Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier Debuts New Tiki Bar
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier has opened a new tiki bar at the famous location, offering an all-new summertime experience for guests and residents. Dubbed the Rikki Tiki Tavern, the bar occupies the end of the Cocoa Beach Pier and features seating for more than 100 guests. The bar will also offer food, creating a full-service overwater dining and nightlife solution.
Extending 800 feet from the shore, the Cocoa Beach Pier has been a staple in the coastal Florida community for generations. Built in 1962, the pier was purchased by Westgate Resorts in 2014 and restored to proper working order, allowing the resort chain to make ambitious plans for its future. With a prime location along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, spectators on the pier can see rockets lifting off from Cape Canaveral, resulting in a moderate tourist draw. With $4 million invested into the pier’s shops, restaurants, and infrastructure, Westgate has created a new tourist attraction suitable for all ages.
The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier’s new Rikki Tiki Tavern is one close to CEO David Siegel’s heart. Honoring his late daughter Victoria (nicknamed Rikki), the tavern is the cherry on top of a long and fruitful restoration project. The tavern was constructed by local businesses, including Big Kahuna Tiki Huts, Haddow Construction, Holt Electric, and more.
Mark Waltrip, chief operating officer of Westgate Resorts, spoke to the tavern’s unique qualities and special nature:
“Our goal was to expand the potential of the incredible location of Rikki Tiki Tavern. 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?”
Waltrip also took time to address the history of the pier and Westgate’s commitment to preserving a piece of local history:
“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. We will continue to evaluate plans and work with the local community to make the Pier better than ever.”
For more information on the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier or the new Rikki Tiki Tavern, visit the pier’s website.
