While collecting way too many things related to the Mai-Kai as part of my book research, I bought this great 1959 weekly tourist magazine for the Mai-Kai ad. I got a lot of other great stuff as well.
Gotta love “Tropical Nights”, “Direct from Havana” when it appears to include showgirls in fishnet tights and coconut bras in The Biltmore Room at The Biltmore Terrace Hotel.
Even the ad for Lanotan suntan cream is pretty awesome and frisky!
An added Tiki bonus is the ad for the new Bamboo Room at Roney Plaza. This is where some south Florida Polynesian stars like Nani Maka and Kui “Kimo” Lee worked.
Kimo became world famous as song write for Don Ho.
More beauty from the Tropical Nights and an ad for “French Dressing” at the Carillon Hotel.
Cindy Fuller, one of the stars of “French Dressing.”
One of the Mai-Kai competitors the Luau.
The Life Bar is the oldest “Burlesk house” on Miami Beach. Fun! Girls! Gags!
A little write up about the Life Bar “girlie show” and the search for “Miss Moulin Rouge”.
Ice skating in Miami? Lessons? Well if Inge in that sweater is the teacher, sign me up! At the Deauville Hotel’s “Winter Wonderland”.
And of course, the reason I bought the guide, the Mai-Kai ad circa 1959.
Wow, Miami was a swinging town! If you ever run across any ads for the old Gold Dust Lounge on biscayne, I know someone who would be interested!