Tiki Bars
Kahunaville - Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware, United States (Closed)
This Kahunaville was one location in a nationwide chain of restaurants.
It was located in Wilmington, Delaware from 1995 - November 27th, 2006.
Like the others in the chain, this restaurant featured a synchronized water fountain show, waterfalls, caves, talking idols, a sophisticated sound system, an arcade, and a variety of tropical drinks. Their eclectic food menu featured about 90 items, which included "Kahunaville-sized" sandwiches, salads and entrees with American, Mexican, Cajun and Asian influences.
This location was well known for its 65' volcano outside which was visible for far around. It was also a well-known dance club location which was fine in the early days, but after later condos and residential development, the new neighbors complained about the noise and traffic from the still-thriving nightclub.
The parent company of Kahunaville, Adventure Dining Inc., once operated nine nationwide locations, including homes in Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Michigan and Tampa. The Las Vegas, Nevada "Party Bar" (2001-2016) was their last holdout before the chain folded.
This type of corporate chain typifies what many tikiphiles dislike most about corporatizing the Tiki aesthetic -- bending the decor more towards a Chucky Cheese buildout (or perhaps Rainforest Cafe if one is being kind) with cheaply molded and cartoony fiberglass and plastic decorations in primary colors, dumbing down the cocktails of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic into chemical-tasting slushy boat drinks (but served with "flair"), offering a big scattershot food menu in hopes of appealing to every American tourist palate, and supplying loud video games and animatronics to entertain the kids. For those that grew up with these, there is some nostalgia, but they were not terribly mourned by fans of traditional tiki bars and restaurants.
This Wilmington, Delaware location was closed by the owner for several reasons, not the least of which was the death of his father which caused him to prioritize things differently. The space remained vacant for a bit and a fire broke out, causing some damage.
Later, the space was became home to the Delaware Children's Museum, which is still in operation as of 2025.
The Rusty Pelican - Key Biscayne (Miami)
Key Biscayne, Florida, United States
Opened in 1972 under the ownership of David Tallichet with a Polynesian vibe and cuisine as well as a panoramic patio overlooking the City of Miami.
The overall impression of the place was dark and cozy with a mostly nautical vibe accented with some tiki touches. It featured rough hewn dark wood boards, nautical rope, some small carved tikis throughout, fishing nets, lit glass fish floats, strands of cork floats, shell lamps and pebble lamps, lauhala matting, and some brightly colored Orchids of Hawaii lamps.
The original menu featured favorites like a teriyaki-glazed sirloin steak, Chicken Kona Kai (grilled chicken served in a pineapple with sweet and sour sauce), and Cherries Jubilee (simmered cherries, vanilla ice cream, and Chantilly liquor).
Beyond its views and fare, Rusty Pelican gained even more notoriety after being featured in the 1980 blockbuster Caddyshack, starring Bill Murray and Chevy Chase.
In 1984, however, disaster struck and the restaurant burned to the ground. It was rebuilt and re-opened in 1987 with a large second floor space, but other than the added space, it appears they tried to rebuild along the same theme.
Then in 2011, all the tiki decorative elements went away in a brand new remodel...
The restaurant reopened in December of 2011 after a five-month, $7 million top to bottom renovation. Additions to the massive restaurant included a swanky cocktail bar; floor-to-ceiling bay windows; outdoor tables flanked by fire pits; a glass-enclosed wine corridor, mid-century style furniture, wood paneling and cushioned booths creating a Mad Men vibe.
Today, the venue is associated with weddings and other events that can make use of its floor space and fantastic views.
Although no longer tiki in its decor, they have been known to serve tropical drinks in tiki mugs from time to time as can be seen below...
The Tropics - at Waikiki
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Closed)
This is the first Tropics restaurant opened by Peaches & Tony Guerrero. They also operated The Tropics at Ala Moana.
Tony Guerrero was an "Island Boy". In the 1930's he went to Hollywood and acted in several movies. While there he meet the beautiful Peaches Jackson, who was pursuing her career in the movies. Tony co-owned his first bar/restaurant, the Hawaiian Hut, in Hollywood. When he sold it they moved to Hawaii. In 1940 they bought a waffle place and made it into the first Tropics restaurant (at Waikiki).
It was situated opposite the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
The Tropics at Waikiki flourished and became an institution for visiting Hollywood stars to hang out at. It was eventually renamed "The World Famous Tropics at Waikiki".
This grand pre-tiki establishment was decorated with tons of bamboo, thatch, greenery, and art -- including an Edgar Leeteg black velvet painting (as can be seen in postcard photos -- see background image and below).
Local legend also states that the first ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union) agreement for sugar workers was signed by flashlight at night on top of a garbage can in the alley in back of the Waikiki Tropics.
In 1952, Peaches and Tony went to Paris to study at the Cordon Bleu, opening a second restaurant upon their return to Hawaii, the Tropics Ala Moana. This restaurant was as successful as the Tropics and the special house dressing became so much in demand that it was eventually bottled and to this day, Tropics Salad Dressings are popular on the West Coast and of course, in Hawaii, where they are made.
Dates are unsure for the close of The Tropics at Waikiki (still in business as late as 1955) but it became the Royal Lanai by the early 1960s.
The Tropics Ala Moana closed in 1958.
Tony died in 1985 and Peaches in 2002.
The Tropics - at Ala Moana
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Closed)
This is the second Tropics restaurant opened by Peaches & Tony Guerrero. They also operated The Tropics at Waikiki.
Tony Guerrero was an "Island Boy". In the 1930's he went to Hollywood and acted in several movies. While there he meet the beautiful Peaches Jackson, who was pursuing her career in the movies. Tony co-owned his first bar/restaurant, the Hawaiian Hut, in Hollywood. When he sold it they moved to Hawaii. In 1940 they bought a waffle place and made it into the first Tropics restaurant (at Waikiki).
It was situated opposite the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
The Tropics at Waikiki flourished and became an institution for visiting Hollywood stars to hang out at. It was eventually renamed "The World Famous Tropics at Waikiki".
In 1952, Peaches and Tony went to Paris to study at the Cordon Bleu, opening this second restaurant upon their return to Hawaii, the Tropics Ala Moana. This restaurant was as successful as the Tropics and the special house dressing became so much in demand that it was eventually bottled and to this day, Tropics Salad Dressings are popular on the West Coast and of course, in Hawaii, where they are made.
Dates are unsure for the close of The Tropics at Waikiki (still in business as late as 1955) but it became the Royal Lanai by the early 1960s.
This Ala Moana location existed until 1958 when the property was bulldozed to make room for the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
Why the Ala Moana location chose a wolf in an Aloha print cabana set as their mascot is unknown, but it was undoubtedly some sort of inside joke. This was, after all, pre-tiki times and the tiki iconography had not caught hold as the default for most mascots and advertising.
Tony died in 1985 and Peaches in 2002.
Dum Dum - York
United Kingdom
Opened in Summer of 2022.
Located inside the premises occupied for 20 years by a fish and chip shop, first known as Mr Chippy and later rebranded as Hook & Line.
Owned by Maria Pavlou and her partners who also own Vudu Lounge and have run it since 2004 in the same building.
The name "Dum Dum" comes from the Moai character in the Night at the Museum movies.
The interior is what they describe as "Tiki Modern" by which they mean sparse and uncluttered without doing the immersive decor that is familiar to those tikiphiles who are used to the old school standards set by Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic's. Dum Dum's booths and stools incorporate rattan and earth toned vinyl padded seating. Walls are covered with tropical leaf prints. A couple of walls feature fake foliage and neon lighting with messages like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Rum, Forest, Rum". Ceilings are lit with swag lamps and the space over the bar is draped with several dozen fake flower leis. There are a few small foot-tall Moai statues on one wall, but no large carvings...and especially with the bar's name, it seems like there should be at least one massive Moai on premises, even if carved of foam or fiberglass. Artwork and decor is lacking, but this stripped-down space is more focused on the club crowd who are there to dance.
That said, they appear to have a thriving cocktail menu with a variety of their own concoctions as well as old standards to choose from... and they do serve drinks in tiki mugs.
Chuck's Steak House - at the Edgewater Hotel
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Closed)
This first Chuck’s Steak House was opened in Waikiki at the Edgewater Hotel in 1959, by Chuck Rolles.
As seen in the postcard, they had a bar with a tiki, fish floats, fish nets, and other flotsam and jetsam.
The restaurant became known for its casual atmosphere, self-serve salad bar, and high-quality steaks at reasonable prices. Today, a self-serve salad bar does not seem ground-breaking, but Chuck's was one of the first restaurants to implement this and they introduced it to the mainland.
Since 2007, with the creation of the Waikiki Beach Walk, this entire area has been redeveloped and no signs of the original Chuck's remains.
Over the years, the Chuck's chain expanded across the United States, although many locations have since closed, leaving only a few remaining, including one in Santa Barbara, California.
Ho-Aloha
Fair Lawn, New Jersey, United States (Closed)
Open from 1972-1987.
This Chinese/Polynesian restaurant had fake palms in the parking lot and plastic flowers, masks, straw huts and a miniature outrigger in the dimly lighted dining room. All lit by Orchids of Hawaii swag lamps.
The dinner menu had extensive offerings of exotic Polynesian potables and main dishes, along with several Cantonese specialties, a half‐dozen Mandarin delights and some standard American fare.
Hu Ke Lau - Salem
Salem, New Hampshire, United States (Closed)
The Hu Ke Lau was a tiki bar at 7 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Salem, NH and opened in about 1970, but closed in 1976 due to the owners having to run another location in Chicopee, MA. The building was built in 1967 and was originally home to The Friar & Tuck Pub, from 1967-1970. After the Hu Ke Lau's closure in 1976, it was bought and then turned into the Grand China which was a Chinese Restaurant still having most of the remaining tiki decor. The Grand China closed in 2017 after 41 years in business, was then remodeled, and now is The Lim's Sports Bar & Cafe and also Chaser's Poker Room. It is still owned by the same family who owned the Grand China.
The place was adorned with vintage lamps, bamboo poles and some tikis.
Check out ThatTikiKid's YouTube channel (@ThatTikiKidOfficial) on the "My Vintage Menu Collection!" video at 7:29 out of 12:46 for the whole menu.
This Hu Ke Lau was also one in a small chain of restaurants. Johnny Yee partnered with Frank Chin and Robert Lew to open other locations, including the first in Chicopee, and others in: Lenox, Massachusetts (re-named Luau Hale in the 70s), Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut location, and a Bridgeport, Connecticut location (which burned down in 1983) also.
Royal Hawaiian - Falls Church
Falls Church, Virginia, United States (Closed)
This short-lived establishment opened in 1975 and closed in 1977. It was a huge venue with lots of Witco decor.
In June 1975, Hawaiian restaurateur Johnny Kao rented the former site of Giant Food at at 3501 S. Jefferson St. in Bailey’s Crossroads/Falls Church and turned it into a Las Vegas styled lounge called the Royal Hawaiian Supper Club. The club opened to much anticipation and fanfare in December 1975 with Patti Page and a comedian named Freddie Roman headlining the first week. The club was beautiful by all accounts and appealed to the over-thirty suburbanites driven from the city by crime and racial tension. In short order the club featured The Platters, Phyllis Diller, Eddie Fisher, The Smothers Brothers, Billy Eckstine, The Supremes (post Diana Ross), and Bobby Rydell. However, the article on the club’s opening night sounded some ominous warnings such as the strange location of this glitzy club in the middle of a suburban shopping mall and, worst of all, on opening night it was only three-fourths full. Patti Page expressed surprise at the club’s location and Roman joked about performing in a shopping center.
By June of 1976, the club ran into financial problems and was sold to new owner named Mike Munley. When Munley bought the Royal Hawaiian, he began to work to change the name of his new restaurant to the Place Where Louie Dwells. While Munley worked on the name change, he expanded the line up with his first act being the country singer Lynn Anderson of “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” fame. In July 1976, one of the last acts to appear at the Royal Hawaiian Supper Club was the Mills Brothers during the week they would entertain the ever-square Gerald Ford at the White House. Munley also inherited a dire financial situation and checks sent to entertainers bounced, which led to a $15,000 lawsuit by singer Jack Albertson. The club featured artists such as the Amazing Kreskin, Brenda Lee, and Sarah Vaughn.
Probably driven by economics more than anything, in October, 1977, the name of the club had become Louie’s Rock Concert City, but it was commonly known as Louie’s Rock City and they began to bring in rock music in the hopes of saving the business.
Lanai Island - Winter Street in Waltham
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States (Closed)
There were at least two locations under this name. This one, owned by James and Robert Lee, was located on Winter Street in Waltham, Massachusetts, next to a cinema, and lasted roughly from 1975 - 1990.
It could be found taking exit 48 off Route 128.
They advertised Chinese and Polynesian food and cocktails (in a separate cocktail lounge with dress code).
This space apparently later housed The Winter Street Cafe, which changed its name to Sato and closed in 2015. Umi opened at this location later that summer and is still in business as of 2025.
Exiting 34 off of Route 128 would take you to the second Lanai Island location at 147 Lowell in Wakefield -- which advertised outdoor dining as a unique feature.
Fong's Pizza - East Court Avenue - Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Opened April 1st, 2025.
The original 4th Street location for Fong's Pizza closed on March 9th, 2025. This closing was part of a planned relocation with plans to reopen in early April, here, in the former Peace Tree Brewing Co. space in the Market District.
The new location offers double the seating capacity, expanded parking, a patio, and a pick-up window.
Chef Dennis Epps plans to expand the menu with new noodle and rice dishes, salads, appetizers, and late-night options.
Hawaiian Royale Motel
El Paso, Texas, United States
Open since at least 1959.
Initial postcards advertised: "El Paso's finest motel. 60 beautiful units. One and two room suites, three room apartments with kitchens. Dining Room and Coffee Shop. Heated and filtered pool. Refrigerated air conditioning, central heat, room phones, television, tiled baths, tubs, and showers, wall to wall carpeting, children's playground."
Today, this location is known for its sign, but is otherwise unremarkable and has only become the worse for wear over the years -- the pool being filled up, chain link fencing surrounding the grounds, and looking a bit run-down with "modest pricing" as its main draw.