Tiki Bars
Surf Rider Lounge - at the Andrew Jackson Hotel
Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Closed)
The Andrew Jackson Hotel in downtown Nashville opened it doors on Aug. 29, 1925. It represented one of the largest and most modern structures of its kind in the entire South. The 12-story structure had 400 rooms and private baths.
It was one in a chain of Carling Dinkler family owned hotels named after Confederate war leaders. Dinkler also opened the Luau in Nashville which he sold to the Dobb's.
The Surf Rider Lounge was opened in the hotel at least as early as 1963, possibly as early as 1960 when the other Surf Rider Lounge in Montgomery, Alabama was opened by the Dinklers.
The Andrew Jackson Hotel was demolished on June 13, 1971, to make room for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the James K. Polk State Office Building which are currently still on site as of 2022.
Hale Hawaii - at the Merrillwood Mall
Birmingham, Michigan, United States (Closed)
Built in 1968, the Merrillwood Mall had 30 exclusive shops on the first and second levels as well as the luxurious Merrillwood Arms Apartments on the upper four levels.
One of these exclusive shops was Hale Hawaii, which was located on the second level and sold sportswear, swimwear, leisure wear, jewelry, perfume, luau accessories and exotic gifts.
Today, as of 2022, this site is known as the Merrillwood Collection Apartments but still appears to be the same building construction.
Surf Rider Lounge - at the Jefferson Davis Hotel
Montgomery, Alabama, United States (Closed)
The Jefferson Davis Hotel is a former hotel located in Montgomery, Alabama. It was named for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America. Built in 1927. It was one in a chain of Carling Dinkler family owned hotels named after Confederate war leaders. Dinkler also opened the Luau in Nashville which he sold to the Dobb's.
The Surf Rider Lounge was opened on September 15th, 1960. The Alabama Journal has the following to say about the opening night entertainment:
"The entertainment picture of Montgomery became in focus last night with the opening of the Surf Rider Room in the Jefferson Davis Hotel and the arrival of Dorita. Both are wonderful! The style of Dorita is refreshing, to say the least. A fine musician, a fine singer and, above all, a top notch entertainer, she is exactly what the newly redone lounge needs to set it off as Montgomery's lounge of distinction. Dorita is an entertainer of note. Facile with both English and Spanish, she has just enough of the Latin temperament and feeling for her music to be able to sing with sincerity and that deep feeling which make the difference between true artistry and mere technical skill. Her interpretations of some of the old favorite Spanish numbers are without peer. Singing 'Granada' she manages to take her audience off on a musical venture which is fascinating and colorful. The decoration of the Surf Rider Room is, for Montgomery, out of this world. Using a Polynesian motif, the decorator managed to achieve the atmosphere without being gaudy or ostentatious. The overall harmony of style meets the eye gently, as, indeed, it should in a place of that type. One coming into the room is aware of theme without being aware of any one aspect which goes to make up the theme. The Surf Rider Room Is easily the mast delightful lounge in our state."
The lone remaining image of the Surf Rider, on postcards, shows it was painted in light blue with fish netting hanging from the ceiling and shells and other flotsam and jetsam caught up in the netting.
It is unclear when the Surf Rider Lounge at the Jefferson Davis Hotel closed, but it probably did not last very long.
There was also a second Surf Rider Lounge at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in Nashville which was later bulldozed in 1971 to make room for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the James K. Polk State Office Building.
The Jefferson Davis Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 1979.
This location looks much the same on the exterior but is currently used as apartments for the elderly -- The Jefferson Davis Apartments.
Royal Hawaiian - Anaheim
Anaheim, California, United States (Closed)
This was the sister location built in the late 1950s after the first location in Laguna Beach was already thriving.
The plans were announced publicly in the Santa Ana Register on January 16th, 1957.
It was located on South Los Angeles Street and Ball Road in Anaheim, which is now re-named Anaheim Boulevard. It was a converted home previously known as the Flynn Residence.
Plans were stated to include 5 acres of tropical gardens, swimming pool, luau parties, ukulele parties, aquaria with tropical fish, and Hawaiian and Cantonese foods.
Today, this location is occupied by the Anaheim Global Medical Center.
Shanghai Lil's
Chicago, Illinois, United States (Closed)
Opened circa 1968. This Polynesian Restaurant was owned by E. Robert (Bobby) Baer.
They had a brilliantly plumaged macaw that greeted guests -- named Judy Garland.
Shanghai Lil's was named after the famous location in Shanghai that was a gathering for the diplomat corps and other international travelers.
This locale is best remembered for its live entertainment, including The Royal Hawaiians and their hula review.
Every Sunday had a luau feast.
They did serve tiki cocktails in tiki mugs. However, their ashtrays with signature wahine logo are probably more numerous out in the wild.
It closed about 1981. The property was razed no later than 1990 and the site now houses condos.
Vagabond's House
Los Angeles, California, United States (Closed)
Opened December 3rd, 1946.
Joe Chastek was first introduced to Polynesia when he and a high school buddy stowed away to the Philippines when they were both 17. Joe was one of the first to open a club with the South Seas motif. His first pre-Tiki bar was the Zamboanga. His second was the Tradewinds. His third was Vagabond's House. The name came from Don Blanding's poem of the same name. Don and Joe were acquaintances.
The interior combined tropical motifs and decor from many countries, including the South Pacific, the Philippines, Africa, and Mexico. There was lots of bamboo, matting, totem poles, glass floats, etc...
Joe often threw luau styled parties but the signature dish on the menu was curry.
This was also a favorite spot for famous stars to hang out. Below is a photo showing Joe Chastek (bow tie) and Joe DiMaggio shaking hands. Photograph dated: August 21, 1953.
The building in which Vagabond's House was located is a prime example of the Spanish Churrigueresque style practiced in the mid-1920s by the firm of Morgan, Walls and Clements and perfected by its chief designer, Stiles O. Clements.
The building was designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1983.
Several popular Wilshire restaurants have occupied the space, notably the Cafe Opera (in the 1930s and early '40s) and the Vagabond's House later (1946 - late 1950s). Most recently is La Fonda restaurant, which opened in 1969 as a venue for mariachi music. After being open for nearly forty years, La Fonda closed in 2007. The restaurant then reopened in 2016, and it once again regularly offers live mariachi music.
Albert Gee's Poly-Asian West
Houston, Texas, United States (Closed)
The original Poly-Asian was located at 9530 S. Main St., Houston TX. Albert Gee sold it to Peter Chin in 1962 and it continued until 1969.
This second location was opened at 5200 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX (sometimes listed as 5138 Westheimer, Houston, TX) by Albert Gee after selling his first location in 1962. This second location had, until recently, been a Dobb's House Luau location.
The Poly-Asian advertised itself as serving Polynesian, Cantonese, and Japanese cuisine as well as Tropical Beverages.
The second floor of this location was home to the "Club Luau".
Jane E. Gee, Albert's wife, outlived her husband of 38 years but passed away in 2019 at the age of 98. She was a co-owner of the business.
Lono
Los Angeles, California, United States (Closed)
Lono opened in June 2017. It was a large restaurant and bar in Hollywood, themed to Hollywood's yesteryear of tropical glamour, the pre-tiki era of nearby restaurants such as Bob Brook's Seven Seas and Don the Beachcomber. The restaurant's target era was closer to the '30s and '40s than the '50s and '60s, and as such the look of the space was more tropical-lite than truly tiki. The drink menu was a mix of classic tiki drinks and modern takes on tiki, carefully crafted and presented. The food menu was mainly small plates of flavors from around the world, or on the other end of the food spectrum, you could reserve a complete "luau" experience.
NOTE: Was listed as "Temporarily Closed" throughout 2022-2023 with no clear date to re-open but then listed for lease on Loop.net in 2023...which says it all...
Kahuna Tiki
Los Angeles, California, United States
Kahuna Tiki is a tiki-themed sushi restaurant with tropical drinks.
Kahuna Tiki initially opened without a liquor license and was only a sushi restaurant. A liquor license was added in June 2015, but for beer & wine only, no hard alcohol, so the tropical drinks on offer are made with sake, soju and the like (Their second location, Kahuna Tiki TU, has a full liquor license and an expanded cocktail menu featuring drinks with hard alcohol).
There is a very large outdoor patio with rock features, waterfalls, pools, trees, and beachcomber lamps.
Kahuna Tiki is known for its luau presentations and burlesque shows as well.
*NOTE: The owners have announced that this location may be closing in 2025, but as of February it appears a 6 month extension on the lease was reached. So, make sure to visit while it is still around. Their sister location, Kahuna Tiki TU, will remain open.
Don the Beachcomber - at the Royal Lahaina Resort
Lahaina, Hawaii, United States (Closed)
A very short-lived, modern reincarnation of the Don the Beachcomber chain, located on the grounds of the Royal Lahaina Resort. The space is mostly gutted, and is now used as an entry area for the resort's evening luau.
Opened in the mid 2000's (at least as early as 2006) and closed in 2007.
The Tiki Terrace - Prospect Heights
Prospect Heights, Illinois, United States (Closed)
This was the original location for The Tiki Terrace; it opened in 2005 and closed in December 2007 and then opened four months later in a new, improved location in nearby Des Plaines.
This restaurant and entertainment venue was the realization of a dream of the Zuziak family, whose A Custom Production supplies the Chicago area with Polynesian and tropical decor and props.
Around 20 tikis were carved for the Tiki Terrace, other decor included rock formations and moai. The restaurant was divided into three dining rooms and a bar: Rapa Nui Row, The Ali'i, Kapa Nui Kove, and the Tiki Cocktail Bar. Cocktail waitresses doubled as hula entertainment, courtesy of a partnership with Gwen Kennedy of local luau organizer Barefoot Hawaiian.
Lei Low
Houston, Texas, United States
Lei Low opened in Houston's Heights neighborhood in late February 2014. The force behind Lei Low is husband-and-wife tikiphile team Russell and Elizabeth Thoede.
Lei Low serves drinks inspired by the historic tropical standards, but in their own modern style. Although Lei Low doesn't typically serve food, they do have occasional luau events.
A brightly colored mural of a tropical scene adorns the front entrance. Inside, the centerpiece of the space is a dramatic thatched A-frame structure behind the bar, which holds a collection of tiki mugs. There are a couple of vintage Witco pieces, and a few colored floats hang from the ceiling. There is seating in green booths, or on stools along the large bar. Tiki posts are found between booths and behind the bar. A grand peacock chair is near the entrance. Along most of the walls, the decoration comes in the form of framed art hung on framed pieces of lauhala matting.