1 post tagged “bars”
I'll admit that ever since I found out there was a long-standing polynesian-themed bar in San Francisco, I have felt I simply needed to visit. I speak, of course, of the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel, up at the top of Nob Hill.
So - how is the Tonga Room? Well, at Happy Hour, I would say not bad, but more for the environment than the food. The drinks were pretty good, but the Fairmont's idea of Happy Hour pricing is what most places think of as a regular, if a bit expensive, price point. There was an all-you-can-eat buffet, but it required a one-drink minimum purchase, plus an additional charge atop that. However, the place is plastered with Tiki idols, it features a pool of water in the center of the room with a barge afloat in the middle, and lots of palm tree thatching. There is also an artificial rain shower (with thunder and lightening effects!) every fifteen minutes. Generally, it is kind of like the Tiki Room at Disneyland, but with more rum (kinda like if the Pirates of the Caribbean ran the place, instead of Dole).
The place is pretty darkly lit, but I did get a shot of the drinks, served as all kitschy drinks should be with a marachino cherry. My drinking companion commented that she was surprised that they were not served in Tiki mugs. Maybe there are drinks that are . . .
A "Tonga Itch" (front) and a "Blue Hawaii" (rear).
