The Experience, Emeryville: Trader Vic’s Summertime

The Experience:

Where island tradition meets summer sophistication

Beat the heat with a tropical treat: Trader Vic’s legendary tiki spirit + Hampton Water’s effortlessly chic rosé = your ultimate summer vibe!

Or you may want to try this trio of tropical delight bringing BIG island flavor in MINI form — featuring their fan-favorite Guava Tai, Mango Tai and the legendary Maui Tai. It’s a flavor tsunami you’ll want mini more of! Perfect for sipping, sharing, and soaking in those tiki vibes — one wave at a time. Now pouring at Trader Vic’s Emeryville — sip, savor, and stay a while! Sunset views are awaiting you.

And don’t miss out on Mai Tai Day 2025 at Trader Vic’s Emeryville! Sunday, August 31, 202512:30 PM – 6:00 PM Join them for the ultimate tiki celebration where it all began—at Trader Vic’s Emeryville, home of the original Mai Tai! Get your tickets now

Enjoy the afternoon light as the sun begins to dip and you slowly finish off your tiki indulgence.. 510-653-3400

About Trader Vic’s + the Mai Tai

Decades ahead of his time, Vic ‘The Trader’ Bergeron chose to offer Chinese dishes alongside the then-contemporary Continental cuisine, creating maybe the original fusion menu. Today, Trader Vic’s continues the tradition and still uses the Chinese Wood-fired Ovens featuring dishes from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, and Japan. And, as we all know, Trader Vic’s claims to be home to the original Mai Tai.

According to the Trader, Vic Bergeron, “In 1944, after success with several exotic rum drinks, I felt a new drink was needed. I was at the service bar in my Oakland restaurant. I took down a bottle of 17-year-old Jamaican J. Wray Nephew rum, added fresh lime, some Orange Curaçao from Holland, a dash of Rock Candy Syrup, and a dollop of French Orgeat, for its subtle flavor. A generous amount of shaved ice and vigorous shaking by hand produced the marriage I was after. Half the lime shell went in for color, I stuck in a branch of fresh mint, and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild, friends from Tahiti, who were there that night. Carrie took one sip and said, “Mai Tai – Roa Ae” In Tahitian means “Out of this World- The Best”. Well, that was that, I named the drink ‘Mai Tai.’”

(Victor Bergeron and Carrie Guild featured below in 1970)

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: