Mai-Kai Restaurant
A 1956 Polynesian palace in Fort Lauderdale with tiki torches, tropical gardens, a moat, and a Polynesian revue that has run continuously for nearly 70 years.
The Mai-Kai opened on December 28, 1956, and has been operating continuously ever since — making it one of the oldest tiki restaurants in the United States and the only one still presenting a full Polynesian floor show. The complex covers nearly two acres and includes multiple themed dining rooms, a tropical garden with a waterfall, a moat, and a bar that has been serving rum drinks since Eisenhower was president.
The Mystery Drink — served in a ceramic skull — has been on the menu since opening night. The recipe has never been published. Regulars have been ordering it for decades.
The Polynesian Islander Revue features fire dancers, hula performers, and Tahitian drummers in a show that has changed remarkably little since the 1950s. The Mai-Kai survived the tiki revival, the tiki backlash, and the tiki revival again. It is a genuine artifact of mid-century American escapism, preserved in amber and rum.
Located at 3599 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale. Dinner and show packages available; reservations strongly recommended on weekends. Dress code is smart casual — they take the atmosphere seriously. The bar opens before the dining room; arrive early for a drink in the garden.