The Reef

Our first trip to Palm Springs. Had a list of places we wanted to check out, and since our VRBO wasn’t ready yet, we headed over to the Reef, which was on our list. What we found was a fun little bar, with a friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled bartender. The food was really good, and so were the drinks. My wife had the Coconut Shrimp, and I had the Chicken Fingers. Both had great flavor and were delivered piping hot. For drinks, my wife had the Classic Mai Tai and I had the Painkiller. Both were well mixed and plenty boozy. We meant to get back there before we left, but ran out of time. Palm Springs is now in our destinations rotation so we will be back at the Reef again in the future.

Solo female traveler who felt welcomed. Old school tiki bar with great servers and bartenders. Especially nice on its patio overlooking the pool at night.

Was recommended to visit this place by someone in my area and I’m so glad we went. This was a memorable experience and everything we ordered was delicious.

Before Haystack this was the place for burgers and if non descript Tiki isn't your thing over at Bootlegger this is your spot because it's vacation epitomized. It doesn't havea the SE Pacific Tiki aesthetic, but more the island vibez. It's far more Carribbean mixed with Hawaiian which to me is more authentic. Think DIstant Shores, which could be anywhere that's warm and sandy. HH here is roughly everything is $10 or less and they don't skimp on glassware, garmish, ice, etc. The burgers are all hefty, juicy, well thoughtout flavors and worthy of visits just for the burgers. The Blue Cheese is super creamy with large crumbles that seep into all the nooks and crannies though it's not a smash burger they use a medium grind. THe Hawaiian Cowboy or as I like to call it "Aloha Cowboy" has texture for days, crispy onion bits, gooey cheese, frings and both a pineapple and smokey bbq sauce. Chef's burger is pretty standard bacon, cheese, grilled onions (though I wish they were truely carmelized). Fish and Chips are good, but I wish they had malt vinegar becuase it's the one thing the Brits do well for food and they should emulate them instead of the non traditional LJS style. Tartar and cole are basic. Coconut Shrimp, but jumbo's. Super crunchy, think Chili's 1990's. The Loco Moco is where it's at though, I went beef and pork pattys with an extra egg and gravy becuase I kinda like to eat it like a stew of yolk, gravy and rice with chunks of patty. I could go on and on about the drinks, but they are all solid and well priced. Service is better when it's busier, they run more efficient when the kitchen and bar are humming. When it's slow they don't make their rounds as often. Decor is tropical, but not dark and that usual tiki "controlled environment", remember it's still Palm Springs, so it's plenty of retirees and snowbirds along with Coastal Californians looking for a getaway and not as many Tikiphiles as you'd expect.

Cool vibes, great food and service. We ordered the Reef pupu platter which was plenty for two. My husband ordered a zombie drink and I ordered the Palm Springs punch. We requested a spot with nice cool ac and it sure was chilly it was a nice escape from the heat.

The happy hour drinks and spam musubi tacos were awesome and our server was so kind (I believe his name was Richard?)! Very cute but casual tiki vibe in an indoor/poolside setting, will return next time I’m in Palm Springs

We really enjoy this little Tiki-themed bar and restaurant in our neighborhood, especially at happy hour! They have great drinks and good happy hour offerings, including reduced prices on some menu options. I especially like their burgers and their fish and chips. Their loco moco is also very good, but we had to ask for extra gravy… They have some vegetarian options on their menu. Service is always good. They also have both indoor and patio seating options. I can definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a great little bar with good prices and a good menu.

This is a cute little tiki bar tucked away at the Caliente at the south end of the strip. If you’re staying in the hotels down there like the V the Ace or Saguaro it’s the perfect spot to start off your night because the drinks are strong tiki drinks. The staff is really nice and the atmosphere is chill, very cool and tiki.

A go-to spot when up in the area from the "Orange County of the Valley" (Palm Desert ;) to have a sneaky potent Palm Springs Punch and delicious Sirloin Burger w Fries. Wife has the veggie burger w avocado on a wheat bun. Love to hang in the outdoor dining area on a warm day listening to the tropical music and watching the super tall mature palm trees sway in the afternoon breeze. They sell cool limited edition tiki themed mugs and the like. The glow-in-the-dark necklace purchased years ago still aluminates to this day. Friendly staff like long-time server Tristesse and the bartenders are always cool along with being very good at their libations mixology of the unique tiki bar craft. Would be nice to have one light draft beer option when not in the mood for a heavy cocktail, as it is only cans/bottled beer, though that is only a minor complaint. As with the hotel, Caliente Tropics, this is a legendary place for us been coming into for a long time and plan to continue. Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa, The Reef!~

What's not to love about this place? The ambience is on point. The service is great. And the cocktails are authentic. I also love the poolside location, which makes it feel that much more like you're in an outrigger canoe I've heard that the burgers are amazing. They certainly look like it. My one would be that there is no appetizer menu. You're either getting a meal or you're getting nothing. When you have cocktails that are strong as cocktails are you need to have small bites. The closest we came was a poo poo platter for two which basically consisted of , two of every deep-fried item of french fries. I was hoping for something small like crab Rangoon.

Cameron and Ritchie are an important reason we keep coming back for cocktails. Ritchie's customer service is unmatched and Cameron make excellent cocktails even when you want to go "off menu". Keep up to great work! Mahalo Scott

Beautiful tiki bar with a lot of history and great tiki memorabilia. Love the pictures of Don Ho kissing all these celebrities. The zombie is tasty strong. One is all I needed. Nutty Chi chi was also good. Highly recommend coming here at night it was sooooo beautiful sitting next to the pool. Service was fantastic felt like our home tiki bar even though it was first time coming here. Parking is free all along the motel rooms. Lots of seating inside and outside. This bar isn't on the main downtown street so if you want a more private oasis this is the tiki bar for you

Tropical pool party, so wear your swimsuit, and enjoy drinks off a classic tiki drink menu. Even better, mai tais were $10 if you paid cash. Service was quick. There is an air conditioned bar lounge, but it is only 100 degrees so we opted for tables overlooking the pool. Happy hour is from 1 to 5. We arrived after the sun set behind the mountains. There was a fun tiki band onstage. Drinks are served in plastic cups, and reminded us of being on a cruise ship deck, everyone wearing their Hawaiian shirts and mumus. The coconut shrimp was huge and tasty. Try the Palm Springs punch as a local favorite.

The Reef offers some interesting and unexpected differences to the Tiki Bar experience. The most notable is that it includes a pool! As in, wear a swimsuit for happy hour (noon to 5p Monday to Thursday). The Reef is located in the Calliente Tropics Resort, adjacent to the pool, which was an extension of the bar the night we were there. Live music, Tiki themed everything (including the patrons!) And a full menu of classic Tiki drinks. Our drinks were well crafted and presented, but as we were served poolside, came in a plastic cup. The servers were friendly and informative. I tried the Coconut Shrimp plate and it was great. A definite spot to return to!

This place is a hidden gem located off of East Palm Canyon Rd at Caliente Tropics Resort. Pull into the hotel parking lot and enter on the side near the pool area. Once you enter you will immediately feel like you are in a movie from the 60's. I really thought Elvis was in the building. Think "Blue Hawaii." As the night rolled on the place filled up. Richie, our server, made our night. He was da best!!!! Easy going, easy to chat with and filled us in on the place. Lisa was his "wing gal!" We ordered: *Sirloin burger w/fries 5/5 excellent $17 *Beer Battered Shrimp w/slaw & fries 5/5 $20 2 margaritas on ice no salt - excellent. *Huge potions. Had to bring home some shrimp & fries. *Plenty of parking in the hotel lot. *You will not see the sign for the restaurant until you pull into the lot

The vibe in this restaurant is amazing! Drinks are delicious! The pain killer is very strong and good. The grilled chicken sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. I would definitely come back to this place. Service was great!

One of the best things about staying at Caliente Tropics is having a great tiki bar available for pool side drinks. The bartenders are great and drinks are super tasty! Their happy hour from 12p-5p offers some great choices in every liquor category as well as good food, we had the slider one day pool side that can easily be shared if you just want a snack and do not skip on the fries they are the best! The Mai Tai, Palm Springs Punch and Honi Honi were all delish! One day our bartender Lilian even made us a special Whiskey smash with blackberries that was a welcomed surprise. Later that evening John was our bartender (yes, we were at the pool that long) and I requested a Jet Pilot which he made perfectly. To sum it up The Reef is (in my opinion) the best Tiki Bar in Palm Springs and I've been to them all :)

This tiki bar was pretty good during happy hour. As other reviews have mentioned, it can be an issue to get seated right away but if you are patient and wait for a table it might be worth it for the Happy Hour. Chili Cheese Fries were tasty as well as the drinks me and my party ordered.

This was one of our favorite meals while in Palm Springs. Tiki vibes, tropical drinks and delicious food. The portions were large and we felt we got our moneys worth. The servers were friendly and quick. We would definitely return.

Overall good time here at this Tiki Bar. We came for happy hour which is 12-5. Both food & drink. Extensive drink menu which is super fun. We ordered fish & chips and nachos. The fish tasted really good and wished it came with more! Nachos were decent. Service was prompt and professional but could have been more friendly.

Went for happy hour on a Monday. It was pretty quiet, but it was a Monday entering into their slow season. The bartenders greeted us with "Aloha"!, as we walked into the dimly lit restaurant and bar. The ambiance was really nice being next to the Caliente Hotel's pool. Lots of fun decor. We ordered off the happy hour menu. I went with the Mai Tai since I had never been there before. It was quite good, and didn't taste like anymore unnecessary sugar was added like you find sometimes. I would love to try some other drinks next time we come through. We also ordered some nachos, which were extremely cheesy, which is good and bad haha. I probably would skip them in the future, but we wanted something easy to hold us over until dinner later in the evening. Service was friendly and overall a cute place to stop for drinks!

Great nostalgic atmosphere! Very chill. Great drinks. Happy hour 12-5 Monday-Thursday. Bartender was great. Ps- the slider burger is a normal size burger

This is a fun, friendly, tiki bar with big drinks, and bigger servings of food. The food is decent (typical bar food), but the drinks are certainly awesome! With names like Trader Chi-Chi, Dark n Stormy, Pain Killer, and Pain Free (non-alcoholic), what's not to love? We try to stop in for a nightcap every so often, and love to check out the patrons, as there's always something fun going on. There's also outdoor covered patio seating available, with direct access to the hotel pool. The Reef is a fun, local place you definitely must check out.

I'm a big fan of this place. We stayed on a relatively quiet weekend in August. We were able to walk in and take a seat. We had a couple drinks on the menu. We were a little early for the "secret menu" but the bartender was super cool and let us order a few minutes early. I got the Ambrosia. It was delicious. Hawaii 5-0 playing on the TV, can't go wrong. Great atmosphere. I also ordered a turkey sandwich, but forgot to take a picture of it... Would absolutely come here again. In fact, it's a great place right at the Caliente Tropics, don't have to worry about driving or Ubers!

I love this spot as a local. It's 118° and I'm beating the heat with a delicious tiki bar beverage and hot crispy onion rings. It's 3:00 on a Thursday and it's nice because it's quiet here. Usually this place is packed. The drinks are always spot on and the bar food goes great with it. I highly recommend.

After camping in beautiful Joshua Tree for two freezing nights, it felt like we had arrived in a tropical paradise. I had the blue cheese mushroom burger which was cooked to perfection and delicious. Also someone named Alex was a great server. Would recommend.

Fun little spot for a burger and Hawaiian spot. Service was quick and friendly. Plenty of seating outside by the pool area as well as inside. The burger was good but a little messy with the added pineapple and sauces. I really enjoyed the onion rings though - super crispy! My boyfriend ordered the loco moco with pork and I thought it was just ok.

Caliente Tropics Resort is perhaps the very last tiki motel still standing and The Reef is its accompanying one-room tiki bar. The motel is a knockout, particularly its A-frame entrance, the bar, though not sumptuously decorated, is swell. I ordered the Trader's Chi Chi with vodka, pineapple, coconut cream and macadamia nut liquor, which appeared harmless, though not so. Tiki bar food is often a yucky afterthought, but my veggie burger was agreeable. My wife ordered the Caliente Salad, which is described as "exotica in a bowl." The version without chicken consisted of a bird nest of crispy noodles covered in sesame dressing with lettuce, mandarin oranges and pineapple. She said it was fine. Surf music is perfectly okay for a tiki bar, though not ideal (Martin Denny, Esquivel, etc.). Oh, I wish I hadn't just read the reviews for the motel. I stayed there 20-some years ago and it was nice then.

Great spot for lunch and a drink! They were accommodating to my service pup and brought her out a bowl of water. We love fun tiki themed bars and the drinks at this one were so good! We enjoyed lunch on the patio that is right by the pool area for the Calliente tropics hotel. We had a burger and the loco moco, both delicious and I was able to order my burger lettuce wrapped. Definitely a great little spot for a lazy afternoon!

The food in Palm Springs does not disappoint! There are vegan options everywhere and this is one of them! As always I got a veggie option so my veggie burger with fries was a go-to. Thought about swapping a veggie Pattie in the pineapple burger but that's for next time. We got fries and beef burgers and onion rings too! Loved being poolside and hanging out in their patio. They also have a fun indoor bar option. Parking is easy, we had an amazing waiter that was holding down the joint all on his own and killin it! So much fun I definitely recommend going here. Shoutout to Richie for killin' it on a solo mission

We've been coming here for a few years now and it never seems to get old. It is our go to spot and our fav tiki bar in P.S. They have a nice happy hr from M-Th, noon-5pm. The staff and drinks have always been on point and consistent. My fav drink is a mai tai and it's always my first drink at any tiki bar I go to. The mai tai here is balanced and not overly sweet. The burgers here are by far some of the best burgers in town. If you don't like tiki drinks, you must come try the burgers. The inside space has a good variety of different ambiance settings. Of course there is the bar with some stool seating. There are a couple of quaint booths by the bar perfect for an intimate date. The other side of the room has tables where the sunshine pokes through the glass windows with just enough light to see your menu and your tiki drink date. The patio outside has picnic style seating and has a view of the pool area with it's beautiful tropical landscape. By far this is a great place to try out. One of my fav places to hang out at during my P.S. stays.

I've never had a bad experience here - Until last night. There was a new bartender (short with dark hair). The $18 Pain Killer cocktail I ordered came 2" below the rim with so much crushed ice stuffed clear to the bottom of the drink, that I could not pull what liquid was in there through the straw. I asked the bartender about the over abundance of ice and he replied that he "made it to spec." I told him I could not pull it through the straw and he took the drink, poured it into a pint glass and back into my glass. It was exactly the same so I told him I didn't want it. My husband's $18 drink was also full of crushed ice but we split it and left. I have always had excellent service, drinks and food with the bartenders that are usually there. My husband said if we ever chose to go there again, he would hop out of the car and check whether the bad bartender was there, or the professional ones were before we decided to go in. What a shame for a place that has been a go to place for us.

Super cute tiki lounge in retro fun hotel. Fun drinks, great food, amazing veggie burgers from our vegetarian family reviews.

I'm slowly working my way across the desert, looking for interesting dining locations. I have a friend who is very much into Tiki culture. He always stops at this location, when he is in town. I had a rare night where i was on my own, so I decided to give them a try. You'll have to walk around a little to find the entrance, since there is a Mexican restaurant at the front of the building. The Reef is tucked in the back of that space. The bar was actually much smaller than I anticipated. The theming is most heavily seen in one corner in a pseudo stage area. I chose a table near the large windows. The food menu isn't too large, as most people go for the fancy drinks. I didn't order any alcohol, but I saw several people with fanciful drinks! I oped for a loco moco, as there is no real good Hawaiian food, in the Coachella Valley. This version was ok. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for, either. Service was fine. Prices weren't bad. I've heard that their coconut shrimp are good. I don't think I'll take a special drive there, but if someone comes to town and wants something kitschy, I'd take them there.

Another great time at The Reef. Bartenders were friendly, drinks were awesome. Always a fun stop when we are in town. Love the vibe and decor. Can't wait for my first Tiki Caliente.

There was rude waitstaff and a terrible, moldy smell inside! We couldn't get seats, so we took our business elsewhere.

Waited for 15 minutes at the front without acknowledgment so assumed it was a self seating restaurant. However when we attempted to walk to an open seat outside we were scolded by a very socially unaware server that we should wait longer. We promptly left the establishment.

Tropical-themed Restaurant/Bar, Palm Springs CA We came here because they were open late. I'm not sure what time their kitchen closed, there was no hostess to greet us, the bartender asked if we came to dine, we said yes but it felt like we inconvenienced them because now he has to "assign us a server." Actually, we had a challenging time finding this place in the beginning. The address led us to a Sancho's Restaurant. We finally found it around the corner. We didn't know that it is set in the Caliente Tropics Resort, the signage, "The Reef," was small. The ambiance was nice, very tropical with a tiki bar and all, like you were dining in the 808. A little too dimmed as far as lighting (we sat indoors). I liked some of the tables that were against the walls, they had nice tropical theme. We ordered two Loco Moco meals; one with Spam and my hubby ordered the Kalua Pork. My Spam Loco Moco was too salty. I was unable to finish. Hubby finished his Kalua Pork, left some of the rice. There was a lot of rice. I guess they are more popularly known for their libations. Unfortunately, we don't drink. Our server was nice but she wasn't too friendly. Just did her job, I guess. Sorry, not impressed. Review #2990

We were a party of four and were seated at a ridiculously tiny table meant for two when there were regular sized tables around and no one else in the establishment. The food was nearly inedible, so salty. No beer on tap, only cans for $10+ each. Definitely not on the top of my list to revisit.

Frankly, the best batter fried shrimp I've ever had. And the Rum Runner cocktail was a flaming delight. Nice little joint.

Visitamos el restaurante para festejar el cumpleaños de mi amiga. El ambiente estaba muy lindo, decorado con el tema de Hawai'i. El restaurante y la cantina están localizados en un hotel. Las bebidas estaban lindos y divertidos, el burger vegetariano fue excelente - hasta que usan queso real, o sea, real real. La única queja que que tenía es que el empleado que nos sirvió no usaba un bloc de papel para escribir nuestros pedidos, y por supuesto se olvidó bebidas y platillos. Teníamos que pedir algunas cosas dos veces. Pero, si volviera a visitar El Reef otra vez para disfrutar del burger vegetariano.

One of the best juiciest most flavorful burgers. Came for the vibes, stayed for the FOOD

The Reef is located inside caliente Tropic Resort, if you are planning to go and you could not find it easily. The place has tropical/ Hawaiian/Tiki vibes which is very cool. We were lucky to have a table. We ordered the following: -coconut shrimp : Comes with french fries, coleslaw and chili sauce - Hawaiian Cowboy Burger: Crispy onions, cheese and barbecue sauce with a fresh pineapple slice. Served with a mix of fries and onion rings - Cobb Salad : Lettuce, tomato,bacon, hard boiled egg, avocado, turkey, ham and blue cheese Shout out to Trucé who was our hostess. She was working alone and going back and forth between customers. The food was flavorful and fantastic. I really enjoyed it. It is a good place to dine in when you visit palm springs.

The coolest 200 sqft with amazing tiki cocktails but also the worst, terribly understaffed bar in Palm Springs. It's a shame since it could be so much better if they cared. This place is living off its history and aesthetics. Full stop. Avoid the Loco Moco. It's embarrassingly bad. The coconut shrimp is a great deal and the only thing worth getting. Two suggestions for the owner. 1. Hire more staff or have a "drink of the day" that is premade in a pitcher. I would have ordered 10 times as many drinks if I didn't have to wait 20 mins every time. I appreciate the hand made cocktails but service should take priority; the drinks aren't that good. 2. Support the guests that stay in the hotel. I've seen patrons at the bar and restaurant served ahead of hotel and pool guests. Pretty terrible when the people that stay there are prevented from bringing outside food/beverage and then are forced to wait for service. I don't care if you are "owned" separate from the hotel. Shame on you. ...also maybe some of the restaurant's profits should be used to repair the hotel.

Fun atmosphere, great food. Great service too. I had the Chinese chicken salad and my friend Jack had the burger. Looked great and all tasted good.

Great making The Reef our first stop after returning to Palm Springs for the season, especially because the amazing Richie recognized us and welcomed us back. And, he was happy we were his first table of the evening, and gave us his signature best service ever. Delicious food, good value too.

Stopped by on a whim. Mai Tai is very good. Bartenders very friendly. Nice quaint tiki bar.

We came here after a long day of relaxing by the pool and them taking the tram up the mountain. This was a great treat. At 800p on a Wednesday, it was quiet and relaxed. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. We sat on the patio which was dog friendly and enjoyed the ambiance. For drinks, we got the navy grog and the Lo-fi fizz. Dinner was the Kalua pork sandwich and the Loco Moco with kalua pork. It was wonderful and way bigger of a portion than either my spouse or myself anticipated. I would definitely recommend!

The waitress and female bartender was polite and hospitable. The waitress even said, "if a drink is not to your liking, to let her know and they can change it for you". Well, a drink came out that wasn't good at all and we tried to get another drink. The male bartender with glasses, heavy set was rude and practically yelled across the room asking what was wrong with the drink. He could have been polite about it and maybe just asked?!? You need proper etiquette dude. Too bad our experienced sucked because of Mr. stick up his A$$.

Loved everything about this place. Food, drink and decor were fantastic. Staff was super friendly and fun. They had a great menu for non drinkers. The setting (pool and Caliente Hotel) took it to the next level. Can't wait to return!

the happy hour is sensational. Monday to Thursday 12-5. great food. good bar. lots of locals.

Went here with some friends right after arriving in Palm Springs as it was close to our place and looked fun. The drinks were beautiful and great. Friends got the burgers and they said they were great even though they were huge. I had a rice and pork dish. The atmosphere was ok but it dint have as much of a tiki bar feel as I expected. Service staff were helpful and quick to serve. Drinks - Great Food - ok Service - Ok Atmosphere - relaxed but not quite as tiki as I'd have expected. A solid spot if you are looking for a tiki bar drink

Food is standard for what you expect from a tiki spot. Drinks are delish and a veritable cornucopia of tasty, fresh and juicy. Staff are always friendly and work to keep you coming back for more. Even when it's busy and it's often busy. But the crown jewel for this joint is its location at the foot of the Caliente Tropics pool. Aficionados know this fun Polynesian-inspired motel at the end of the PS strip as a long-standing monument to a love of tiki. The space hosts numerous events including the Tiki Caliente weekender. A fab love letter to tiki including a poolside stage, vendors on the green, room takeovers, and other fun along the DT strip. We make a point to stop in on every trip we can. The mug quality really stands out too. A little speedy but worth it for a token. A must-see spot for those who like tiki and Palm Springs. It's the best if both! Fans of SHAG, ask to see the special menu artwork (only after 8pm).

Hadn't been here in years, since Tiki Caliente in fact. Had such fond memories, knew I had to bring my gal pals by for dinner and drinks. We all got burgers and fries, and the food was delicious. The tiki cocktails were fab too. All the servers and bartenders we interacted with were nice. Ambiance is off the chain. We enjoyed the inside and outside. The only hard part was not being able to jump in the pool and spa!

We were in Rancho Mirage for a conference and made a point to visit the Reef for mai tais -- they were closed when we tried to visit last December. Fast, friendly service in a nice, tiki environment. Mai tais were excellent. We'll be back for our family Christmas vacation in a few weeks and we'll look forward to checking out some of the other many drink options.

Tik Tok brought me here and the drinks will be the only reason that I may return. The service was amazing. The food was not great and overpriced. There were not vegan options. Even the chips and salsa that they were able to fetch from next door, cost me $8. If you're considering stopping by this spot consider eating before and just enjoy the drinks.

Another bar I went to not being a bar person or a drinker, but the while the decor wasn't my taste (not a fan of tiki bars) and I didn't drink, but the staff here were quite friendly and even the other bar goers were as well, not minding when I may have looked like I was pointing my camera at them. I wasn't, but how would they know? If you like tiki bars and are in the area, go to the Reef, you won't be disappointed!