Tiki Bars
Chin Tiki
Detroit, Michigan, United States (Closed)
Chin Tiki was opened in 1967 by Marvin Chin, who also opened Chin's Chop Suey in Livonia. Chin Tiki closed around 1980, but the space and decor remained relatively intact for years, spurring periodic rumors about it reopening. Chin Tiki was featured in the Eminem movie 8 Mile (2002); during the filming of 8 Mile, apparently much of the kitchen equipment went missing.
Marvin Chin passed away in April 2006. In February 2007, the deed to the property was passed to Ilitch Holdings, which owns much of the surrounding property.
The building that housed the Chin Tiki was demolished on March 6, 2009.
Trader Vic's - Detroit
Detroit, Michigan, United States (Closed)
This Trader Vic's was located in the once-beautiful Statler Hotel. After the Hilton chain bought the Statler in the early 60's, this Trader Vic's was opened on the ground floor (sometime between 1963 and 1968). At this Trader Vic's, the bartenders were contained behind glass, much like the Chinese Ovens -- the waitstaff handled all the drink serving, and there was no customer interaction with the bartenders. The restaurant had a jacket-required dress code, and had jackets on-hand to be loaned out. There was a VIP area with peacock chairs for special clientele.
The hotel changed hands several times between 1969 and when it finally went bankrupt and closed in 1975. The contents of the Trader Vic's went for only $7,500 at auction in January of the following year. The massive Statler has sat vacant for 30 years, until the hotel was razed in 2005.
Trader Vic's - at the Hotel Cosmopolitan - Denver
Denver, Colorado, United States (Closed)
This Trader Vic's location was originally opened in 1954 under the name "The Outrigger", located in Hotel Cosmopolitan at 18th and Broadway. The Hotel Cosmopolitan opened in 1926 and was demolished in 1984.
The Outrigger name changed to Trader Vic's in 1962.
This Trader Vic's closed in 1978 when the corporation decided they wanted a fresher location than the, by that time, 52-year-old hotel, and Trader Vic's opened a different location at the brand-new Denver Hilton three blocks away.
A Don the Beachcomber's moved into the vacated spot left by Trader Vic's at the Cosmopolitan.
The second Trader Vic's location at the Hilton lasted until 1985.
Mai Tai Bar
Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Opened in 2002. The Mai Tai Bar is tucked away in Ocean Walk Shoppes, overlooking the historic Bandshell and featuring a view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Hawaiian Inn
Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
The Hawaiian Inn opened circa July of 1965.
This Polynesian-themed resort complex is right on the Atlantic Ocean; most of its 208 spacious hotel rooms have private balconies overlooking the ocean. The hotel has a number of amenities, including a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool, shuffleboard, and a beachside 9-hole putt-putt course, and most of the rooms include small kitchenettes. There is also the poolside Ohana Tiki Bar and Grill.
The hotel has seen better days. There is no remnant of its Polynesian history in the rooms, which appear to have undergone remodels at some point in the 80s -- all of the rooms used to have Witco headboards, which can now be seen as wall hangings throughout the hotel. Outside of the rooms, there are some nice touches, including bamboo-encased garbage cans and Witco furniture.
Check for scheduling, but the resort regularly hosts a Hawaiian Luau Dinner Show.
Just up the street from Hawaiian Inn, you'll find Aku Tiki Inn and Traders Restaurant.
Aku Tiki Inn
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, United States
Built in 1968.
The Aku Tiki Inn features an imposing moai at the entrance, complete with glowing red eyes. Some nice Witco pieces can be seen in the lobby. Connected to the Aku Tiki Inn is the Traders Restaurant (with the Aku Tiki Bar).
The Hawaiian Inn can be found just down the street.
In 2004, the oceanfront hotel sustained some damage from Hurricane Charley. The signature moai at the front of the hotel was damaged beyond repair. By 2005 the hotel had been repaired, with a new signature moai built with the help of Florida tiki artist Wayne Coombs.
Green Turtle Restaurant - at The Hawaiian Inn
Daytona Beach, Florida, United States (Closed)
Originally called the Waikiki Lounge & Supper Club.
The Green Turtle Restaurant was part of the Hawaiian Inn resort complex. Teauila's (pronounced like "tequila" would sound if the q was silent) Hawaiian Luau Dinner Show took place here four nights a week. The dinner show was a package deal, including the entertainment and a Chinese-food buffet; tropical drinks were extra.
The room featured lamps from Oceanic Arts, and a very heavy use of black-light. The show itself featured a full band, male and female hula dancers, and included a dramatic use of fire. A handful of male visitors were selected from the audience to try their hand at hula-ing on stage while wearing a coconut bra and grass skirt.
NOTE: This restaurant was closed as of 2017, although the Hawaiian Inn Resort still hosts a Hawaiian Luau Dinner Show in this space, but you should check for scheduling.
Just up the street you can find the Aku Tiki Inn and Traders Restaurant.
Momilani's
Dana Point, California, United States (Closed)
Momilani's was a Hawaiian goods store that carried some tiki items. The same space had previously been a similar store known as Hot Lava.
Momilani's was open at least as early as February of 2010 and closed in September 2013.
Trader Vic's - Dallas
Dallas, Texas, United States (Closed)
The Dallas Trader Vic's opened in 1967 in what was then the north wing of the Dallas Hilton Inn. It closed in the spring of 1989, but was kept somewhat intact, with much of the original decor still in place. Over the next 20 years, the space was available for private rentals. In 2006, the hotel became the Hotel Palomar, and plans got underway to reopen the Trader Vic's. Trader Vic's finally reopened, looking every bit the classic Trader Vic's it was, in March 2007. Sadly, a burst pipe in January 2010 led to the restaurant closing.
The hotel site is now known, as of 2024 (and since 2014), as The Highland Dallas.
*Photos below show the original postcard hotel image from 1967 and colorized image of the front entrance of Trader Vic's at the time with a Barney West carving out front. Then, jump to the refurbished 2007 Trader Vic's and its menu.
House of Tiki - Newport Boulevard - Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, California, United States (Closed)
Formed around 2003, House of Tiki was owned by Wes Johnson, and sold new merchandise, including aloha wear, tiki mugs, home decor, and of course tikis. A tiki-themed coffee shop, Hot Lava Java, was opened in the space adjacent to House of Tiki in late summer 2006.
In December 2008, House of Tiki moved to a new location in the same area.
Kona Lanes
Costa Mesa, California, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1958.
At its peak, under the proprietorship of Dick Stoeffler, Kona Lanes was one of the most successful bowling alleys in the country, open 24 hours, with 40 lanes and a lounge (The Outrigger) which hosted musical acts. Over the years the business declined, and eventually Henry Segerstrom, owner of the property, wanted to redevelop it into something that would generate more money -- a Kohl's. After nearly 50 years in operation, Kona Lanes closed in May 2003, and was demolished in late June of that year.
Kona Lanes had a large, double-sided neon sign; fortunately the American Sign Museum in Ohio was able to acquire the sign before demolition, thanks to a rescue and donation by Donco Signs of Anaheim.
Ironically, the Kohl's was never built due to community resistance. The lot was vacant for many years before a new 55+, senior-living complex, Azulón at Mesa Verde, located at 1500 Mesa Verde Drive East, opened on the site in 2014.
Hula Hula - Lloret de Mar - Spain
Lloret de Mar, Spain
Hula Hula opened in 1973, and is still run by the same family. It is in Lloret de Mar, a coastal resort town in Catalonia. The centerpiece of the space is a large square column, with tiki carvings on each side and rocks and plants around the base, enveloped by a cascading rain effect.
They allow smoking and also have shisha/hookah smoking available.
The back of the room has several murals of topless wahines and serves as a backdrop to entertainment acts, including comedians, musicians, and burlesque performers.
They also rent out the space for private events.
During the summer season a rooftop deck and bar is open, with views of the surrounding area.