Tiki Bars
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
This classic Hawaiian hotel with striking views of Diamond Head near the beach of Waikiki was built in 1955 by famed American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, and was originally named Kaiser's Hawaiian Village. The property began with a few buildings, but rapidly expanded, with soaring towers eventually contributing to Waikiki's skyline. The Rainbow Tower in particular is a local landmark. Kaiser also built a nearby geodesic dome auditorium, the Kaiser Aluminum Dome, where some Exotica classics were recorded. Martin Denny played regularly in the Shell Bar, and for a couple of years Arthur Lyman played here with him. Hilton purchased the hotel in 1961, and still owns it today.
There is currently no tiki bar here, but you can get tropical cocktails at the Tropics Bar & Grill.
*Original Cocktail Menu shown below.
The Hawaiian - Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (Closed)
This restaurant, along with Johnny's Tiki Hut in Salt Lake City, was owned by Johnny Quong.
The Hawaiian was Quong's masterpiece and it thrived from the mid 60s through the mid 80s.
Among other details, customers remember its periodic monsoon thunderstorm special effects.
While he owned the building, Quong didn't own the land underneath it. When his lease came up, he decided he needed to close it, due to health issues stemming from diabetes. The restaurant was eventually converted into a Veterans Of Foreign Wars hall.
Johnny's Tiki Hut
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (Closed)
Opened in January 1962.
This restaurant, along with The Hawaiian in Salt Lake City, was owned by Johnny Quong.
The Beachcomber - at the May Fair Hotel
London, United Kingdom (Closed)
The Beachcomber restaurant opened in July 1960, in the historic May Fair Hotel in Berkeley Square in Mayfair, London. It was created under the direction of the Danziger brothers Harry and Edward, American film producers who had moved to London and bought the hotel. The Beachcomber was the first introduction of the American Polynesian restaurant phenomenon to London, opening a few years before the London Trader Vic's. (The whole concept and name were nicked by the Butlin's chain of holiday camps for their Beachcomber Bars.) It was the apex of upscale themed dining, with rainstorms over a pond of caimans, parrots in and out of cages, and oceanic art all around. Storm and lighting effects added a theatrical feel to the space. Tableside flaming coffee grogs were served, and beautiful custom mugs, bowls and other serveware were used. The restaurant closed in 1985, and it was turned into the Crystal Room.
There is a modern-day bar in Notting Hill also called The Beachcomber, it has no connection to this historic restaurant.
Langerman's Luau
Narberth, Pennsylvania, United States (Closed)
Langerman's Luau was operated from roughly 1959-1968 by Harry Langerman, who may have also had other locations. Langerman was inspired to decorate with items from Polynesia after being stationed in the South Pacific during the war. Like many restaurants of the day, they were outfitted by Oceanic Arts. The restaurant included the Outrigger Room and Kontiki Bar.
This location in Narberth, PA is now home to a 4-story office building that was built in 1990.
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.
Tiki Tiki Bar & Grill - Houston
Houston, Texas, United States (Closed)
This short-lived restaurant, bar and dance club opened in summer 2004, and closed in spring 2005.
South Seas Club - Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska, United States (Closed)
Open at least as early as 1943. This site was apparently destroyed by the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964.
Bar owned by Walt Gronert, as identified by Bob Barnett. Bar located on north side of 4th Avenue between G and H Streets, as identified by C. Gill.
The logo/menu design was greatly inspired from an early Trader Vic's menu but with a few changes.
The Bamboo Room - Schaumburg
Schaumburg, Illinois, United States (Closed)
Opened in 2003.
This trendy nightclub and restaurant had a small side tiki bar.
In 2007, the Bamboo Room closed, and in 2009 the space hosted a nightclub called Heat.
Since 2017 or so, this site has hosted a Crunch Fitness.
Chan's Dragon Inn
Ridgefield, New Jersey, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1962.
The interior featured tiki poles and shields, string lights, Christmas lights, printed fabric, Chinese dragons, bamboo and rattan accents, rainbow chunk resin swag lamps, fake flowers, plastic colored leis, and pufferfish lamps. Two outrigger canoes hung from the ceiling. In the front entrance there was a wishing well made from three giant clam shells.
There was a main dining area that seated about 60 people, with a small alcove in the northeast corner that had one table, and a secondary, smaller, separate dining area in the front of the building (to the left as you enter) that held probably another 16-20 people.
On the other side of the main dining area was a small bar, with enough seating for about eight people where you could order the restaurant’s signature cocktail offerings: Daiquiri, Mai Tai, Aloha Delight, South Sea Satellite, Tabu for Two, and Flaming Virgin, to name a few.
This location closed Fall 2020.
Aloha - Springfield
Springfield, Missouri, United States (Closed)
Opened in 2003.
Polynesian restaurant that was located in a strip mall, serving tropical drinks in tiki mugs, and featuring Oceanic Arts lamps and a few tikis.
It closed in July 2004 after being in business for a bit over a year.