Another waterfront restaurant suddenly closes in South MS. Here’s the latest
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tiki Bar and Grill in Gautier announced its sudden closure after less than a year.
- The business had reopened in October 2024 after renovations by new ownership.
- Closure follows Flamingo Landing's shutdown, marking two recent waterfront exits.
Last Friday, a catfish basket was advertised as the special of the day. By Tuesday, the owners of Tiki Bar and Grill on the waterfront in Gautier posted on Facebook they were closing.
“We will be opening at 4 p.m. for one last happy hour and karaoke night, so let’s go out with a bang everyone,” they posted on Aug. 26.
The restaurant is at the Mary Walker Marina, 3212 Mary Walker Dr. in Gautier, overlooking the water and the marina.
It opened in October, after new owners Vieva and Christopher Battiste remodeled the restaurant and created new menus.
Steaks and seafood were featured in the upstairs dining room, designed for date night and special celebrations. Burgers, chicken and pasta were on the menu for more casual dining on the water level, which doubled as an entertainment venue.
“We have been so blessed to go through this journey the last year with all of our loyal customers,” they said on Facebook. “We have adored hearing all the memories and giving everyone the Tiki back while we could.”
The Tiki had been an iconic bar and restaurant in Jackson County since it opened in 1969. It was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and returned in a smaller footprint. The business closed again in 2020 during the pandemic.
Those who commented on the closing announcement said it was their favorite place, and they enjoyed the weekly karaoke.
The closure of the Tiki Bar and Restaurant came two days after the announcement that Flamingo Landing restaurant and bar in Gulfport was closed.
This restaurant was off busy Cowan Road and on the shores of Bernard’s Bayou, where boaters could tie up, neighbors could arrive by golf cart and others could drive in for food, a cold drink and entertainment. It had opened in May 2023.
While South Mississippi is seeing some restaurants close, new restaurants continue to open or are coming soon across the three Coast counties.
