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| Founder Bob Thornton, at Mai-Kai with Mai-Kai servers State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory |
The Mai-Kai has been closed since October 2020 when a pipe or pipes broke after a tropical storm, flooding the Polynesian restaurant. Bob and brother Jack Thornton opened the Mai-Kai in 1956, launching one of Fort Lauderdale's (actually in Oakland Park) most popular dining and entertainment venues for decades. The landmark restaurant was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
The Thornton family, along with two Miami-based partners, have been renovating the Polynesian-themed structure since 2022* and aim to re-open October 2024. Because of the Mai-Kai's historical status, renovations must meet requirements worthy of its preservation as set by the Register and reviewed by the city of Oakland Park.
Many hope traditions will remain when it opens, including its Derby Daiquiri.
Below is a recipe for the Derby Daiquiri, tapped as the official drink of the Florida Derby in March, 1962.
How to Make a perfect Derby Daiquiri
½ oz Daiquiri Mix
1 ½ oz fresh orange juice
1 ½ oz white Puerto Rican rum
1 cup crushed ice
15-20 seconds in Waring Blender. Serve unstrained
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As claimed in an ad from the Fort Lauderdale News, for Daiquiri Mix in 1962, “The Derby Daiquiri is the invention of an inspired bartender at the Mai-Kai.”
And the Mystery Drink .... will that return?
Additional sources:
*It was announced Sept. 28, 2021 that the Mai Kai had partnered with Miami-based investors to repair and reopen the restaurant. Check back for more For more on the announcement, see Sun Sentinel.
Sun-Sentinel, Feb. 18, 2023
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Copyright © 2021, 2024. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan
Tags: Fort Lauderdale nightspot, Mai-Kai, Polynesian review, Fort Lauderdale history Polynesian restaurant
