Fort Lauderdale’s Mai-Kai Restaurant Reopens with $20 Million Renovation, Honoring Polynesian Traditions

Following a four-year break and a $20 million restoration, the Mai-Kai Restaurant will reopen tomorrow. The rebirth of the Mai-Kai, which is well-known for its unique blend of dinner theater and tropical atmosphere, honors its rich heritage while embracing new improvements by fusing cultural respect with contemporary improvements.

According to Miami Eater, the legendary establishment, which was founded in 1956 by brothers Bob and Jack Thornton, is hoping to improve the experience it is known for rather than merely reopen. “We don’t think of ourselves as a tiki bar, and we are not one. According to Miami Eater, managing partner Bill Fuller said, “We are a Polynesian venue.” He highlights the venue’s dedication to authenticity by honoring Pacific Island customs without stealing them.

Local 10 reports that the refurbished 26,000-square-foot venue has eight themed dining rooms, ranging from Moorea to Samoa, each adorned with regional antiquities. Modern amenities like DMX-controlled lighting for customized atmosphere at each table are added to the restoration while preserving the establishment’s original charm.

Local guests will probably be excited to revisit menu staples like the Mai-Kai Pupu Platter while also trying out new dishes like a short rib glazed with Kona beer, which will highlight the restaurant’s dedication to modern flavors within its timeless design. “Each guest that walks through the door will feel the energy that Bob and Jack Thornton originally created,” Fuller stated to Miami Eater.

Reservations are currently being accepted for information on the grand reopening or to guarantee a place among the first to see the Mai-Kai’s restoration. Interested patrons can visit the restaurant’s website to book a reservation or for additional information. Tomorrow, the Mai-Kai will open at 3599 North Federal Highway.

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