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Absolutely my favorite Tiki bar. They squeeze fresh juice and make their own flavorings. About twenty feet of fine rums on the shelf behind the bar. Lovely, intimate decor. If you go on Friday or the weekend, there is usually a line before opening time!

this place has been closed for a few years.

The Aku Aku Polynesian Room at the Town House Motel was indeed "the" place to be in the 1960's. Many famous name acts that typically would play the really big venues appeared there due to it's owner, Irv Shapiro's, connection to the mob. Toledo was considered a safe haven for mobsters and they often attended the Aku Aku being seated behind a curtained off section of the dining room so as not to draw attention to themselves while they watched the show. Among the performers were Count Basie who made four appearances from 1966-1970, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra Jr. (not Frank Sr.) who made two appearances 1968-1969, Phyllis Diller, Henny Youngman, Buddy Rich, Harry James, The Glen Miller Orchestra and many others. Technically the place did not close at the end of 1970. The hotel section never made money and was constantly the target of thieves and vandals. It was built for some strange reason in an already declining neighborhood which has only gotten worse with time. Due to it's lack of revenue the entire complex went into receivership around 1972. From 1971 through 1972 the Aku Aku was still open but no longer featured name entertainers as it came under new management. It closed in 1973 and was reopened as a trucker's hotel until it's final closure in 1984. It was demolished in 1989. I found someone who is a friend of one of Irv Shapiro's sons and had her ask if he had any photos of the place. Not even Irv's own son has any memorabilia of the place. A Rally's drive thru restaurant now sits on the site.

How can there possibly be no comments about this gem. Since October 08 I have had the honor of having been to F.I four times. Martin is great as are the whole staff. I recntly dragged my oldest son, (on leave from the Navy), in for a drink. He was totally impressed. Nothing impresses him. No matter where you are now. Get to F.I.

I'm in Ocean Shores a lot .I didn't know that the Poly was related to tikiness..I will have to do a little investigating................

It's a crazy place. If you love nostalgia, and kitsch...Why...You will love this place!!! it's a hipster's paradise!

All gone.

Does anyone know who actually designed the building and the surrounding junglescape?

The Shipwreck Tavern has two tiki bars: one outside the restaurant entrance and the other on the roof of the Tavern building, accessible via an exterior stairway. The Tavern interior is maritime themed, with models of tall ships, figureheads, a large fish aquarium, and so forth; all of the tiki is outside and thus presumably seasonal. Both tiki bars feature thatched huts, tiki posts linked by net fencing, and bamboo landscape edging. Children under 13 aren't allowed in the rooftop area, perhaps because the staff worries about them toppling over the net fencing to the pavement below.

The food is American with nothing exotic beyond the merest nod to Asia (e.g., eggroll appetizers). They do offer a wide selection of beers both draught and bottled, though the afternoon I went the bar seemed on the edge of implosion: the taps were broken and the place was under assault from a swarm of yellowjackets, so much so that my sister-in-law twice ordered pina coladas and twice received them with exoskeletal garnishes. Disgusting, certainly, but I would like to think the Tavern was having an isolated bad day.

There are two things to recommend the Tavern's tiki bars: the adjacent Bayville Adventure Park (also O&Oed by the Jekyll & Hyde Entertainment Group) and the public beach directly to the north. You could do worse than baking on the shore of Long Island Sound before flip-flopping across the street to sip Zombies under the thatch.

This is one of the greatest Tikis left in the country. The authentic design and decor, but even more fabulous drinks, great food, two bars, and a dinner show. This is why people in the 40's, 50's and 60's were so high on the tiki experience. This is the place you hold up to compare all the rest too. Recently saved from the wrecking ball, experience it as often as you can!

So sad...killer location and history; nice classic decor but the drinks and food have fallen so far from what they used to be. The most undrinkable Mai Tai! The other drinks were also more about lots of liquor and little about flavor. The food selection was good but of ten guests, none had anything they would rave about. They should send the bartenders and cooks to the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale to rediscover what great drinks and food are like. You should come here as a tribute to one of the oldest Tiki's in America but be prepared to enjoy the nostalgia more than the present.

Not open for lunch so you have to wait till 5. The atmosphere is Tiki modern, wish other places could see how to do it right. Food is good and they make the best classic Mai Tai yet. They also have a fruit juice version for tourists but they know how to make great drinks. Music is so-so, apparently the manager does not like music, but the bar and wait staff are great and like being there. Nice mix of regulars and tourists. parking can be a pain, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, double when there is a baseball game downtown. Don't miss it if you are in the area.

The decor is nice, it looks like it should be Tiki, but it ain't. Music playing was country western, the menu is eclectic bar food, waitress recommended the cheese steak (so-so), and the drinks were fruit juice sweet. Skip it and head over to Disney's Polynesian.

Hi marinermc - This is the 1950s restaurant run by Steve Crane, it was on Rodeo Drive. It was a legendary part of the uprising of upscale Polynesian Pop restaurants in the middle of the last century, along with Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic's. It's been gone for a long, long time now.

There is a new restaurant being opened soon in Beverly Hills, also called "Luau" but with no connection to this historic restaurant. Early reports are that it's not going to have much in the way of flotsam-and-jetsam bedecked Polynesian Pop in the way Critiki users love. Instead, it's going to be more sleek, modern and Asian-inspired. And expensive. You can learn more about the new "Luau" in this thread on Tiki Central.

What's the address of this location (former if it is no longer in existence)

Closed for a couple of months now.......

I think I've heard enough of the cheesy comments about Kelbo's. When I was still in high school we use to go to Kelbo's on Pico. I would always treat all my friends to this exciting Hawaiiana paradise. We would ooh and aah at all the cool items incased in resin. My father collected nautical items for our dive shop, but this place put it to shame. It had style and inventiveness. My best memory of the place was the delicious ribs and their fabulous flaming fun bowl. I think I remember going back one day and being heartbroken at the strip bar that took it over. DAKOTA

Foul play? anyone know?

Been reading the Hawaii Kai Cookbook by Roana & Gene Schindler for years now, and always wondered what a sight it must have been. Shame that it closed in '89.

Ukulelebaby's pictures were awesome. Anyone been to the Hawaii Kai was it was up and running?

The Kona Inn is located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on the Big Island. The hotel has been closed for over 20 years. The hotels restaurant of the same name is still open and a great place to sit and watch the sunset. The shopping area of the hotel is also open. The hotel rooms are used for storage and offices. The hotel was a celebrity hide-a-way in the 1940's and 50's.

The place is great. Its the bar that time forgot. Its got a great look. Not too many like it.

I had no idea about this place! I'm going to have to go ASAP and check it out. Thanks Critiki!

I had no idea! I lived down the street from this place for years in the 90's.

I miss this Trader Vic's soooooooo much! I have had a few wonderful birthdays there over the last 10 years, and I've celebrated New Years there a few times.. it was a great place. They had excellent food.. I miss the Beef Cho-Cho something awful!

This place is open and thriving now.. it's called KONA (http://www.konahb.com) and it's a GREAT place for the best & cheapest Happy Hour on Earth!

Fantastic! Thanks for the help, guys. I'm long overdue to do a proper write-up on Jardin Tiki, I've got it near the top of my Critiki to-do list.

Yeah, my understanding was that it was just named tiki, and that was all. Not a loss on the tiki front, but man! What a shame to lose that sign! The hot dog always made me giggle.

Thanks for the update, I've updated the record.

This place doesnt exist anymore. And im not sure it was really tiki at all...

Actually it was the staff from Jardin Tiki who told me this

One more item, I am desperately looking for a photo of the OUTSIDE of the Club Kona, if nay one has such a thing please let me know,
Thanx,
Steve

The grand reopening of the new Club Kona was April 20th 1938.
And Yes, I will be happy to share some more items here.
Steve

The Molino's opened the original Club Kona open in 1933/34 at 316 San Pablo Ave. After a fire in Feb. of 1938 a new club was built at the final location of 303 San Pablo ave. Some time around 1954 the numbering system for San Pablo Ave, was changed and the address became 9901 San Pablo Ave. This is directly across from the west entrance to the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center. The cross street was Carlson. After the Club closed (in about 1960) there was a McFarlands Ice Cream/candy store. A Payless Shoe Source now occupies the site.

The Molino family owned the Club till about 1959 when Phil went off to found his own place (Phil's Hut in Orinda/Layfatte).

of course. They even transfered the logo from the Kon Tiki.

Thanks so much for the information, Steve! I've updated the record in Critiki. You have some amazing items in your Flickr collection, it would be wonderful if you could add some of them to Critiki (thank you for that lovely photo folder you've already added).

Do you happen to know what years Club Kona opened and closed? Did the Molinos own it the whole time? Also, I've had trouble pinpointing exactly where Club Kona was... do you know the cross-street?

The Club Kona was LEASED to Lloyd Johnson for One Year Feb 1948 to Feb 1949 while the MOLINOS's (not Malino) were "On Vacation". Actually Henry and Phil where "On Probation" because of a gambling charge. In 1949 the Molino's reassumed control.

I am the Grandson of Henry and Dolly. I have a collection of images dealing with the Club Kona on my Flickr site:
http://flickr.com/photos/esfulkerson/sets/72157603971729877/
There you will find Pictures of Henry, Dolly and Phil, copies of two Menus (One from the late 1940's and one from the late 30's), photos from inside the Club, matchbooks, and pictures or the Kona's 1947 Championship Softball team (with a very young Billy Martin).

I am always interested in ANY Club Kona items to buy or trade.
Steve

That sure would make sense... do you remember where you heard that?

Apparently, some of the decor was transferred from the Montreal Kon Tiki after it closed.

So... this place is ok. I was a bit taken off guard when I walked in and they were playing "Country Music." Not that I mind... just a bit confused (then it is Albuquerque NM!).

Yes the place is very Kitschy and more surf-like then tiki-esque. And not many tikis at all. It is so confusing that a patron at the bar sitting next to me actually asked if they poured Mai-Tai's. Doh! I almost thought it was a gay bar... All guys huddled up in the booths and several butch women huddled up in opposite booths. I was a bit early and it straightened out before I left.

The waitress around the corner at "the Library bar and grill" said that Tuesdays were the best but that it was kind of "Hippy." When I pressed her on "hippy" she said they were a "young hippy crowd." My only thought is 'ouch' and that hippies suck. I can say that cause I once was one... in the early 70's (guess I just dated myself!).

Bottom line: Kitschy but fun with CHEAP BEER!