Get ready to dive deep into the sultry, tropical world of tiki culture that’s way more complicated than your Instagram-worthy cocktail might suggest.

Before Instagram filters and tropical vacation hashtags, there was Donn Beach – the OG maestro who basically invented the entire tiki aesthetic we now casually drop into our weekend vibes. But here’s the tea: his entire persona was basically one giant marketing scheme that would make modern influencers look amateur.

The Myth Behind the Mai Tai

Imagine crafting an entire lifestyle brand before personal branding was even a thing. Donn Beach didn’t just create restaurants; he essentially manufactured an entire escapist fantasy that San Francisco’s cocktail nerds and vintage enthusiasts are still obsessing over decades later.

From Fabrication to Film

A new documentary, “The Donn of Tiki,” is about to spill ALL the behind-the-scenes drama. Screening at 3Below Theatres in downtown San Jose, this film promises to unravel the complex narrative behind the tiki culture’s most mysterious founder. And if you’re looking to lean into the aesthetic, the Tiki Bazaar at San Pedro Square is serving vintage Hawaiian realness with everything from clothing to artisan tiki mugs.

Cocktail Culture’s Greatest Performance

What started as a clever marketing strategy has now become a legitimate cultural phenomenon. Donn Beach didn’t just sell drinks; he sold an entire tropical escapist fantasy that continues to mesmerize generations. So next time you’re sipping that perfectly crafted mai tai, remember: you’re drinking a piece of deliberately constructed cultural performance art.