The Islander, located on “Restaurant Row” in Los Angeles, circa 1960s, was a quintessential Southern California tiki restaurant and bar. Guests would be transported from valet parking, through the lagoon and past the flaming torches and outrigger canoe to be dropped off at the front door via an authentic rickshaw.
Best described in the their marketing material: "A daring departure in fine dining! The Islander featured all the intriguing, savory, romantic foods of Polynesia, as well as the unique and strangely haunting beverages of this huge, island-dotted territory. From every shore washed by the vast Pacific Ocean came tempting tidbits and exotic entrees to tantalize and tease the most exacting gourmet. Nowhere in these climes will you have found a wider variety of more pleasingly prepared array of “Comestibles Pacifica” than at the exquisite new Islander”.
Cocktails were separated into 3 categories: mild, medium and strong. In the mild category you could get a Cuban Daiquiri for .95 cents. In the medium group, you could enjoy a Planter’s Punch for $1.50, and in the strong section there was a drink called Husband Killer for $2.00 which came in a tiki mug of the same name. Being centered in the film business, the decor was elaborate and people often commented they felt like they were transported to the Islands.
It is unclear when the restaurant closed, but it later became the art deco dinner and nightclub 385 North and an Acapulcos restaurant before being demolished in 2012.
