Tiki mugs

Tiki mugs are large ceramic cocktail mugs that originated in tiki bars and tropical-themed restaurants. The term "tiki mugs" is a generic blanket term for sculptural drinkware that depict Polynesian, mock-Polynesian, or tropical themes. Tiki mugs are not commonly seen outside tiki bars and restaurants but are also a kitsch collector’s item.

Originally created as both signature and marketing tools to hold the exotic libations, the 1960s also saw the ceramic craft market following suit by releasing ceramic tiki mug molds for the hobbyist to customize. These original mugs, whether related to a location or made by the hobbyist, also known as the vintage mugs, once found in abundance on the dusty shelves of junk shops in the 1980s and 90s, became a sought-after item for those who were responsible for the revival of interest in the heyday of places like Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic's.

Though hobbyists and ceramic artists, in a small capacity, have continued to make these mugs at home, and larger manufacturers have mass-produced restaurant and bar promotional souvenirs since the 1960s the "tiki revival" of the 1990s and then 2008 onwards produced new variations.

Ooga-Mooga was started in 2005 and is a subscription-based website that allows mug collectors to store information about their collections, trade and sell mugs, and share their collections with others. New mugs are being added to Ooga-Mooga continually.