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).

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.

The Inter-Island Resorts' Kauai Surf Hotel - at Kalapaki Beach - Kauai opened on July 1st, 1960.

Kauai Surf is still with us, in another incarnation and after all these decades, it is still one of the most popular Hawaiian destinations. It was bought by Westin in 1985, completely overhauled (to the tune of $22 million) and reopened in 1987 as the Kauai Westin. Out went the tikis and in came an over the top pan-Asian motif! They added dozens of Asian statues, some small, some huge, still scattered across the hotel's incredible 51 acres. What was the Kauai Surf's pond and gardens, became the Westin's swimming pool, the biggest in the state, measuring 26,000 square feet of water surface and 210 feet in diameter. Barely out of debt, the hotel was devastated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and stood vacant until 1995, when the property was purchased by Marriott.

It then became the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Remodeled yet again, Marriott replaced most of the Westin's Asian art with Hawaiian art. As mentioned above, many of the Asian statues still remain. But the overall decor is now Polynesian. Throughout the hotel's common areas are dozens of exhibits of shark-tooth weapons, hula instruments and drums and Kapa cloth (a couple of pieces dating back to the 18th century) and all the art is of pre-colonized Hawaii. Bright tropical patterns characterize the newly reupholstered restaurant and lobby furniture. The new lobby area rugs also have tropical themed patterns. Overall you will definitely feel that you are in a Hawaiian resort.

The mid-century furniture and swings are gone, and most of the original Tikis are history, except for 3 carvings on the beach, but the rooms still look basically the same.

The Planter's Lounge is now Duke's Canoe Club, the main restaurant and bar at the resort.

Throughout these remodels, they never tore down or altered the basic structure of the original Kauai Surf. A new tower has been added, flanking the pool, but the original towers still remain, seemingly untouched!

The hotel with which Marriott's Kauai Beach Club shares a campus has changed management and been re-branded as the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue Hotel effective March 24, 2021.

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 Hu Ke Lau was a tiki bar at 7 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Salem, NH and opened in about 1970, but closed in 1976 due to the owners having to run another location in Chicopee, MA. The building was built in 1967 and was originally home to The Friar & Tuck Pub, from 1967-1970. After the Hu Ke Lau's closure in 1976, it was bought and then turned into the Grand China which was a Chinese Restaurant still having most of the remaining tiki decor. The Grand China closed in 2017 after 41 years in business, was then remodeled, and now is The Lim's Sports Bar & Cafe and also Chaser's Poker Room. It is still owned by the same family who owned the Grand China.

The place was adorned with vintage lamps, bamboo poles and some tikis.

Check out ThatTikiKid's YouTube channel (@ThatTikiKidOfficial) on the "My Vintage Menu Collection!" video at 7:29 out of 12:46 for the whole menu.

This Hu Ke Lau was also one in a small chain of restaurants. Johnny Yee partnered with Frank Chin and Robert Lew to open other locations, including the first in Chicopee, and others in: Lenox, Massachusetts (re-named Luau Hale in the 70s), Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut location, and a Bridgeport, Connecticut location (which burned down in 1983) also.

Built around 1967.

The Kala Kai Motel (not to be confused with the Kala Kai Apartments in Los Angeles) was situated at the western most end of Grand Avenue, in the Pacific Beach section of San Diego.

From their postcards:

"Located half way between colorful San Diego and famous La Jolla. Rest in a gracious Polynesian setting on the blue Pacific. A short five minutes to Fishing, Boating and Water Skiing at Mission Bay - or - off pier Fishing. Shopping and Dining. Just steps to sunning on the warm sands of the Beach and delightful swimming in the surf. Or enjoy our musical pool and sundeck overlooking the Ocean."

As can be seen in the photos below, they did have some tikis on the grounds, a moai head fountain with clamshells by the pool, and some tiki masks and other Polynesian artifacts decorating the exterior walls overlooking the pool.

Last photo shows flooding of the motel in 1983.

The motel closed in the 1980s and today this area is occupied by The Ocean Park Inn.

Open from 2010-2016.

Located on the third floor of a building with an ocean view outdoor patio.

This was part of a small chain that began with the original in Waikiki (@2006-2015) and concluded with a location in Jacksonville, Florida (2012-2014) before going out of business.

There is little evidence left of the two Florida locations today (2026) but the original Waikiki location still thrives and looks much the same although it has changed names and owners (now called the Tikis Meeting Spot).

This chain was known for encouraging a club atmosphere in the evenings and providing inexpensive tropical drinks without trying too hard to replicate the classic Trader Vics/Don the Beachcomber experience.

Da Big Kahuna was open from @2006 - 2015.

Not to be confused with Big Kahuna's Pizza (since 1994 and still running).

Da Big Kahuna was known for its fish bowl cocktail and for its large handled Tiki Farm mug.

The owners decided to expand and opened two locations in Florida (Fort Lauderdale in 2010-2016 and Jacksonville in 2012-2014) but eventually all three businesses closed.

Then this Waikiki location was renamed as Lava Tube, and opened @2018 under new ownership with less emphasis on being a nightclub and with a revamped food menu.

Around May of 2025, the name changed to Tikis Meeting Spot, although the decor and drink menu appear to be the same, so it appears to be yet another light re-branding or ownership change but not a complete overhaul.

Open from 2012-2014.

This was part of a small chain that began with the original in Waikiki (@2006-2015), then saw a second location in Fort Lauderdale (2010 - 2016), and concluded with this third location in Jacksonville, Florida before going out of business.

There is little evidence left of the two Florida locations today (2025) but the original Waikiki location still thrives and looks much the same although it has changed names and owners (now called the Tikis Meeting Spot).

This chain was known for encouraging a club atmosphere in the evenings and providing inexpensive tropical drinks without trying too hard to replicate the classic Trader Vics/Don the Beachcomber experience.

Pat's restaurant was opened in November of 1960. It was a Hawaiian/tropical restaurant with an Irish twist. The owners were Pat and Iris Hallaran.

Hallaran described it as "a combination of driftwood and dreams".

The building seated 400-500 diners.

It's interior included aged redwood, driftwood, and beachcomber decor, especially glass fish floats hanging from the ceiling.

Furniture was rattan and wicker.

Large glass windows opened out on scenic views.

Although it did not have tikis and tiki art and would not be thought a terribly tiki location by most tikiphile standards, they did serve tropical and tiki drinks in tiki vessels, including some made especially for this location by Polynesian Pottery and Daga.

In addition to the restaurant, there was a hotel, shop, offices, and bungalows on the property.

They were also known for their mynah birds, which were kept in a series of large cages on premises.

Years later after the closing of the restaurant, the entire interior was white-washed, changing the look from the expanse of redwood timber seen in early photographs. The property and hotel are still under the Pat's name but appear to be functioning as vacation rentals.

Open from approximately late October 2022 through May 2025, this small tiki bar was situated in The Apostle Supper Club restaurant in West downtown St. Paul, Minnesota (which was across the street from the Minnesota Wild NHL Hockey club).

This modest space had one custom Tiki mug "The Goalie", which looks suspiciously like the GeekiTiki Jason Vorhees mug, though this version is labeled "Apostle", bears the red and green colors of the Wild hockey team, and is heavier and much more substantial. And he's holding a hockey stick, naturally. The incised brand on the mug bottom states "Purpose Restaurants".

This mug was served with the "False Eyedoll" drink, composed of Rumhaven Coconut Rum, House Rum Blend, Peach Schnapps, Lychee, and Mango.

Local media at the time stated: "That goalie glass is not a Halloween/Jason ref, it's available for purchase anytime for $30 and includes your first drink. Find classics like a Mai Tai and a Pain Killer on the menu, but also more creative takes like Pond Hockey Royale and Saint Paul Grog. Drinks hover around $12-13 and bar food includes fried Spam tacos, pickle rollups, and a Kalua pulled pork sandwich with fries."

*NOTE: There was a second location in Duluth that was open from 2022-2023, but is also now closed.

This location had their soft opening at the end of August 2025.

Nestled right beside the entrance of LA’s Oldest Bowling Alley, Highland Park Bowl.

Metered street parking is available, and there’s also a parking lot just behind the building.

Run by Bobby Green and the 1933 group.

In keeping with the speakeasy theme established at the West Hollywood location, you must figure out the secret entrance...in this case, look to your left for your old sailing buddy, and play a little shell game for entry.

Once inside, the interior is decorated much like the West Hollywood location, with a plethora of fantastic swag lamps hanging from the ceiling, as well as lit netted glass fish floats, thatching, tapa cloth, actual carved tikis, and a large outrigger canoe suspended from the ceiling as well.