Times seem to be good for Polynesian tiki restaurants in Fort Lauderdale! Not only is the Mai-Kai back, but another new tiki restaurant is preparing to launch late this year. Hula Kai, a new concept from Old School Hospitality, will open at 1075 SE 17th St. in Fort Lauderdale, according to recent coverage from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
“This sprawling 5,000-square-foot lounge with 24-foot-high ceilings will serve crispy duck, spring rolls, crab rangoon, bang bang shrimp and spare ribs on its ground floor and second-floor mezzanine,” the coverage says. “Meanwhile, its third-level rooftop Ohana Lounge will sling modern and classic tiki cocktails (think Jet Pilots, Rum Runners, Mai Tais).”
Old School Hospitality, which also owns Quarterdeck Restaurants, a chain with five locations in South Florida, is headed up by CEO James Flanigan. Flanigan told the Sun-Sentinel Hula Kai is expected to launch in December 2025.
What Now contacted Flanigan this week. The developer declined to comment on news of the opening at this time.
The Sun-Sentinel coverage says construction began in December after facing a delay of two years, and it will open next to other properties from Flanigan, including a Quarterdeck restaurant and Flanigan’s Whiskey Neat bar.
