Exotica History Tour is your essential guide to the venues of Exotica music that still exist within the Waikiki resort on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Exotica was developed as a music style that combined pseudo-Polynesian rhythms with referential instrumentation from the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. This blended elements from environmental sounds, jazz arrangements, and romantic themes from famous films. Les Baxter, Martin Denny, and Arthur Lyman were true innovators and pioneers of Exotica music that was primarily produced during the nineteen-fifties and sixties. Waikiki has plenty of live lounges and hotel bars where musicians performed the cultural hybrid music that became known as Exotica. Legendary locations like The Shell Bar and Surf Room provided intimate venues where these musicians could experiment with Exotica music. Some still exist today and are awaiting to be discovered whenever you visit Waikiki. Most of the wonderful locations listed here are within walking distance along the Waikiki waterfront. Please view the map below and have fun exploring the exciting venues on our Exotica History Tour.