74 - The Mai-Kai: Fort Lauderdale's Tiki Temple, Reborn

<p>Since 1956, the Mai-Kai has been the crown jewel of Polynesian Pop — a mid-century marvel of flaming volcanoes, hula dancers, and rum-soaked cocktails hidden in plain sight in Fort Lauderdale. After a four-year, $20+ million restoration, it reopened its doors in November 2024, and this episode digs into what makes it so special.We&#39;re joined by Jim &quot;Hurricane&quot; Hayward of The Atomic Grog, the go-to source for everything Mai-Kai since 2020 and a fixture of the Tiki scene through his work with The Hukilau. Hurricane walks us through the restaurant&#39;s storied history, the mammoth restoration effort, and why this Fort Lauderdale institution matters so much to Tiki culture — plus a few cocktail recommendations for when you visit.Grab a Mai-Tai and settle in — this one&#39;s mostly Disney, but very much Tiki.</p>