Cocoa Beach Pier opens new end-of-pier Tiki bar
May 02, 2017
New Rikki Tiki Tavern features expanded seating, additional cover and food service 800 feet over Atlantic Ocean
May 2, 2017 – The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier has opened the all-new Rikki Tiki Tavern, three years after the purchase of the Pier by Westgate Resorts. The new tavern spans the end of the Pier and includes table and bar seating for over 100 guests, a thatched roof covering the entire deck and, for the first time, food service.
Pier visitors can now enjoy a meal in a setting stretched 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, while taking in the sea breezes and panoramic ocean views under cover from the weather. The location provides a great vantage for watching rockets launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center and cruise ships sailing from Port Canaveral.
The Rikki Tiki Tavern menu features items including jumbo coconut shrimp served with a spicy mango habanero sauce, a fresh seasonal fish sandwich and the Tiki Dog, a Nathan’s Famous hot dog wrapped and fried in an egg roll and served with spicy Asian mustard sauce and sweet and sour sauce. The Tavern will also serve a full selection of beverages, including signature cocktails.
“Our goal was to expand the potential of the incredible location of Rikki Tiki Tavern,” said Westgate Resorts Chief Operating Officer Mark Waltrip. “Where else in the entire world can you dine 800 feet over the ocean and watch a rocket launch into space at the same time?”
The new structure features several distinguishing characteristics, including posts carved to resemble Tiki figures, a bamboo bar and seating facing the ocean.
The work on the new tavern project was completed almost exclusively by Cocoa Beach businesses, including Big Kahuna Tiki Huts, Nui-Tiki, Haddow Construction, Holt Electric, Vincent Plumbing and Kabran Air Conditioning & Heating.
The venue is of particular significance to Westgate Resorts Founder and CEO David Siegel as it is named in honor of his late daughter, Victoria “Rikki” Siegel.
The project is just the latest upgrade since Westgate Resorts purchased the iconic Pier in 2014. The company has invested more than $4 million in improvements to restore the Pier to its historic glory. Improvements have included upgrades to the Pier’s restaurants and shops, the introduction of new activities and direct-to-beach food service.
“The Pier has been an icon in Cocoa Beach for more than 50 years and we are committed to making it one for the next 50,” said Waltrip. “We will continue to evaluate plans and work with the local community to make the Pier better than ever.”
Guests can visit the new Rikki Tiki Tavern from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
About the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier
Built in 1962, the Cocoa Beach Pier is an iconic landmark on Florida’s Space Coast, stretching 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. In 2014, Westgate Resorts purchased the Pier and launched a multimillion dollar renovation to restore its historic glory. Today, the Pier draws more than one million visitors annually and is home to five restaurants and bars, as well as gift shops and boutiques. For more information about the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, visit www.cocoabeachpier.com or facebook.com/CocoaBeachPier/.