Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt (Don the Beachcomber)

Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, known as Don the Beachcomber, was an influential American entrepreneur who created the first tiki-style bar and restaurant in the 1930s. He popularized exotic cocktails inspired by Caribbean and Pacific flavors, blending rum and tropical fruits. His innovative approach to themed dining and drinking experiences sparked a nationwide fascination with Polynesian culture, laying the foundation for the tiki bar trend. Gantt’s establishment became a social hotspot and significantly impacted American cocktail culture, making him a pioneer in the hospitality industry.