GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The door to a tropical paradise opens in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, Oct. 19.
That’s when Max’s South Seas Hideaway, a monumental new tiki-themed restaurant, 58 Ionia Ave. SW, will welcome its first guests. It's going into the historic Waldron Public House and will be three-stories with a restaurant and soon to open boutique.
Max’s is a passion project for owners Mark Sellers, founder of HopCat; Martin Cate, a James Beard award-winning author, bar owner and expert mixologist; and Gecko, a renowned Hawaii-based tiki and Polynesian artist.
A team of tradespeople and artists worked with local contractors from Wolverine Constuction and Phoenix Construction spent months transforming the Waldron into a "Polynesian Pop fantasy world." Max's will also feature owner Mark Seller's collection of mid-century and modern tiki artifacts -- one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.
The menu at Max's will feature handmade cocktails like Mai Tai and Zombie, along with custom drinks created just for the tiki bar with fresh tropical fruits and juices. There will be classic items like the Pu Pu Platter -- shareable Polynesian-inspired appetizers -- along with fresh seafood selections, dry-aged steaks, tasty desserts, as well as vegan and vegetarian items.
Max’s will be open 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Dining reservations will be accepted online on MaxsTiki.com and they are highly recommended, but not required.
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