To be clear: tiki culture has as much connection to actual life in Polynesia as Full House does to San Francisco. But we all like our escapist fun every now and then. So join me at these places where you can take a little cocktail vacation to the South Pacific, or at least a kitschy version of it.
Trader Vic’s
4261 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Trader Vic’s 9 Anchor Dr
Emeryville, CA 94608
Trader Vic’s Emeryville
This place invented Tiki. Or, at the very least, the mai tai, for which I am forever grateful. With two Bay Area locations, you can check out Trader Vic’s in Emeryville or Palo Alto. Either one will give you the impression of warm tropical breezes and island well being. Go with the original mai tai or try the rum barrel for your group. Order up the appetizer platter to soak up some of that rum and enjoy the island ambience of this classic Tiki place. The Emeryville location offers fantastic views of the bay, while the Palo Alto location next to Dinah’s Garden Hotel offers a hidden oasis feel. Both provide the illusion of escape to the islands.
For an upscale take on Hawaiian food, head to Roy’s, just south of Market. Sure they have the classic mai tai, but also have a whole host of slightly less sweet and more interesting cocktails. This is much more white tablecloths than crazy tiki gods guarding the doors, but its location makes Roy’s the perfect after work stop for a tiki cocktail. The shared canoe appetizer is fantastic, particularly the tuna poke, and the classic butterfish is delicious. Roy’s also perfected the chocolate lava cake, so if that’s not completely played out in your mind, save room.
950 Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tonga Room
After a long urban planning nightmare where we thought this historic hotel tiki bar might close its doors, it looks like the Tonga Room is safe for the time being. So head here post haste! The best is to take advantage of their amazing happy hour on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. The appetizers and a cocktail are practically a steal. Stay a little past happy hour and find yourself grooving to the tunes of the floating band on the pool in the center of the restaurant and take in some of the best people watching in the city, as couples take over the dance floor, you witness awkward first dates, or tourists experiencing an odd little slice of our city.
Elevating the tiki cocktail to an art form, eschewing the kitsch and bringing class to the Polynesian theme, Smuggler’s Cove is a welcome additon to the San Francisco tiki scene. The winner of copious awards, the smugglers at this cove mix a serious concoction. An inviting, multi-level space on a quiet part of Gough Street, the attention to detail, from the nautical theme to the specific glasses for each specific cocktail, let you know you are in the presence of something special. And if all these cloyingly sweet drinks aren’t your thing, try the bombo with nutmeg for a light clean rum taste.
On the opposite of the spectrum from the fancier tiki establishments, check out The Bamboo Hut. It’s sort of a tiki dive bar. With a giant glowing tiki fountain by the front door and thatching through most of your site lines, this is the place to recreate that island party you found yourself at that one time. Sometimes you just want to share a giant flaming drink (the volcano bowl) with your friends and act like ‘vacation you’. This is your place. The Hut hosts a happy hour on Wednesday-Friday with $2 off tiki drinks and $3 off featured beers, making this a great place to stop to get your night started.
Caveat: tiki drinks are potent. You’ll think, “This can’t be that strong!” Next thing you know it’s 2 a.m. and you’re hailing a cab with a faux flower lei. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Caveat: tiki drinks are potent. You’ll think, “This can’t be that strong!” Next thing you know it’s 2 a.m. and you’re hailing a cab with a faux flower lei. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Bonus tip:
Hawaii has fantastic plate lunches. It’s sort of their thing. Made up of your choice of meat on a plate with rice and macaroni salad, it’s the Hawaiian way. Keep the tiki-theme going during the day and head out to the Mission to Hawaiian Drive Inn #28 and grab yourself an authentic plate lunch.
written by Lisa Tennenbaum / CBS News San Francisco
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