fish floats that glimmered as they were suspended by fishnets in between lighted king turtle shells. Painted leather and gilded tiles made the walls glow. There were gurgling fountains, hoTai (the god of good luck), lighted blowfish, peacock chairs, hand carved wooden tables, all on exotic theatre carpeting. The servers’ sporting flowered shirts and leis, brought drinks served in brightly colored glasses.
While listening to Hawaiian surf music, you could enjoy tall Singapore Slings and other tropical cocktails. Credit goes to Edith Holden (a talented artist), along with Daryl Giffin and Don Pelechaty who both hand carved and painted the tiki pole Gods to create the perfect look.
Mayfair Enterprises sold the hotel in 1966.
The building later burned down December 26th, 1976, destroying the Mauna Loa Lounge.
The Hut - Pontiac
Pontiac, Michigan, United States (Closed)
A newer dance club, above the Have a Nice Day Cafe. Less Tiki Bob's, more Tiki Bob's Cantina. Only not as nice. In photos, the only tikis are painted on the walls, and look strangely like flower pots.
As of 2021, this space is home to Elektricity Nightclub.
Tiki Lounge - Surrey
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (Closed)
Opened @2002 and closed @2008.
Part of the Surrey Inn, which was active from 1974-2013.
The site is now home to Coast Capital Savings.