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

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're joined by Jim "Hurricane" 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'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's mostly Disney, but very much Tiki.