Tiki Bars
Jungle Bird - San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Opened in September of 2016.
This bar describes itself as a "Tropical leisure cocktail bar located in the heart of La Placita de Santurce."
They serve tiki and tropical cocktails with a rum focus, and use a variety of tiki mugs.
Like many recent bars, the decor is lightly tropical but not immersive with tiki carvings and artwork in the way that Trader Vics and Don the Beachcomber set the standards with -- and probably why they do not use the "Tiki" label for themselves, preferring to focus on the cocktails.
However there is at least one actual wood tiki carving in the outside patio area and the overall ambience is dimly lit and inviting, sure to attract tiki aficionados who might be in the area and thirsty for a crafted beverage.
Tiki-Tock - at The Frenchman Hotel - New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Opened in April of 2023.
This is more of a tropical bar than a tiki bar.
Without "Tiki" in the name, there is nothing in the decor to support the "tikiness" of the venue. It would be equally at home in Mexico or Jamaica or the Caribbean.
Palapa thatched umbrellas designate seating areas and there are runners of palm thatching around the top and bottom of the bar which look like they could be quickly torn down in an afternoon if the Frenchman Hotel decided its Patio needed a re-fresh and a different theme.
One corner has some tropical wallpaper and a few large tropical flower prints. There are no tiki carvings or Polynesian artworks.
And, the stark concrete floor, large exposed brick walls, and black-painted industrial metal ceiling are at odds with the rest of the decor.
Despite this, they have a very good menu of tropical and tiki cocktails and have drawn high praise for the quality of their cocktails, created by Patrick Williams, VP of operations and innovation for Angevin & Co., which owns the hotel and bar.
Shipwreck 7th Tiki Bar
Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Opened August 15th, 2023.
From Owen McGrath, who previously opened The Shot Cellar, also on Foch Street, in 2019; and Michele Kettle, his business partner at ShipWreck & The Shot Cellar, who also owns a cocktail bar in Midland called The Buffalo Nickel.
Premise: "Serving new and re-imagined Tiki Cocktails for our re-telling of the great adventures of Captain Jeffrey Alexander on the immersive eternal Jade Island."
This bar has a definite slant toward pirate and nautical but plenty of tiki details as well.
It is a large space and they use quite a bit of video projection on walls and ceiling. They also use audio for different drinks and scenarios for an immersive effect that must be experienced in person to be truly appreciated.
They also have an extensive menu of cocktails, with stories behind each one, and interactive puzzles to be solved which can unlock drinks for the persistent explorer!
Islander Westport Motel & Bamboo Room
Westport, Washington, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1965.
The Islander in Westport, Washington, was a premier marina front destination for fishermen, surfers and beach goers alike. With wonderful views of the fishing fleet of the Westport Marina, the Olympic Mountains, the vast Pacific Ocean and an awesome surf spot, the Islander was a favored getaway.
It was during the 60s that the motel advertised a dining room & coffee shop, 31 ocean view units, a large heated pool, and a Bamboo Room with dancing. See vintage flyer below...
In other ephemera and on swizzle sticks the Bamboo Room is called a "Tiki Room".
At some point this Bamboo/Tiki Room was remodeled...and all signs of tiki removed...
Neddie Rose Farrington, a legend in Westport, ruled the Marina from The Islander Resort for many decades, overseeing dozens of charter boat captains, countless fishermen, and many a wayward Karaoke superstar. When Neddie was ready to retire in 2004, she turned to a local land developer who was giving his best shot at updating Westport's tourist economy. The restaurant was remodeled and given a new name "The Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill" and the site underwent design and permitting to be redeveloped into a boutique hotel project. In 2008, the project was placed on hold when the regional, national, and world economic markets went into a tailspin.
The Islander was purchased in 2015 and re-opened in March 2017, under the same original name.
However, a fire in April of 2020 caused around $250,000 damage to the site.
After re-building and re-modeling, the site was re-christened as the Saltwater Inn and is currently in operation as of 2025.
Royal Hawaiian Restaurant - at the Landing Grand Union Shopping Center
Roxbury Township, New Jersey, United States (Closed)
This restaurant was open at least as early as 1975 (see dated black & white photo background) in Landing, New Jersey.
Landing is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey, United States.
The restaurant billed itself as a Chinese and Polynesian Restaurant and had a separate cocktail lounge that can be seen in one of the color photos below.
The dining rooms were decorated with dozens of hand-carved wooden Filipino Ifugao tribal masks, fake palm trees, and a large tribal shield in one corner.
Today, the shopping center is still standing, but many of the storefronts are vacant.
Kahunaville - Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware, United States (Closed)
This Kahunaville was one location in a nationwide chain of restaurants.
It was located in Wilmington, Delaware from 1995 - November 27th, 2006.
Like the others in the chain, this restaurant featured a synchronized water fountain show, waterfalls, caves, talking idols, a sophisticated sound system, an arcade, and a variety of tropical drinks. Their eclectic food menu featured about 90 items, which included "Kahunaville-sized" sandwiches, salads and entrees with American, Mexican, Cajun and Asian influences.
This location was well known for its 65' volcano outside which was visible for far around. It was also a well-known dance club location which was fine in the early days, but after later condos and residential development, the new neighbors complained about the noise and traffic from the still-thriving nightclub.
The parent company of Kahunaville, Adventure Dining Inc., once operated nine nationwide locations, including homes in Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Michigan and Tampa. The Las Vegas, Nevada "Party Bar" (2001-2016) was their last holdout before the chain folded.
This type of corporate chain typifies what many tikiphiles dislike most about corporatizing the Tiki aesthetic -- bending the decor more towards a Chucky Cheese buildout (or perhaps Rainforest Cafe if one is being kind) with cheaply molded and cartoony fiberglass and plastic decorations in primary colors, dumbing down the cocktails of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic into chemical-tasting slushy boat drinks (but served with "flair"), offering a big scattershot food menu in hopes of appealing to every American tourist palate, and supplying loud video games and animatronics to entertain the kids. For those that grew up with these, there is some nostalgia, but they were not terribly mourned by fans of traditional tiki bars and restaurants.
This Wilmington, Delaware location was closed by the owner for several reasons, not the least of which was the death of his father which caused him to prioritize things differently. The space remained vacant for a bit and a fire broke out, causing some damage.
Later, the space was became home to the Delaware Children's Museum, which is still in operation as of 2025.
The Rusty Pelican - Key Biscayne (Miami)
Key Biscayne, Florida, United States
Opened in 1972 under the ownership of David Tallichet with a Polynesian vibe and cuisine as well as a panoramic patio overlooking the City of Miami.
The overall impression of the place was dark and cozy with a mostly nautical vibe accented with some tiki touches. It featured rough hewn dark wood boards, nautical rope, some small carved tikis throughout, fishing nets, lit glass fish floats, strands of cork floats, shell lamps and pebble lamps, lauhala matting, and some brightly colored Orchids of Hawaii lamps.
The original menu featured favorites like a teriyaki-glazed sirloin steak, Chicken Kona Kai (grilled chicken served in a pineapple with sweet and sour sauce), and Cherries Jubilee (simmered cherries, vanilla ice cream, and Chantilly liquor).
Beyond its views and fare, Rusty Pelican gained even more notoriety after being featured in the 1980 blockbuster Caddyshack, starring Bill Murray and Chevy Chase.
In 1984, however, disaster struck and the restaurant burned to the ground. It was rebuilt and re-opened in 1987 with a large second floor space, but other than the added space, it appears they tried to rebuild along the same theme.
Then in 2011, all the tiki decorative elements went away in a brand new remodel...
The restaurant reopened in December of 2011 after a five-month, $7 million top to bottom renovation. Additions to the massive restaurant included a swanky cocktail bar; floor-to-ceiling bay windows; outdoor tables flanked by fire pits; a glass-enclosed wine corridor, mid-century style furniture, wood paneling and cushioned booths creating a Mad Men vibe.
Today, the venue is associated with weddings and other events that can make use of its floor space and fantastic views.
Although no longer tiki in its decor, they have been known to serve tropical drinks in tiki mugs from time to time as can be seen below...
The Tropics - at Waikiki
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Closed)
This is the first Tropics restaurant opened by Peaches & Tony Guerrero. They also operated The Tropics at Ala Moana.
Tony Guerrero was an "Island Boy". In the 1930's he went to Hollywood and acted in several movies. While there he meet the beautiful Peaches Jackson, who was pursuing her career in the movies. Tony co-owned his first bar/restaurant, the Hawaiian Hut, in Hollywood. When he sold it they moved to Hawaii. In 1940 they bought a waffle place and made it into the first Tropics restaurant (at Waikiki).
It was situated opposite the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
The Tropics at Waikiki flourished and became an institution for visiting Hollywood stars to hang out at. It was eventually renamed "The World Famous Tropics at Waikiki".
This grand pre-tiki establishment was decorated with tons of bamboo, thatch, greenery, and art -- including an Edgar Leeteg black velvet painting (as can be seen in postcard photos -- see background image and below).
Local legend also states that the first ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union) agreement for sugar workers was signed by flashlight at night on top of a garbage can in the alley in back of the Waikiki Tropics.
In 1952, Peaches and Tony went to Paris to study at the Cordon Bleu, opening a second restaurant upon their return to Hawaii, the Tropics Ala Moana. This restaurant was as successful as the Tropics and the special house dressing became so much in demand that it was eventually bottled and to this day, Tropics Salad Dressings are popular on the West Coast and of course, in Hawaii, where they are made.
Dates are unsure for the close of The Tropics at Waikiki (still in business as late as 1955) but it became the Royal Lanai by the early 1960s.
The Tropics Ala Moana closed in 1958.
Tony died in 1985 and Peaches in 2002.
The Tropics - at Ala Moana
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Closed)
This is the second Tropics restaurant opened by Peaches & Tony Guerrero. They also operated The Tropics at Waikiki.
Tony Guerrero was an "Island Boy". In the 1930's he went to Hollywood and acted in several movies. While there he meet the beautiful Peaches Jackson, who was pursuing her career in the movies. Tony co-owned his first bar/restaurant, the Hawaiian Hut, in Hollywood. When he sold it they moved to Hawaii. In 1940 they bought a waffle place and made it into the first Tropics restaurant (at Waikiki).
It was situated opposite the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
The Tropics at Waikiki flourished and became an institution for visiting Hollywood stars to hang out at. It was eventually renamed "The World Famous Tropics at Waikiki".
In 1952, Peaches and Tony went to Paris to study at the Cordon Bleu, opening this second restaurant upon their return to Hawaii, the Tropics Ala Moana. This restaurant was as successful as the Tropics and the special house dressing became so much in demand that it was eventually bottled and to this day, Tropics Salad Dressings are popular on the West Coast and of course, in Hawaii, where they are made.
Dates are unsure for the close of The Tropics at Waikiki (still in business as late as 1955) but it became the Royal Lanai by the early 1960s.
This Ala Moana location existed until 1958 when the property was bulldozed to make room for the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
Why the Ala Moana location chose a wolf in an Aloha print cabana set as their mascot is unknown, but it was undoubtedly some sort of inside joke. This was, after all, pre-tiki times and the tiki iconography had not caught hold as the default for most mascots and advertising.
Tony died in 1985 and Peaches in 2002.
Dum Dum - York
United Kingdom
Opened in Summer of 2022.
Located inside the premises occupied for 20 years by a fish and chip shop, first known as Mr Chippy and later rebranded as Hook & Line.
Owned by Maria Pavlou and her partners who also own Vudu Lounge and have run it since 2004 in the same building.
The name "Dum Dum" comes from the Moai character in the Night at the Museum movies.
The interior is what they describe as "Tiki Modern" by which they mean sparse and uncluttered without doing the immersive decor that is familiar to those tikiphiles who are used to the old school standards set by Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic's. Dum Dum's booths and stools incorporate rattan and earth toned vinyl padded seating. Walls are covered with tropical leaf prints. A couple of walls feature fake foliage and neon lighting with messages like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Rum, Forest, Rum". Ceilings are lit with swag lamps and the space over the bar is draped with several dozen fake flower leis. There are a few small foot-tall Moai statues on one wall, but no large carvings...and especially with the bar's name, it seems like there should be at least one massive Moai on premises, even if carved of foam or fiberglass. Artwork and decor is lacking, but this stripped-down space is more focused on the club crowd who are there to dance.
That said, they appear to have a thriving cocktail menu with a variety of their own concoctions as well as old standards to choose from... and they do serve drinks in tiki mugs.
Chuck's Steak House - at the Edgewater Hotel
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Closed)
This first Chuck’s Steak House was opened in Waikiki at the Edgewater Hotel in 1959, by Chuck Rolles.
As seen in the postcard, they had a bar with a tiki, fish floats, fish nets, and other flotsam and jetsam.
The restaurant became known for its casual atmosphere, self-serve salad bar, and high-quality steaks at reasonable prices. Today, a self-serve salad bar does not seem ground-breaking, but Chuck's was one of the first restaurants to implement this and they introduced it to the mainland.
Since 2007, with the creation of the Waikiki Beach Walk, this entire area has been redeveloped and no signs of the original Chuck's remains.
Over the years, the Chuck's chain expanded across the United States, although many locations have since closed, leaving only a few remaining, including one in Santa Barbara, California.
Ho-Aloha
Fair Lawn, New Jersey, United States (Closed)
Open from 1972-1987.
This Chinese/Polynesian restaurant had fake palms in the parking lot and plastic flowers, masks, straw huts and a miniature outrigger in the dimly lighted dining room. All lit by Orchids of Hawaii swag lamps.
The dinner menu had extensive offerings of exotic Polynesian potables and main dishes, along with several Cantonese specialties, a half‐dozen Mandarin delights and some standard American fare.