Tiki Bars
Mahi Mahi
Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Closed)
Built in 1968-1969.
Mahi Mahi had decor from Oceanic Arts, including an unusual item -- an Oceanic Arts-designed mug of their signature logo. Mahi Mahi was later purchased by Jim Walls in 1970. Jim was owner of the nearby Omni Hut, which closed in 2018. Walls also took on the Mahi Mahi's debt, and despite efforts to improve the menu, the new Mahi Mahi closed after just a year. The Mahi Mahi later became Blue Hawaii. The building, which had an unusual wide A-frame, has been torn down.
Bahooka Ribs & Grog - West Covina
West Covina, California, United States (Closed)
This was Bahooka's original location, in West Covina. Bahooka was started by two brothers and a sister in 1967. One of the brothers, Jack, had worked for 10 years at Kelbo's. The building was expanded over the years, which was ultimately its downfall. It grew over a property line, and in the ensuing dispute, Bahooka lost its lease. In 1980, the building was demolished. Four years earlier a second Bahooka location had been opened in Rosemead, and that location stayed in operation until January 2013.
Cocktail menu shown is @1973.
Exotical Hawaiian Apparel
Placentia, California, United States (Closed)
Exotical has been serving Southern California's aloha wear needs since 1964, more than 40 years. Owner Paul Orloff still runs the shop today, which is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Exotical carries a wide array of nice aloha wear -- some of it is vintage, but has never been purchased and worn. Prices can be on the high side, but the uniqueness of what you can find here, combined with the uniqueness of the shopping experience, can make it worthwhile. Exotical used to carry a lot of tropical import items like bamboo and furniture. They still carry a few tropical items beyond the aloha wear, including vintage albums, furniture and coconut monkeys. Orangethorpe Avenue has been their location since 2020.
Yue's Cantonese Restaurant
Gardena, California, United States (Closed)
Helen Yue and her husband (Cheeda) opened Yue's Cantonese Restaurant in Gardena in 1957.
This Chinese restaurant had a large tiki outside the entrance and a large vertical sign with bamboo details.
The Yues were entrepreneurs and later opened a Redondo Beach restaurant called Lahani Haloha (circa 1979-80) that sat on the International Boardwalk in an octagonal building with a Barney West tiki out front which was later moved to The Polynesian.
Helen and her husband sold Yue's Cantonese Restaurant and retired in 1983. Her husband passed in 2003.
The Yue's Cantonese Restaurant site, since at least 2019, is now home to the Grand Premier Banquet Hall - a banquet rental facility.
Wellman Jue's Paradise
Ventura, California, United States (Closed)
According to a 1992 L.A Times article, this location was open from 1965-1980 as Wellman Jue's Paradise.
It appears to have been a Chinese-gone-Polynesian restaurant.
The same building stands today.
After the Paradise closed it was Marianne's (an Italian restaurant), and then Yasmeen's Indian Cusisine, and then Maharaja (2007-2017). It might have housed several more restaurants over the years since the building's construction in 1948.
No connection to the Jue's Market just down the street, which is owned by a different family.
Luau Room - at South 4th Street - Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky, United States (Closed)
This was the second location for the Luau Room in Louisville. It was originally located at the airport and was a Dobbs House Luau location. The restaurant was sold by Dobbs House to Vern Ferguson in 1983 as the airport expanded, and Ferguson relocated it to this spot near the University of Louisville.
Their logo sketch of a hut exterior with moai on the side was stolen directly from the Mai-Kai in Florida and appeared on ads and stationary.
Amazingly, much of the decor from this large paradise (9,000 sq. ft.) remained intact over the years, surviving incarnations as a Mexican restaurant, a Salvation Army (that's right -- imagine walking into a thrift store and being surrounded by tikis you can't buy!), and a nightclub. The owner of the property reportedly insisted the decor remain, and had more in storage. As of summer 2005, the space was for lease again.
Most recently, in 2018-2020, the property was leveled and incorporated into the 2400-2420 site for the new Marshall Louisville student housing complex intended to house students at the University of Louisville.
Sneaky Tiki
San Francisco, California, United States (Closed)
Sneaky Tiki opened on the site of a former Hamburger Mary's in summer 2005. Early reports were lackluster; the restaurant was not actually particularly tiki by a tikiphile's standards -- more modern upscale nightclub. Pan-Asian food and mixed cocktails, tikis on the swizzles & napkins, but not a Polynesian Pop environment.
Sneaky Tiki closed in spring 2006.
From 2013 through 2022, this location has been home to The Willows, a bar and hamburger establishment.
Mission Tiki Drive-In
Montclair, California, United States (Closed)
Mission Tiki Drive-In was originally the Mission Drive-In, which opened in 1956. De Anza took it over and started work on turning it into a tiki drive-in in 2005. The tikification was primarily performed by carver and artist Tiki Diablo, and includes plenty of tikis and Polynesian-themed decor. Ticket booths have A-frame tops with thatch, and the refreshments area has plenty of large tikis and tiki masks, and bamboo-lined walls. Mission Tiki's logo tiki is holding a box of popcorn. In addition to the regular schedule of drive-in movies, Mission Tiki hosts special events similar to those that have proved popular at the the De Anza-owned (but non-tiki) Starlight Drive-In in Atlanta.
Closed January 23rd, 2023. Sold and cleared for industrial development.
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.
Trader Pang's
Chico, California, United States (Closed)
Open at least as early as 1979.
This location, in the Almond Orchard Center mall, was run by Bill and Amy Pang.
Later (in 1988-1992) it became Lollipops, a 1950s themed club. For a time it was the Chico Cabaret.
There is also an entire line of mugs that were stamped "Trader Pang's" on the reverse. These mugs were sold through Hilo Hattie's or other retailers around 2002 and appeared at the time to be brand new, not NOS (New Old Stock).
Some have claimed a connection to this Chico location with these mugs, but it is more likely that they were a fleeting name used by a foreign manufacturer to reproduce old Orchids of Hawaii designs.
No photos or menus showing these mugs in use at the Chico location have turned up, which supports the idea they are reproduced imports.
Bali Hai - Lynnfield
Lynnfield, Massachusetts, United States (Closed)
This Polynesian/Chinese restaurant has been around since the '60s, and was still owned by the original owners (James and Lillie Yee) up until its closing.
Sometime around 1970 or '71, there was a fire, but it seems that either much of the decor survived, or it was replaced quickly. Tropical drinks were served out of signature tiki mugs.
Closed on 12/30/2018.
FUN FACT: The David Spade Netflix movie “Father of the Year” (2018) changed the sign at the restaurant to "Yi Dragon" and used it as a set location in the film.
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.