Tiki Bars
The Eggroll
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States (Closed)
Opened in June of 1971.
As of 2025, this location is home to WellCare Urgent care.
Mollinesian Motel
El Cajon, California, United States
Built in 1963.
This motel drew its name from a mash-up of "Polynesian" and "Mollison" Avenue in El Cajon.
The A-frame with lamp theme seems borrowed from the Half-Moon Inn in nearby San Diego.
Eventually, Best Western purchased the motel and decided to add their corporate crown logo to the top of the sign instead of the original torch.
Best Western continues to operate this site today, as of 2025, but through a series of progressive remodels (most recently in 2019), it bears no resemblance to the original construction.
Aloha Motel
Miami, Florida, United States (Closed)
Open at least as early as April of 1959.
This A-frame hotel in Miami advertised a private pool, free TV, heat/air conditioning, a cocktail lounge, coffee shop, and sound-proof rooms.
This building was eventually torn down, and today there is no trace left.
There have been a plethora of unassociated "Aloha Motels" throughout the United States over the years, many of which have little theming beyond just the sign, but this one is one of the earliest, has great architecture and a wonderful neon sign to boot.
Skylodge Hotel
Nadi, Fiji
The Skylodge Hotel in Nadi, Fiji was built in 1960 and is a historic institution in the area.
It was once a popular hotel for families and young travelers.
Located 5 minutes from the airport.
Last renovated in 1989.
Now part of the Tanoa Hotels Group.
It appears that they have lost some of their tiki decor over the years, and may be a bit run-down, but there is still some of the original character left, even though the hotel is now seemingly eclipsed by more modern hotel options in the area.
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.
Royal Hawaiian Hotel - Wildwood Crest
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, United States
The Royal Hawaiian in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey was built by Lou Morey in 1969 and was part of the Wildwoods Shore Historic District.
It is classified as "Doo Wop" style in New Jersey (what might be referred to as "Googie" on the West Coast).
Located on Orchid Street near the beach and Atlantic Avenue.
Originally it had an Easter Island head on the signage and logo.
Over the years, details were added like a large flying saucer shaped room on the top which was originally a restaurant, but is now a penthouse suite.
Also, the Easter Island head was replaced with a palm tree logo.
The hotel was purchased by Madison Resorts in 2023 and is now part of the Madison Resort Wildwood Crest.
Lester Klayman and his family owned the Royal Hawaiian until Madison Resorts purchased it.
Reportedly, the Madison Resorts' plan is to preserve the property's historic architecture and create a world-class resort that will be part of the Madison Resort Wildwood Crest, which also includes the Oceanview Motel.
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.
Exotic Isle Apartments - Alhambra
Alhambra, California, United States
Built in 1964.
Not to be confused with the Exotic Isle Apartments in Paramount, California at 8600 Rosecrans Avenue that were built in 1963.
This Alhambra location was lush and populated with tiki carvings, tropical plantings, and water features in its heyday.
The carvings became overgrown and were removed and the name was eventually changed to Jade Gardens, but the A-frame and basic architecture of the site remains intact.
Older photos of this location can be found in Sven Kirsten's Book of Tiki (page 220).
Tiki Tomb
Cape Town, South Africa
Tiki Tomb opened in Cape Town, South Africa on October 6th, 2023.
It is next to and shares space with Boma on Bree (bar & restaurant), in their basement, through a carved tiki face door on street level.
The bar was designed by Fabricant Design Studio.
It has a large open space for dancing with a long bar and DJ booth on one side and booth and table seating around the opposite perimeter which is decorated with tons of carved masks that look to have been greatly inspired by Bosko's work at False Idol in San Diego.
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!
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.
Kon Tiki & Conchita Tacos - Kansas City - Crossroads Arts District
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Opened August 30th, 2024.
Not to be confused with the much earlier Kon Tiki located in Kansas City from 1963 - 1990.
This new venue is co-owned by Chris Seferyn, who has opened Kon Tiki with his friend and business partner Chad Troutwine.
The location, 1922 Baltimore Ave., formerly Beco Flower Shop — has been divided into two distinct spaces, connected via an indoor walkway and staircase.
One part is the tiki bar and the other part is Conchita Tacos.