The Polynesian was an upscale modern restaurant in midtown Manhattan, near Times Square. It was located on the third floor of The Pod Hotel 42, and opened in May 2018. The space was sleek and airy, with more subtle nods to Polynesian art and culture. Seating dividers were made from sticks, clearly inspired by traditional Oceanic sailing maps; graphic repeating patterns on the floor and behind the bar appeared to be very-abstracted echoes of tapa or quilt designs of the Pacific. The dominant colors in the space were warm wood and ocean blue, and select pieces of Oceanic art were on display.

The restaurant was created by New York's Major Food Group, with help from bartender Brian Miller, who had been hosting regular tiki drink nights around New York for several years. Miller's menu included not just nods to drinks from the history of tiki bars, but incorporated nods to actual Polynesian history. The food menu was limited and tended toward the snack end, with some classic fare like Crab Rangoon.

Signature mugs by Tiki Diablo from this location were highly coveted.

The bar closed temporarily in 2020 as a consequence of COVID shutdowns and never re-opened.

Mai Kai Lounge is the bar of the Tecumseh Inn (built in 1964), on the west edge of town. The bar opened in 1971 and remained mostly untouched, until 2018-2021 when it was closed and then given a makeover.

The bar originally had carved Witco tiki barstools, and two tall tiki poles. The table and bar surfaces were covered with a tapa design, and the circular booths were upholstered in '70s vinyl colors: orange, avocado, aqua, blue. The backs and toe-kick areas of the booths were upholstered in green astroturf, and were surrounded by bamboo curtains and faux bamboo plants. There were two hanging rattan chairs suspended from the ceiling, with orange cushions. The lighting was dim and moody, provided by float lamps, beachcomber lamps, and white and red string lights. The building's exterior was simple, but the white walls had modern abstract shapes in relief.

Despite the ideal tiki bar setting, and the full bar, there was no menu of tropical cocktails.

As of April 2009, the bar was temporarily closed, but the owner of the bar assured that none of the decor was being removed. However, as of 2018, it was reported by area residents that the place had been gutted and tiki furnishings were now gone.

This was partly/temporarily true, but the bar did re-open in 2021 with brand-new brightly painted wall murals and much of the interior decor still intact. The floor plan seems more open with removal of some of the fake foliage and bamboo curtains. The Witco barstools are noticeably absent in new photos, so they may be sold or in the process of being restored. All of this refurbishment was part of sprucing up the property for re-sale in 2021. It was listed on loopnet.com for $895,000, and with the assertion that it has new management in place.

The "Jacuzzi Room" did have an Orchids of Hawaii hanging shell lamp and a few other pieces of tiki decor even after the initial refurbishment...but it might have been removed as part of their re-theming to a boathouse/lodge/western look for the overall site by the new owners.

As of 2024, they still advertise the "Tiki Bar" as a BYOB adult hangout that can be reserved. Their website shows a group drinking beer and eating pizza around a small table in a brightly lit room...

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.

This Kahunaville was one location in a nationwide chain of restaurants.

It was located in the Holyoke Mall (which is the 3rd largest in New England by retail space) from @2007-2008.

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.

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.

It appears that this location now houses an Xfinity retail store.

The Luau was first opened by the Dinkler family, who owned a chain of hotels. They opened this restaurant sometime in the mid-1950s (it was open by 1957), and operated it as "Dinkler Luau" or "Luau, a Dinkler presentation." The restaurant was stylish, with a dramatically pointed roof over a porte cochere entrance, and was designed by Curtis and Davis Architects of New Orleans. The interior featured waterway and bridges, and a cabinet with bamboo cases holding regulars' chopsticks, just like at the original Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood. There was at least one tiki carved by Barney West.

Soon after it opened (1959?), the Dinklers sold the restaurant to the Dobbs family, who changed the name to "Dobbs House Luau (1960?)." The Dobbs House Luau chain swiftly spread to other cities around the south, including Memphis, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, Orlando, Lexington, Houston, and Louisville. In 1962, the name was changed to "Dobbs House Tiki." The building was later demolished.

The Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in tribute to his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who was the last descendant of the Kamehamehas. The museum was built on the site of the Kamehameha School for Boys, which had been established by Princess Bernice. After her death, Charles Reed Bishop started the museum to showcase the Kamehameha family heirlooms and other Polynesian artifacts. The school eventually moved, allowing the Bishop Museum to expand, and it has grown over time so that it now houses a rather massive collection. One of the important pieces is a historic Heiau Ku carving - there are only two others, in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, and in the British Museum in London. In 2010, all three Ku tikis were put on display at the Bishop museum. The other two were shipped back to their respective museums three years later. The museum also features a section dedicated to what they call "Ku Kitsch," known to us as Polynesian Pop, with many fine examples of modern uses of the image of Ku, including a mug from Tiki Farm.

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).

This Kahunaville was one location in a nationwide chain of restaurants.

It was located in the Rivertown Mall from @2002-2004.

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.

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.

Founded in 1884, the Pitt Rivers Museum is housed within an atmospheric building holding more than 500,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts from all over the world, and from all periods of human existence. Within are exceptional objects of ritual significance, and objects made for tourists or trade.

Those interested in "Tiki" or Polynesian Pop have often been guided here to see the Maori display and the "Treatment of Dead Enemies" display (with its shrunken heads). Photos of both displays are shown below along with some close-ups.

Since the museum is not necessarily arranged by geographical area, but by type of item, there are often several cultures represented in some areas. There is much more than just these two displays to interest visitors.

It appears that since 2020, this museum (like many) has grappled with a call to repudiate or at least better contextualize their colonial past. For the Pitt Rivers, this means a modernization of their display tags and a retiring of some display pieces to storage. The shrunken head exhibit has been removed and that case has been wrapped with an explanation of the institution's efforts to not dehumanize colonized peoples or display human remains if possible. You can see some before and after photos below.

As with most museums, their collections are often updated and never meant to be a static or unchanging time capsule. However, the changes above have fueled quite a bit of debate.

The Hurricane Club was a modern, high-end restaurant and bar in Flatiron district of Manhattan. Its name hearkened back to the famous 1940s era New York tropical nightclub.

It was opened in 2010 by Fourth Wall Restaurants. The restaurant's decor felt expensive, and looked like a sort of mix between a plantation dreamscape and an upscale place for businessmen in suits to hash out business deals. It did not look or feel like a tiki bar, and it wasn't trying to.

It was clear that a lot of money went into opening this restaurant, right down to the gold Hurricane Club logo woven right into the linen napkins. The club offered free shoeshines along with a purchase of rum.

And yet amid all this refinement, there were a few odd intrusions of bizarre tiki kitsch. There were several bowling shirt-wearing, acne-riddled, fez-topped, cheesy-grinning tikis on the bar, in the form of lowbrow Tiki Farm decanters.

The confusion extended to the drink menu: the menu made an explicit nod to tiki history, pointing out that tiki bars often break down their drinks into light, medium and strong drinks. The drinks were good, and were served in some rather nice mugs, including a rare mug by Bosko. And yet the execution felt stiff: the drinks didn't have names, just numbers. The three "tiki style" drinks on the menu were not any more or less "tiki" than any of the other drinks on the menu.

The Hurricane Club was "re-branded" in the summer of 2013, becoming Hurricane Steak & Sushi. It lived on briefly in that incarnation before closing for good.

Hawaii Kai was the grand dame of New York Polynesian restaurants. The location, over the historic Winter Garden Theatre, already had a place in Polynesian Pop history: it was the location of Monte Proser's Beachcomber, a Don the Beachcomber rip-off, in the early '40s.

The dramatic space opened initially as a partnership between Monte Proser and Joe Kipness as Lanai in 1961, but by November of 1962 it had morphed into Hawaii Kai with Joe Kipness now partnered with Art Schindler, who had owned the nearby Luau 400.

The dramatic interiors were created by Frederick Fox, a scenic designer for Broadway productions. The entry was at street level, and had lush greenery, waterfalls and capuchin monkeys. After receiving a lei greeting, visitors ascended a rattan staircase to the upper level, with three rooms:

The Okole Maluna Bar (Bottoms Up Bar) had a diorama of Diamond Head at Waikiki that constantly shifted from daytime to nighttime.

Adjacent to the bar was The Lounge of the Seven Pleasures -- this room had entertainment nightly, playing until 3 a.m.

The main dining room was where the nightly luau and Polynesian revue was held, variably called Hula Wei, Place of Meeting, or The Island Huts of Oahu. The space was large, with a stage, and thatch-covered booth "huts" along the edge of the room.

Hawaii Kai had a flair for flowery naming: beyond the colorful names for the rooms and of course the drinks, they were always coming up with new exotic-sounding titles for special giveaway items. The competition for tourist dollars was likely steep in Times Square, and in order to keep up there was a steady stream of creative bonus items one could acquire: A tiki teapot set titled "Ipo Aloha Lovers Tea Set", a skull mug titled "Goddess of Love", even a simple standard bucket mug became a "Royal Ali'i Goblet". Tiki lighters, lanterns, salt and pepper shakers, and of course good old tiki mugs: they couldn't give them away fast enough. Today the items are heavily collected, and often can be found still in the box they were sent home in.

Hawaii Kai's popularity waned, but it held on through the 1980s, and through the damage of a fire. It made appearances in a couple of Hollywood films (most famously a scene from Goodfellas takes place here). Hawaii Kai finally closed sometime during or shortly after 1989.

*NOTE: Cocktail menus below show that earlier drinkware included Spurlin/Beauce designed bowls and unmarked glassware but they later converted to Otagiri designed ceramic ware and marked glassware.

Opened in 2006.

The Muse du Quai Branly (or, the Quai Branly Museum, for us English-types) is a museum dedicated to non-Western art, from Oceania, the Americas and Africa. The museum has a large, permanent collection of Oceanic art from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and more. The artifacts in this collection are traditional and not Polynesian Pop, but are an excellent example of the influences that Polynesian Pop grew out of.

From June 24-September 28, 2014, the museum held a special exhibition, "Tiki Pop," curated by Sven Kirsten, author of The Book of Tiki and Tiki Modern. Kirsten collected specimens of Polynesian Pop culture to tell the story of the rise, fall, and rebirth of American Polynesian idealism. The Mai Tai Room, was part of this exhibit -- a complete tiki bar that Cheeky Tiki installed and which featured a carved tiki by Jamie Wilson. The tiki is now currently residing with Sven Kirsten at his home bar in Silverlake, CA. To complement the exhibit, a companion book and documentary were also produced.

The museum is very near the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.