not_carlos
visiting on
Thursday, July 27, 2017
for the first time

Shooting for Thursday Tiki Crawl (Pacific Seas, Lono, Tonga Hut)

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Regulars & Visitors

View all 306 Tonga Hut regulars & visitors

Humuhumu’s description

Small bar in the middle of the San Fernando Valley with some absolutely fantastic tiki decor, with a bamboo-ridged drop ceiling, lovely green booths and some great carvings � but currently overcoming many years of decline as a generic dive bar (and not the cool kind), with blinking electronic dart boards and a large glowing jukebox filled with terrible music.

Ownership of Tonga Hut changed in February 2004, with no noticeable changes. The Tonga Hut changed hands again in November of 2005, and now things are looking quite a bit tiki-er, with the removal of beer signs, and vintage fountains running again after many years of dryness.

The new owners are dedicated to continuing improvements, and turning it back into the classic tiki bar it can be. In 2013, the owners opened a second location in Palm Springs

Comments

DoktorTiki

DoktorTiki has visited Tonga Hut.

July 6, 2017, 1:20 PM

We have been by a couple of times before, stopping in when we are in SoCal. The decor, music and vibe are good as are the drinks. On a Sunday afternoon, the place was packed. The only negative has been the service. A lone bartender when you needed two plus perhaps a server. The poor guy was mixing non-stop so no time to talk, ask a question etc.

Atomic Tiki Punk

Atomic Tiki Punk is a semi-regular at Tonga Hut.

January 5, 2017, 8:04 PM

I have so many friends here, which help make the Tonga Hut a special place, but to be unbiased the drinks can be a mixed bag, unless you get Marie or Sid as your bartenders, during Tiki events or band nights the place is hopping, but it mostly caters to the local neighborhood hipster scene during the week, so prepare for a different mood on those nights, the decor is spot on, they have a great jukebox!

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.

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