We rated 5 SF tiki bars. The winner was surprising!
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- Опубліковано 1 гру 2022
- Explore the tiki scene in San Francisco with our guide to the top three tiki bars in the city. From traditional Polynesian-inspired cocktails to modern twists, we'll show you where to find the best tiki drinks in San Francisco. Join us as we visit and rate the atmosphere, drinks, and overall experience of these tiki bars. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this video is a must-watch for anyone looking for a taste of tropical paradise in the Bay Area. We visited five tiki bars in just two days. While all of the bars have positives and negatives, one place was above and beyond the others in terms of drink quality, music, decor, and overall experience.
To make the the drink in the video you will need:
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BREEZEWAY COCKTAIL HOUR COCKTAIL
3/4oz fresh lime juice
3/4oz fresh orange juice
3/4oz fresh white grapefruit juice
1/4oz Demerara sugar syrup
1/4oz cinnamon syrup
1/4oz falernum
1 tsp ginger syrup ~ 1/4oz
1 oz soda water
1 oz Hamilton White Stache
1 oz Doctor Bird Jamaican pot still rum
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Build the drink in a mixing tin saving the soda water for last. Mix on high with pebble ice for about 6 seconds. Pour into a Spike's Breezeway Cocktail Hour tiki mug or zombie glass.
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Theme music by the Black Flamingos, courtesy of Hi-Tide Recordings
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![Another Mai Tai? [Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Surf Room]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/In3uUo09Rkc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Another Mai Tai? [Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Surf Room]](/img/tr.png)
![SpongeBob Animation Director's Home Tiki Bar [and a 1930's tropical cocktail]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j1jHugHGaQk/mqdefault.jpg)
Much love! I'm the manager of Zombie Village, and it was a pleasure to meet you and your followers. Such a pleasant group of folks. Come back soon!
As a San francisco native, I am blown away that no one recommended you visit Tradr Sam's on Geary street. A local watering hole with all the atmosphere that The oldest tiki bar still in operation in the United States should have. Make it a point to visit.
I visited Tradr Sam's in the early 2000's. I think it's interesting for it's historical value but the tiki side of it has all but been torn away.
Tonga Room has struggled for years. Such a great spot with absolutely no care by ownership for what they're serving. Next time you're in the Bay, make sure to hit Forbidden Island and Kon-Tiki in Oakland!
“Vlog” type videos of you going to the different tiki bars around you and talking about the drinks/history/fun facts/etc of the bar would be super interesting to watch in my opinion!
There is a perfect little tiki bar in Tromso, Norway called the Misfit Bar. It was nice to find in a little arctic town.
Amazing!
Not Spike and Larissa relying on their memory of what drinks they ordered while tiki bar hopping in the Bay 😂
😂 I'll bring a notepad next time we do this
😂😂😂 I actually keep a list of tiki drinks. But I guess I was already too drunk to remember that. 😬
dam this ep was a really good vibe, would enjoy more of these types of vids with both of y'all
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind 🙏
What A Doll! You Guys Look So Happi...
We took the kids to the Toga Room. Jesus that was expensive. Drinks were OK, but that was several years ago. Forgot what we ordered. I was honestly less into it than now, and I heave to say the downside to getting into cocktails is that I do better than most cocktails I order out these days.
Fun episode!
Great episode!
Love Smuggler's Cove. Forbidden Island is definitely worth a visit if you get back to the Bay Area again.
Excellent breakdown of each place. Will definitely refer back to this episode prior to going up there.
Trader Vics was only three blocks from my apt. Easy downhill walk to, but steep, drunken uphill walk back home. Too many tourists. I liked the neighborhood bars where the bartender remembers your name and your drink.
Went to several tiki bars in SF this weekend in order to see your impressions through our eyes. It was great fun! We were especially happy with Zombie Village: decor + cocktails + experience. Thank you for your (Spike & Larissa) enthusiasm and honesty - and your chemistry in this episode.
A big shout out to the staff at Zombie Village, who made this an excellent adventure. @BlueFoxXT and their gang are the best. Cheers
Great episode that I’ll be watching several time for reference I’m sure Aloha
Great video and reviews! I hope that next time you visit the bay you check out some East Bay bars. The Kon Tiki is not to be missed as is Forbidden Island in Alameda.
Agree 100% even the Kon Tiki Room at Palmetto is really cool. (I like small bars)
Absolutely ; the east bay haunts are a must-see ! Forbidden island is my personal favorite in the bay area.
Tonga room IMO is just a “one and done; BTDT “ type of experience at best .
Really enjoyed seeing some of SF again…if only Smugglers Cove was open whenI lived there! Great show!
Fun episode! Loved the vibes. My wife and I are headed to some of the same places next month so it was great to get some notes!
favorite episode so far
I so wanna do a Tiki bar road trip next year now!! Vegas, LA, San Fran would be awesome!! You guys talked me into it.
'Nuther great show! It has become a life goal to tiki bar hop in San Francisco, and you've given us quite the leg up. Most bueno and many thanks!
That looks like cosmo tibits and the decor...childhood memories of the Chicago Trader Vics RIP.
i just rewatched your episode after visiting san francisco two weeks ago. I only visited Smuggler's Cove and Li Po, as most bars were closed on a monday. I added two bars in Palm Springs that week, and one at disney's. It sounds very honest what you're saying about smuggler's cove. SC's book was my bible for a while, it totally took me into the world of tiki. Especially how Martin was describing his vision of the tiki world, and what it used to be in the 40s or 50s. From the book it always sounded like magical places, where people greet you, and soak you up into their own tiki world at their bar. That magic was definitely lost or gone at SC... the first 10 minutes I definitely felt lost and weird as well, as it was packed and most seats were gone...no menu... but the cocktails were definitely amazing! I didn't like the vibe at the lower bar... I went upstairs later, and found the bartender much more welcoming. He gave me some tips about the cocktails, handed me over a new recipe.. a very kind gentle man. But still that magical vibe was missing.
Li Po... would have been a great dive bar with friend...however all by myself it wasn't that great. :)
I still gotta rewatch your palm springs episode.. I really liked the vibe at the Reef. The bartenders had that tiki spirit.. and amazing music.
Tonga Hut again...the tiki spirit was missing among the bar tenders.
In Europe it's pretty hard to find "this kind of bars".. so I really expected something BIG, when I stepped into SC in san francisco. I remember zombie village, when I wasn't yet part of the tiki world :) it's the nicest bar I've ever been to. Gotta get back on my next trip in SF..
thanks for your informative videos! you're doing a great job.
I really do think that every visit to a bar like this can be totally different depending on the crowd... SC is an incredible place but it does get crowded.
Vancouver Washington!! Come this summer!!! Wahi Hana just opened their doors in December!! Great local Tiki Spot with all the Classics plus more!!!
Check out Last Rites next time. Their drinks and presentation are incredible!
Best Tiki bar in SF IMO.
I’ve been getting caught up on your videos!! I’m close to SF so I’ve been lucky enough to experience 3 out of 5 of your stops in the city! Love it!
That's awesome!
I’m drinking out of the mini Breezeway mug…..perfect size for my hot buttered rum. I love it!
Haha... rad!
Nice to see the Tonga room. I stopped by there during a business trip one year and it was closed that day.
Love the Tonga Room!
Great overview Larissa and Spike..only place I came close to going to was T.V. Palo Alto, but it closed before we got out.
Wow! I will be in San Fran this July so I would definitely try to visit at least one of those Tiki bars. Cheers! 😎👍
The Breezeway is one of my favorite cocktails! 👍
Thanks!! 🙏
We actually had a TV in Kansas city, crown center hotel. Used to go there in the 90s
Her bird was also featured in a drink the “Potted Parrot” at a restaurant Senor Pico in SF
We used to play with them as kids
Thanks M&D
Ah cool! Another one of Vic's restaurants!
Great vid! Love the reviews of SF. You guys need to go to Vegas and do the same. Golden Tiki, Frankie’s and Red Dwarf. The owner Russ at the Red Dwarf does an awesome Painkiller, a must try.
I've heard of Red Dwarf but haven't been there yet!
I need to get to San Francisco someday! When I went to Trader Vic’s in Atlanta I had to do the same and get the Mai Tai. One of the best Mai Tai’s I’ve had.
They got good memories I forget what cktl I had as soon as I leave.
I just finally figured out why you look so familiar. You could be Adam Sandler brother 😅. Hope you like him.
So glad you guys got to come up and tour some tiki bars. Love Zombie Village as well! Make sure to try the J.B.M.P. next time (their clarified Jungle Bird) Next time you come up, be sure to check out the bars in the East Bay! Forbidden Island is wonderful :)
Oh that sounds interesting!
@@BreezewayCocktailHour It's really tasty. I've tried my hand at doing it at home and the results aren't quite as good as theirs but it is delicious.
Spike, I know it's on the other side of the country in a small city, but you have to somehow one day visit The Sorrow Drowner in Wilmington, NC. So much heart went into the joint.
Sounds like you had a fun but rushed trip. Great round of bars you hit. If there’s a next time, Last Rites is an absolute must. And the namesake cocktail is to die for. Love the videos. Thanks.
Would you consider Last Rites a tiki bar?
My wife and I just finished a San Francisco trip and Last Rites was our absolute favorite tiki bar the whole trip. Funny enough we hit all these same spots (including li po!) and then saw this video posted.
Our top tiki bar in the US is Hidden Harbor in Pittsburgh, but Last Rites is our new second favorite
@@BreezewayCocktailHour sorry, I missed your response. Sounds like a loaded question. Given the motif (airplane crash in the jungle) I suppose not from that perspective. However, the cocktails are certainly reminiscent of what more modern tiki resembles. The name sake cocktail is out of this world. Minus the burning cinnamon stick which leaves your clothes smelling like you were at a bonfire. Fair question. Last thing - the idea of tiki for me is to be taken away from reality into an alternate universe with unique decor and fantastic rum-based cocktails. Last Rites does not have Polynesian influences or decor so by that description, I suppose it is not. Great debate. Cheers and Happy Holidays.
@@BreezewayCocktailHour it's absolutely a tiki bar, with a modern , and very original take. Best drinks I've ever had. Hands down my favorite bar in general! The Loch Lomond and the namesake Last Rites are out of this world!
@@BreezewayCocktailHour Last Rites do not market themselves as a tiki bar, but rather, "a Polynesian Noir adventure". But I think for your purposes, you would definitely be remiss not to give them a visit. They seem to be among a movement of modern bars that make tropical drinks but eschew the "tiki" label over cultural concerns. I know that can rub some old school tikifiles the wrong way, but don't write them off without checking them out.
I agree with the other commenter that it is 100% essential for any tikifile or tropical drink lover. Their entire menu and program are incredible. Pretty good theming too, and different from any other tiki/tropical bar I've been to. I genuinely put it above Smuggler's, Pagan Idol, Zombie Village, or Forbidden Island. I also echo the suggestion for their eponymous cocktail. It is truly a must try -- sincerely might be my favorite tropical cocktail in the world. And as I know you're a bit of a classical purist, just know that they absolutely will make the classics upon request, and they'll do a damn good job. They used to have a happy hour ("golden hour") that offered $9 classic tiki cocktails from folks like Vic, Donn, Crane, and Licudine. It was a COVID casualty sadly, but their staff know how to accommodate the classics for sure. Try ordering their house Mai Tai with the cashew orgeat!
So it may not have the style or history or classical ambiance of places like Smuggler's or the Tonga Room, I think it is in this genre and should be visited by any enthusiast of the tropical/tiki genre.
Other than Last Rites, of all the Bay Area tiki bars you guys didn't go to this trip, Forbidden Island is the other one that I think is most worthy of visiting. Their decor isn't nearly as impressive as any of the SF bars, but their drinks are absolutely on the same level. And you can get some appetizers there, which isn't the case at the SF bars (other than the Tonga Room).
Spike appears you owe someone a lobster dinner 😂
My brother just got stationed at Travis AFB, so I will be visiting San Francisco. This was helpful
Glad it was helpful!
Timing was good on reveiw. As in the city today for a few drinks..
Oh how I wish we had even one tiki bar in this country...
Hi Spike,big fan of yours, just to make you aware that the London Trader Vic’s is closing 31st Dec 2022, so sad 60 years after it opened,keep tiki alive,gary
I used to go to Tonga Room in the 80ies. It was the bar to go to then and I didn't know it was a tiki place, it was just exotic. Remember as newlyweds we went there in 1987, dinner and 3 cocktails and tip were around $100-120. That was pretty expensive for us. Usually we ordered zombie, hurricane or a cocktail in a pineapple, forgot what it was called. Then I was young and all cocktails tasted really good to me.
Oh yes, that rubber bird, you can use it as rubber ducky in a bath tub 😁
😂🐤
The tenderloin, wow
I completely agree with your Tonga room review. I was so psyched to go there, and it was a total nightmare. I have no clue why it gets good reviews. Outrageously expensive, ridiculously bad cover band with a forced cover charge, bad drinks (!), God awful service, filled with yuppies, and I found the decor not immersive enough. But the food was good and I respect the history. Trader Vic's is my winner.
Tonga room definitely had off-proportions .. glad you reviewed SF!!!
I agree. The bartenders there really don't know what they are doing at all (or no one trained them properly, I should say).
Smuggler's Cove rulez
if your ever in Houston TX check out Lei Lows small tiki bar but the vibe and drinks are great
Im in San Francisco now, visiting friends after a shoot. We hit up Smugglers Cove and stopped by Trader Sam for one drink. Unfortunately, "Trader Sam" smelled like a urinal cake... not the bathroom, the entire place. I ordered a Zombie (just becuase) and the bartender was about to blend it... oof. Worth stopping by to see the 1930's sign out front but it doesn't light up. Otherwise, save your time. Smugglers had great drinks but it was incredibly busy on Saturday night. Crowded by mostly people who dont really understand tiki at all. But I got the mug from the "Expedition" cocktail! So, I feel pretty satisfied by the visit.
This video definitely inspired taking the time to check out some of SF's tiki bars. Might hit up Zombie village before I leave town and get back to LA. I gotta say, The Tiki Ti still takes the cake for me.
Yeah, it's hard to beat the Tiki Ti... and I haven't been back to Trad'r Sam for almost 20 years... I'll go back eventually (for reporting purposes).
You should hit Forbidden Island in Alameda. Great drinks and a real joint, not a tourist place.
The Breezeway truly is an amazing cocktail. I see you’ve updated it with a 151 float. Don’t mind if I do 🎉
Thank you!
Did I add 151 in that recipe??
It should just be Doctor Bird and White Stache
Just did Pagen Idol and Zombie Village. Drinks at Zombie Village were great! service was Ok. Pagan Idol drinks were not great service was very good! Both were very cool to look at and be at.
Surprised you didn't go to the oldest running Tiki bar in the US. Trad'r Sams on Geary. They don't serve food, and it's not the "elegant tiki" that many tiki aficionados seem to define tiki as but it's worth a stop for an afternoon drink. Afternoon's are the best time unless you live in the neighborhood and go on a week night. The wealth of knowledge of drinks by the older bartenders is amazing.
I went there about 15 years ago and I totally appreciate the history of the place. The cocktails were horrible back then but rumors have it that it may be getting some upgrades soon. It'll be on the list for next time around!
@@BreezewayCocktailHour yeah, the drinks can be hit or miss depending on what day and time you go. I lived in that neighborhood for years, the same goes for The Tonga room, I never eat dinner there, only happy hour and appetizers, the drinks can be off depending on who's behind the bar.
spike, i have the same mug but its from the islander.
also, thats not a drain spout, its a fire department standpipe for the engine to pump water to the upper floors during a fire.
trad'r sam is probably where the private booths came from.
they have bamboo booths each with different island names, ''tonga, fiji, hawaii, samoa, etc ''
let me know when you come back to sf, and i have a golden gate bridge souvenir for you that you cant get anymore.
*edit, i just checked recent pics, and all the private booths from trad'r sam removed all the thatch from the private booths, just bamboo frames now....fml
I love your channel...I building my own on a tight budget...wish I could send you pictures
Thanks! You can send them to my IG @thehulagirls
What program do you use for lighting effects?
Christian is an awesome bartender.
Sam’s
Trader Sam’s
Was hoping that was your #1
Way out in the Richmond
We just got back from SF, and I hate to say it, but you missed the best Tiki bar in San Francisco. Last Rites beat all of those places (and Forbidden Island). It was the best of everything. I know that they don't like to call themselves a Tiki bar, but they are, and they're the best in the Bay Area. Our ranking, in order: Last Rites, *The Kon-Tiki, Smugglers Cove, *Trader Vic's, *Tonga Room, Zombie Village, Forbidden Island, and Pagan Idol. All of them were good in their own way, but this is how we saw it. *Food being served gives a bar a boost in our opinion.
I live 4 hours away from Trader Vic’s. I need to do Tonga Room and Trader Vic’s. Maybe lunch at Trader Vic’s and happy hour at Tonga room, followed up by Zombie Village
If you are coming from points east, do yourself a great favor and head to Forbidden Island …located on an actual island (Alameda island)
I can say we have visited the Tong Room twice for cocktails and dinner. We know our Tiki Cocktails and they were spot-on delicious. I think you guys were there on an off night, unfortunately. Give it a try again for happy hour.
You should do an episode on the Tonga room and Trader Vics like the Kowloon episode with a walk though.
Cool idea
Classic hot buttered rum recipe - check! Couch- check! UA-cam armed and operational- check! Ready for a little Breezeway action. Aloha and Happy Friday, everyone!
Next time you come out, make a trip to The Forbidden Island Tiki Bar on Alameda Island.
I've performed there twice with my band. We'll swing by next time!
Very sweet but I got a feeling they aren't together anymore . . .
Aloha!
Greetings. Aloha from Burlington, Vermont!
Larissa what lipstick are you wearing? It is gorgeous
So, the Breezeway Cocktail.... does it deserve the Breezeway Blend now?
Please post a link to your show about the China Town drink. Thanks
Next time you're in San Francisco, you might try having a drink in a small neighborhood bar called Trad'r Sam in the Richmond District. Though I've never been, I intend visit soon. You should look it up. I think it has a history. It looks mid century.
I've been there before. I mentioned it at the end of the video.
I’ve been there. It’s supposed to be the oldest still operating Tiki bar. We had a great time and the owner/bartender was super nice and friendly. But, you need to temper your expectations going in. Trade’r Sams is a dive bar, so don’t go expecting an experience like the other Tiki Bars in SF. Don’t expect good Tiki drinks either.
My thoughts of Tonga room are the same. Went a few years before covid and the drinks were great, music was good. Went last year and the drinks tasted like bar syrup and the music was horrible for a tiki bar. I bought my mug to check it off the list and don't think I'll be back.
That's so sad for such a historic and incredible bar/ restaurant.
Great episode! But I have GOT to know... what lipstick does your girlfriend have on? It's ahhhh-mazing!
Hahaha... You can ask her over on IG @murderqueen
Bittersweet experience at the Tonga Room. I decided to go there after Anthony Bourdain said it’s “the best place in the world”. My wife and I finally got there and were enjoying dinner and exotic drinks the night he died.
Oh wooow... :/
She's got one eye on the door.
I agree… Tonga Room:
the Music at my visit (December 2022) was 1960’s top pops …
music was too “bright” …
not mood of tiki.
It just
Contrasted /diluted the mystique
Bar tenders too quick to get them across the counter instead of taking time for authentic flavors.
They missed it on getting Best lime juice: squeeze right from the shell, and the lime oil comes through. Deep flavor.
pagan idol :
drinks🌟, but felt too new inside. Like a cruise ship.
I wanna move back to the Tenderloin now! There wasn't anything that cool there in the 90s.
We are planning our trip to San Francisco partly based on the info in the video. My wife is super happy. I will be representing with my SBCH tshirt and or pins and will be sure to let them know we are here because of the show #endspikesdayjob
Awesome!
I think it was another Hollywood tiki bar (not DTheB)that originated the indoor rain. One side effect was customers ordering another drink to “wait out the rain”.
I’ve been going to the Tonga Hut since 1976. One constant theme is that the band is even more awful than the food. Bad but expensive Chinese food which you can get for $10 or less just down the hill in ChinaTown.
I’d advise against sitting at the rail by the water; sit against the wall so you get the effect of the rain without seeing the hardware
Oh and…. The ship stuff isn’t all Oceanic Arts. The masts and larger pieces came from an actual ship, the Forrester I think, whose skipper owner beached it in the mud in the early thirties
And, I live in the Tenserloin, which gets more of a bad rap than it deserves, much like Hollywood where i lived in the 80s. Both are very urban areas in otherwise suburban/neighborhood oriented cities. The Tenserloin name originated in NYC, with police corruption. See Clubber Williams
TV Emeryville is a TVs museum, with artifacts from former Trader Vics and even lights from Hinky Dinks, the origin bar for TV
Is this how you got the name "Hula Girls" 😳
I'm just getting interested in the tiki aesthetic. In your opinion is Tiki Culture making a comeback or is it still on a downward trend?
It seems like it's bigger than ever!
I give it a year.
Just curious, where do you get your funding from?
My day job
Trader Vic's London just closed! 😭
I know... Very sad times. :(
where is larissa from
São Paulo
say Leroy smoltzzz again lol omg lol
Why did you not go to Skipper Kent's because Skipper Kent's is not permanently closed and it is still opened
What?
Christian's Hut
Love the way Tonga room looks, not a fan of their drinks or music choice. So sad such an iconic tiki location cannot even get those things right. Just do some simple research and whoever runs this place can make it perfect.
There is an employee there who absolutely 'gets it.' But the management are in control and seemingly don't care.
Someone's bleeding insecurity.