Mai Kai with Cory Starr

Cory Starr has helmed some of the most well-respected cocktail programs in the country. But a few months ago, he took his biggest job yet… he is now running the show at the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale.

The Mai Kai is a tiki institution — in a class of “survivors” from tiki’s golden age. Originally opened in 1956, it was designed to be a Polynesian paradise to rival trendy Polynesian palaces of the West Coast. At the time, it was the most expensive restaurant that has been built in the United States.

There was a catastrophic fire and resulting water damage in 2020. Millions of dollars of damage. And there were a lot of questions whether or not it would ever reopen. But, in November of 2024, the doors opened once again. And this time, respected barman Cory Starr was at the helm of the massive bar program.