The Mai-Kai Book Is a Thing You Need
Tim “Swanky” Glazner’s book all about the Mai-Kai came out at the end of last year. He’s about to embark on a big West Coast tour … Continue reading The Mai-Kai Book Is a Thing You Need
Tag: history
My Tiki Bar Regrets
I regret that I never made it to the Aku-Tiki Room in Kewanee, Illinois. The Aku-Tiki Room was a spectacular bit of remote tiki, nestled in … Continue reading My Tiki Bar Regrets
Hilton Hawaiian Village Server Outfit
My friend Oran Scott of San Francisco’s Relic Vintage sent me a fun text message recently. He’d come across a sweet little vintage outfit, a Mandarin-style top … Continue reading Hilton Hawaiian Village Server Outfit
Interview with Humuhumu for the Educational Drinking Show
The folks at Anchor Distilling Company (Alan Kropf, specifically) interviewed me for their Educational Drinking Show. Here’s 35-or-so minutes of me talking about why I think … Continue reading Interview with Humuhumu for the Educational Drinking Show
The Women of Tiki
Today is International Women’s Day, and the day of the general strike by women. I seriously considered taking down Critiki and Ooga-Mooga for the day. Honestly, I … Continue reading The Women of Tiki
The Alibi in Portland Changing Hands
Per the Portland Mercury, Portland’s longest-standing tiki bar, The Alibi, is changing management. Partners Warren Boothby and Marcus Archambeault are taking over from the White family, who have … Continue reading The Alibi in Portland Changing Hands
Early Modern Tiki: What the Tiki Re-emergence Looked Like
I’ve seen several articles in the last couple of years claim that tiki bars have been revived by the craft cocktail scene. It may have been … Continue reading Early Modern Tiki: What the Tiki Re-emergence Looked Like
Clifton’s Pacific Seas Is Almost-Open in Downtown L.A.
At last, the long-awaited day is approaching: Clifton’s Pacific Seas has started to be used for special invite-only events, and is currently slated to be open to the … Continue reading Clifton’s Pacific Seas Is Almost-Open in Downtown L.A.
The Dying Art of the Flaming Pu-Pu Platter
A few weeks ago, I got a message from a friend who was visiting Los Angeles. Where, she wondered, could she take her 15-year-old nephew so … Continue reading The Dying Art of the Flaming Pu-Pu Platter
Canada’s The Beachcomber Restaurants
The United States had plenty of chains of Polynesian restaurants operating during the ’60s: Trader Vic’s, Don the Beachcomber, Kon-Tiki Ports, Kona Kai. The other day, I … Continue reading Canada’s The Beachcomber Restaurants
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