Don the Beachcomber

Donn Beach, born Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt was the father of all Tiki restaurant, bars and clubs. His first restaurant was called Don's Beachcomber Cafe and so his name evolved from Don the Beach-Comber to Don the beachcomber and finally to Don Beach.

After he had left his home in Texas he traveled the world, enjoying  especially the islands of the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Here he found  the inspiration to decorate his bar in tropical style and serve strong Rum cocktails. Because it was so different, an escape from  daily life, his restaurant became popular very quickly,even in  celebrity circles. Every Tiki establishment, which opened afterwards was based on his initial tiki concept.

Don Beach's  first restaurant in Los Angeles just off the Hollywood Boulevard, decorated with bamboo, exotic plants and a few exotic  items that he collected on his travels. I quite like it, because sometimes I have the feeling the Tiki themed bars and restaurants overdo the Polynesian style so it becomes  overwhelming. 

This is one of the first Cocktail menus from  Don the Beachcomber's  bar. It is very simply  produced in black in white as was usual back in those  days, however  illustrations of the different cocktails  frame  the menu, which makes it look interesting even in  its simplicity.

For comparison with this  very old menu, I searched for a more recent one, which is a lot more colourful and focuses on general tiki illustrations in addition to those of every cocktail. I like the fact that you exactly know what you will get before you order it. The playful illustrations of little figures around some of the cocktails suggest  the relaxed atmosphere  which tiki is all about.