Opened @1960s and closed @ December 2000.

Later re-named Paco's Hukilau in its final years.

Background photo and first two photos show Hukilau during the 60s and final photos (circa 2005) show the site after its closure, when much had been removed.

The structure appears a bit ramshackle with lots of additions. Heavy tropical plantings around the exterior hid much of the structure, even in the early years. The center bar was in a round room with heavy beams and poles supporting a very high ceiling.

60s interior shot shows they once had Witco Tiki barstools and tables held up by nautical chain as well as Orchids of Hawaii swag lamps. The bar front side slants inward at the base, which can be matched with the later color photo of the interior after the bar closed.

The site has been re-developed and no signs of the Hukilau exists. In its place are condominiums.

Construction of the Korolevu Beach Hotel began in 1948.

Situated along the Coral Coast, halfway between Nadi and Suva, a stretch of coast long known as the Fijian Riviera.

The Korolevu in its day was a landmark beachfront development which drew colonial expatriates from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. This hotel fostered the beginning of mass market tourism to Fiji.

Original Korolevu proprietor Bill Clark is said to have confided to a friend that it was economics that prompted his design choice for the individual accommodation units, since local villagers could build them for a fraction of the cost of building Western-style buildings. His plan was to recreate a typical Fijian village with everything tourists would need.

Later, Clark acknowledged that he knew the Fijian word bure originally referred to a temple building, and the individual units should really have been called valevakaviti, the Fijian-style stand-alone hut. But Clark surmised rightly of course that tourists would never get their tongues around the proper name.

Clark got much of his inspiration for building Korolevu after travelling to Honolulu and seeing how indigenous tourism was rapidly evolving on the island. He brought back innovations like the lounge bar, and built his accommodation block facing out over the beach to the reef, and extensively landscaping around the accommodation.

This tourism visionary also came up with Fijian-themed entertainment, put on feasts every night and introduced cultural shows to educate guests about "local" ways of life.

During its heyday, it is said the martinis flowed like water, the parties were wild and families also enjoyed the wide open expanse of land and safe swimming beaches. Partying colonials were joined by large numbers of American tourists flown in by Pan American Airlines whose planes stopped at Nadi to refuel before heading on to Auckland or Sydney.

Added to the customer mix were regular air crews from Pan Am, BOAC, Qantas, Teal and later Air New Zealand who all helped to make the hotel renowned for its lively atmosphere.

The bar photo below shows that there were tikis on the support pillars, in addition to the abundance of bamboo and other natural materials used to make the interiors the equal (if not superior) to other contemporary Honolulu bars Clark may have seen prior to his build-out.

Two unrelated events saw the Korolevu Beach Resort close down in 1983. First a major hurricane destroyed power lines all around the Coral Coast, and caused substantial damage to the hotel.

It took almost a year for power to be restored, and without mains electricity the hotel could not cater to guests.

Soon after, a lease-holding dispute erupted. Land ownership is complex in Fiji, the land title for the Korolevu hotel spread over nine freehold titles, three contiguous native leases and a Crown lease to the deep water access.

The dispute escalated until all the hotel’s furnishings and fittings were removed over one night, leaving the once effervescent hotel stripped of every shred of charm and character.

Faced with a massive reinvestment to get the venue up and running again, its owners, all close to retirement, decided it was easier to shut up completely. They eventually sold the site in 1991 to Northern Hotels who at the time unveiled major plans to re-establish a tourism operation on the prominent headland and adjoining hillsides.

But no plan to redevelop the site has ever materialized...

This resort was originally just referred to as "The Fijian", or technically, "The Fijian Yanuca Island Resort".

On June, 25, 1966 the formal laying of a foundation stone for the first 36 of the 108 lagoon wing rooms was officiated by Sir Derek Jakeway, the last Governor of Fiji before Independence.

It was built in 18 months at a cost of F$1.7 million.

A year later on October 22, 1967 the resort was officially opened by Ratu George Cakobau, the Paramount Chief of the Kubuna Confederacy.

When opened, it had the 108 rooms, a pool, the Lagoon Restaurant, Golden Cowrie Restaurant, Black Marlin Bar, and about 130 staff. It's original logo symbol was a conch shell.

Eventually, the resort was sold in 1974 to Malaysian-Chinese business magnate Robert Kuok. Kuok had introduced a luxury hotel brand in 1971, named Shangri-La, after the fictional utopia in which inhabitants enjoy unheard-of longevity. Robert Kuok is a highly respected businessman in Asia - a legendary Chinese entrepreneur, commodities trader, hotelier and property mogul. Kuok's wealth is rooted in palm oil and shipping. At age 94 Kuok's personal wealth was $18.9 billion according to the Forbes’ 2018 The World’s Billionaires list. With the change in ownership, the resort came under the management of the Kuok owned Shangri-La International Group and the davui conch shell was replaced by the Shangri-La logo. Over the years Shangri La invested heavily in the resort

In 2017, the resort celebrated its 50th Birthday as the Golden Lady in the Fijian tourism industry.

The Resort has grown from 108 rooms to 442.

It is home to five restaurants, six bars, a spa, a nine hole golf course, three pools and most recent addition – Fiji’s largest inflatable water park – all combined, these facilities makes the resort, the largest single hotel in Fiji.

Of the six bars, The Black Marlin, has been here in one form or another since the very beginning and is the most iconic.

From their website:

"Every last detail of Black Marlin Tropical Bar has been carefully considered from the high ceilings featuring classic Fijian architecture and intricate local 'Masi' decorations to the colonial Caribbean feel of the private room. Whether you’re looking for a private corner to enjoy a rum-inspired cocktail or a vibrant tropical bar for a boogie, Black Marlin has it all. With over 100 rums on offer, including two varieties created exclusively for the resort, Yanuca Island small batch rum, take your pick from the many tiki classics."

Although The Black Marlin is wholly remodeled from what the original bar looked like (see photos below), they have attempted to give it a more classic tiki bar feel, including of course, several large carved tikis at the back of the bar, cocktails served in tiki mugs, and a huge emphasis on rum.

The Black Marlin is not to be confused with the sleeker, brightly lit, and more modern looking Golden Cowrie Lounge also on premises. Or the Bilo Bar, or the Beach Bar & Grill, or other poolside bars also on premises.

From Ia Orana Polinesia:

"The Ia Orana Polinesia Cocktail Bar is located in the municipality of Sant Quirze del Vallès, about 30 minutes from Barcelona. A place to have a delicious cocktail in an atmosphere inspired by Polynesia. It is a unique bar in Spain, come and you will be surprised. The Ia Orana Polinesia Cocktail Bar is a place where you can relax and chat, surrounded by an exotic and elegant atmosphere. Take a seat and study their extensive menu, you will find high-quality cocktails with and without alcohol made by true professionals in the sector. In addition, Ia Orana Polinesia offers you live shows performed by native Polynesians, who will entertain you with their exotic dances. If you decide to go, try to reserve one of the cabins in the water, which are part of the VIP area. These cabins are the best area of ​​the bar, where you will enjoy a more intimate atmosphere, ideal for parties, events or groups. You will also find at your disposal a menu with tapas, cokes, salads and desserts."

Opened May 12th, 2012.

The interior design was made by architecture team Mind the Ark, in collaboration with the owner of the bar and renowned street artist WD. The concept of this bar is a place of contrasts with classical, vintage style elements integrated unexpectedly with tropical culture atmosphere and Tiki references. Plaster decorative elements that decorate the ceiling of the interior and the facade of the wooden bar (eclecticism), in combination with abundant planting and vertical surfaces dressed with wallpaper with dominant theme of exotic birds and heavenly landscapes set up in an unexpected scenery: A bar in the Pacific 50s’ made by and for Westerners, beamed into an old house in Athens that moves on three levels (walkway, balcony and interior bar).

It appears that in the time since, the owners have personalized the space with more carved tikis and an abundance of House of Angostura advertising (who sponsor Tiki Week and other promotions).

Opened Friday, September 13th, 2024.

According to its designers, "The Bamboo Room by Trader Vic’s, located within the stylish Esmé Miami Beach Hotel at 1438 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach, offers a seductive atmosphere where the past and present collide. Spanning 1,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, the lounge can accommodate up to 50 seated guests. Inspired by the original Trader Vic’s Bamboo Room, this venue pays homage to classic tiki culture while incorporating contemporary design elements. Its accents, tropical décor and innovative cocktail menu create an exotic, escapist ambiance that transports guests to a different era."

For tikiphiles and Trader Vic's fans, they may find the "contemporary design elements" means a stripped-down atmosphere without all the flotsam and jetsam, carvings, and tapa cloth they've come to appreciate at other Trader Vic's locations -- just another fine dining environment, but with an impressive array of cocktails served in Trader Vic's tiki mugs and food supplied by Sushi Bar next door.

Still, that sounds pretty darn good. It may not be as immersive a tiki space as traditional Trader Vics locations, but with excellent food and drinks, it appears they are off to a fine start.

Tucana had its grand opening on November 3, 2023 at The Denham Building in Parkside, in Birmingham, AL.

It is owned by Nicky Vann Tisdale.

Their creative team includes architect Haley Treadaway with Black Design Architecture and Josh and Shelton Carnley with Studio Carnley for branding.

The overall concept is modern and streamlined without the dense layering found in traditional tiki bars (like in an old school Trader Vics for example). Rather, the atmosphere is open and industrial with concrete floors, lots of windows, high ceilings, and exposed duct work.

No evidence of actual carved tikis, masks, tapa cloth, or hula girls...

However, they do evoke some jungle island vibes downstairs with tropical wallpaper, upside-down basket ceiling lamps, some fish floats over the bar, lots of rattan furniture, and some tropical plants. A couple dozen individually framed Audubon style toucan nature prints adorn the wall alongside the stairs leading to the second floor.

Cocktails are served in a variety of glassware and tiki mugs.

The disco ball constellation room is upstairs. Nicky claims this inspiration came from the Tucana constellation in the southern hemisphere. But as tiki enthusiasts know, tiki has an uneasy relationship with disco...which marked the decline of the Golden Age of Tiki. Still, a dance floor in such a large open space seems like a natural move.

This listing is for the Mai-Tai Supper Club's second location at 141 Grand Avenue in Schofield, Wisconsin. They opened in mid-June of 1974.

It was behind the Kenron Motel on the North end of Schofield, just on the left as you came into Schofield from Wausau. Today (as of 2024) this location is a U-Haul Moving & Storage.

Their large roof sign left little doubt as to what they served -- "Beef N' Spirits"! According to advertisements, they served a complete menu including steaks, seafood, and chops.

Matchbooks from the first location advertise the same, but with the addition of Cantonese appetizers and entrees as well. And Exotic Cocktails. It's unclear whether this second location also served Cantonese food.

However, this location's history is eclipsed by what happened to the old location!

The Mai-Tai Supper Club is shown here in 1978, the same year the original restaurant location at 1539 Rose St. in LaCrosse was sold by Rachel Skoug to Glenn Addis.

The first location on Rose Street lasted under the "Mai Tai" name at least through Mother's Day of 1980 according to newspaper advertisements in the La Crosse Tribune.

In January 1983, Addis sold the property to Arthur Lucas, who renamed the LaCrosse restaurant location "Arthur's Restaurant". The restaurant closed five months later.

Later that year, Lucas was convicted of first degree-murder. According to news reports, Lucas shot Theodore and Carlene Ann Buschkopf in a Winona, MN., hotel room; Theodore Buschkopf died from his injuries. Investigators later discovered that Arthur Lucas and Carlene Ann Buschkopf had planned the hit in order to collect life insurance money to fund the restaurant's intended reopening.

Instead, the building was razed.

Carlene died in custody in 2010. Arthur was released in 2013 after serving nearly 30 years in prison.

Club Zombie, a pre-tiki bar, opened inside the Hawley House Hotel (West St. Clair Avenue and West 3rd Street) on Thursday, December 19th, 1940. It was owned by Sammy Brin.

Club Zombie was one of the first tropical/pre-tiki bars in Cleveland and featured tropical theming that extended from its lush decor to its Polynesian drinks.

Club Zombie frequently featured local and national entertainment acts, including top-billed female impersonators. In 1946, “Boys Will Be Girls Revue,” an immensely popular and nationally-renowned female impersonator revue starring Lynne Carter, Titanic, and Del Raye, maintained top billing at Club Zombie for over seven consecutive weeks.

This club was open at least through 1946 according to newspaper advertisements, and possibly later...

This was Bob Brooks's second Seven Seas location. The first was in Hollywood.

This pre-tiki bar was located in Las Vegas at the Nevada Biltmore, but it was short-lived, lasting just from 1942-1944.

From the Las Vegas ashtray website:

“The Biltmore was built on this corner in 1942 by Bob Brooks. His single-story resort on 17 acres -- featuring a hotel, cottages, showroom, casino, restaurant, bar and pool-was Polynesian-themed, a motif he'd brought with him from his famous Seven Seas restaurant and lounge in Hollywood.For nearly three years the investment paid off, thanks to business from the expanding Army Air Field at the north end of town. But by the end of 1944, Brooks saw the Biltmore's future dimming and sold the resort. It changed owners (one of whom was famed bandleader Horace Heidt who later opened the tiki-themed Horace Heidt's Magnolia Estate Apartments) until June 1948, when four well-known members of the white community purchased the resort as the Nevada Biltmore Hotel Corporation.“

Photos below show the Biltmore exterior with neon tubing sign for "Seven Seas Room" unlit in the daytime (see wide and then close-ups of sign).

From The Cove:

"Established in 1952 by Gene Kopp, the décor and façade were much different than they are today. The building had previously been a roofing store, made of cinderblock, which was painted to tout the original 'The Cove.' Rumors tell of slot machines being residents of the early Cove, before they were made to be removed.

Gene’s son, Richard Kopp, came home from California, where he worked at a ship-yard, in the 70’s to help his father run the business. He introduced the nautical and tiki theme to The Cove, re-faced the cinder block with lumber, and brought many items from the shipyard, including the hatch doors that he made into the Cove tables we still use to this day. He eventually took ownership of The Cove and continued to add tiki flair, rumored to have been modeled after a favorite bar in Mexico, including the classic light fixtures covered with blowfish shades, and other décor that is still proudly cared for, throughout the remodels and facelifts in later years.

During Richard’s ownership, a young girl named Charlotte joined his employment as a cook and worked her way to management and then eventually became owner of the business. Charlotte Meyers' notoriety as the next Cove owner was in her amazing capacity to care for and cultivate an incredibly loyal following of people… lots and lots of people. Her guests became members of her family, whether she called them 'Honey' or by their name, she loved them all. She threw grand parties, danced while balancing shot glasses on her head, and was perpetually the life of the party – whether at The Cove or supporting other local businesses. Her loving nature extended to her predecessors, whole heartedly pouring herself into introducing the next owners to her loyal patrons and friends, and mentoring during the next transitional period.

Debra and Johnny Urrutia purchased The Cove in 2005, having minimal experience in the bar and restaurant industry. They were local entertainers who wanted to have a place of their own to celebrate live music after other venues either closed or traded in their stages for pre recorded music. Deb left her profession in teaching to take Charlotte’s crash course in bar & restaurant management, and, perhaps against the odds, eventually found her footing and came to cherish the role.

Deb and John, with the help of friends, family, and supporters, chose one area at a time to remodel or refurbish. They added a patio for outdoor seating, completely remodeled the bathrooms and kitchen, replaced the bar, and added a saltwater fish tank for guests to enjoy. All the while, there was a strong dedication to keep the integrity of the theme and the richness of the history. Throughout their years of ownership, business has steadily grown, thanks to the continued patronage of loyal guests and an amazing crew of employees who charm first time visitors into becoming the newest members of our Cove family!"

The Tropics Motor Hotel was located in Seattle by the Space Needle.

It was built in 1958-1959 and opened in 1959.

It served as the host hotel for the 1962 World's Fair. It was once the only luxury hotel in downtown Seattle.

The masonry, five-story hotel cost approximately $1,750,000 to erect.

The Island Room had a mix of island decor - including Polynesian as well as Caribbean.

The pool area of the hotel also had a lava rock waterfall feature with clamshells and a tile mosaic of Hawaii's Diamond Head.

Closed some time shortly prior to 1991, when the iconic sign was taken down.

It then became a Quality Inn and Suites, and continues under that name today (as of 2024).