Tiki Bars
C. P. Three Prop House
Los Angeles, California, United States
This prop house (no relation to Star Wars: C. P. stands for Cinema Props, and it's the third of their four prop houses) is owned by Omega | Cinema Props. They had four rather massive moai stored outside, strapped to the side of the building. The moai had reportedly been used in a few film productions.
On July 14, 2010, a fire did extensive damage to the prop warehouse, but the moai were spared and moved to C. P. Two.
As of 2019 it is reported that the moai were sold.
Don the Beachcomber - Malibu
Malibu, California, United States (Closed)
Before becoming a Don the Beachcomber (around 1977 or so), this location was Tonga Lei.
It closed in 1987, and this location is now the non-tiki Malibu Beach Inn.
Tonga Lei
Malibu, California, United States (Closed)
Tonga Lei was a restaurant and motel right on PCH in scenic Malibu, and operated from 1961 until around 1977, when it became a Don the Beachcomber.
It had an Aloha Room, Waterfall Room, and Tonga Room.
The beachside property had been a common celebrity-sighting spot. Jayne Mansfield, the platinum blond ‘50s pinup, attended the opening of the Tonga Lei and the restaurant bar was the favorite hangout of the late television star David Janssen.
The decision to raze the property was made in 1987.
It's now the non-tiki Malibu Beach Inn.
*NOTE: Photo of entrance to the "Aloha Lounge" below is speculated to be a side entrance, not the main entrance.
Kahlua Apartments
San Gabriel, California, United States
Built in 1965.
These apartments, now apparently condos, are less than a mile north of the now-closed Bahooka.
In addition to architectural details, the grounds feature some standing tikis and a working waterfall feature.
There is also a kidney shaped pool on the grounds.
Kapu Tiki Apartments
Pico Rivera, California, United States
This building was designed by Mayer Construction in 1961 and its working title was the "Lanikai", later changed to "Kapu Tiki". The decor was provided by Oceanic Arts.
This apartment building is in a row of three Polynesian-themed apartment buildings, the others being the Paradise Island Apartments and the Aloha Arms.
Facing them, from left to right, this would be the first location in the row.
Today, the Kapu Tiki looks quite different. First, the A-frame entrance was completely removed. Then, later, the tiki masks on either end were removed. There is a ghost of the "TIKI" lettering detectable on the front and the lava rock on either end is still there, however.
Aloha Arms
Pico Rivera, California, United States
This apartment building is in a row of three Polynesian-themed buildings, the others being the Kapu Tiki Apartments and the Paradise Island Apartments.
Facing them, this would be the last of the three on the far right.
Royal Tahitian
Ontario, California, United States (Closed)
The Royal Tahitian, built in 1960, and opened June 24th, 1961, claimed to be the world's largest Polynesian restaurant, with 250 acres of tropical landscaping and "lagoons" -- however, this was simply a reference to the Ontario National Golf Course next door. The main floor was the restaurant, with a bar downstairs, and a show area outside. It featured a dramatic asymmetrical swooping A-frame entrance.
In later years, after the Royal Tahitian closed in 1967, its building became the club house for the golf course. In 2003, the building was set to be demolished, but it lingered for several more years and was torn down some time after 2010.
Just down the street there is an apartment building built in 1962 (now the Whispering Lakes Apartments) that once featured some large Milan Guanko tikis, and still retains some Polynesian influence.
Kono Hawaii
Santa Ana, California, United States (Closed)
Opened @ November 18th, 1955 when they started advertising in the Santa Ana Register.
Walt Disney recruited the first performers for Adventureland's Tahitian Terrace from here in 1962.
Hosted many musical acts, including Don Ho.
Was open as recently as 1992 (when No Doubt played there). Closed in the early 1990s.
Martini Monkey
San Jose, California, United States (Closed)
Opened in 2001. This sleek, modern tiki-ish bar may not have had the lush and dense decor of a Trader Vic's or the Mai Kai, but there's one thing it had: the drinks. Martini Monkey (specifically, bar manager Jay Crabb) prided itself on recreating classic tropical cocktails by keeping true (well, mostly true) to the original recipes.
The back bar was notable for its large mural copied from Mark Ryden's famous painting, Exotica (but minus the tiki in the center and with a few other changes).
Martini Monkey thrived in its location in the San Jose Airport's Terminal C, until the airport reshuffled and Martini Monkey wound up behind security. The airport closed Terminal C in June 2010, and Martini Monkey closed with it.
Billy's at the Beach
Newport Beach, California, United States
Billy's at the Beach started out as a somewhat generic Hawaiian/tropical restaurant, but has upped the tiki angle in recent years, adding more pieces from Oceanic Arts and hiring Bamboo Ben to make some improvements.
Hawaiian Room - Bellflower
Bellflower, California, United States
The Hawaiian Room opened in the 1960s (1964 has been mentioned but not verified), and was outfitted by Oceanic Arts. Today, much of the original decor is still in place, but is covered with typical sports bar banners and posters. In September 2003, a group of people temporarily removed all the sports bar ephemera and returned it to its prior glory for a one-night "resurrection" party.
Mister Tiki's Mai Tai Lounge
San Diego, California, United States (Closed)
Mister Tiki's was a new tiki bar and restaurant managed by the Cohn Restaurant Group, in the trendy Gaslamp district of San Diego. The group had invested also in the nearby Spa Tiki. Mister Tiki's was a trendy, modern take on Polynesian Pop, but tried to hold true to some mid-century influences. The artwork of Bosko was featured heavily throughout the bar and restaurant.
Mister Tiki's opened in 2004, and closed in early 2010.