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

Tonga Hut

Palm Springs, CA

Bar & Restaurant

8.4

Comments

TikiTravis

TikiTravis has visited Tonga Hut.

March 29, 2019, 9:59 AM

I really enjoyed my visit! My middling critique of the service was not due to the bartender's abilities or clean up of the eating/drinking area (which was great), but due to the LONG slow line, even on a Thursday night. There weren't that many people, but I spent way longer in line waiting for my drinks than I thought I would.

Hoosier_Yankee

Hoosier_Yankee has visited Tonga Hut.

December 24, 2018, 1:23 AM

Syd was really friendly on a crowded night and made one balanced drink after another.

auntangi

auntangi has visited Tonga Hut.

July 16, 2018, 10:24 AM

My husband and I visited Tonga Hut in May and really enjoyed ourselves. It is an incredible dark space and as I looked around I could practically see the Mad Men-esque clientele that visited it in the 60's. We sat at the bar and I was initially put off by the brusqueness of the bartender. In a hurry to order so as to not annoy him I went for a Mai Tai. It's important to understand that when given the opportunity at a tiki bar, I order an original cocktail. I love to experience new flavors and flavor combinations. There were several originals written on a board above the bar, but again, I rushed myself. The Mai Tai was good. Excellent really. But then we were able to chat with the bartender, Syd, and the whole evening opened up. He was very knowledgeable and open to chat tiki. He then described some of the originals (his creations) and I was sad I was limited to a single cocktail (designated driver). When we go back in September, we are taking a Lyft and I am going to enjoy some originals.

View all 21 comments