Dead Isla is a Detroit-based tropical pop-up that fuses classic tiki with eerie horror—set aboard a haunted cruise ship doomed to sail forever. Created by Hannah Whitenack and Michael Lloyd, Dead Isla delivers “A Horrifying Tropical Pop-Up Experience” where exotic cocktails meet the unknown, and guests are invited to dress the part and dive into a world where island vibes and supernatural chills collide. What began as a way to fill the tiki void left by the closing of Lost River—the beloved bar they once managed—has grown into a traveling spectacle.
Dead Isla has become a fixture in the Midwest tiki scene, with appearances at Makahiki (The Inferno Room, Indianapolis), guest bar at The Hukilau 2025 (Florida), residencies at Mutiny Bar in Detroit, takeovers at Chopper (Nashville), Bad Luck Bar (Detroit), and a host of other haunted pop-ups around the city.
While the heart of Dead Isla is its complex, inventive “classic-meets-modern” cocktail menu, the experience goes far beyond the glass. With custom playlists, themed visuals, and spooky set design, each event is crafted to fully transport guests into a festive nightmare of tropical terror.