National Mai Tai Day and Tiki Brunch
Celebrate Mai Tai Day with a Tiki Brunch in Pompano Beach
Grab your favorite tropical shirt. National Mai Tai Day is almost here. And Revelry is throwing the ultimate party to celebrate.
On Sunday, August 30, we’re turning our bar into a tiki paradise. It’s called Sunday Safari: Tiki Brunch. Expect rum, sunshine, and steel drums in your soul. If you’ve been searching for brunch near me with a twist, this is it.
Below, we’ll cover the real history of the Mai Tai. We’ll also explain why this cocktail deserves its own holiday. Then we’ll walk you through everything happening at our tiki brunch on August 30.
What Is National Mai Tai Day?
National Mai Tai Day falls on August 30 every year. It’s a holiday built around one of the most iconic tiki cocktails ever made. Bars across the country pour Mai Tais in its honor. Some even build entire events around it, just like we’re doing at Revelry.
The holiday traces back to Trader Vic’s, the restaurant chain often credited with inventing the drink. In 2009, Trader Vic’s officially declared August 30 as Mai Tai Day. Since then, tiki bars and tropical restaurants have adopted the date as their own. It’s become a nationwide excuse to sip something fruity and rum-forward.
When Is National Mai Tai Day Celebrated Each Year?
Mark your calendar now. National Mai Tai Day always lands on August 30, no matter what day of the week it falls on. In 2026, that date happens to be a Sunday. So we decided to make it a full afternoon event instead of a quick happy hour.
Because the timing lines up so well, we’re combining the holiday with our regular Sunday Safari series. That means brunch, live music, and a one-day-only tiki menu, all in the same spot.
Plus, ending August on a high note feels right. Summer is winding down, and a tropical send-off is the perfect way to celebrate. So instead of scrolling past another holiday online, come experience it in person.
The History of the Mai Tai Cocktail
Every great cocktail has a story. The Mai Tai’s story is full of rum, rivalry, and a little bit of mystery. Understanding where it came from makes that first sip taste even better.
The Mai Tai was born in the tiki bar boom of the mid-20th century. Tiki culture swept across America after World War II. Suddenly, tropical escapism was everywhere, from Polynesian-themed restaurants to backyard luaus. The Mai Tai became the signature drink of that entire movement.
Who Really Invented the Mai Tai?
This question has sparked decades of debate. Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron claimed he created the Mai Tai in 1944 at his Oakland restaurant. According to his story, he mixed aged Jamaican rum with lime, orgeat, and orange curaçao. He then served it to friends visiting from Tahiti.
Legend says one friend took a sip and exclaimed, “Mai Tai—Roa Ae.” In Tahitian, that phrase means “out of this world, the best.” The name stuck, and so did the drink.
However, not everyone agrees with that version of events. Don the Beachcomber, another tiki pioneer, insisted he invented a nearly identical drink years earlier. He called his version the Q.B. Cooler. The two men argued about credit for years, and honestly, no one has ever fully settled the debate.
Either way, the Mai Tai became a symbol of postwar optimism and tropical fantasy. It’s still one of the most ordered cocktails at tiki bars today. Read more here
How the Mai Tai Became a Tiki Bar Classic
Once Trader Vic’s opened locations nationwide, the Mai Tai traveled with it. Hollywood stars ordered it. Hawaiian resorts adopted it as their signature pour. Eventually, it became shorthand for vacation itself.
Today, bartenders still debate the “correct” recipe. Some stick to the original rum, lime, and orgeat formula. Others add pineapple, grenadine, or a float of dark rum on top. At Revelry, we’re putting our own tropical spin on it for our one-day tiki menu.
Sunday Safari: Tiki Brunch, Your Go-To Brunch Near Me in Pompano Beach
If you’ve typed “brunch near me” into your phone lately, stop searching. Revelry has you covered on August 30. Sunday Safari: Tiki Brunch runs from 12 PM to 4 PM. It’s the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday.
We’re transforming our regular brunch into a full tropical escape. Think tiki cocktails, island-inspired bites, and decor that feels like a beach vacation. Best of all, you don’t have to leave Pompano Beach to feel like you’re somewhere far away.
What to Expect at Our Tiki Brunch Near Fort Lauderdale
Located just minutes from Fort Lauderdale, Revelry makes an easy Sunday trip. So if you’re searching for brunch near Fort Lauderdale, we’re a short drive away. Here’s what’s on deck for the afternoon:
Our team built a special one-day-only Tiki Drink Menu just for this event. You’ll find tropical-inspired pours you can’t get any other day. Plus, our full bar and Revelry favorites stay available all afternoon.
We’re also serving brunch classics with an island twist. Expect tropical bites alongside your usual weekend favorites. Meanwhile, the whole space will be decked out for the occasion, so the vibe matches the menu.
Live Music in Pompano Beach You Won’t Want to Miss
Great brunch deserves a great soundtrack. That’s why we booked two live acts for Sunday Safari. If you love live music in Pompano Beach, this lineup delivers all afternoon long.
Music sets the tone for the whole event. It turns a simple brunch into an experience worth talking about. So expect the patio and bar area to be filled with sound from start to finish.
Meet the Bands: Mala Onda and The Lazay Fairs
First up, Mala Onda brings island-inspired grooves perfect for a tiki afternoon. You can follow them @malaonda.band for a preview of their sound. Their style pairs perfectly with a Mai Tai in hand.
Next, The Lazay Fairs keep the energy going with laid-back, breezy tunes. Find them @thelazayfairs online before the show. Together, both bands create the ultimate soundtrack for island vibes and tropical cocktails.
Why Revelry Is One of the Best Brunch Restaurants in Pompano Beach
Plenty of spots serve eggs and mimosas. Not many turn brunch into a full sensory escape. That’s what sets Revelry apart as one of the best brunch restaurants in Pompano Beach.
We focus on more than just food. Our events combine great drinks, live entertainment, and a genuine sense of community. Because of that, regulars keep coming back for our themed Sunday Safari events.
A Full Bar, Tropical Bites, and Island Vibes All Afternoon
Our full bar stays open the entire event, so there’s something for everyone. Not a Mai Tai fan? No problem. You can still order any Revelry favorite alongside the tiki specials.
Additionally, the tropical bites menu rounds out the experience. Combine that with island decor and live music, and you get an afternoon that feels like a mini vacation. Therefore, whether you’re a local or visiting from nearby Fort Lauderdale, this event delivers something memorable.
Pompano Beach has no shortage of things to do on a Sunday. Still, few spots combine brunch, cocktails, and live music into one event. That’s exactly why Sunday Safari has become a local favorite. Also, our location makes it easy for guests from Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, and beyond to join in. You get a full destination brunch without a long drive or a big production.
How to Celebrate National Mai Tai Day at Revelry
Celebrating is simple. Just show up on Sunday, August 30, between 12 and 4 PM. Bring your friends, your appetite, and your best tropical outfit if you’ve got one.
Order a Mai Tai from our special one-day menu. Grab a plate of tropical bites. Then settle in for an afternoon of live music from Mala Onda and The Lazay Fairs. It’s the easiest way to make this underrated holiday feel like a real celebration.
Reserve Your Spot for Sunday Safari: Tiki Brunch
Space fills up fast for our themed brunch events. So don’t wait until the last minute to plan your Sunday. Whether you’re local to Pompano Beach or coming in from Fort Lauderdale, this is one brunch worth the trip.
Grab a group of friends or bring the whole family. Either way, plan to arrive early for the best seats. Patio spots near the live music tend to go quickly once the Mai Tais start flowing.
Come Celebrate National Mai Tai Day With Us
National Mai Tai Day only comes once a year. This year, it lands on a Sunday, and we’re making the most of it. Join us at Revelry on August 30 from 12 to 4 PM for Sunday Safari: Tiki Brunch.
Sip a Mai Tai. Enjoy live music from Mala Onda and The Lazay Fairs. Soak up the island vibes without ever leaving Pompano Beach. See you at the bar. 🌴🍹