The 7 Oldest Tropical Watering Holes in America

When Donn Beach and Trader Vic firstbirthed tiki , it ’s unbelievable either of the founders realized precisely what they had make . Their bar , draped in flotsam and jetsam , served up not only elaborate tropic cocktail , but also crying flight . Eight ten later , tiki is going stronger than ever with new beachy bars cut back up across the commonwealth . And while many of the original tiki bars have shuttered , a few mid - century lachrymation holes have hold on , keeping tiki ’s history live . Here , seven stalwarts that continue to delight tiki buff around the nation .

The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

Where : Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco , CAWhen:1945The Tonga Room is perhaps most famous now for its pool , which baby-sit in the middle of the bar ’s sit expanse and houses a miniature tiki stand on which dance band and performers regularly do . The ginmill also features occasional interior electrical storm for a full sensory tiki experience .

Bali Hai

Where : San Diego , CAWhen:1954First opened by restaurateur Tom Ham , Bali Hai has remained in his kin for decades and is now run by his daughter , Susie Baumann , and his grandson , Tommy and Andy . Everyone who enters the space is greeted by the eating house ’s “ tiki icons , ” which have been there from the beginning : Mr. Bali Hai , who stands at the entrance , and “ The Goof ” who keeps ticker on the roof .

Mai-Kai

Where : Ft . Lauderdale , FLWhen:1956Sixty year ago , brothers Bob and Jack Thornton opened this massive tiki lounge , complete with its own gardens , eating place and Polynesian performances , feature dancers and live euphony . The outer space has multiple dining rooms — each theme for a unlike group of island — and is draped in seafaring decor , include authentic Polynesian artifacts . Now , the place is run by Bob ’s stepchildren , but it is as place - back and escapist as it was in its peak .

Tonga Hut

Where : Los Angeles , CAWhen:1958Opened in 1958 by Brother Ace and Ed Libby , Tonga Hut has been serving North HollywoodMai TaisandZombiesfor most 60 eld . Like many tiki bars , though , it slay a harsh maculation in the 1980s , during which it became more of a tropical zone - themed dive than a tiki hideaway . In 2011 , however , the bar was renovate and bushel to its original Polynesian nimbus .

Tiki-Ti

Where : Los Angeles , CAWhen:1961A member of tiki royalty in his own rightfield , Ray Buhen was one of Donn Beach ’s most trustworthy bartenders at the original Don the Beachcomber . finally , though , Buhen stock of slinging cocktails for Beach and decided to open up his own position : Tiki - Ti . Today , the bar is still a fellowship thing with Buhen ’s son and grandson , Michael and Mike Buhen , handling day - to - daytime mathematical process . The measure ’s menu features dozens of classic tiki concoctions like thePearl DiverandFog Cutter . If you ca n’t figure out what to say , no worries ; indecisive customer just have to spin the Tiki - Tiwheelto determine which of the 85 beverage to order .

Hala Kahiki

Where : River Grove , ILWhen:1964Illinois might not be the first position you ’d require to find a renowned tiki joint , but Hala Kahiki lionise its golden anniversary in 2014 and is n’t depart anywhere any metre soon . settle just outside of Chicago , the cake was open by Rose and Stanley Sacharski , who originally key the tap house The Lucky Start . By 1964 , though , it had morph into a tiki hideaway and changed locations and its name . If you design to visit , be prepared to make some toughened conclusion — the menu is divided into 17 categories of cocktails , including “ Coconut Drinks ” and “ Drinks for Two , ” with wads of classic and original recipes from which to choose .

Kon Tiki

Where : Tucson , AZWhen:1963Kon Tiki has hardly changed since Dean Short opened its doors 53 years ago . Short moved to Arizona in the 1940s from Ohio , where he had worked in his crime syndicate ’s bar for year . After opening a couple of successful restaurants , Short decide to capitalise on the tiki hysteria and opened Kon Tiki . The restaurant serves everything from wing to “ Monkeys - on - a - joint ” ( which is actually made with steak ) , and the bar offers tiki classic starting at $ 5 as well as original concoctions like the Hawaii Five - O , “ a tropic intermixture of 5 dissimilar liquors insure to bring out the criminal in any upstanding citizen . ”