Tiki Bars
Luau Barbecue Restaurant
Seattle, Washington, United States (Closed)
Luau Barbecue served a mix of barbecue and Hawaiian-inspired dishes, likely in the '50s/'60s.
Olmstead is now on this site as of 2021.
The Temple Bar
Berkeley, California, United States (Closed)
The Temple Bar was owned and run by a Hawaiian family, and for a time had only been open for special events, such as visiting Hawaiian musicians, or occasional Sunday luaus. Toward the end, it began staying open five nights a week as a restaurant. It closed in 2011.
Tahiti Inn - Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1959, a few months after Hawaii was given statehood.
This hotel had a magnificent palm tree sign, 73 rooms, and a very nice pool. Appeared to have little theming beyond the sign, but the sign was spectacular.
Unfortunately, the Tahiti ditched its tropical theme to become the Airport Travelodge in 1977. The motel is currently a Days Inn by WyndhamAirport.
Hula Hut - San Diego
San Diego, California, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1946, the Hula Hut was a Hawaiian-themed bar located where the Tropic Cafe had previously been. It closed in 1965 and the whole block was raised to make way for the Westgate Hotel.
Mauna Loa Restaurant - Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Closed)
This location was open briefly from @ 1977 - 1980 and was known for its Hawaiian Dance Review floor shows.
Today this site is a Shop n' Save.
Hula's Island Grill & Tiki Room - Monterey
Monterey, California, United States
Hula's Island Grill in Monterey started off initially in 1998 with more of a Hawaiiana/Surf feel, but has been deepening its tiki roots over the years, most notably with the addition of their Tiki Room. Carved masks and trim details by the artist Bosko are throughout the restaurant, and a very large Tiki Tony carving shares the space with much bamboo and Leeteg reproductions. The restaurant is enormously popular with locals, and has a very cozy, intimate feel. Traditional drinks include a proper Mai Tai, and Hula's has their own branded glassware and their own branded tiki mugs available (call ahead to make sure they are in stock).
In 2006, a second location opened up the coast in Santa Cruz. Then, Hula's Modern Tiki opened in Phoenix (2009-2018) followed by Hula's Modern locations in Scottsdale (2014) and High Street (2020). The first Hula's Modern Tiki in Phoenix re-located on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 to a new location on Seventh Street north of Camelback Road, less than a mile away from the original.
Tiki Fala Restaurant
Arlington, Virginia, United States (Closed)
This location was functioning circa 70s - late 80s.
The interior of the restaurant was decorated with lots of decorations including Orchids of Hawaii lamps and masks.
By 1990 this location was closed and had become a Korean Restaurant named Sang Rok Su, which purportedly kept the Polynesian decor.
Today, as of 2023, any sign of Polynesian decor is gone and the location is home to The Celtic House Irish Pub.
Waikiki Tiki Room
Ciudad de México, Mexico
The Waikiki Tiki Room opened in 2019.
The build-out is very colorful with huge 1950s Hawaiian greeting card inspired mural wall graphics, plenty of tropical foliage wallpaper, reed matting on the ceilings, and an assortment of fish floats and basket style pendant lights hanging from the rafters.
The interior is light on actual tikis, however, with only a small tiki carving on the bar top and a couple of tiki masks on the back bar...
The emphasis is on their robust craft cocktail program, however, which appears to be on point and has drawn rave reviews with a respect for tiki classic cocktails and with an assortment of newer craft cocktails in rotation.
Pilikia
Dallas, Texas, United States (Closed)
Pilikia was a tiki bar and nightclub in Dallas, the name means "trouble" in Hawaiian. It opened in late January 2017. They served tiki drinks and shared bowl drinks, and had a small menu of food. The entrance was flanked by two tall tikis, with a large moai looking over. Inside, the decor was spare, with carved tiki stools, paper lantern lights, and some bamboo. There was an outdoor patio.
Closed in July 2018 after the city decided to go after several bars in the area that were not full restaurants in an area zoned for restaurants, not bars.
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 Islander - Seattle
Seattle, Washington, United States (Closed)
Opened in 2003, this restaurant focused more on vintage Hawaiiana than a true tiki bar experience, and felt airy, elegant and upscale.
In 2008, owner Thoa Nguyen changed the concept from Hawaiian to Vietnamese, and it became Thoa's Restaurant and Lounge.
From August 2018 onward, this location appears to be corporate office space.
Eli Kai Apartments
Torrance, California, United States
Opened in 1965. The name "Eli Kai" translates to "Peaceful Garden" in Hawaiian.
The complex sports a nice A-frame. There is an underground parking garage and the units start on the second floor. A unique rock wall fountain, long ago turned off, still evokes the time period, and there are a plethora of tikis, from the Marquesan tiki beam holding up the ceiling outside the manager's office to the more decorative beams all throughout the complex.