Trader Vic’s was founded in 1934 by Victor Jules Bergeron Jnr and started out life in Oakland, California, with the name Hinky Dink’s. As the menu and décor took on a tropical flair – popular in the 1930s – it was re-named Trader Vic’s.
Bergeron was one of two people who claimed to have invented the Mai Tai cocktail. The other was his friend and competitor Donn Beach who created the Don the Beachcomber restaurant and bar chain.
In the 1940s and 50s, Bergeron partnered with Western Hotels to open Trader Vic’s in hotels. Tiki culture had its heyday in the 50s and 60s when more than 50 Trader Vic’s restaurants operated worldwide.
Bergeron’s other famous drinks inventions included the Fog Cutter, the Scorpion and the Eastern Sour, all served in elaborately decorated mugs or bowls and still much-imitated today.
Trader Vic’s remains a popular and enjoyable dining out concept – especially with the revived interest in tiki culture – and the company has 25 restaurants in 11 countries.
The original Oakland restaurant and bar closed in 1972 and moved to Emeryville where it flourishes today.

Courtesy Eric Lynxwiler Collection.