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.
![Restaurant of the 5 Volcanos - Hawaiian Pavilion - 1964-65 New York's World Fair Matchbook (by Jericl Cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Restaurant-of-the-5-Volcanos-Hawaiian-Pavilion-1964-65-New-Yorks-World-Fair-Matchbook-by-Jericl-Cat-via-flickr-r-300x278.jpg)
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]
![Kauai Surf Hotel - Kalapaki Bay, Hawaii Matchbook (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kauai-Surf-Hotel-Kalapaki-Bay-Hawaii-Matchbook-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-941x1024.jpg)
![Kauai Surf Hotel - Kalapaki Bay, Hawaii Matchbook (back) (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kauai-Surf-Hotel-Kalapaki-Bay-Hawaii-Matchbook-back-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-1024x1021.jpg)
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.
![Tiki Hut 525 Sepulveda Blvd. El Segundo, CA matchbook (from worldofmateo via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Tiki-Hut-525-Sepulveda-Blvd.-El-Segundo-CA-matchbook-from-worldofmateo-via-flickr-300x271.jpg)
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.
![The Islander Bar & Restaurant - 385 North La Cienega Los Angeles, CA Matchbook 02 (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Islander-Bar-Restaurant-385-North-La-Cienega-Los-Angeles-CA-Matchbook-02-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-943x1024.jpg)
![The Islander Bar & Restaurant - 385 North La Cienega Los Angeles, CA Matchbook (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Islander-Bar-Restaurant-385-North-La-Cienega-Los-Angeles-CA-Matchbook-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-970x1024.jpg)
Kalua – San Francisco Night Club
I wish I had the other side of this matchbook. A great use of limited colors.
![Kalua Nightclub - San Francisco Matchbook (from Isabel Santos Pilot via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kalua-Nightclub-San-Francisco-Matchbook-from-Isabel-Santos-Pilot-via-flickr.jpg)
Harry Eng’s South Pacific Restaurant – Chicago
![Harry Eng's South Pacific Restaurant - Chicago - Matchbook (front) (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Harry-Engs-South-Pacific-Restaurant-Chicago-Matchbook-front-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-750x1024.jpg)
![Harry Eng's South Pacific Restaurant - Chicago - Matchbook (back) (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Harry-Engs-South-Pacific-Restaurant-Chicago-Matchbook-back-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-836x1024.jpg)
Mai-Kai The Polynesian Restaurant, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
![Mai-Kai The Polynesian Restaurant, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Matchbook cover (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Mai-Kai-The-Polynesian-Restaurant-Ft.-Lauderdale-Florida-Matchbook-cover-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-1024x333.jpg)
The Famous Bamboo Room Cocktail Lounge
![The Famous Bamboo Room Cocktail Lounge - Tower Hotel Courts Dallas, Texas Matchbook (front) (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Famous-Bamboo-Room-Cocktail-Lounge-Tower-Hotel-Courts-Dallas-Texas-Matchbook-front-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-1024x897.jpg)
![The Famous Bamboo Room Cocktail Lounge - Tower Hotel Courts Dallas, Texas Matchbook (back) (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Famous-Bamboo-Room-Cocktail-Lounge-Tower-Hotel-Courts-Dallas-Texas-Matchbook-back-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-1024x975.jpg)
The Hawaiian
So much detail for only two colors.
![The Hawaiian 4645 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. Long Beach, CA Matchbook (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Hawaiian-4645-E.-Pacific-Coast-Hwy.-Long-Beach-CA-Matchbook-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-272x300.jpg)
Outrigger Restaurant
![Outrigger Restaurant Matchbook (from Saturn X via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Outrigger-Restaurant-Matchbook-from-Saturn-X-via-flickr.jpg)
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.
![Moana Hotel and Bungalows - Honolulu, Hi Matchbook 02 (from jericl cat via flickr)](https://radicallyretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Moana-Hotel-and-Bungalows-Honolulu-Hi-Matchbook-02-from-jericl-cat-via-flickr-300x289.jpg)
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: