A Tiki Bar in San Francisco and Beyond for Every Mood

When you hear the word “tiki bar,” an image instantly comes to mind – maybe it’s a carved wooden mask or a palm tree, perhaps a notion of simpler times and easy living. This ode to the South Pacific has surfed through American culture since the 1930s, falling in and out of vogue, and it is back again with a delightful vengeance.

Designed to pull on the heartstrings of sailors who spent time at sea, each feature of a tiki bar is more deliberate than you may have thought. The smell of coconut or pineapple, the flick of the flame on a tiki torch, the thatched leaves of Indo-Pacific huts – all play into the vibe that is “tiki.” It’s primitive and simple without being plain, and of course, comes with a smile.

After much thought and rum punch, we decided there is no best tiki bar in San Francisco and beyond, but rather, a tiki bar for every mood. So, we present to you a list of tiki bars in San Francisco and beyond for every occasion.

Zombie Village

Mood: I feel like escaping

441 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102

This new tiki bar brought to you by Future Bars Group (the creators of one of our favorite speakeasies, Bourbon and Branch), is worth a visit. As you walk in through the speakeasy-like entrance, the first thing you notice is the awesome ceiling mimicking stars in the sky.  Coupled with a giant fish tank, this tiki bar in San Francisco has lots to look out for. As you venture around the two-story tiki bar in San Francisco, it never breaks character. Every corner is well crafted to create a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Tenderloin.

The cocktail menu at this tiki bar in San Francisco is not too shabby, either. The drinks are both well thought out and executed to a T. The menu features some island favorite flavors like coconut, passion fruit, and pineapple. Better yet, lots of drinks come with flowers and tiny umbrellas. It is the simple things, you know…  

One thing to note, the tables are a bit oddly placed, which makes it hard to navigate through a crowd. We think the best way to experience this tiki bar in San Francisco would be to go on an off hour. It is just too cool to not be able to walk around.

The Kon Tiki

Mood: I feel a little hipster

3906, 347 14th St, Oakland, CA 94612

If you’re looking to start the night with a dinner & drinks combo, there’s an artifact of interest in the East Bay that you should be paying closer attention to. Born out of the desire to not have to venture over the Bay Bridge and simultaneously live the paradise life, The Kon Tiki is Oakland’s crown jewel of exotic drinks and bites.

Large-leaved plants, neon red signage, and tropical vacation vibes without your dad’s Tommy Bahama getup is what makes this spot stand out. If that’s not cutting it, maybe the 28 unique island-inspired beverages will change your mind. Full garnish, the kind of crushed ice that we all like, and great glassware – there’s no complaining about this tiki bar in Oakland.

The Kon Tiki boasts a noteworthy rum collection and knowledgeable bartenders to scratch the craft beer lover’s itch – a craving to know exactly what they’re drinking, who made it, and the story behind it. These guys and gals can tell you more about rum than you can about the creases in your own hand. Noteworthy: Wednesdays, “Ohana Night” is celebrated by escapists braving the streets on a weeknight in search of camaraderie and Mai-Tais. It’s always worth it.

The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

Mood: I feel like being a tourist today

950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Iconic and overpriced, this spot is the quintessential San Francisco tiki bar. Originally an indoor swimming center under the Fairmont Hotel, the Tonga Room was reinvented as a different kind of watering hole in 1967.  Although somewhat touristy, The Tonga Room does have its charms, including the repurposed indoor pool that has intermittent ‘rain’ every half hour. If you time it right, you can even be serenaded by the floating band as you sip on a tasty Mai Tai.  It’s not an everyday drinking kind of joint like Trad’r Sam but the Tonga Room is still worth a visit to witness its elaborate spectacle. As you sip from your ceramic bowl, you feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1950’s… in a good way. In the words of the late Anthony Bourdain, “Only one word can sum up this experience: Cowabunga!”.

Forbidden Island

Mood: I feel like going on an adventure

1304 Lincoln Ave, Alameda, CA 94501

Now we know there are a lot of tiki bars in San Francisco, so it is hard to venture all the way to Alameda, but do it.  Forbidden Island is the perfect blend of local patrons and tropical flavor. One might even argue this is the most authentic tiki bar of all, since it is on an actual island.

Forbidden Island is Alameda’s only tiki bar and the history of the island’s naval activity perfectly plays into this classic, lovable tiki bar. With a curated, detail-driven vibe, these guys spin 1960’s jukebox hits on vinyl, keeping the party flowing. Not pretentious or particularly showy, just fresh squeezed juice, quality rum, and good times night after night. It draws a fun crowd and fills up, so get there early.

Pagan Idol

Mood: I feel like drinking after work

375 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94104

A trip back across the Bay Bridge lands you in the Financial District of San Francisco – a place where weary sea travelers originally made landfall and courageously reinvented themselves throughout the history of San Francisco. With travelers at the origin of its story, it makes sense that there are a couple of great Pacific Island tiki bars in the area. A long day at the office undoubtedly detours a crowd of escapists to good rum.

There’s more than one tiki bar in San Francisco’s FiDi, but we’re tipping our hats to Pagan Idol. It oozes escapism as you find yourself, literally, in the hull of a wooden ship as you enter the bar. Sailor’s knots, stained glass windows, and skull motifs capture the tiki essence and deliver nothing short of a fully committed sensory experience.

As for the beverage of choice – let’s just say you’re in good hands. Polynesian-inspired cocktails, crafted from the minds that brought us Bourbon & Branch, Local Edition and Devil’s Acre, line the menu. While the Mai-Tai is obviously a safe choice at a tiki bar, we’re hoping you advance in the more exotic direction.

Love Stretchy Pants?

So, when the clock strikes 5 and your mind drifts towards the nearest crashing wave or Instagram post of the beach, remember that an escape is less than 15 minutes in any direction… and maybe sooner if you have good rum at your office 😉

If you enjoyed this blog post, you might be interested in one of our awesome experiences! For more of our favorite SF bars, join us on our Cocktails and Aphrodisiacs walk, or check out our other food walks and custom events for your next office or holiday party.

Drink up me hearties, yo ho!

Check out some of our other blogs!