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theatomicgrog.bsky.social
The Atomic Grog
@theatomicgrog.bsky.social
Tiki events, music, art, cocktails, and culture. Check out the blog at AtomicGrog.com
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
February 15, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by The Atomic Grog
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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?

Click the link below to support our book:
Searching for Don the Beachcomber
The extraordinary life of the godfather of Tiki culture and the inventor of the Tiki bar.
www.kickstarter.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:41 PM
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
February 12, 2026 at 7:19 PM
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
February 10, 2026 at 3:56 AM
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
February 8, 2026 at 6:56 PM
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
February 8, 2026 at 4:14 AM
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
February 7, 2026 at 5:10 PM
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
February 6, 2026 at 11:03 PM
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
February 6, 2026 at 4:35 AM
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
February 4, 2026 at 1:51 AM
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
February 3, 2026 at 7:44 PM
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
January 28, 2026 at 6:12 PM
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
January 27, 2026 at 5:52 PM
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
January 27, 2026 at 2:34 AM
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
January 26, 2026 at 6:11 PM
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
January 25, 2026 at 9:17 PM
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
January 23, 2026 at 2:24 PM
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
January 21, 2026 at 12:10 AM
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
January 19, 2026 at 5:18 PM
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
January 14, 2026 at 11:11 PM
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
January 8, 2026 at 8:11 PM
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
January 7, 2026 at 11:39 PM
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
January 6, 2026 at 1:17 AM
The state of the Mai-Kai bar program, 2026: Classic meets the future. New story on The Atomic Grog blog: www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/b... #maikai #maikairestaurant #maikaihistory #polynesianrestaurant #tikibar #tikirestaurant #tiki #floridatiki #maikaicocktails #tikicocktails #tikidrinks
January 4, 2026 at 3:34 AM
NEW: Preview the 2026 calendar and get ready for an action-packed year in the world of Tiki culture with a rundown of many returning events. The Tiki Times calendar features official artwork and links to more info. wp.me/p1xHjT-9Js #tiki #tikievents #tikifestivals #tikiweekenders #tikiart #tikimusic
December 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM