I want to go!
Plan your visit:
Save
Sign In
You must be signed in to use this feature.
Don't have an account?
Become a Critiki member.
It's quick, easy, and free!
Sign Up
×
Get there
How to get to Aku Aku
This location is no longer in operation.
Driving directions
×
Share
Share Aku Aku with a friend
SMS
Not supported on this device.
Thank you for sharing Aku Aku with your friends,
and also for helping get the word out about Critiki!
- Humuhumu
×
I have been!
Report back to Critiki:
Visited?
Sign In
You must be signed in to use this feature.
Don't have an account?
Become a Critiki member.
It's quick, easy, and free!
Sign Up
×
Rate
Sign In
You must be signed in to use this feature.
Don't have an account?
Become a Critiki member.
It's quick, easy, and free!
Sign Up
×
Add Pics
Sign In
You must be signed in to use this feature.
Don't have an account?
Become a Critiki member.
It's quick, easy, and free!
Sign Up
×
1111 West Bancroft St.
Toledo, OH
Opened in 1960
Closed in 1970
Critiki ratings
Aku Aku
Overall
Not yet rated
1
10
Regulars & Visitors
View all 2 Aku Aku regulars & visitors
Humuhumu’s description
Aku Aku was a "Polynesian Room" located in the Town House Motel, and hosted major acts between its opening in 1960 and its closure in 1970. Performers included Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington, Henny Youngman, and Phyllis Diller. The Glen Covington Trio was the house band in the early 1960s. The club was owned by Irving "Slick" Shapiro, a bookmaker with a number of arrests under his belt by the time the Aku-Aku opened. The club was popular with both city leaders and the mob.
While the Aku Aku has an impressive history, and some stunning use of tiki iconography, the room itself was actually streamlined modern, and not the themed, immersive faux paradise more commonly aspired to in the '60s.
Comments
Regulars and Visitors of Aku Aku
Semi-Regulars
People who go to Aku Aku at least a few times a year.
Visitors
People who have been to Aku Aku at least once.
×
And I remember Ed Johnson with his gruff voice and Dock Worker style hat. He was the maintenance man and he taught me a lot.
If I remember right the owners name was Richard Schear.
I remember Irv Shapiro. It was wise to stay on his good side. And that's all that I will say about that.
I remember them bringing in the gambling equipment once a year.
I can still remember Rusty Warren running around the 3rd floor nude. She was there doing her Knockers Up gig.
I also remember Frank Sinatra Jr. he looked down on everybody.
I had to take Jack E. Leonard'S luggage up to the 3rd floor while he was appearing at the Aku Aku Room. It took me three trips. He gave me a quarter tip. (I gave it back)
I got to meet Johnny Weissmuller. He was at the Toledo Zoo as Jungle Jim. He was very nice to me.
I have a Aku Aku room coin that they use to hand out.