FRIDAY FIVE
Summer in San Francisco is a bit different from summer in the rest of North America. Yes, there are palms trees, and we are a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean, but that reality does not equate to hot and sweaty summer nights. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. In other words, enjoy the good weather this month while you can, because it won’t be here for long.
The good news is that there’s no shortage of an attempt to emulate tropical vibes in the city in its vibrant tiki-bar scene. What exploded in the 1950s and 1960s — the consequence of soldiers spending time in the Polynesian Triangle around World War II — has remained one of San Francisco’s best traits. If you’re looking to sip on a sweet drink surrounded by tiki torches, look no further than our favorite spots.
1. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
At the Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill is one of the best bars to ever exist in the world: the Tonga Room. Its tropical décor and tasty libations are just the cherry on top of what makes this place so great. First, you feel like you’re traveling back in time to when tiki bars were all the rage in the mid-20th century. The bar has been operating since 1945, which helps contribute to its timeless feel. Second, there’s a lagoon in the middle of the bar where the Island Groove Band rocks out on a floating barge. Warning: this is not a pool you can swim in, and drunk people who have tried have been arrested. Bar-goers can dance to the music on a dance floor built from the remains of the S.S. Forester, a sail ship that once traveled between San Francisco and the South Sea Islands. Adding to the ambience, there are frequent tropical storms with thunder and lightning. Who needs the Polynesian Islands when you have the Tonga Room?
950 Mason Street (Nob Hill) | tongaroom.com
2. Pagan Idol
No matter what time of day it is or what the weather is like outside, there’s a bar in San Francisco that will transport you to a ship under the stars in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. And that place is Pagan Idol. It’s like the Rainforest Cafe but for adults. The front of the bar is the “captain’s quarters,” which replicates a captain’s quarters on a ship. Once you head to the back, you’ll be met by an erupting volcano and a starry night sky. This place is hip and a popular go-to spot for FiDi workers after a hard day, partly because of the atmosphere, but also because of the drinks, which are often made with fine rum.
373 Bush Street (Financial District) | paganidol.com
3. Luau Lounge at Players Sports Grille & Arcade
Inconspicuously located on Pier 39 (yes, where all the tourists are) is a hidden tiki bar with seriously amazing views of the bay (some Yelpers have even captured rainbows over the bar from this spot). The bar is located next to the Players video-game arcade, which is full of loud and screaming children, but it’s worth it to persist through such chaos when you know you’ll have a mai tai waiting for you. Known for its tasty poke and strong drinks, Luau Lounge is a great place for an afternoon drink on the bay.
Pier 39 | playerssf.com
4. Zombie Village
Zombie Village is a yearlong Halloween-themed tiki bar that takes traditional tropical vibes to a very spooky level. Founded by the same group that runs Pagan Idol, the Future Bars team, this bar is quite literally a two-level zombie village. For example, a mermaid cave beneath the lagoon oozes spooky cave vibes rather than happy cave vibes, and skulls decorate the bar instead of palm trees. The drinks are just as tropical as those at Pagan Idol, though, and they have an impressive rum selection. This bar just opened in January and is definitely worth checking out.
441 Jones Street (Tenderloin) | thezombievillage.com
5. Smuggler’s Cove
If you’ve ever had a really wild night out in San Francisco, chances are it involved a stop at Smuggler’s Cove. On weekend nights, bar-goers line up to sip on tasty Caribbean-island-style libations among its quirky tiki decorations. Founded in 2009, Smuggler’s Cove is also known for its exotic rum selection, which can transport you to any Caribbean or Polynesian island after one sip. Smuggler’s Cove can be credited for the resurgence of tiki bars over the last decade in the city, as its popularity has been an inspiration for more to follow.
650 Gough Street (Hayes Valley) | smugglerscovesf.com
