Tennessee Tiki History

As a resident of Tennessee and a "tiki-phile," I have spent a lot of time researching the history of Polynesian restaurants in my state. This page will maintain all my findings and research. Please email me if you have anything to add at all. I would love to hear your remembrances and especially your images, etc.

PREVIOUS TENNESSEE TIKI

Known Locations:
Nashville

The Surf Rider - Inside the Andrew Jackson Dinkler Hotel

The hotel was torn down some time ago. It was noted as a flop house for country music stars. My guess is that it was pretty run down at its end. The fact that it was a Dinkler property ties it in with the Dobb's House Luau in Memphis which was also a Dinkler property. I do not know which came first.

Mahi Mahi - Blue Hawaii - 81 White Bridge Road

The Signature Mug by Oceanic Arts

Architectural Drawing of the design by Oceanic Arts from the collection of Omni Hut owner John Walls

Image of the interior from the collection of Omni Hut owner John Walls

The Menu with the signature tiki

It is interesting to note the lack of classic tropical cocktails.

The Mahi Mahi was completely designed by Oceanic Arts. John Walls, owner of the Omni Hut in Smyrna became the owner at some point, but he aquired a lot of debt with the purchase and was unable to make it profitable enough to get out from under that debt. It was taken over by the bank and everything sold. Well, they did sneak a couple of carved panels out in advance and they are in the Omni Hut lobby to this day.

Luau Lounge - Maxwell House Hotel - 4th Avenue

The hotel, famous for its coffee, was destroyed by fire in 1961. If tiki history is a clue, this place probably hardly got open before it was destroyed. 1961 was a year when many Polynesian places opened around the country, from the Omni Hut in Smyrna, to the Kahiki in Columbus, Ohio. This was perhaps a pre-Tiki place with just a tropical decor, but I have no idea.