Smuggler's Cove

beachleech
visiting on
Saturday, October 20, 2018
for the first time

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jimbo
visiting on
Monday, November 12, 2018
for the first time

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Regulars & Visitors

View all 595 Smuggler's Cove regulars & visitors

Humuhumu’s description

Smuggler's Cove was opened in December 2009 by Martin Cate, a renowned rum expert and longtime tikiphile who was one of the founders of Forbidden Island

Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge

Alameda, CA

Bar

9.3

in Alameda. Smuggler's Cove specializes in all varieties of rum and rum drinks, with a particular emphasis on historic and exotic cocktails. Cate has attracted some of the top bartender talent in the talent-rich city of San Francisco. Smuggler's Cove regularly appears on the lists of the best bars in the world. It has proven incredibly popular: if you go on a weekend, be prepared to possibly wait in a line for entry.

The decor is a blend of nautical and tiki. The dimly-lit bar spans three floors: the main and lower levels each have their own bars, and an upper half-level is a tiki hut that overlooks the main floor. There is a waterfall between the main floor and the lower floor, with a small pool at the bottom. The construction was led by Ignacio "Notch" Gonzalez, of San Jose's Top Notch Kustoms

Top Notch Kustoms

San Jose, CA

Store

The offerings can be overwhelming in scope: over 500 rums, and more than 75 cocktails. If you're intent on trying as many as possible, consider entering the Rumbustion Society; those who complete the list are rewarded for their efforts.

In September 2016, Martin Cate opened False Idol

in San Diego.

Comments

MelloMan

MelloMan is a semi-regular at Smuggler's Cove.

September 11, 2018, 10:47 PM

The best drinks of any tiki bar. Great rum club. Great mugs. No place I'd rather drink. Can get extremely crowded so I prefer the early drink crowd (6-10).

Pacific Mermaid

Pacific Mermaid has visited Smuggler's Cove.

August 5, 2018, 11:54 PM

Wanted to love it, ended up hating it. Super hot, humid, cramped, LOUD. Zero ventilation, across street from projects, Finally found parking in another sketch area surrounded by street& mentally ill people. Very sad. Had to step over/around 2 passed out people to get down block & to front door. Wasnt worth the effort or expense. SUPER Disappointing. Didnt even look as good as pics. Feels corporate & formulaic...won't go back.

NeilSmith

NeilSmith has visited Smuggler's Cove.

July 25, 2018, 12:51 PM

Lucky to visit again during our Tiki Kon Trip, it�s still a great bar, everything as it was two years ago, with a few new pieces of decoration, which Martin pointed out to us.

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