A Tiki party is a throw back to the Tiki bar craze that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. So-called Tiki culture is modeled on Polynesian-Hawaiian style, décor, music, food, and drinks. There use to be Tiki bars in every major city that served exotic food and drinks. There has been revival of Tiki parties with home DIY Tiki décor, food, and drinks. Tiki bars are also seeing a retro revival in many U.S. cities.
Getting Tiki Party Ideas
Blue Hawaii movie with Elvis
Ideas for a Tiki party can come from movies and TV shows set in Hawaii.
Movies
South Pacific, (1958), Blue Hawaii movie with Elvis (1961), Hawaii (1966), Princess Kaiulani (2009), The Descendents (2011), Donovan’s Reef (1963), Beyond Paradise (1998), Silk (198), Aloha (2015), Maui (2017), The Haumna (2013)
TV shows
Hawaiian Eye, Hawaii Five-O, Gilligan’s Island, Adventures in Paradise
Go to a Tiki Bar for ideas. Top Tiki bars in the U.S.
Adrift, Denver
Smugglers Cove, San Francisco
Three Dots and a Dash, Chicago
S.O.S., Decatur, GA
Chopper, Nashville
Lagoon, Durham, NC
Latitude 29, New Orleans
Under Tow, Phoenix
High Roller, Solvang, CA
Mai Tai, Honolulu
Water Witch, Savannah, GA
Archipelago, Washington DC
Tiki Tatsu-ya, Austin, TX
Psycho Susi’s, Minneapolis
Trader Sam’s, Disney World, Orlando
Flamingo, Oklahoma City
Wusong Road, Boston
Tiki Ti, LA
Super Power, NYC
Hale Pelee, Portland
Golden Tiki, Las Vegas
False Idol, San Diego
Lost Lake, Chicago
Mother of Pearl, NYC
Hawaiian Clothing
Clothing includes a sarong dress, muumuu dress, halters, Aloha shirts, and a flower in the hair for women and Hawaiian shirts and shorts for men. Flower wreathes, called lei should be worn by both men and women. Sandals or sneakers are best for footwear. Clothing should be with tropical prints.
Sarong dress
Music
Don Ho
Essential music must be Hawaiian and Polynesian.
Israel “Iz” Kamakaiwiwo’ole sings Over the Rainbow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I
Israel “Iz” Kamakaiwiwo’ole
Popular Tiki Party Music
Israel “Iz” Kamakaiwiwo’ole (1959-1997)
Don Ho (1930-2007)
Marlene Sai, b. 1941
Alfred Apaka (1919-1960)
Gabby Pahinui (1921-1980)
Kui Lee (1932-1966)
Brothers Cazimero, duo
Ledward Kaapana, b. 1948
Keali’l Reichel, b. 1962
Don Ho sings Tiny Bubbles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t45DKmtzTHo
Tiki Party Dances
Limbo Stick
Limbo stick was a popular dance in the 1950s and 60s. It is very easy and people of all ages can participate. Limbo is a contest with a pole across two posts. The object is to pass under the stick while bending backward. After each round the stick is lowered a few inches. People who knock over the stick or fall are eliminated.
Hulu
The traditional dance of Hawaii that is vey graceful with light music. The body and hands in the dance tell a story. Hulu is danced in the Kaholo side-to-side sway slow movement with the music. Arm movement are side-to side, up in the air, one arm out to side, hands together, hands going down, and so on.
Macarena
Though not a Hawaiian dance, Macarena goes well with a Tiki party. Macarena is a line dance with steps in place for each beat of the music. Hips are shaken side-to-side.
Steps include:
Arms put forward
Turn palms upward
Right hand on left shoulder
Left hand on right shoulder
Cross hands on hips
Hands on hips
Rotate hips
Jump 90 degrees Clap hands
Repeat
Tiki Décor
Tiki decorations can include a tiki bar and stools, coconuts, pineapples, bananas, drink umbrellas, tiki mugs, black velvet paintings, tiki sculptures and masks, palm trees, tropical murals, seashells, bamboo, balloons, banners, flamingos, flowers, and more.
Tiki Cocktails
Essential tiki cocktails include a Mai Tai, Blue Hawaii, Zombie, Navy Grog, Singapore Sling, Samatra Kula, Pino Colada, Hurricane, and others. Little drink umbrellas are a must as well as tiki mugs. Cherries and pineapple are required garnishes.
Mai Tai
Mai tai recipe
1 1/2 oz. rum
1/2 oz. dark rum
1/2 oz. orange liquor
3/4 oz. lime juice
1 oz. sugar syrup
Garnish with cherry and pineapple wedge
Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice; strain into a glass; add ice.
Blue Hawaii
Blue Hawaii recipe
1 1/2 oz. rum
3/4 oz. blue curacao liquer
2 oz. pineapple juice
3/4 oz. cream of coconut
Garnish with Maraschino cherry and pineapple wedge.
Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice; strain into a glass; add ice.
Pino Colada Punch
Pino colada punch recipe
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple
1 (8 oz) can crteam of coconut
1 (46 oz) can of pineapple juice
2 cups rum
1 bottle lemon-lime soda
Mix in a punch bowl.
Zombie
Zombie recipe
1 1/2 oz Jamaican rum
1 1/2 oz Puerto RRican rum
1 oz demura rum
1/8 tsp Pernod
3/4 oz lime juice
1/2 oz Donn’s mix (cinnamon syrup and grapefruit juice)
1/2 oz falerum
1 tsp grenadine
1 dash Angostura bitters
Garnish with mint sprig
Add into a blend with crushed ice; blend; pour into a tall glass.
Navy Grog
Navy Grog recipe
1 oz Jamaican rum
1 oz demera rum
1 oz Puerto Rican rum
1 oz honey syrup
3/4 oz club soda
3/4 oz grapefruit juice
¾ oz lime juice
Garnish with mint sprig and lime wedge.
Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice; strain into a glass; add ice.
Hurricane
Hurricane recipe
1 oz rum
1 oz dark rum
1 oz coconut rum
1 oz vodka
1 oz gin
1 oz Chambord
1 oz triple sec
3 oz orange juice
Garnish with a cherry and orange slice
Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice; strain into a glass; add ice.
Fog Cutter
Fog cutter recipe
1 1/2 oz rum
1 oz cognac
1/2 oz gin
2 oz lemon juice
1 oz orane juice
1/2 oz orgeat
1/2 oz sherry
Garnish with mint sprig
Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice; strain into a glass; add ice.
Singapore Sling
Singapore sling recipe
4 oz pineapple juice
1 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz cherry brandy
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz grenadine syrup
1/4 oz triple sec
1/4 oz Benedictin
Garnish with cherry and pineapple slice
Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice; strain into a glass; add ice.
Samatra Kulg
Samatra kulg recipe
2 oz rum
3/4 oz honey syrup
3/4 oz grapefruit juice
3/4 oz orange juice
1/2 oz lime juice
Stir and add ice.
Rum Runner
Rum Runner recipe
1 1/4 oz rum
1/4 oz coconut rum
1/2 oz banana liquer
1/2 oz blackberry brandy
2 oz sweet and sour mix
1 1/2 oz orange juice
1 dash grenadine syrup
Garnish with orange wedge and lime wedge.
Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice; strain into a glass; add ice.
Tiki Food Recipes
Kuala roast pig
Kalua Pulled Pork
Recipe
1 (6 pound) pork butt roast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbl liquid smke
Rub pork with salt and liquid smoke. Cook in a slow cooker on low for 1 to 20 hours, shred pork. Serve on buns with BBQ sauce, cole slaw, and pickles.
Island Fried Rice
Recipe
1 1/2 cup uncooked Jasmine rice
3 cups water
2 tsp canola oil
12 oz ham or spam, cubed
1/2 cup Chinese sweet pork sausage
3 eggs, beaten
8 oz can pineapple chunks, drained
1/2 cup chopped green onion
3 tbl oyster sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
Cook rice. Stir fry ingredients until cooked, add in rice, heat through.
Spam Musubi
Recipe
2 cups white rice2 cups wter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
Slices of Spam or ham
6 tbl rice vinegar
1 tbl oil
5 sheets dry seaweed nori
Cook rice, add vinegar. Mix marinade in a bowl, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce. Fry meat over medium heat. Cut nori into slices, wrap pressed rice and meat with nori sheet slice Serve warm or chilled.
Lomi Lomi Salmon
Recipe
2 cups smoked salmon, diced
6 medium tomatoes, diced
1 white onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onion
Salt to tast
Cayenne pepper to taste
Mix in a bowl, chill for 30 minutes
Grilled Pineapple
Recipe
I fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into rings
3 tbl butter
1/4 tsp honey
1 dash hot pepper dauce
Salt to taste
Marinate 30 minutes
Grill 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Ahi Poke Salad
Recipe
1 1/4 pound fresh ahi tuna, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced green onion
2 tbl crumbled wakame seaweed
1 tbl groung macademia nuts
2 tbl sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
Mix in a bowl, chill I hour, serve on lettuce leaves.
Hawaiian Shrimp
Recipe
2 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail off
Marinade
2 tbl sugar
2 tbl lemon peppe
1 tbl minced parsley
2 tbl minced garlic
1 cup mayonnaise
Marinate ehrimp 1 hour, put shrimp on skewers, grill 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
Recipe
Boneless round steak cut into slices, marinate for 24 hours. Grill meat on skewers for 3 minutes on each side.
Marinade
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup water
3 clves garlic, chopped
Hawaiian Vegetable Stir Fry
Recipe
Red pepper cut up
Red onion cut up
1 can bamboo shoots
2-3 tbl water
1 cut up fresh pineapple
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets or optional asparagus cut up
1 1/2 rbl sou sauce
2 tbl pineapple juice
Olive oil
Stir fry red pepper and onion for 2 minutes, add bamboo shoots cook I min. more, add water, add pineapple cook 1 min., add broccoli cook 4 min., add soy sauce.
Hawaiian Cole Slaw
Recipe
1 package cole slaw mix
1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbl brown sugar
1 tsp cilantro
1/2 tsp alt
1/4 tsp pepper
Make a sauce with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Mix sauce, cole slaw, pineapple, and onion.
Fruit Skewers
Recipe
On skewers put pieces of fruit, such as pineapple, passion fruit, kiwi, grapes, watermelon, cherries, orange slices, other
Huli Huli Pineapple Chicken
Recipe
20 oz can crushed pineapple
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup red wine
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 inch piece of fresh ginger minced
4 drops liquid smoke
3 fryer chickens, quartered
Make sauce, add ingredients in a pot, bring to boil. Reserve 1 1/2 cups in a bowl, chill. Add chicken into remaining sauce, marinate 4 hours to overnight rill chicken.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Recipe
8 oz elbow macaroni
1 1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup milk
2 tbl apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 carrot shredded
1/2 cup celery chopped
1/3 cup green onion chopped
1/4 cup onion grated
Cook macaroni, cool, in a bowl add ingredients, refrigerate for 30 minutes
Other dish options
Hawaiian potato salad
Hawaiian BBQ ribs
Hawaiian BBQ chicken
Kimchi salad
Hawaiian rolls
Wantons
Egg rolls
Pot stickers
Banana nut bread
Coconut cream pie
Hawaiian wedding cake
Pineapple upside down cake
References
Trader Vic’s Tiki Party, Stephen Siegelman, Ten Speed Press, 2005.
Easy Tiki, Chloe Frechette, Ten Speed Press, 2020.
Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails, Shannon Mustapher, Rizzoli, 2019
