The Atomic Grog

Artist Tom Fowner is done sculpting the restored Barney West carving at the Mai-Kai. The 60-year-old tiki will get a reverential paint job and once again become an iconic photo spot along Federal Highway. "It's not identical, but it's close," he said. #maikai #maikairestaurant #tiki #tikicarving

The Molokai Bar at the Mai-Kai was rocking tonight with instrumental surf guitarist Skinny Jimmy Stingray and his band. Their reverential cover of the Batman theme, originally released by the Ventures 60 years ago (January 1966), was a highlight. #maikai #skinnyjimmystingray #surfguitar

An update on the restoration work by artist Tom Fowner on the historic Barney West carving at the Mai-Kai. Fowner has completely covered the figure with epoxy putty. Next, he'll do all of the detailed striping that West carved into the original more than 60 years ago. #maikai #tiki #tikicarving

The Atomic Grog's 2026 calendar is filling up fast with tons of events around the globe, from major Tiki weekenders to local and regional happenings. Check the full list at www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/b... #tiki #tikievents #tikifestivals #rumfests #surfmusic

Beverage director Cory Starr and the Mai-Kai bar team hosted a sold-out Tiki cocktail master class today as part of the South Beach Food and Wine Festival. Participants got hands-on instruction in making and garnishing three elaborate drinks in the Bora Bora Bar. #maikai #sobewff #tikicocktails

New on The Atomic Grog: Danny 'Tiki Diablo' Gallardo left an indelible mark on the Polynesian Pop revival. Read our tribute story, plus photos and social media reaction from friends and fans. Go to AtomicGrog.com or wp.me/p1xHjT-9PD #tikidiablo #dannygallardo #tikiart #tikicarving #tikimugs

The Mai-Kai's historic Barney West carving is being meticulously restored by artist Tom Fowner. He’s covering the 60-year-old figure with sculpting putty after shoring it up with hard foam. He wants to "bring it back to what it looked like" in vintage photos. #maikai #tiki #floridatiki #tikicarving

Searching for Don the Beachcomber The extraordinary life of the godfather of Tiki culture and the inventor of the Tiki bar.

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Will you join the 500+ backers and secure your place in Tiki history by bringing the most comprehensive look at #DonTheBeachcomber to life?

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It was a pleasure to meet up with Ryley and Ellie, hosts of The Tiki Talk Show, and give them the appropriate introductory tour on their first visit to the Mai-Kai. Check out the show at thetikitalkshow.com, YouTube and all podcast platforms. #maikai #maikairestaurant #thetikitalkshow

Ryan Jones is the first U.S. champ in the worldwide Tiki Master cocktail competition. The Tampa bartender edged out eight others in a hard-fought battle at the Moxy South Beach with his Black Pearl cocktail. Runners-up were Michael DeMahy and Ksenia Serebrennikova. #tikimaster #tiki #tikicocktails

The Grand Tasting at Miami Rum Congress did not disappoint. It was great to taste my way through some great Jamaican rums, plus few other key new releases. Congrats to Federico Hernandez and The Rum Lab for another successful festival. #rum #miamirumcongress #rumfest #rumtasting #jamaicanrum

It's hard to pick a favorite Tiki Diablo mug, they're all so amazing. But I especially cherish his mugs based on authentic art from the Mai-Kai. Despite living and working mainly on the West Coast, he always had a reverence for the S. Fla. historic landmark. #doitfordiablo #tikidiablo #riptikidiablo

We toast our visiting rum VIPs this week with Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, the new 100-proof blend from Barbados and Jamaica available only at the restaurant. The maikairum.com website features 17 cocktail recipes, including our Kumu Grog. maikairum.com/cocktails/ #maikai #maikairum #cocktails #tikicocktails

He was a great human being.

The Tiki art world has lost a giant. Daniel "Tiki Diablo" Gallardo (June 14, 1971 – Feb. 5, 2026) was one of the most prolific contributors to the scene over the past quarter century. His work touched thousands and will continue to inspire. #tikidiablo #riptikidiablo #tikiart #tikicarver #tikilegend

Miami Rum Congress pre-parties kicked off with two tastings at the Mai-Kai. Down Island joined the Florida Rum Society for the first Tahitian single barrel release in the U.S., while Planteray’s Alexandre Gabriel treated us to six unique expressions. #miamirumcongress #maikai #floridarumsociety

Who saw Los Straitjackets up close and personal in the Mai-Kai's Tahiti Room in 2018? The influential surf band is finally coming back to Florida this year for Tiki-A-Go-Go in Orlando, March 27-29. Performance schedule coming soon to Tikiagogoevent.com ... See you there! #tikievent #tikiagogo #tiki

NEW: Miami Rum Congress expands to include more events and spirited education. Preview all the events, including Thursday's pre-party at the Mai-Kai, Friday's presentations, Saturday's grand tastings, and Sunday's Tiki Master Cocktail Competition. wp.me/p1xHjT-9Oy #rum #miamirumcongress #rumfest

A weekend at Inuhele, or any visit to Atlanta, requires an evening at the vintage Trader Vic's. The last restaurant opened during Victor Bergeron's lifetime (1976), it's a time capsule full of exotic decor and Barney West carvings. We also enjoyed some great company. #inuhele #tradervics

What makes events like Inuhele fun are the cocktails and entertainment, and the people. Here are just a few snapshots from last weekend's festivites ...

#inuhele #inuhele2026 #tiki #tikievent #tikiweekender

Beachcomber's Silver, a rare cocktail from the Donn Beach archives revealed in the upcoming book, "Searching for Don the Beachcomber" by @swankpad.bsky.social. Get the recipe and preview the biography of Tiki's founding father at AtomicGrog.com or bit.ly/3LWm4MT #donthebeachcomber #tikicocktail

Mahalo to all the artists and crafts people who braved the weather to bring their creative creations to Inuhele in Atlanta. Here are just a few vendor booths in the Inuhele Trading Post.

#inuhele #inuhele2026 #tiki #tikievent #tikiweekender #tikiart #tikimarketplace

Aloha Inuhele and thanks for having me. It was another fun and informative event. Mahalo to the other presenters we enjoyed this weekend at the cool venue in downtown Atlanta.
#inuhele #inuhele2026 #tiki #tikievent #tikiweekender

More than 30 years ago, a creative group of artists, writers and designers caught the Tiki bug. Their united efforts infected the world. Find out how it all happened in my symposium, "Reviving Tiki: The Early Years of Polynesian Pop Rediscovery, 1990–2000," at Inuhele in Atlanta. #tiki #inuhele

The countdown to the Don the Beachcomber biography by @swankpad.bsky.social has begun with a Kickstarter campaign featuring an early special edition. Preview the book, including sample pages and a rare cocktail recipe at AtomicGrog.com or wp.me/p1xHjT-9MP #donthebeachcomber #donnbeach #tikibook

The new year's Tiki events kick into high gear this week with Inuhele in Atlanta and The Breezeway Getaway in Palm Springs. Check the Tiki Times calendar for all the upcoming weekenders, plus rum and surf music events at AtomicGrog.com or www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/b... #tikievents #tikifestivals

Returning to rock the Molokai Bar at the Mai-Kai this Friday: Don't miss Skinny Jimmy Stingray and his band, performing instrumental surf classics plus their own cool tunes, including "Astro Punk's Revenge” ... #maikai #maikairestaurant #skinnyjimmystingray #molokaibar #surfguitar

NEW TRIBUTE RECIPE: The Christmas Barrel at the Mai-Kai, the star of the recent holiday menu and arguably better than the iconic Barrel O’ Rum. Check out our version at AtomicGrog.com, included in our coverage of the top stories of 2025. bit.ly/3Z92Fv7 #tiki #tikicocktail #maikai #rumbarrel

Top stories of 2025: Tiki culture honors the past as it expands reach and influence. See the full list, including The Donn of Tiki film, @thetikioasis.bsky.social, new bar openings, and the Mai-Kai revival at wp.me/p1xHjT-9LL #tiki #tikibars #donthebeachcomber #tikievents #beachbumberry #maikai

FULL RECAP: The Mai-Kai welcomed back dozens of alumni from throughout its 69-year history for a first-of-its-kind anniversary celebration. Check out photos, video, and an overview of the anniversary weekend: bit.ly/4aKDcQ2 #maikai #maikairestaurant #maikaihistory #maikaianniversary #polynesianshow