Tonga Hut

Articles about Tonga Hut in Critiki News

Regulars and Visitors of Tonga Hut

Regulars

People who go to Tonga Hut at a few times a month.

• wayne-tiki-tiki
• queen kamehameha
• HipHiPaHulA!
  Mixologist/Bartender
• Bora Boris
• krisdrama
  Friday, Sunday
• tikival
• Joe Banks
• Tikizilla
  sundays and wednesdays
• Capt. R.H. Falernum
• iokona ki'i
  Thursday and weekends
• ShagTiki09
  When we're in town
• Dodger
  Monthly
• Buttercup
  Sundays!! and most other days too
• KavikaTiki
  Friday after 6pm, when working in the valley.
• Murph360
  weekdays
• Zachout Black
• sailorjenny
• theEmeraldIslander
  Wed/Sat/Sun
• Fuzzy
• kortiki
• DoubleD
• Sprklchrry
  Sundays
• ModernTikiLounge

Semi-Regulars

People who go to Tonga Hut at least a few times a year.

• 
  Tiki-Kate
• 
  Trader Tom
• 
  californialife
• 
  geedavee
• 
  DanNowicki
• 
  OjaiTimo
• 
  vigidy
• 
  VoodooIdol
• 
  Voyeurangel
• 
  Otto von Abbattoir
• 
  TikimanDan
• 
  Klockwork
• 
  ghastlyone
• 
  The Porkchop Express
• 
  aprilcentauri
• 
  TikiWife
• 
  TikiSwag
• 
  Astro Zombie
• 
  spindriftsuz
• 
  madcow
• 
  kqf
• 
  sandiegojoe
• 
  soldiersdisease
• 
  Doctor Ti
• 
  cocktail_adventuring
• 
  rahi i'a
• 
  Baggy_Billy
• 
  Kona Keoki
• 
  Castaway Kevin
• 
  Shuckslbj
• 
  TikiGoob
• 
  TikiPalace
• 
  Lknatcal
• 
  tikinooch
• 
  BrianRex
• 
  kkocka
• 
  ScarletLark
• 
  Mel

Visitors

People who have been to Tonga Hut at least once.

• 
  Humuhumu
• 
  Slacks Ferret
• 
  Trader Mike
• 
  Tiare
• 
  Chub
• 
  tikitucson
• 
  Tikitastic
• 
  Matango Derek
• 
  angellee
• 
  crumpledfarm
• 
  Princess P.
• 
  Kukuthi
• 
  arriano
• 
  NautiTiki
• 
  JenTiki
• 
  tikitabby
• 
  ArrGounaut Jason
• 
  Cybergosh
• 
  exquisitecorpse
• 
  DoktorTiki
• 
  AZTikiPhiles
• 
  Dustycajun
• 
  phynix
• 
  Trott
• 
  tiki kupcake
• 
  Tiki King
• 
  Tiki Lew
• 
  Victrader
• 
  rocktiki
• 
  Kapt Willy
• 
  xtsnpatx
• 
  KeithH
• 
  Tiki Kim
• 
  Line&Stefano
• 
  Builtiki
• 
  Stingray
• 
  sailorjeff
• 
  Dalisair
• 
  PackmanWSU01
• 
  carlosrossi
• 
  SweetieTiki
• 
  Raider Rich
• 
  Chippy
• 
  Wild Man of Wongo
• 
  YveDior
• 
  Devin
• 
  paulynesia
• 
  Careless Navigator
• 
  slickster
• 
  bongoboy
• 
  sparkle mark
• 
  kenbo-jitsu
• 
  Kuku
• 
  kellyg73
• 
  creepy tiki
• 
  sherlock2713
• 
  forgotten tikiman
• 
  tabuzak
• 
  whiteshadow99
• 
  Zombie Mike
• 
  Tiki Finky
• 
  King Moai
• 
  Ragbag Comics
• 
  Kruisin' Kokonut
• 
  Dino Noir
• 
  abtiki
• 
  BuzDeadwax
• 
  Captainwhoopass
• 
  SBJiminyC
• 
  kilaueakyd
• 
  Rin-Kon-Tiki
• 
  Honaunau
• 
  thedrunkentiki
• 
  PineapplePrincess
• 
  BitnerDesign
• 
  Poho Boy
• 
  Test_subj
• 
  Noland Nocount
• 
  enchantedtikilounge
• 
  Scaramouch
• 
  Textiki
• 
  AJM
• 
  Rob Roy
• 
  mllekat
• 
  capt. catnip
• 
  Shop99er
• 
  The Tizz
• 
  Robin
• 
  codman
• 
  LetThereBeRums
• 
  nkash001
• 
  swiz
• 
  nm
• 
  neverclever
• 
  Dr. McTiki
• 
  KukePuluke
• 
  Kinisonfan
• 
  tikiwithray
• 
  erinsauce
• 
  atomic tucson
• 
  popkiller
• 
  PeterVenkman
• 
  Schwafish
• 
  Mishi-au-go-go
• 
  JumperBones
• 
  abacab
• 
  DQ
• 
  gellyfish

Comments about Tonga Hut

sandiegojoe

sandiegojoe is a semi-regular at Tonga Hut.

August 9, 2016, 12:40 PM

Tonga hut has always been one of my favorites. Sadly I will probably Not be returning. The service was so bad this weekend and the bartender was so rude that it has soured me. Its with great sorrow that I have to recommend to others that they find their libations elsewhere. But sadly I would hate to think of a thirsty traveling tiki-o-phile be treated as badly as I was. I cant recommend the Tonga Hut to anyone. I will forever put away my Drooling Bastard mug and roll up my anniversary shirt (They may end up on eBay) never to return.

PackmanWSU01

PackmanWSU01 has visited Tonga Hut.

July 30, 2016, 10:14 PM

Small location but great decor. Liked the fountain "slobbering bastard", try the Mojave Punch! Hope they get more signature mugs in the future!

Schwafish

Schwafish has visited Tonga Hut.

June 11, 2016, 8:57 AM

Had this fire place in our living room as a child.

rahi i'a

rahi i'a is a semi-regular at Tonga Hut.

April 11, 2016, 5:45 PM

A fantastic tiki bar with some great bartenders. The main menu provides some great standards year round. There also appears to be a personal bartender menu that changes up occasionally which is a nice touch for regulars or semi-regulars. One time they had a selection of watermelon drinks on the bartender menu that blew my socks off. Amazingly delicious. The drinks have all proven to be outstanding with a wide range of flavors: fruity, minty, spicy, herbal...they are all represented. All the friends I've brought there have found a tiki drink they absolutely love. The rum selection behind the counter is also nice and varied if you feel like just straight sipping rum.

Decor is very tiki and gives you a great sense of a Polynesian escape. One of my favorite places to drop by when I am in the LA area.

Peniamina

March 1, 2015, 6:09 PM

I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in this bar after all I've heard about it.

The decor was fantastic. Dark, moody, exotic. I loves the little booth huts. The bartender, Ian, seemed pretty knowledgeable about rums and tiki culture so that was nice. However, the crowd was a little more rockabilly than true tiki.

The biggest problem was the jukebox playing classic rock too loudly. That really ruins what could otherwise be a truly encompasssing tiki experience and just made me want to down my drink and get out of there as soon as possible.

Rating: 4.9

PackmanWSU01

PackmanWSU01 has visited Tonga Hut.

February 23, 2015, 5:14 PM

Made it here from Vegas with one hour left on my birthday, and what an hour it was. Great service and great tasting drinks (reccomend Voodoo Juice and Mojave Punch). They even have mugs now, including a rum barrel.If you are in the area, stop in have a few and take a selfie next to the "drooling bastard" fountain!

AZTikiPhiles

AZTikiPhiles has visited Tonga Hut.

March 14, 2013, 10:00 PM

My wife and I visited here on our vacation in mid-December 2012 and it was the perfect end to our day. The bartendress was friendly and attentive, we met her mom who was there to pick her up after her shift and had a blast getting to know her too. We've been to most of the tiki places in the LA area, and this is our new favorite.

forgotten tikiman

forgotten tikiman has visited Tonga Hut.

February 20, 2013, 9:49 PM

My first visit here was great. I just loved that I was walking into Tiki history. Drinks, music, ambience, and decor are all great. Mid-century Tiki beckons at this establishment. For it is one of the original and oldest Tiki bars in CA.

KavikaTiki

KavikaTiki is a regular at Tonga Hut, and is usually there Friday after 6pm, when working in the valley..

January 20, 2013, 5:50 PM

My experience here was great! The decor is more than I expected and the bartender, cute and attentive. I only wish that they played exclusive tiki music. My problem with most tiki bars in SoCal is that there are more beer and vodka drinkers than tiki drink fans, including DTB, Tonga, and Trader Vic's. The TikiTi is the only spot where folks come for the drinks but smoking is allowed. = \ I still love these spots.

wayne-tiki-tiki

wayne-tiki-tiki is a regular at Tonga Hut.

May 17, 2012, 3:31 PM

This place has come a long way in just a few short years. After my first time, I saw no reason to ever return. Now, I'm happy to visit as often as I can! The decor and upkeep of the place is improving each time I visit, as are the drinks. The addition of the Grog Log drinks and Order of the Drooling Bastard very welcome and exciting additions. While the jukebox ranges from early Van Halen to Herb Alpert, it can be hit-or-miss, but there is good tiki and tiki-appropriate music on there. Well worth another try!

carlosrossi

carlosrossi has visited Tonga Hut.

June 11, 2010, 12:26 PM

Ok, I went to the Tonga Hut once, and it was clearly a bad time. I was there EARLY so that already is a no-no, I attempted to check it out around 6pm and sadly the entire bar was full of beer drinkers. I tried their Mai Tai, and their Zombie Juice, and I was pleasantly happy with the drinks. The overall vibe was just not there since it was early. I'll need to do this again on a proper EVENING.

Builtiki

Builtiki has visited Tonga Hut.

September 15, 2009, 7:48 AM

Being the OLDEST tiki bar in Los Angeles makes this a MUST stop on any tiki trek. The vintage fountains are beautiful and unique. The bar is a great vintage shape and design.

The jukebox has a great selection of tiki and oldschool rock that kept the people dancing. The crowd was a mix of locals for a Monday nigh, great energy and sexy girls filled the space.

Capt. R.H. Falernum

Capt. R.H. Falernum is a regular at Tonga Hut.

July 8, 2009, 4:36 PM

I started going here back in the mid-90's; a young & new transplant to LA. It was pretty dive-y back then, but still kinda fun. (Although, when I'd visit, I was pretty sure that I was the only person in the bar with an interest in tiki.)

I've been back & again throughout its few changes & handful of owners -- and, now, it's the best it's ever been.

I can only imagine that the low scores in the Critiki rating (as of this writing) are from reviewers that visited the Tonga Hut before its current incarnation. For, there are reasons a'plenty to love this place.

The Tonga Hut is a great example of a working, neighborhood bar that embodies the best of tiki culture: great drinks, friendly service, bartenders that care about the quality of the drinks they pour & a laid-back atmosphere that makes the place a pleasure to visit.

Plus, out of all of LA's tiki destinations, the Tonga Hut seems to play host to more events than any other (great art shows, holiday fetes and the CD/DVD release parties of the likes of the Tikiyaki Orchestra & Tiki Bar TV).

While it will never have the lineage of a Tiki Ti or the interior design budget of a Trader Vic's, the Tonga Hut holds its own as a great tiki destination. It's a gem of a bar & fine place to do your drinking.

It's also worth mentioning that the Tonga Hut is the oldest (currently running) tiki bar in LA!

rockinrose

November 25, 2008, 1:06 PM

This a great little Tiki joint. I have donned it's doorstep on many a festive occasion, particularly when there was a Tiki Art night put on by Atomikitty. And because it's local, I have had many group gatherings - especially on holidays like Thanksgiving and Xmas. I heard the stories about the place before Jeremy took over, but I'm glad I took a chance 'cause now it's one of my faves.

Many happy memories were made there, and many more are sure to come.

Oh and the jukebox could use a LITTLE sprucing up, but DEFINATELY doesn't suck(like someone previously commented).