Searching for Don the Beachcomber reveals the extraordinary life of the father of Tiki culture and inventor of the Tiki bar. In an era when America desperately needed an escape, Donn Beach created an immersive paradise of exotic cocktails and tropical ambiance. He didn't just invent the Tiki bar — he crafted countless classic cocktails that are still beloved today. Beyond his innovations in hospitality, Donn was a pioneer whose celebration of diversity was way ahead of his time. This deeply researched biography uncovers the remarkable adventures of a true American original whose motto captured his spirit: “If you can't get to paradise, I'll bring it to you.”
About the author
Tim “Swanky” Glazner is co-founder and organizer of the Hukilau, the second largest and second oldest Tiki event in the world. He is the associate producer of the documentary film about Donn Beach’s life, The Donn of Tiki, 2024. He created the first Tiki carving seminar, “Coon Tiki”, located in the US’s Smoky Mountains. He is an expert in Tiki drinks and the creator of the Grogalizer, a popular Tiki cocktail website/app which helps people make recipes from various books. He has produced a line of Tiki mugs under license with the Mai-Kai and is the restaurant’s official historian.
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