Even through the darkest days of tikidom, The Alibi remained popular and busy -- probably due to the frequent karaoke nights. The Alibi is full of beautiful lamps and decor from Oceanic Arts, and has been cared for very well. The drinks for many years were on the weak and sweet side; that changed when new management took over in 2017, and the menu is now solidly-constructed classic tiki drinks and originals.

The Alibi has a long history that predates tiki. It began in the late 1800s as the Chat-n-Nibble, a horse & buggy stop along a dirt road. In later days it became a tavern called Max Alibi. The third owner, Roy Ell, took over the tavern in 1947 and renamed it The Alibi. Ell had travelled to Hawaii, and is responsible for changing the decor to reflect his own Polynesian tastes. The tavern was expanded to include the restaurant in the 1950s. The Witco-inspired rails and 3D hula-girl mural were 1970s additions. In the 1980s, Ell leased The Alibi with the agreement that the decor must stay as is. From 1992 to 2017 The Alibi was run by the White family. In 2017, well-regarded local historic bar managers Marcus Archambeault and Warren Boothby took over with a light restoration and a re-focused bar and food menu, including a flaming pu-pu platter.

Just across the street is The Palms motor hotel. While not strictly tiki, it does have a fantastic neon sign, and is within stumbling distance.

King Yum was a classic example of the style of Chinese-meets-Polynesian Pop restaurants that have peppered the U.S. Northeast for decades. It was opened in 1953 by the Eng family, and was still run by the Eng family today until its closure in August 2016.

The entrance had a rock wall waterfall, and there were tiki poles and tiki masks throughout the restaurant... painted in unfortunate primary colors. The restaurant had broad A-frame details over the dining room, and bamboo was used heavily. There was an awful lot of white on the walls, though. Lamps were old classics from Orchids of Hawaii. There was a second dining room with more traditional Chinese decoration rather than Polynesian. The exterior of the building had no Polynesian influence, but did have a beautiful green tile roof.

The food was good old American Chinese, and a number of tropical drinks were served, some in tiki mugs or coconuts.

As of 2021, this location is now home to One Banquet Hall, a wedding hall rental location.

Agnes and Chef Ping Tsang opened the China Doll in 1985 and were almost immediately a major West Bank restaurant hit. It's still managed by the Tsang family.

Located in an unassuming strip mall location, this Chinese restaurant that has a few tiki touches, including several outstanding Orchids of Hawaii dodecahedron (12-faced) and beachcomber swag lamps.

They have a small selection of a dozen cocktails and serve some of them in tiki mugs. They also look to have an amazing Pu Pu Platter.

Opened @1960s and closed @ December 2000.

Originally named the Islander Village Restaurant and Tiki Lounge.

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.

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).

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...

Located at Route 3, Service Road East at Plaza Center in Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.

The South Seas was a Chinese & Polynesian fusion restaurant, similar to many others on the East Coast, that owed much of their decor to Orchids of Hawaii -- featuring a plethora of Orchid hanging lamps and a goodly amount of tiki masks both on the interior and exterior. It had a separate bar and a large open dining space lined with bamboo paneled booths lit by different colored puffer fish lamps.

Not much history to be gleaned on this location, but it appears to have been active in the late 60s - early 70s (at least as late as 1974).

This was perhaps one of the biggest pre-tiki locations on the West Coast.

The location has a long history, but its pre-tiki history began in 1933 with its first incarnation as Club Kamokila.

Club Kamokila was located at 960 Bush St., in San Francisco. Founded in 1933 by pineapple heiress Alice Kamokila Campbell, it was originally called Kamokila's Temple to Art. The temple was the auditorium, as the building was a former church that became a speakeasy. Legal issues arose after the club was raided for unlawful liquor sales, and Campbell closed the club in April of 1934, & moved back to Hawaii. It was then taken over by Kamehameha Corporation, and renamed the Royal Hawaiian.

The Kamokila mascot was a pineapple wearing a top hat and monocle (very similar to the Planter's Peanuts mascot from a distance) and the pineapple mascot was kept for the new location for a time as well.

At some point, this location was connected to the Hawaiian Gardens in San Jose, which was considered for a time to be a sister location.

Closed and then re-opened in 1943 as the Bush Street Music Hall.

After a temporary closure and remodeling, Danville California's Vine and Spirits reopened in April 2025 as Kaia’s Island Kitchen and Tiki Bar.

From Kaia's website:

"At Kaia’s Island Kitchen & Tiki Bar, everything starts with family, love, and the aloha spirit. Our story began with countless unforgettable trips to Hawaii—lazy beach days, laughter around the table, and the simple joy of sharing great food with the people you love most.

For Randy Negi (A local restaurant Entrepreneur), those island memories meant everything. They were filled with warmth, happiness, and a sense of belonging. He wanted to bring that feeling home — to create a place where every guest feels like part of the family, and every meal feels like a little escape to paradise.

Kaia’s is named after Randy’s granddaughter, Kaia — the heart and inspiration behind this dream. Her joyful energy, curiosity, and love for the islands are woven into every corner of our restaurant. From the food to the atmosphere, everything here reflects what Hawaii means to us: connection, happiness, and living life with aloha.

We believe food is more than just a meal — it’s a way to bring people together. Whether you’re gathering with family, meeting friends, or simply unwinding after a busy day, Kaia’s invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and embrace the island spirit. Our menu celebrates authentic Hawaiian comfort food, island-inspired cocktails, and the freshest ingredients, all served with aloha. We serve everything from savory Loco Moco to vibrant poke bowls, tropical cocktails, and sweet island indulgences.

Sip on our silky-smooth Chi Chi Cocktail, the ultimate creamy, coconut refreshment. Discover why our 44 Mai Tai is the most loved — a bold, balanced island classic, bursting with aloha. And don’t forget to save room for Hula Pie, the ultimate Hawaiian dessert — macadamia nut ice cream stacked on a chocolate cookie crust with whipped cream, toasted mac nuts, and chocolate drizzle.

At Kaia’s, every bite and every sip carries you to the heart of Hawaii — where aloha lives, the breeze whispers, and everything’s made with love."

===========================

Kaia's offers a food-first, tiki bar second experience.

The entire location is tastefully decorated in island-inspired decor, with all of the typical design elements: bamboo, tiki statues, thatching, tropical prints, etc.

The food menu features Hawaiian and Hawaii-inspired fare. The drink menu offers beer, wine, traditional tiki bar drinks (mai tai, painkiller, zombie), as well as their own custom tiki drinks (Three Hour Tour and Ohanapod Mai Tai).

For swag, they offer a number of shirts, baseball caps, branded glassware, and multiple tiki mugs.

The Roosevelt Hotel opened in 1930, named after the 26th U.S. president, who’d visited Seattle in 1903. Its architect, John Graham Sr., was one of the city’s most prominent: the firm he'd founded was behind iconic city structures like the Seattle Exchange Building, the Frederick & Nelson department store (now the downtown Nordstrom), and, under his son’s leadership, the Space Needle. Graham’s designs account for the hotel’s distinctive, modernist Art Deco style. The 18-story building remained Seattle’s tallest hotel for decades, with 234 rooms and an ornately furnished lobby detailed in the French modern style. In contrast to the hotels that catered to residents (the norm at the time), the Roosevelt Hotel positioned itself as a traveler-oriented hotel.

The Lanai or Lanai Room as it was called, flourished in the 1960s. It was known for its "musical fountains" seen in photo below and their cocktail menu is notable for sharing tiki mug designs seen at the Kalua Room in Seattle and commonly associated only with the Kalua Room. In 1962, both the Roosevelt Hotel (the Lanai) and Windsor Hotel (Kalua Room) were managed by Gwynne Austin. Gwynne Austin had previously managed Hawaii's Kona Inn, the Halekulani and opened Kaisers Hawaiian Village... he left Hawaii to take over the Windsor in 1954.

In 2015, Provenance Hotels purchased the hotel, and began floor-by-floor renovations, spearheaded by Seattle-based Susan Marinello Interiors. Fully refreshed, the hotel reopened in 2017 under the name Hotel Theodore, a nod to its historic namesake.

*NOTE: Exact dates on the opening and closing of the Lanai are unknown but it was definitely open from 1962-1965.

Sea and Jungle Shop sold tiki and jungle themed props from their Glendale store for decades. The last owners ran it for over 24 years, starting in 1962. They were competitors with Oceanic Arts (who opened in 1956) and later benefactors of the younger store -- although it's not clear how long Sea and Jungle were open before they were bought out by the last owners -- but they probably existed in one form or another since the 1940s.

Sea and Jungle props decorated Rick’s Cafe Americaine in “Casablanca" (1942), and carried natives over the waves in “Mutiny on the Bounty”(1962) And they adorned countless other television and movie sets. They also supplied much of the decor for Disneyland, especially the Jungle Cruise ride (opened in 1955).

The front of their site was known for giant carved tikis and in later years for a giant pink fiberglass elephant that became kind of a company mascot.

How did it all start?

It was originally opened by Victoria White and "Jungle Jim" Joslin in the 1940s-1950s. (They titled themselves "Specialists in Tropical Atmosphere" on old postcards).

The matriarch of the last family to own the business, Virginia Langdon, was 17 and enrolled at Hollywood High School, when she eloped to Hawaii with her 16-year-old boyfriend because her parents opposed the marriage. They lived there five years, developing a lifelong passion for things tropical, their daughters recall.

The couple returned to Glendale and bought Sea and Jungle in 1962. There they ran a thriving business, making occasional forays to the South Pacific and Africa to replenish stock. Their children drifted naturally into the business, but it was Beverly Achtien (Virginia's daughter) who managed the shop in recent years.

Young people liked the place because it sold wacky items, she said. So did movie stars. Comedian Pee Wee Herman once bought a lamp shaped like a giant clump of yellow bananas. John Wayne favored nautical gear. Dorothy Lamour bought decorative wall hangings for her bar.

Sven Kirsten (author of The Book of Tiki) fondly remembers visiting Sea and Jungle when he first came out to Los Angeles and buying a couple of smaller items. Now, looking back, he wishes he had bought much more, but this was before his dedication to tiki had firmly taken root and nobody knew that Sea and Jungle's days were numbered. Sven has a great vintage ad from the store in his book, Tiki Pop - page 92.

When Sea and Jungle closed their doors on June 30th, 1986, Oceanic Arts bought two truckloads of various décor for $600 from them. They even gave Bob and LeRoy their office chairs, source-books, and their Customer List. This last item helped to get Oceanic Arts started in the Movie Supply and Rental business.

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...