After 32 years, iconic tiki bar and restaurant, Waterworks abruptly closes

Waterworks, a beloved Tallahassee entertainment staple and gathering spot, has abruptly closed its doors after 32 years in business.

The midtown landmark located at 1133 Thomasville Road shocked longtime patrons of the tiki bar and restaurant with the announcement of their closure in a Wednesday afternoon Facebook post.

The post read: "We’ve had thirty two years of ridiculously amusing times with Hearty White, Dr. Gorrie, Golden Carrots, Glam, Disco, Prom, Science Salons, Capris, and the best number calling gorilla in the business, Jungo. It’s a good time to wrap it up and we did, last Saturday. Thanks for three fun decades!"

Owner Don Quarello was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.

The post has already generated a great amount of attention with people sharing some of their favorite moments.

One Facebook user commented under the post, "I have so many fond Waterwork memories! Thank you for providing such a wonderful and fun place to our community for so many years. Waterworks will be missed! Best wishes for what comes next in your life!"

The restaurant, as those in the comments described, was an "eclectic," lively gathering space for all offering an array of music nights, hosting annual events like the "Mullet-Thon" celebration, election watch nights, karaoke nights, jazz, and so much more.

Chicken dinners, burgers and sandwiches paired with specialty cocktails in elaborate tiki mugs were an attraction along with the waterfall windows, serving as a destination getaway in the heart of Midtown.

The iconic restaurant harbors three decades of memories for patrons who have grown up going to the restaurant with family and friends. Its closure marks the "end of an era," as one user stated.

Waterworks will be hosting a sale of their prized tikis, mugs, masks, furniture, planters and more from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

"I am really not okay with this," one resident posted. "So many of my core memories were made at Waterworks. So many weekend nights in my late 20’s, my engagement party, my 40th birthday, too many friends and drinks and fun. I loved Waterworks, and I am heartbroken. Thank you Don for the years and the memories. I wish you the best in your future endeavors."

Kyla A. Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: After 32 years, tiki bar and restaurant, Waterworks abruptly closes