Kona Club

This was my favorite spot during my final year at Cal (2023). I took almost all of my friends here. I even brought my parents here for a drink on the day of my commencement. The atmosphere is most often calm, with a majority local patrons. I even felt comfortable coming here as a woman on my own because I knew the bartenders would look out for me. Special shout out to Michael who always made sure I was not only safe but also having a good time! Love the kona club <333

I am such a fan of their flaming Scorpion Bowl & the Chi-Chi. Delicious. Been coming here for years. Update: Still a Chi Chi fan, bartender today was attentive and kind

The drinks were poorly made. The bartender just floated one ingredient on top of another without mixing. The drinks were overly sweet - and I love sweet drinks! I was really looking forward to coming here, but I don't think I'll come back. The ambience was beautiful and I got quick service on a Friday night, so both of those are pluses. Still, I doubt I'll be coming here again.

Pretty good for $12 cocktails. Only one bartender for a Tuesday night so there is some wait time

This was a super cool place! There is only one pill table so if folks are using it be sure to get a nice table with an angle on the room to snag it if they leave. The beer was good, the staff was friendly, 10/10 would go again... Or in this case 5/5

Great drinks and lovely people. Plenty of comfortable seating and excellent art.

This is a reaaaaly cool bar with a cool atmosphere, excellent taste of music and tons of tasty cocktails. You can easily become a regular if you live close by.

Nice cozy environment beautiful tiki decorations now let’s get straight too the point the chi chi drink was by far the best drank I ever had omg I could not stop ordering it let’s just say I got the recipe and I will forsure be making it i highly recommend this place and definitely the chi-chi drink it’s the best thing you will ever put in your mouth

Kona Club - A Hidden Gem in Oakland If you're looking for a little slice of tiki heaven in the heart of Oakland, look no further than the Kona Club. This incredible tiki bar, located on Piedmont Avenue, opens its doors at 2:00 PM weekdays, and that's when the magic begins. With one of the most impressive cocktail menus around, the Kona Club has earned its place as one of my absolute favorite spots in the East Bay. I've been coming here for years, and it never disappoints. The ambiance, the drinks, the vibe--everything about this place feels like a tropical escape right in the middle of Oakland. Whether you're a local or visiting, you have to try their signature Macadamia Nut Chi-Chi. Trust me, it will change your life. It's not just a drink--it's an experience. In fact, I love the Kona Club so much, I wrote a song in its honor! This place is an institution that deserves to be celebrated, and I urge everyone to experience it at least once. The Kona Club holds a special place in my heart, and I hope it continues to thrive for years to come. Sending all my love to the Kona Club--Tre' Taylor believes in you, and I can't wait to see you soon. Wishing you all a Happy New Year! SCORCHING NEW FUNNY SONG! REAL MEN DRINK CHI CHI"S: https://suno.com/song/691011b7-64bd-4925-a413-b75d05bc5cbd

Kona Club is the best bar in Oakland, the staff is amazing serving up not only tiki classics but custom blends as well! A very friendly pool scene though the table is small. Always full of friendly players willing to help out even if you're a new player. Come here for a great drink and good time

My friends and I come in here when we want to play pool and get something to drink. Now I don't drink often, but when I do, I want the chi chi. It's so good! They have one pool table and a giant connect four. They don't serve food, but there are plenty of places to walk and grab a bite. My friend has a goal to try every cocktail on their menu. We are very excited to come in the fall/winter for their seasonal warm beverages.

Came here for a work happy hour! Cute little tiki bar with absolutely delicious tacos. Didn't try any drinks because I was driving home that night, but I heard good reviews. There were comments that the music choice didn't really fit the vibe of the place since it seemed quite intense. I don't know if I would choose this place for a work social again (lighting was a bit dim and it seemed a bit more on the raunchy side), but would potentially come with friends. No comments on service - didn't really interact with the bartenders, but they came around frequently enough and were able to accommodate our group of 10+.

I came here on a Monday night at around 10:30 and it was very packed. Plenty of people here and it is such a vibe. Definitely takes a bit time to get your order started at the bar. It is a very spacious area. I really enjoy it. It's a lot bigger than some of the other tiki bars in the area. Their prices are also very affordable and I highly recommended. There's usually a security guard outside to check ID before going in. I really love the vibe here. They also have large games for you to play connect for. This is a great spot to hang out with friends or meet new people.

Not a bad hole in the wall to grab a drink. We decided to stop by after dinner since I've always wanted to check it out. Tiki bars are my favorite bars because I love the Hawaiian themed decor. The outside always look like the place is closed/shut down. The inside was dark (just how I like it) with lots of seats available near the front and back. Surprisingly there weren't a lot of people on a weekend. They even have a pool table in one of the rooms! We ordered at the bar and got a Pina Colada. The drink had a strong coconut flavor and a hint of alcohol. It was the perfect drink for me since I'm not a huge drinker. I also liked that the ice was blended well so it was icy. This bar is nested on Piedmont Ave near the Oakland cemetery. There are lots of street parking available and lots of restaurants/shops if you walk down Piedmont Ave.

No wait on a Saturday around 7:30pm. It was fairly busy and only got busier through 10pm when we left. Parking was easy on the same block. * Mango Madness - 2 stars This was uninteresting, too strong and too sweet. * Macadamia Nut Chi Chi - 4 stars There's a reason this is their most popular drink! Much more well balanced

Love this place! I like that there are a few different rooms to chill in. Decor is on point! Always festive. Music is great!- mix of old school vibes and new indie...if that makes sense?! Bartenders are fast and literally unphased by making a 20 ingredient drink haha. Love to bring people here when they visit me. Been coming here for 12 years!

My husband LOVES Tiki bars, so when we visited Oakland he immediately looked up some local spots on Yelp. Stephanie Y. also recommended this spot and ended up going with us for a drink. From the very moment you walk up,you know you're in for a treat. The whole building and entrance screams Tiki bar. As we walked in through a cute alcove there was a security person checking IDs, but he sat so still, tucked into the dark corner, before interacting with us we almost thought he was a statue that was part of the aesthetic. He greeted us and we made our way in to decide where to sit. There is a lot to take in, they've done a great job decorating the place and you can tell they have some great custom decorations as well. We ended up sitting at the bar and the bartenders made sure we had some yummy drinks. They even have an option for the bartender to surprise you, which I love. They have a self serve water station and have bar seating, high top table seating as well as lower tables. The bar area gets a bit crowded but there are plenty of seating options in the restaurant. The drinks were delicious and it would be easy to end up staying here for hours trying them all. I ended up with a chi chi and sipped on a couple drinks my husband tried as well. They were all so tasty. I will say the random movies playing on the TV and non-beachy/tiki music took me out of the full Tiki experience, but I would definitely come back again for a cold beverage and to browse all their amazing decorations again.

Great tiki dive bar. Good service and atmosphere. Extensive drink menu. Pool table and lots of places to sit and chill

Great drinks, great vibes, fun place to meet with friends and catch up. Huge plus: they allow outside food

"Isn't this place SO COOL?!" - me to all of my friends when we visited Kona Club last week During my fiancés birthday brewery crawl, all the breweries closed but we wanted the night to continue. Luckily, Kona Club was open and we made it our last stop of the evening. First off, parking here is a breeze which I'm very grateful for in Oakland. Granted we got here at like 11:15 PM so all the other shops around here were closed so the street parking options were aplenty. We showed our IDs at the front door and entered a tropical hideaway. PROTIP: you're not allowed to bring your water bottles in, but you can bring food! Tiki decor adorns the walls like any good tiki bar would have. I will say this one does a little less when it comes to decor - still got all the great tiki vibes but other places take it a step further with sound/light effects, more stuff on the walls, etc. Also the music wasn't tiki (had some good ratchet rap music going at times lol). But what Kona Club has that often other tiki places don't - lots of space! Seriously, there were three separate areas - one with the bar, one with the pool table, and one with larger lounge areas, tables, and games. Our party of 10 had no problem finding enough space for all of us to be together and sit down. We were able to order our drinks at the bar with no problem. They also have some snacks available (chips, etc). No real food/apps that I saw which is prob why they allow you to bring in your food. Also, shout out to the staff who quickly cleaned up tables so there was always enough room for us to hang and get more drinks without feeling like our table was getting cluttered. For drinks we ordered a couple of their Kona Cabana bowls. They were strongggg but I'm a rum girl so this was perfect for my taste. Also a great size to share with the group. I'll have to come back when I'm not DD to try more drinks. Already looking forward to my next visit!

I'm a big tiki bar fan, and this place is my kind of bar! For ambience and tiki themed decor you will find. Bar is located in the Piedmont area, and fairly easy to get to and parking isn't bad. They have those tiki cocktails on the menu if you like, or just simple beer and well drinks at any other bar. Staff is courteous and friendly, although the bar can get busy depending on the night. Regardless, it's a nice spot to have a drink if in the area.

Cool spot for drinks and socializing Decor is nice Venue is clean Lots of places to sit Pool table Full bar Bartenders are friendly Prices are reasonable Drinks are good Street parking only They sell chips No food

I would consider this a hidden gem even for locals. Went with a bunch of friends to celebrate a 50th birthday on a Friday night and most of local friends didn't even know it existed. The ones who had had never been. It definitely looks like a shuttered place from the outside as there are no windows, so you have to be in the know to know! I have been a handful of times in my past decade of living in Oakland. It is a darkly lit interior reminiscent of a tropical night. No outdoor area but great for cold rainy days. You can reserve tables as another large birthday party did reserve a bunch of tables in the back. Luckily, we had gotten there early enough to get a few tables that were not reserved. It is a chill vibe, not really a loud boisterous party place, as we heard some of the people in the 20 something year old birthday party complaining. There is street parking. Sometimes there is a bouncer upfront depending on the time. Even if there is no bouncer, the bartenders always ask for ID when you walk in. Service was slow and friends had trouble getting drinks at the bar because of all the labor intensive cocktails that had to be made. Scorpion bowls are lit on fire and served with several straws. There is an x-large connect-four game for people to play along with the pool table. Restrooms are towards the back, women's restroom does not lock very well. No dogs allowed but you can bring in outside food.

This was my first tiki bar experience! It's within walking distance from my neighborhood and it felt very safe to walk there and back at night. The drinks were a really great deal and pretty tasty! I'm not sure what the standard tiki bar vibe is supposed to be, but according to my friend whose interest does consist of tiki bar adventuring, it sounds like Kona Club meets the requirement! The staff were pretty friendly too!

You already know that this is the spot for macadamia but chi chis! And if you've never had a chi chi, this is the spot to make that change. The service and staff here are great. This spot is a longtime fave for a meet up with my friends or a night starter. It's definitely playing on those classic tiki bar themes and can be a bit campy but I really do think that's what makes this little bar shine. I'm honestly not sure if they have food, but that just means more room for macadamia nut chi chis ;)

Came here with some friends on a Thursday night after dinner. Friendly bartenders, we got 3 orders of the strawberry pina colada drink (don't remember the name on menu) and it was delicious! Reasonable prices, friendly employees, cute Christmas decorations and they have a pool table!!! Wish I had known about this place sooner, will definitely be back :)

There are two bars that you can find me at every weekend. And one of those is the Kona Club. Well, well, well, where do I even BEGIN to describe the Kona Club?! Let's start with the outside. The place always looks completely shut down. But as soon as you venture within, you will find that it is FAR from that. It feels like stepping into the islands! Immaculate decor, great vibes, and delicious drinks. My personal favorites are the Chi Chi and the Beachcomber Zombie. Even a church-going, southern grandma would shake her booty for a Chi Chi. The bartenders match the perfection of the beverages 100%. So quick, fun, and talented! Their drinks are works of art. Michael is my man. He is so delightful and always makes me feel right at home, and very safe, which is crucial for a young woman. Michael makes the most delicious drinks (including one he once sent on behalf of me to a cutie guy at the other end of the bar...thanks Michael lol). If you're looking for a trip to the islands close to home, shimmy your way down to the KC!!!

I called just to see if they served food , and unfortunately they don't. However you can bring in your own food or have it door dashed . I did see a few people with chips with I do believe they sale. The ambience is very nice . Kinda of are to find this place at night . The area is dark and there isn't a real bright sign that says the name of the bar . I will definitely be back Drinks Price Range from - $ 10 - $14

Took me way too long to finally pay this place a visit! So yes, it was much anticipated, and great news - it lived up to the hype!! The decor, lighting, the separate pool table and seating areas all come together beautifully to bring you this eerie yet lively tiki bar. And then you have the incredible drinks! The macadamia nut pina colada is as amazing as all the review say, and the fish bowls are STRONG! Fantastic bar with immaculate vibes, can't wait to return!

I have a fondness for tiki bars that goes back to my days at Chicago when I was a lonely student trying to avoid frostbite. I would go to Ciral's House of Tiki and down a mai tai or three to get into a tropical mood after winter midterms and finals. This spot on Piedmont Avenue was a little too clean-cut and rock n' roll to make me feel like it was a throwback to Ciral's, but the chill vibe and heavy tropical decor did get me and Jamie W. in the appropriate aloha mood. I used to come to this corner location years ago when i lived nearby and it was just a regular neighborhood spot called Kings X, but this was my first time in Kona Club. We're big fans of owner Doug Miller's other watering hole, Club Mallard in Albany (review: https://bit.ly/3y33V67), so we were hopeful. It was a particularly hot Saturday afternoon, so we were a bit surprised how empty it was. Perhaps the lack of a lanai made it less appealing. The Island Cocktail selection, however, had us at hello. Jamie ordered the $10 Kona Mai Tai and I went with the $12 Macadamia Nut Ga Ga (photo: https://bit.ly/3rkpH1x). The mai tai was sweetly smooth with Myers's Platinum Rum and DiSaronno Amaretto mixed with pineapple juice and guava nectar. The macadamia concoction was creamy decadence with macadamia nut liqueur and vodka blended with crème de coconut and pineapple juice. It was like being back at Trader Vic's without the ribs. We continued our Hawaiian state of mind with another round, this time the $10 Undertow and the $10 Kilauea (photo: https://bit.ly/3fwZPN5). Both of them were anchored by Myers's Platinum Rum with the appropriately named Undertow adding a kicker of coconut rum to the mix of passion fruit purée, guava nectar, and a splash of orgeat. The Kilauea was more artistic looking with strawberry purée swirled into the crème de coconut and pineapple juice. We were, shall we say, lulled into a fantasia of tropical breezes in a tiki-covered room like a deceptively relaxed confrontation scene on "Hawaii 5-0". The original, not the reboot. I'm guessing this won't be our last visit to the islands. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...satisfying fru-fru drinks with the tiny umbrellas AMBIANCE - 5 stars...they did a fine version of the tiki decor SERVICE - 4 stars...very efficient though light on the interaction TOTAL - 4 stars...a tropical throwback to Trader Vic's and in a good way. RELATED - Looking for a tiki bar? Here's a collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3SpoS3c

Drinks are very tasty. Staff is very welcoming. Even though establishment is dark inside, it actually works. Fun games to play and fellow patrons are always so chill. It is our place if we need to chill or need to escape the stresses of work.

Nice tucked tiki on the corner. They have bar seating and around the bar as well. Best part is there's pool. Music was all different genres. We went on a late Saturday night crowed was mixed which is why I love going out in Oakland. Customer Service-5/5 Bartenders were super busy but made time to tell you they would be with you. It was crowed but everyone respected who was next it was like a merging lane and everyone knew how to drive. Drink- 4.5 Order the scorpion bowl which came with a small flame $30 and we shared with the 2 of us which isn't bad. You could taste the alcohols which is what you want! 4/5 Decor-5/5 I love the them the bathroom for women had shell and sand themed toilet seat and I know it's random but I loved it. Overall-4.5/5 This is a must try if you want a random hang out our a friendly game of pool and don't mind waiting. But try. There is street parking and you might need to walk a little but it's worth it and they look closed because it's a little dark on outside but their open.

Drinks are very yummy and fun while still being good prices. I will come here again. Ambiance is kind of tiki bar and dive bar (there's a pool table and connect four and lots of tables). Bartender was nice and made the drinks quickly.

The ambiance of this bar was cute. Totally a tiki bar. Service was great and quick. Drinks were great!

Fun Tiki bar. Still great 13 years later! Doesn't look like much from outside, but always a good time.

I used to really like this place, but they fired my favorite barmaid because she actually had a personality and replaced her with a nice, but bland dude.

What a cute little hidden gem in Oakland! Our friends who live nearby recommended Kona Club as we were searching for a cool place to hang out. Drinks are well-made and they have a full bar with top notch alcohol. I do always prefer sitting at the end of the bar. The bartenders are so nice here! And I absolutely love how they're attentive multi-taskers! I really commend them for providing excellent service to all these drunken people all the time! The atmosphere is great here and drinks are stiff when you slip a little more money towards making them stiff. The girl bartenders on Friday nights watch out for you when you're here with all your girls. There were a few creepers and I was just glad the staff noticed and asked how we were doing Ladies room can only hold for one person at a time. The Men's bathroom has a small, but separate stall, which I highly recommend when there's a long line for the ladies room! I recommend this as a spot to meet some locals! They also have a pool table that you can sign up for and some games in the room behind the bar.

It was a fun bar to be in. Doug has done a great job and keeping the spirit of the KING X. SAFE AND SECURE place to go

As far as Tiki bars go, this place is great. Drinks were good, appropriately strong and service is fast and friendly. Patrons are friendly as well. Highly recommended.

Drinks and ambiance was spectacular! 10/10! My only concern is that it smells a little humid and bathroom was less than ideal..

Drinks and ambiance was spectacular! It felt like I stepped into a different world. Works of tiki! The only issue is that the smell of the place was slightly musty and the bathroom was a bit dirty.

Decided to come on a Sunday funday. Julio greeted us and boy we knew we were in good hands. I had some questions in regards to Flor De Cana.

Fun tiki bar with strong drinks and fun vibes! Had a mix of music playing and the bartender was quick and friendly. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for sweet cocktails or a dive scene.

Kona club has been one of my fav tiki bars for a long time. Drinks are strong and flavorful! Bartenders are quick and nice. They have an indoor section with a pool table other sections with lots of seating and games and the lovely tiki bar vibe.

In love with this pace! From the outside it looks like a random building, but once you open the wooden door it's a whole different place. This is such a low key Tiki Bar. PLENTY of seating, around the bar and in the next room. Perfect music always playing, tons of different decorations hung up, clean tables and bathrooms, extremely friendly bartender. Best of all they have a pool table and a larger than lift connect 4. Most importantly the drinks are very well made and due to the holidays you can even get a spiced warm cider. This is a place I love going to and will continue for the near future

A tiki bar located in Piedmont. There's plenty of street parking but not many bars or restaurants nearby, they don't have food here but they have plenty of different types of drinks to choose from and I remember coming here on a weeknight and they said it was ok to bring pizza from a nearby place by to eat. It's a pretty intimate spot, there's a pool table and some other games like a huge connect 4 to play with. I really enjoy their macadamia but chichi, they're whiskey sours, and their Scorpion bowls that light up and are huge to share. Their drinks are good and affordable. It's a cute little tiki bar close to Oakland that's a good place to start or end your night.

Kona Club is the best! The decor is amazing and you feel really transported to another place once you walk in the door. The drinks are well priced and top notch (Chi Chi is a must for first timers). My favorites are the Painkiller and the Konarita.The bartenders are great - just beware forewarned that they are slammed on the weekends and it may take some time to get served.

My fiancé and I finally decided to stop into Kona Club after living down the street for a while now and we were not disappointed! Once you walk into the dimly lit bar, you are transformed into a speakeasy-looking style tiki bar. The staff was super nice with recommending drinks based on our preference. We tried the Macadamia Nit Chi Chi, Navy Grog, Mai Tai and the Undertow. Each drink was delicious and perfectly stiff for our liking. There is a ton of seating throughout the bar and even a room with a pool table (it takes quarters to play). We will definitely be back for a drink or two in the future!

I stopped by this past Friday evening around 8:00 p.m. and the bar was pretty empty. I came with a group of eight and nobody had an issue finding free street parking close by. If you weren't looking for Kona Club, it's easy to miss: definitely a hidden gem in the quiet neighborhood. Drinks here are cheap! Menu prices include tax, so you only need to factor in a tip. Beers are $7-$8, cocktails are $10-$12, and bowls are $30. One thing you'll notice on the menu is there's a pufferfish icon next to each of the drinks indicating how boozy the drink is. I stayed long enough to get two cocktails. Since most of the Tiki drinks were too sweet for my taste, I opted for the Carstairs -- a mezcal based cocktail. I thought it was very spirit forward, and just the right about of sourness. I really enjoyed the atmosphere here. Not too loud, especially if you sit in the back area. If you want to play a game of pool, that's available for quarters as well.

Had the best time here with my family and partner. Got some of the tastiest drinks and all on a rainy day. Made us forget all about the bad weather. Coming back asap!

There are tiki bars and then there are tiki bars. This one is the latter. The Kona Club was historically one of the oldest bars in Oakland, and initially was not a tiki bar. But one of the reasons this place shines is it became a tiki bar before tiki bars were trendy, and maintains this theme today. This place is genuinely great. Kitschy tiki memorabilia covers the bar from floor to ceiling. The staff is great (but so not piss them off our you'll be ignored the rest of the evening). It's dark, dingy, and smells of sweet rum. On a Friday or Saturday night, the music gets bumping and you can't help but start shaking your booty to the tunes. The word to the wise: I would strongly suggest Uber to the bar, as it doesn't take much to end up, feeling the delicious concoctions. These bartenders serve up. The Scorpion bowl for two ( It's only served for two) is particularly delicious/ dangerous, and they have been known to cut people off. Either before you arrive, or after you're done, you have the entirety of Piedmont Avenue to explore. A Shimizu / Kona Club combo is one of my faves.

The macadamia nut chi chi is the real deal- a perfectly nutty drink that's perfect for anyone who typically likes fruity cocktails (no overpowering alcohol) but wants to mix it up. The Beachcomber Zombie was also great. The vibe of the bar is very cute (they play regular music rather than tiki tunes thank god) and they have a nice mix of bar seating, high tops, standard tables, and leather armchairs. There's a pool table (bring quarters) and large connect 4 board in the back section. Service was great when we were there. They were wiping down table to turn them over quickly and always came by to collect empty drinks to keep them from piling up for our group. If you like tiki bars with more mature and relaxed ambience than say Smugglers Cove I do really recommend this one!

Great drink menu, friendly bartenders. With some pool if you're into that....Hard to tell from the pics, but there's a whole open seating area with plenty of tables around the corner that's not quite as dark as the pictures suggest. Strange to see a tiki bar in a dive bar type setting like this, and that being said I really enjoyed it!

My go-to spot for a chill vibe late night. My theme cocktail of choice is the Kiluea.

A spot that I have been going to off and on for a few years now. It all started when I started dating my gf and she said we need to go to this bar because it has a drink called the macadamia nut chi chi's. We went there a while back and I have had the Chi Chi's many times since as well as most of their drinks on the menu including their bowls. This bar has a great vibe, very nice tiki bar, it has a pool table in one room, a lounge like area around the corner from the bar and great staff. Everytime I have come here I was served in a timely manner and with awesome consistent drinks. Looking for a cool spot in a pretty nice area with good drinks at reasonable prices in Oakland? Come to Kona Club.

Such a fun hidden gem !! Ended up here randomly and I'm so glad I did. The drinks are inexpensive and they have plenty of fun cocktail options. Good music and great atmosphere too. The place was busy but my friends and I had no problem getting a table or drinks. Super cool spot!!

Great energy, plenty of seating space, unique drinks and plenty of parking. Good place to come for a good time. Keep in mind that is loud and busy.