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Mai Tiki Bar Opens Inside Downtown Ferndale’s Tigerlily Restaurant

(Tigerlily, Oct. 1, 2022)

FERNDALE, Mich. — The next stage in the evolution of tiki bars has started in Ferndale, as Mai Tiki bar, 231 W. Nine Mile, is officially open to the public on Wednesday, September 14, inside the recently-opened Tigerlily restaurant.

Nestled behind a semi-concealed door to the side of the Tigerlily dining room lies a portal to an island getaway known as Mai Tiki. Part speakeasy and full-on tiki themed, all who pass through the entrance are carried away by the scent of tropical fruits and rum-based cocktails to a seaside paradise adorned with island relics and coastal views in every direction. Whether having a drink under the thatched canopy covering the bamboo, galley bar or tasting an array of Polynesian-inspired plates at the tiki table, Mai Tiki promises to be a journey far from the mundane.

Focusing on craft quality, the tiki team has resurrected historic island cocktails of the 20th century and updated them with modern, high-quality ingredients for refreshing iterations of the drinks of old. Classics like the Run Rummer, the Zombie, Painkiller and Mai Tai are heavily garnished with fresh fruits and served in decorative tiki vessels, which also are available for purchase. Small plates, such as crab rangoon, robata-grilled pineapple, pork belly bao and fish tacos were created by Tigerlily Chef Chris Vasquez, who designed the menu to offer guests fine-dining flavors at affordable appetizer prices.

Outside of food and drink, Mai Tiki maintains its breezy atmosphere with a handcrafted beach mural wrapping around narrow room, giving the 900-square-foot space more expansive feel. An installation of hundreds of gold skulls, faux-artifacts and eye-catching island decorations maintain the theme. Previously utilized as an office space at the former Antihero, painstaking efforts were put into renovating the room that is now Mai Tiki. Accessible through Tigerlily and the rear Troy Street entrance at 231 W. Nine Mile, Mai Tiki is open from 4-midnight Sunday to Thursday and 4 p.m.1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Hometown Restaurant Group is a community of restaurants located in downtown Ferndale, Mich., each with its own distinct identity and flavor with a shared vision to invigorate our city. We do this through the continual evolution of food, drink and service to evoke a positive emotional reaction with our guests and staff. We believe that a commitment to our staff, community and uncompromising core values should always guide our actions.

Oakland County Times is on a QUEST to enjoy every local restaurant in Oakland County.  This long-term project is a labor of love, supported by our friends at White Castle.  White Castle is a family-owned company that is proud to be one of only 20 large employers to make the Fortune Best Places to work list in 2022.  With steam-grilled sliders, crispy golden french fries, fantastic slides like onion chips or fried clams, and the best chocolate shakes, White Castle is a by far our top choice for a fast food meal.  Check out their website at www.WhiteCastle.com.

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