A new documentary titled “Cabali and the Tiki Mug Obsession” will premiere on October 19, 2024, at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival. The film, directed by Tucson filmmaker Josh Dragotta, explores the creation of a unique tiki bar named Cabali, which is owned by restaurateur Doug “Fini” Finical and his business partner Scott Mencke.
Cabali is nestled within their restaurant, The Landing, located at 8195 N. Oracle Road in Oro Valley, Arizona. The bar is a tribute to Finical’s extensive collection of tiki mugs, which he estimates to number around 1,250. His fascination with these decorative mugs began in the early 1990s with his first acquisition, “Mr. Bali Hai,” sourced from Shelter Island in San Diego.
The documentary captures not only Finical’s passion but also the lengthy journey of constructing Cabali, which took over three years and culminated in an expenditure of approximately $500,000. Initially, the project was estimated to cost around $125,000 and be completed within a year. Reflecting on the process, Finical remarked, “Being a creative guy, I spend most of the time in my right brain, which is not the part of your brain that handles numbers, you know, including budgets or timelines.”
A significant feature of the bar includes a shrine dedicated to the late tiki creator Rob “Tiki Rob” Hawes, showcasing some of his iconic mugs. The film’s screening at the Newport Film Festival is a notable achievement, with only 350 of the 60,000 annual submissions making the final cut. Additionally, “Cabali” has sold out two of its three scheduled screenings, underscoring its appeal.
Dragotta, who previously collaborated with Finical on a short film, was drawn back to Tucson during the pandemic. Their partnership began in the early 2000s, when Dragotta was curating the Back Alley Film Festival. He recalls documenting the transfer of a large Easter Island tiki statue to The Hut, another bar operated by Finical.
When approaching Cabali’s concept, Finical initially envisioned a promotional time-lapse video. However, after visiting Finical’s home and witnessing the extensive tiki collection, Dragotta recognized a deeper story worth telling. “I think I have something really cool here,” he said, describing the project as a celebration of community and personal fulfillment.
The documentary showcases the opening of Cabali, which took place in February 2024. Finical noted that a line began forming outside the bar as early as 06:30, a testament to the excitement surrounding its launch. The entrance, camouflaged behind faux shrubbery, adds to the speakeasy vibe, inviting only those “in the know.”
The design and ambiance of Cabali reflect Finical’s vision for a modern tiki bar, contrasting with traditional interpretations. He emphasizes the importance of an organized aesthetic, stating, “There’s certainly a lot of eye candy, but it’s also a firmly organized space with a lot of places for your eyes to rest.”
Despite the financial challenges faced during the project, including selling his truck and his late parents’ home to fund the bar, Finical’s commitment to his vision remained resolute. His partner, Mencke, humorously noted in the film, “It doesn’t take long when you start talking about building out a private party room for Fini to go, ‘Well, I’m gonna make it the world’s best tiki bar.’”
As “Cabali and the Tiki Mug Obsession” prepares for its festival debut, both Finical and Dragotta express hopes for its future, wishing for further festival screenings or potential distribution on streaming platforms. “For somebody to be able to sit in their house watching it on Netflix or Hulu and maybe get inspired by that… would make me happier than you can possibly imagine,” Dragotta said.
The film’s journey, from an idea born of passion to a recognized piece of cinematic art, reflects not just the love for tiki culture but also the determination of those who bring their dreams to life.
