Tiki Bars
Kontiki Slottsskogen
Änggården, Göteborg, Sweden (Closed)
Tiki bar and restaurant near Slottsskogen, a large park in central Gothenburg. Kontiki opened in 2007 (it had existed in another location earlier, starting in 2004), and closed in November 2015.
The space was decorated mainly with bamboo, and lots of it. Several tables had different themes, including "The Diner," "The Beach," "Flamingo Hrnet" (Flamingo Corner in English), "Fjllstugan" (Winter Cabin in English) and "Japan Skrubben" (Japan Hut in English). There were loft spaces accessible by ladders, and an outdoor patio.
The food offerings were an unusual take on tropical flavors, including some tropical pizzas. Kontiki had both live and DJ music nights.
Intoxica
København V, København, Denmark (Closed)
Intoxica was a very modern tiki bar in Copenhagen, inspired largely by Jeff "Beachbum" Berry's drink books (and named after his second book, Intoxica!). The decor was very sleek and minimal, but with organic accents, and tropical drinks served in tiki mugs. It opened in 2008 and closed in 2009.
Hawaiian Bill's - at The Caliente Tropics
Palm Springs, California, United States (Closed)
Hawaiian Bill's was the reincarnation of the Reef Bar at the Caliente Tropics hotel in Palm Springs. The Reef Bar had been remodeled by Bamboo Ben when it was still operated by the hotel; in 2006, the bar was transferred to independent owners, and the name was changed to Hawaiian Bill's. Traditional Hawaiian food was served, with live musicians playing Hawaiian music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Hawaiian Bill's closed in the summer of 2008. Today the space is again The Reef Bar.
Not a lot of photos around from Hawaiian Bill's today, but below is a photo showing Rory Snyder, Doug Horne, and Hawaiian Bill at Hawaiian Bill's circa 2006 (holding brown Doug Horne Tiki Farm Grog mugs).
Trader Vic's Lounge - Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, California, United States (Closed)
This bar was pieced together from remainders of the legendary Beverly Hills Trader Vic's, which closed in 2007 after more than 50 years. A few items from the restaurant were saved and relocated to this new lounge near the hotel's pool. The space was sleek, modern and airy - a sharp contrast to the intimate feel of the old restaurant. Tropical drinks and a few pupus were served in this small, casual space with an outdoor patio. Trader Vic's Lounge closed at the end of January 2017.
Xanadu Gallery
Menlo Park, California, United States (Closed)
Xanadu Gallery was owned by one of the owners of the nearby Palo Alto Trader Vic's; he was responsible for many of the Papua New Guinea artifacts on display there. This gallery, on the southwestern end of Santa Cruz Avenue, had a wide array of different Oceanic artifacts, including tikis, masks, drums, war clubs and canoes. Most were from Papua New Guinea, but there were a few other pieces from other islands. After the passing of the owner, much of the Oceanic art was sold, and this location was closed. There was also a remaining second Xanadu location in San Francisco at 140 Maiden Lane, but it closed later in 2015.
Don the Beachcomber - Dallas
Dallas, Texas, United States (Closed)
This Don the Beachcomber location operated from 1974 to 1982, and was one of the round, UFO-shaped locations. It was next to the original location of the Chili's chain of restaurants, which is still there today.
The restaurant was bulldozed to make way for a gas station some time in the '80s; a Stop N' Go is there now.
Mai Kai - Hampton Beach
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, United States (Closed)
The Mai Kai was owned by Peter Yee, who also owned the Mai Kai in Manchester, New Hampshire. The restaurant was streamlined in design, more Chinese than Polynesian, but drinks were served in tiki mugs. Mai Kai closed around 1985.
Tiki-Tiki Restaurant - Richmond
Richmond, Virginia, United States
This Polynesian/Chinese restaurant opened in 1976.
The decor is not heavily Polynesian, but there is a large tiki mask at the front entrance and an Orchids of Hawaii swag lamp over the bar.
Drinks are served in tiki mugs and there is also a flaming Pu-Pu Platter on the menu.
The Outrigger - Long Beach
Long Beach, California, United States (Closed)
The Outrigger was a Polynesian-themed restaurant in the Lafayette Hotel. The Lafayette is a historic building dating back to the '20s; it was operated by Hilton when the restaurant opened in 1958.
The Outrigger was one of four themed restaurants in the hotel that were opened at the same time: The Ivanhoe Room with the medieval splendor of King Arthur's court with tunnels, torture chambers, fireplaces, shields and lances; steaks, seafood, cocktails and piano bar. Outrigger Room off Broadway entrance has South Seas tropical decor, exotic drinks, "Polynesian" waitresses, Cantonese appetizers and dinners. The Gaslight Room on corner of First and Linden has Roaring 20s theme with banjo and piano music by TV personality Jad Paul. Fife & Drum has Revolutionary War period decor, lunch buffet.
It's not known exactly when the Outrigger restaurant closed, but probably around 1967.
The building was converted to condominiums in 1968.
Edwin Tan's Chinese Gardens
San Bernardino, California, United States (Closed)
Edwin Tan's Chinese Gardens took over the space that was previously Trader Island, sometime around 1970. Later, it became the Imperial Palace Inn. In the mid 80s, the location operated as Mandarin Garden. In 2008, the building housed the Scorpions Sports Bar & Grill. By 2013, the building was vacant and has remained so through 2020.
The Edwin Tan's iteration of the space retained some of the tiki poles and decor but many of them were painted in much brighter colors by successive owners.
Trader Vic's - Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida, United States (Closed)
This Trader Vic's location opened in March 2007 at the Palms of Destin resort. It was a half-assed execution of the traditional Trader Vic's concept, and was viewed as a disappointment. In August 2010, the restaurant split from the Trader Vic's chain, and continued operating as Sago, retaining the tropical theming for only a short time. Sago is now closed, and currently the palms has a Bistro that serves breakfast and lunch but it's more of a coffeehouse and it's not clear if the resort has a full-service restaurant as of 2021.