Hula Kai opens a three-level tiki bar on 17th Street
The Fort Lauderdale venue combines three bars, a shaded rooftop and Asian-Pacific food.
Hula Kai opened in September at 1075 SE 17th Street. The roughly 5,000-square-foot venue has about 200 seats across three levels, including a shaded rooftop. Old School Hospitality's James and Paul Flanigan developed it with partner Frank Zaffere. Local reporting describes a four-year build that included a new stormwater well. The restaurant's website confirms current operation.
Our read
Several levels create replenishment and supervision work that a seat count does not capture. Test the movement of food, drinks and glassware before filling every floor. The long build also shows why a development budget needs room for delays and site infrastructure.
Sources
- South Florida Sun Sentinel · Oct 8, 2026
- Hula Kai
Checked Oct 30, 2026Published here Oct 30, 2026