In 1956, a few brash young men created the maikai restaurant and bar in fort lauderdale, florida, by poaching key staff from don the beachcombers, a polynesianthemed chicago restaurant. Or book now at one of our other 6565 great restaurants in fort lauderdale. Maikai is one of those places that you used to go to before there were better places to go. Discover maikai restaurant in fort lauderdale, florida. At fort lauderdales maikai, its always tiki time the. Discover fun facts and the rich history about the maikai our story, its founders. When you cant get to the pacific, just go to florida. By gary mckechnie if you dont know about the mai kai polynesian dinner show on fort lauderdale s federal highway u. The gardens can accommodate up to 50 guests while the showroom can seat up to 250 guests daytime only for a ceremony on the polynesian stage. A close up of a nautical themed lantern with a warm red glow one of many lanterns suspended from the maikai ceilings. Just a peek of what the maikai restaurant and polynesian show has to offer. New book recounts boozy history and allure of fort lauderdales famed maikai restaurant. When youre drinking at the maikai, youre drinking tiki history.
Glazners book is also a love letter to the maikai, a time capsule of polynesian culture, which opened on dec. Quit reading this blog and book your trip to ft lauderdale and the mai kai. Since 1956 many couples have celebrated their special day at the maikai. The maikai became the playground of celebrities and playboys, and the beautiful women working there used. If you have limited time in fort lauderdale or simply want to see more of the city from the water, take a boat cruise on the new river for great views of places that are otherwise difficult to access. Old florida book shop fort lauderdale 2020 all you. Much of the original collection of polynesian artifacts was donated to the thortons alma mater, stanford university, in the 1970s. The maikai in fort lauderdale is one of the last remaining authentic polynesian tiki restaurants from the genres golden age in the 50s and 60s. By brian bandell senior reporter, south florida business journal. While we are sad to not be able to serve you, we believe this is in the best interest of public health at this time. Maikai restaurant and polynesian show fort lauderdale. Hukilau cofounder tim swanky glazner unveils lost mai. History and mystery of the iconic tiki restaurant by tim.
Fort lauderdale tourism fort lauderdale hotels fort lauderdale bed and breakfast fort lauderdale vacation rentals. Get menu, photos and location information for maikai restaurant in fort lauderdale, fl. A bookrelease party will take place saturday, sept. An insurance appraisal put such a high value on the artifacts that it made the maikai virtually uninsurable. Enjoy watching one of the fort lauderdale areas most stunning entertainment and dining experiences with the maikai polynesian dinner show. Includes choice of beverage, entree, dessert, a lei and maikais coloring book. Through firsthand stories and more than 400 images, this book documents the history, allure, and enduring legacy of the midtwentiethcentury tiki era. Polynesian dancing and fire eating will continue at the maikai restaurant in fort lauderdale after its owners resolved a foreclosure lawsuit. The most popular things to do in fort lauderdale include the mai kai dinner show, jungle queen dinner cruise, everglades tour, deep sea fishing, segway tour along fort lauderdale beach, deep sea fishing, and a tour to key west or miami. The maikai restaurant provides an exceptional dinning experience through. Maikai restaurant fort lauderdale, florida gastro obscura.
In 1956, a few brash young men created the maikai restaurant and bar in fo. In 1956, a few brash young men created the maikai restaurant and bar in fort lauderdale, florida, by poaching key staff from don the beachcomber, a polynesianthemed chicago restaurant. Mai kai restaurant dinner show in fort lauderdale, fl. Its a fort lauderdale classic and one every south floridian should visit. History and mystery of the iconic tiki restaurant tim glazner on. Mai kai dancers fort lauderdale florida hula dancers competing duration. Fort lauderdale doesnt have the long history of cities like new york or boston. An author signed copy of the maikai book released in august of 2016 maikai history and mystery of the iconic tiki restaurant by tim glazner. The jungle queen is an excellent way to tour the intracostal waterway. The maikai contains many genuine polynesian artifacts, some that are over 100 years old. The mai kai restaurant and polynesian dinner show is one of the most popular attractions in fort lauderdale, fl. In november of 2014 maikai was added to the national register of historic places.
Through firsthand stories and more than 400 images, this book documents the history, allure, and. The brothers visited don the beachcombers in chicago, as children, and even at that young age said they wanted to open a similar place. We have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the maikai restaurant to promote the health and safety of our team, guests, and community. New book recounts the rumsoaked history of the maikai. Ill be sharing the incredible history of the mai kai mystery drink february 16th at inuhele, the atlanta tiki tour. The maikai became the playground of celebrities and playboys, and. Ann campbell mai kai mystery girl and model october 28, 2016 october 28, 2016 swanky 0 comments florida, fort lauderdale, oceanfront cavalier, wig model ive been talking to ann campbell of many years and marveling at her memory and her life. By gary mckechnie if you dont know about the mai kai polynesian dinner show on fort lauderdales federal highway u.
K12 educational programs, life long learning, specialty tours, art exhibits, family fun days and much more are offered. An unique dining place in south florida with more than 50 years celebrating the south pacific culture. For over 50 years, the mai kai has been well known for its excellent polynesian shows featuring beautiful maidens and agile warriors who perform native dances from the islands of the south pacific including hawaii, samoa, and tahiti. The maikai became the playground of celebrities and playboys, and the beautiful women working there used it as a jumpingoff point for adventure and fame. From hawaiian shirts and hats to polynesian jewelry, everyone is sure to find something to bring home. In 1956, a few brash young men created the maikai restaurant and bar in fort lauderdale, florida, by poaching key staff from don the beachcombers. Mckirahan worked with the thornton brothers to design the stunning aframe of the the original maikai, and also has many surviving grand designs in the area. The hukilau 2020 will be held june 37 at the b ocean resort and at the maikai restaurant in fort lauderdale. The maikai restaurant and polynesian show the maikai.
History and mystery of the iconic tiki restaurant at. Dave, the present owner, is working on upgrading the rums in his drinks but many of the old rums from the 60s are. Maikai restaurant and polynesian show, fort lauderdale, florida. Every time im about to go inside, i am literally and i do not jest jumping up. New book recounts the rumsoaked history of the maikai south. Guided tours of museums begin every day at 1, 2, and 3pm. Maikai restaurant in fort lauderdale resolves foreclosure. Since 1956, maikai has attracted locals and visitors with its polynesianinspired cuisine and list of 57 tropical cocktails.
History and mystery of the iconic tiki restaurant book release will take place at 2 p. The maikai polynesian restaurant and tiki bar located in oakland park, florida. They used the image from the maikai in fort lauderdale and sort of copied their font, but not exactly. We have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the maikai restaurant to promote the health and safety of our team, guests, and.
July 27, 2017 july 27, 2017 swanky 8 comments cokctails, filipino, florida, fort lauderdale, mai kai, mariano licudine, mixologist, tiki mariano licudine didnt get the coverage i wanted in the book. Our maikai trading post and gift shop will give you a chance to bring home your favorite memories of the maikai. Tiki central has maikai info and photos spread all over the place, but there are some especially rich topics on its history here. I imagine you get a lot of people who travel to fort lauderdale just to come here.
The restaurant hosts polynesian shows, and its molokai bar boasts an exhaustive menu of rummy creations. History and mystery of the iconic tiki restaurant the definitive book on the historic fort lauderdale tiki temple by tim swanky glazner was released in september 2016. Maikai restaurant and polynesian show 3,259 photos. Screenshot of maikai fort lauderdale article on hola latinos. Maikai in fort lauderdale celebrates 60 years miami new. Maikai polynesian dinner show oakland park expedia. During the show we will dedicate the tahitian wedding song to the newlyweds. Maikai restaurant and polynesian show in fort lauderdale, fl. Experience a wonderful evening filled with mouthwatering dinner options and a jaw. The 360 view of the place allows me to see tiki mugs and bowls behind the bar.
Ill be sharing the incredible history of the maikai mystery drink february 16th at inuhele, the atlanta tiki tour. The book of tiki first published in september, 2000, and currently out of print by sven kirsten has a four page spread on the maikai. Official website facebook page more photos, stories 195859. Review of maikai 33308 restaurant 3599 n federal hwy. If you are heading to fort lauderdale for hukilau next week, you might want to take a little side trip as you drive to the maikai and see other places designed by midcentury master charles mckirahan. Featuring live music and retrothemed performances, educational symposiums, vendor marketplace, rum and tiki cocktail classes, plus 20 top tiki bars and bartenders from around the world. Another part of the collection was donated to the fort lauderdale art museum. Opened in 1956, a few brash young men created the maikai restaurant and bar in fort lauderdale as a peer to don the beachcomber s polynesianthemed chicago restaurant, but they took the concept to new and greater heights.
Just click on the link for full details and to order tickets and reserve your room. Maikai has been a favourite spot for many celebrities, including johnny carson and dwayne the rock johnson. However, you will find midcentury gems like the mai kai. With just over 100 years under the citys belt, youre not going to find landmarks like the plaza hotel. Tropical gardens complete with waterfalls make the perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.
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