I’m really starting to dig the whole Tiki/South Pacific design style and while recently gathering matchbook cover images for the gallery, I ran across some beautifully designed Tiki themed matchbook covers.
For more matchbooks & Tiki designs check out the following galleries:
The Tropic – San Francisco, CA
Let’s start with this amazing three color matchbook that utilizes linework for the Hula girl and the rest of the illustration are solid filled shapes.
Restaurant of the 5 Volcanos
From the 1964-65 World’s Fair Hawaiian Pavilion this Mid-Century matchbook cover is a wonderful example of typography as design.
Trader Vic’s – Oakland, CA & Honolulu, HI
Trader Vic’s is one of the oldest and more famous Tiki lounges out there. They have had some of the most detailed Tiki matchbooks out there. This particular one even has hula girls printed on the matches!
Kauai Surf Hotel – Kalapaki Bay, Hawaii
This is pure 1960s surf design – the font, the line work, the Tiki mask. [chef’s kiss]
Tiki Hut – El Segundo, California
Purple isn’t a common color for matchbooks – let alone for a Tiki-themed matchbook. Great linework on this one.
The Islander Bar & Restaurant
These two matchbooks from the Islander Bar & Restaurant are from different time periods (which ones I don’t know) and they both have great detail and those fonts! I would bet that the one color matchbook is from the late 50’s to early 1960s.
Kalua – San Francisco Night Club
I wish I had the other side of this matchbook. A great use of limited colors.
Harry Eng’s South Pacific Restaurant – Chicago
Mai-Kai The Polynesian Restaurant, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
The Famous Bamboo Room Cocktail Lounge
The Hawaiian
So much detail for only two colors.
Outrigger Restaurant
Moana Hotel and Bungalows – Honolulu, Hi
Just a flower on a striped background but a gorgeous illustration. Classy. As an interesting note, the Moana was the first hotel in Waikiki – built in 1901.
Tropics Motor Hotel & Restaurant – Modesto, CA
Well, that’s it for this look at Tiki matchbooks but there’ a lot more coming down the pipe. Keep an eye on our social media profiles for when we post new content and articles so you don’t miss anything.
For more matchbooks & Tiki designs check out the following galleries:
