The Luau

Fun cute spot with the adorable Charlie walking around being a sweetie pie. Drinks are great and the mocktails were delicious. I love how they brought out shots for my friends and a same colored juice for me to drink so I can pretend and cheers with everybody. Lovely bar with great vibes

What a great bar! We love this tiki spot. Tony the bartender is a gem as well. We will return

Great service,served up with some great drinks.the atmosphere is super laid back would definitely be back in the future 💯

Bartender was very nice, the outdoor patio was decorated for Halloween and looked great. Cute tiki themed place, nothing fancy, but it's clean, the people are nice, and the drinks are tasty. Mai Tai Mondays are a good deal too.

This place is a gem! Relaxed tiki vibes are on point. The drink menu is really solid, with tiki standards (mai tai, zombie, blue Hawaiian, etc) as well as Hawaiian twists on other classic cocktails. The blended piña colada was delicious— all real ingredients, and not overly sweet. The service was friendly and kind, and we got free welcome shots and snacks! Highly recommend.

5 stars to Brett and his team. Had such a good time. My wife and I stopped in for a drink and ended up staying for a few. We started on the patio, so peaceful and quiet with a fountain and torch heaters. Our waitress was very friendly and we had no problem talking to her. After the first drink we moved inside for a little more ambience and a larger crowd. We sat at the bar and talked to our neighbors, Brett the owner and the bar back. Everyone was in good spirits and on the same vibe as us. The music was fun and the drinks were phenomenal. Some tiki bars over fill their tiki mugs with ice but not The Luau, they make a drink proportional to the mug. We started with The Luau Shooter which was large and went down well, and I appreciate that it wasn’t too sweet. My wife had a Mai Tai and a Zombie for me. She wasn’t a big fan of mine because of the cinnamon but I liked it. Another round of shooters just to make sure the first one wasn’t a fluke and then she went with the Tropical Itch and I had a Frida. Both were great but I really liked my Frida. A couple more shooters and we were done for the night. I also appreciate the fact they always kept a glass of water in front of us. All in all we had a great time, met some wonderful people and found a new place to hang out. Can’t wait to go back.

It was my first time here, my buddy Anthony recommended me to check it out and guess what I think I’ve found my new karaoke spot to vibe in. Highly recommend you to spend time here with your loved ones or friends. Shout out to Ashley for hosting karaoke.

Been to a few tiki bars so was happy to see another one pop up in San Diego. Super easy to get to and easy to spot. Great atmosphere with a lot of indoor seating and an outdoor patio area. Brett the owner is super chill and personable. The drinks were delicous and great tiki style. Get the Tropical itch for a fun gift with the drink! Will come back

Rare bar review for us...random walk in while we had the dogs out and stopped by this amazing local haunt out friends have been recommending for a while. Super chill vibe, drinks are bomb, Denae is amazing, and they're dog friendly! I'm hearing legendary stories about karaoke night so we'll be back for that. If you want food, they don't have it, but there are a couple close by places that you can bring food in. We love it here, and it's definitely in the rotation for fun drinks and a great getaway a couple blocks from home.

We've been to The Luau several times now and it's become one of our favorite go-to spots in San Diego! The tropical vibes, fun cocktails, and friendly staff keep us coming back. On our most recent visit, my boyfriend, our friend, and I came in early in the evening when it was quieter, and we pretty much had the place to ourselves and honestly, it was a blast. Denae was amazing! Tony came in toward the end of our visit and brought such great energy. Super welcoming, fun to chat with, and totally made us feel like VIPs. We sampled all kinds of cocktails (the menu is creative and everything tastes fresh and tropical), and they didn't miss a beat. Whether you're with a group or just stopping in for a quick drink, the team here knows how to create a good time. Huge thanks to Denae and Tony -- we'll definitely be back again soon!

The Luau.....their gracious and accommodating owner, bartenders, servers, karaoke hosts, and BAR HOST (I believe the term "doorman" is for hotels, condos, and the 1980's) make this bar a hidden gem. Like Cheers, at the Luau, everyone knows our names; the service and entertainment exceed expectations. And. The BAR HOST, who is a gem, consistently protects loyal patrons from rowdy crowds, people who have had one too many....and...from shrill, piercing shrieks that disturb the peace and ease of a lovely evening of listening to/singing favorite tunes.

Came here to grab a drink and I wasn't alone. The place wasn't full, but there were other customers enjoying their drinks and conversations. They have a nice selection of cocktails to choose from. If you love tiki bars than this spot would satisfy. There is also an outside patio area, but it was a lot later in the night and it had been raining so inside it was the best move. Definitely a spot that I could see myself going back to again. Gives an almost a little bit of an upscale date spot.

We were riding home from OB with friends when they took a detour and introduced us to The Luau. They love all things tiki and have been frequent flyers of The Luau since its inception. They are part of the OG regulars. While Becky and I had never even heard of it. We loved The Luau! What a great little hidden gem in La Mesa. Great bar inside with a menu full of tropical tiki themed drinks. Ice cold beer for me...and complimentary Goldfish snacks! Whaaaat? Yep! You read that right! The patio out back is really where it's at! The patio is rad. You gotta' check out The Luau!

We've heard about The Luau and have been wanting to try it for some time. Passed by tonight and made a U-turn to get to it. So glad we did. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with such warmth from Denae that we instantly felt like regulars. The vibe is just right--stylish without being pretentious, cozy but still buzzing with energy. But what really made the night was the bartender, Danae. Friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about her craft. Every drink she recommended was spot-on, and watching her work behind the bar was like watching an artist in action. She even took the time to chat and make sure we were enjoying everything. Service across the board was top-notch. You could tell she cared about creating a great experience. We never felt rushed, and every interaction was genuinely kind and thoughtful. We came in with high hopes, and this place exceeded every one of them. Already planning our next visit--this is definitely going to be a regular spot for us. Highly, highly recommend!

We were out celebrating Sunday Funday a few weeks ago and happened to stop by about an hour after opening and it was completely empty-- my hubby and I had the place all to ourselves and it was such a great time ! Denae was bartending that afternoon and took great care of us-- let me tell yaaa about it ! If you've never been, The Luau is such a hidden gem in La Mesa . The exterior is actually so simple and modern,-- and the inside is even cuter ! The Hawaiian decor and tiki theme is such a vibe ! It's located right off of El Cajon Blvd and stands alone in front other shopping plazas . Parking is a little rough since you'd have to look for street of neighborhood parking, but we didn't have any trouble on a Sunday afternoon . Denae was so warm and welcomed us right away when we walked in ! The Luau is just a bar, so there's no food menu, but Denae gave us a bowl of goldfish to snack on which was nice ! Here's what we got for drinks ! Mai Tai: Strong, delicious, and exactly what a mai tai should look\taste like ! Painkiller: So fun and even comes with a souvenir back scratcher you can take home lol Blue Hawaiian: This is a creeeper, but so good ! Overall, The Luau is a solid, head over there to grab a tropical drink if you're missing the islands . Or maybe check out their karaoke nights on the weekends if you're looking for a fun night out ! (They even have board games you can borrow to play while you're there) .

Dearest Luau, I really wanted to love you. We decided to spend my daughter's birthday celebrations in your lovely bar. The bartender was so resourceful when we requested a specific birthday song he made it happen. The musical build-up when bringing out scorpion bowls was quite the show. Excellent service from this young man. However, as the night proceeded, we met the *bar host* . He greeted my daughter with a hug and said he loved her energy and our celebrating.... I believe that wasn't the truth. Now those who know me understand when I celebrate, I celebrate EVERYONE, the girl done singing, the young man who has a birthday, the beautiful singing from an excellent singer. Like I said, everyone, I'm proud to do it. We love to send love. Unfortunately, at this establishment, the young man at the door was not a gentleman who liked such celebrations. Firstly, I was shamed for my pick of karaoke song, I'm not a singer, sir, and I'm here for a good time, not a long time. Ok, I let that slide and was chilling as I chose another favorite song to butcher. After singing my song and hearing the excitement and cheering from my family, I was pumped. I sat down with them. We were having a great time when someone decided to rain on our parade. I was going to order another round of drinks, but my mind was quickly changed. The young, handsome *bar host* came to tell us we were cheering for others at about a 12, and we needed to take it down to an 8. This gentleman thought it was ok to tell my daughter whose birthday it was, that she shouldn't be cheering others on so loudly. Well, hell, I didn't know we were at church.  I chose to stay up until my nieces sang. We cheered really loudly, and I let the bartender know he was appreciated. I also told him we were much too rowdy for their bar, so we were leaving. Where he proceeded to say Wow, she has a pair of lungs. I said, "Yes, and I made them and I'm proud." I wanted to love you so much, Luau, your drinks were lovely the atmosphere was great. When you tell a woman's daughter to be quiet who has fought her whole life to have a voice, you lose not only a customer, but you put sadness in my heart. We will continue to spend our money in the bars that welcome our celebrations and how we spread love and light. Because you know we going to come full force with sunshine, rainbows, and our set of lungs.. Now, if you read this far, go get a drink, but please keep it to a golf clap if you go. Must not anger the lovely gentleman at the door. Besos, take care  P.S Lime in the coconut in Chula Vista accepted the rest of our monies that night. For you folks that like to celebrate follow me for more tips. *edited for correct terminology *

The best Mai Tai, period Ok, it's a bar, but the staff takes such great care of you; I felt like a local. I've visited now three times and can we talk about consistency. Perfect. Tony makes you feel at home

This bar is incredible! I had a fun time here! I wanted to check out local bars in La Mesa and my friend suggested The Luau. The bartenders were Tony and John. Tony handed us some snacks: Goldfish and pretzels! What a treat! I had a Virgin Pina Colada. There was one drink that had a wooden back scratcher! The ambiance was warm and inviting. There was also a karaoke setup! Can't wait to come back!!!!

Great vibe here! My wife and our dog Tangelo aka TJ, had to evacuate due to the Eaton Fire and we were staying with pals in SD until the aqi cleared in Sierra Madre. It had been a challenging few days and the energy of our bartender (not sure on the spelling here but I'm going with the Greek spelling of Danae) was just what we needed along with the cocktails. She truly epitomized 'e komo mai,' and especially connected with our rescue pup Tangelo (from the SD based Labs & More). TJ had been a trooper through the evacuation and all the travel, strange places, high winds, and ash. TJ has discriminating taste when it comes to his petting allowance with new folks, and he chilled here, which is a testament to the kind and relaxing energy. The patio, the music, the conversations (mostly memories of all three of us independently living in different places in Australia!) and the sunshine revivified us from the hectic atmosphere we had been navigating for days. The drinks on the menu are festive and we were given great recommendations aligned with what we were in the mood for. The welcome shooter was beautiful in taste and spirit, and I imbibed and enjoyed both the Tropical Itch and an apropos Painkiller. We were all wholeheartedly grateful to have found this inviting space to decompress in. Aloha!

Shailey took great care of us. She was super helpful with drink recommendations, as well as food recommendations for nearby taco shops. She was also very funny and sassy. A gem for sure. We were on a parents night out double date and this place was absolutely perfect. The ambience here is fantastic and given its random location it is quite the oasis. You walk off the street and are transported to tiki land. The patio is so inviting and relaxing that it's a great place to end up for the evening, not just start at. Also, very clean bathrooms. The drink menu is extensive and everything looked good, which is not always the case to me. The pretzels and goldfish to snack on are perfect. We loved all our drinks (can't remember which were which now, sorry. But I don't think you can really go wrong!) and every part of our experience here and can't wait to go back!

Drove past this spot several times. It's a pretty small spot and easily overlookable. Heard about it from friends and decided to stop by for a look. I ended up having several drinks and spent about 3 hours here. It turned out to be a really chill spot! There was only a handful of people in the bar. Maybe 12. And two bartenders. We all got served pretty quickly and everyone was really nice. I came in after a date night and was dressed up, but most people were there in casual clothes. In addition to the drinks we ordered, we also got a snack bowl full of pretzels and gold fish. And they replenish them when we finished the bowl. All the decorations are Hawaiian themed naturally. The front door is open and so there was a nice cross breeze blowing through the space. There's also a small stage so it looks like they may host live music from time to time. We ordered the following drinks: HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A which consist of - Gin, Almond Orgeat Syrup, Curaçao, Bitters, Pineapple, and Lemon. After one or two, you'll want to folic in the pacific blue. Polynesian 75 which consist of - Rum, Champagne, Cinnamon Simple Syrup, and Pineapple. Oh, bubbly South Pacific love, delicious and intoxicating say the angels from above. Singapore Sling which consist of - Gin, Benedictine, Cherry Brandy, Bitters, Lime, and a splash of Soda. This raffle drink will make you think you've gone to heaven while in the pink. The Luau Shooter which consist of - Rum, Curaçao, Almond Orgeat Syrup, Pineapple, Lime, and a splash of Soda. Navy Groug which consist of - three different rums, lime juice, grapefruit, soda water. I personally think the Singapore Sling and the Polynesian 75 were delightful. Best of the bunch. The others on the menu seemed a bit basic / something I can get elsewhere. Didn't feel as if the drinks were super strong though. Definitely high in sugar though. Which makes the hangover so much more worse. Either way... Happy with our choices. Sat at the bar and had a lovely conversation with the bartender. It opens at 2pm and closes around midnight. Prices are super affordable. 14 dollars ish per individual drink and 26 dollars for the share-a-bowl. Parking is street only. There's a lot adjacent to it with another bar and more businesses that are closed at night, you can try and park there as long as the bar is open. There's apparently a back outdoor patio but it was closed when we came.

This is a fun little neighborhood place! I'm not big on mixed or blended drinks, but I went out of my box! The drinks were fun, if that makes any sense. Our bartender was polite, patient and friendly Definitely a place to go back to for a fun night

Plain and simple... this place is fun!! Good drinks good people and good music. I have been here a handful of times and each time its like being there for the first time. The staff is so nice and helpful with choosing a drink from their eclectic selection. Will def come back again and again.

If you want a great night came here. Great drinks I got the piña colada. Best vibes, i went with my friends and had an amazing time!

We went here on a girl's night bar crawl and ended up staying for a couple drinks. The pain killer, kinda like a pina colada on steroids was so good...but watch out so tasty you don't realize how strong...just like I like 'em. Very chill Hawaiian tiki vibe inside and friendly bar staff. There was a cute little outdoor are that a group out there seemed to be enjoying very much & would love to check that out next time.

This is my favorite place. I start all my vacation here. I feel like I'm on Hawaii in El Cajon. Everyone so friendly and welcoming. Aloha!!

Will be returning for sure. Delicious drinks and a tiki bar atmosphere. Will make sure we hit a Friday so we can have funny and helpful Chloe again, as our server. Met Brett Rose and his lovely wife at Antica a few weeks ago. He said I needed to see his new-ish bar, The Luau. After mentioning Brett's name a couple times to Chloe, did not get a free drink, so maybe next time (hehe). We had a Zombie and Mai Tais. Mana Mai Tai was the butt kicker. Music was fun memory 60,70, 80's bands. At 9 pm the patrons increased and turned over to a much younger crazy fun customers singing Karaoke.

Great drinks. Perfectly made. Not too sweet. Great ambiance. Great place to karaoke or a date night in the back where it's quiet.

It was a nice small place with friendly vibes and good drinks. It was karaoke night on Thursday and everyone had a good time getting up singing or just singing along. We had two drinks and both were very good.

Great customer service, our hard tender was so helpful with drink selection. We hung out for drinks with friends. Great outdoor seating. Will definitely be back.

Visit this bar when in area Great vibe, music, mixologist and price. A Favorite. Next a favorite restaurant too++.

We came here last weekend to celebrate my birthday and the Luau did not disappoint. The vibes were great, drinks delish, not too mention karaoke was on fire! We were checked in at the door by Sterling and he asked if we'd ever been there before- to which we said no but were excited to check out. He gave us a quick rundown and checked in on us a few times to see how we were doing. We immediately felt at home in this small and inviting space. Our service was great and drinks strong. Per Sterling's rec I got the Frida (Spicy Marg) and got it extra spicy- so good! You can tell that there are good people here, good vibes and a fun place to be. Even though it was intimidating karaoke-wise (because everyone was so dang good) you felt like with a little liquid courage you could get up there belt anything and still be appreciated. Thanks for the friendly service and positive vibes Luau! We hope to be back soon :D

Honestly, best best kept secret in San Diego. I've had reservations regarding reviewing this place, because I'm selfish about escaping here. Drinks are well served and on point regarding mixology and alcohol content. Environment is always clean, place is always poppin, and staff feels like family.... Really.... Up and coming spot. Visit. You won't be disappointed and your date will have fun! Sterling at the door is A+. This man has a kind hearty and can siiiinnnggg!!!!! Bar tenders John and Tony, Tony and John...... are family..... including Charlie.... :) Entire staff is amazing. Sarah is kind and exceptionally thorough as a professional. Mad props.

If you're looking for a fun, tropical escape without leaving the city, The Luau is the place to be! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a glow of tikis and sounds of island-inspired tunes.The decor is immersive. Bamboo, carved wooden statues, and funky, colorful lighting transport you to a faraway island. The cocktails are where this place really shines. Each drink is a work of art, beautifully garnished with fresh fruit, flowers, and even a few flaming elements for extra drama depending on the drink you order. I recommend starting off with their signature Mai Tai. It's sweet, strong, and perfectly balanced. They also offer a drink named after Hawaiis state fish that is my favorite- the humuhumunukuapua'a The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks (shout out Tony & John) and they even offer karaoke night on Thursdays-Saturdays 9p-12

The service and ambiance was fantastic I just closed at 11 had a long day at work and Tony made my night better with great conversation and drinks!!

The vibes in this little bar are amazing! Everyone was so sweet and welcoming! As soon as we walked in, they brought over a little snack bowl and water. They had karaoke going on and the drinks were amazing and so cute! We just went in for a drink but ended up staying until the patio closed and then moved inside to enjoy the karaoke going on. I cannot stress how incredibly sweet the staff is, they made sure to wish us a good night as we were walking out. We've been looking for a regular spot now that we've moved to the area and I think we just found it!

What a super fun place. Upon arrival it looks like any old dive bar, but once you enter you can see it has the tiki esthetics. The bartender was friendly I forgot his name but remembered he haven't lived in SD long. There was a back area and loved the space. It's really cute and relaxing. The drinks were good. Yum and fun.

Revisited recently. They decorate for different events like Halloween and Christmas and sometimes offer speciality drinks. This place is very casual. Think your neighborhood bar. Not a place to get dressed up for. Parking is along the street only. Do not park in lot next door or you will be towed. They open at 2pm which is a huge plus! Most places don't open until 5. They no longer offer the welcome shooters which was disappointing but I understand. They still offer the snack bowl with pretzels and goldfish which is nice. Sometimes they have pop ups with outside food companies but they do not have an on-site kitchen to sell food. They have indoor/outdoor seating. Outdoor doesn't get very much of a breeze so it's fairly hot outside. The decor is very cute. They can handle very large groups here. The music volume both indoors and outdoors was very loud. They play 70s music here. Tried: scorpion bowl. It was reasonably priced for two people. If it's during the day you they do not light it so I would only order this at night. Taste was good. Their Mai tais are very strong. A little too much for me. Polynesian - this was nice and bubbly. Not sure I would get again though. My go to's are the Nabana hammock and blue Hawaiian.

Such a lovely quaint bar in La Mesa . The bartender Brent is very welcoming , he makes you feel very comfortable. He makes phenomenal drinks . I'm not kidding I thoroughly enjoyed the Mai tai and mango pina colada he made me . We went on a week night . There weren't a lot of people there . I liked it because I was meeting someone I hadn't talked to in a long time so it wasn't too loud to talk . Brent did mention there is a bigger crowd there on the weekends . I look forward to checking this place out again .

Come here on Mondays for Mai Tai Mondays ! ($8) The service was great. I appreciated our server John for being helpful with his drink suggestions. The ambience of the place is also great. Typical tiki vibes like the bars you would find in Hawaii. As for the drinks themselves, they weren't super strong. Prices are reasonable. The only thing about this place which might be a hit for some people is the the whole bar gets overturned by trivia night on Mondays. So if you're trying to go to a bar to have a conversation, I wouldn't recommend.

It was a very nice place with a lovely patio. The bartender was amazing and our drinks are good if you go get the mai tai.

This bar is super cute. They have really great decor, especially in their outdoor seating area. Service was quick. They don't have food, but they offer goldfish and pretzels while you enjoy your drink. It's a hole in the wall bar, that you will want to keep coming to

One of our favorite tiki bars! There is no 1.5 hour limit and no reservations needed! Great drinks and friendly staff. Karaoke nights too!

Great small local bar. Great spot to go to, week day or weekends. We love to go on Fridays when they have live music. Still a new bar so not super packed which we love. They are Hawaiian themed with so much great cocktail options, with a full bar including rum, tequila, whiskey or vodka. They also have beer, draft, canned or bottled with lots of craft and regular options. When you first sit down they bring you a welcome shot with rum and pineapple juice as well as a bowl full of goldfish and pretzels. Definitely a small local business that is a great hidden gem and we love to support. 10/10 recommend.

This is a hidden gem, the drinks are strong and not overly sweet and the staff were really friendly. It's also a good thing they had karaoke and I didn't even know! Lots of outside space and a fire pit, I'll def be back.

We decided to come here on a rainy night and get a drink. We were initially the only ones there until the rain let up and some more people funneled in. The drinks look nice but are definitely on the stronger side. The bar itself is nicely decorated and interesting to look at. They don't serve food but welcome outside food as a result

Why did it take us so long to come here?! It's so good I'm posting while I'm sitting here! Within a couple minutes of sitting down at an open table we were greeted with a welcome shot (the luau shooter), a bowl of pretzels and goldfish, and waters. So far, the regular mai tai and skinny mai tai are both great and pack a punch. Also, the prices are much nicer than some other bars in the trendier neighborhoods offering tiki drinks. They have live music tonight and Hawaiian food available for purchase out back. Really fun decor both inside and out on the patio. Staff is really friendly. New favorite bar?? Edit: The burger from the food pop-up tonight (I think his business is called The Hawaiian Hippie) was very good. Savory, sweet, and super delicious!

Went to this bar with a neighbor about a year ago. Although the vibe is cool, they had a karaoke night and people were having fun. I did not care for the drinks. Everything was loaded with sugar and it did not taste good. Sorry

My partner and I have loved this tiki themed bar since finding it shortly after moving to the area. We've visited a few times and have had great visits! We love the aesthetic of the bar and the patio, the chill vibes and music, and the friendly staff. We love sitting out on the patio, and a staff member is always quick to bring out waters, a little bowl of snacks, and luau shooters to the table. We've tried many different drinks on the menu, some of our favorites being the classic mai tai, blue Hawai'i, and the nabana hammock. The drinks tend to be a bit stronger, but they are still overall balanced. We really appreciate how the staff is always really attentive to checking in on us, getting our drinks out quickly, and refilling waters and the snack bowl. Highly recommend coming to The Luau for a chill atmosphere, great service, and strong drinks!

Very cute establishment. The staff make you feel seen and welcome. The drinks are strong and give you courage to sing during Karaoke.

What makes this place 5 star worthy? Is it the free goldfish? The delicious drinks? The awesome bartenders? The ambiance? It's everything! The luau, a secret hidden bar on El Cajon Blvd has become a favorite of mine. A bar offering trivia nights, karaoke and just an all around good time. The drinks are a total hit. With an added hair flip. The drinks are not only a lady in the street, but a freak in the bed. They are gorgeous cocktails that pack a punch. The blue Hawaii is a must order for me. Drink responsibly... these drinks will hit you like a ton of bricks. The service here is unmatched. They give you free bowls of goldfish and pretzels for buzzed snacking. The bartenders are all awesome. Tony can make some of the best drinks you've ever had and he'll do it with a smile. The DJs always have a great energy and keep the good vibes going in here. The ambiance itself is relaxed, fun and a great night out bar. They have a small outdoor area in the back too. The bathrooms are clean and the decor is a nice luau theme. I'll continue coming back here. Best luau in San Diego!

I went to The Luau Monday evening after work with a friend. I love tiki bars and was excited to check this place out. It was small and cute with a wall of ukuleles and a small stage. In fact, it is so small that I passed it on the street twice! I understand that there is a small outdoor area, but it was very hot, so we sat inside at the bar. It was Mai Tai Monday, so they had $8 specials on Mai Tais. However, I wanted to try something different, so I had the Polynesian 75, and later the humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa (yes, that is what they call that drink- named after the state fish of Hawaii). They were both tasty and not too sweet. We briefly met the owner, and the bartender was friendly. My friend enjoyed a couple of Mai Tais that day, so I was able to try hers. They were good, but seemed a bit basic. It definitely had a fun "local" vibe, as it seemed there were a lot of regulars, and lots of people were getting ready for trivia night. They don't serve food, and it looked like a lot of people had brought their own. All it all, I enjoyed my time there. I do feel the drinks could have used a bit more of a "wow" factor, as they weren't quite as whimsical as I expected from a tiki bar. However, I liked that they were not too sweet. The place was comfortable and friendly, and not expensive like some. I would definitely go back sometime to try something else off their menu.

If you love a good tiki bar, then you will enjoy The Luau. It is a bit cozy since it's not that big of an establishment, but there is an outdoor section that's very vibrant and epitomizes the name of this bar. As you arrive, you get a free shooter, which was described as a mai tai/piña colada mix. The drinks are delicious and on the stronger side, so it is definitely worth it. There's currently no food that is being served, so make sure to eat plenty beforehand, as they only provide a little snack bowl of goldfish and pretzels. I learned that on Thursdays, they do karaoke night starting at 8pm, which is fun! The workers were all kind, but we had to patiently wait for someone to come outside a few times. I'd definitely come back.

This is my favorite, go-to local cocktail bar. The vibes and the drinks are just perfect! We love the Grog, Nabana Hammock, Polynesian 75 and of course the Tiki Old Fashioned. John and Tony behind the bar will never let your glass or your snack bowl go empty- they're the best! If you're a fan of tiki culture- you won't be disappointed! It's all decked out with the decor and drink menu changing seasonally for the holidays.

The Luau is a brand new tiki bar in La Mesa. It offers a fun tropical atmosphere that makes you long for an island getaway. The luau cocktail bar has seats at the bar with ample seating inside as well as an outdoor patio. Upon arriving we were greeted with a skinny shot served in a tiki statue shot glass as well pretzels and goldfish snack. The menu has all the popular tiki bar style drinks ranging from your frozen a of pina coladas, mai tai, Singapore sling, daiquiris and many more. They also have Share - A - Bowls drinks for 2-4 or more person featuring the Scorpion and Pele's Poison Punch. The drinks our party enjoyed at the Luau bar was the Laniakea and the popular tropical itch. Here are the descriptions below taken from their menu: LANIAKEA Vodka and Pineapple Soft Serve. This Blended Libation is named after Lani the Luau dog! But be careful a few too many and you'll be in a fog TROPICAL ITCH Bourbon, Dark Rum, Curaçao, Passion Fruit, Bitters with a 151 Rum float. Tickle, scratch, tickle, scratch boozey boozey down the hatch. If you are looking for a fun and lively tiki bar atmosphere, visit the Luau bar in La Mesa for amazing tropical drinks.

My go-to spot! The Frida is the best drink and everyone that works here is so nice! Such a vibe here ALWAYS!!!

This is a hole in a wall place but has amazing drinks. Tony was great and everyone was super nice. These cocktails are great. Totally want to come back