Ed U.
Yelp
Now this is the place where Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray should've had their final tryst before she goes running off to Jack Lemmon at the end of "The Apartment". They have conveniently private alcoves presumably for illicit lovers but more likely for drunk louts who need extra insulation from the outside world. It's the darkly clandestine tone that makes this a classic tiki experience.
This hideaway tavern is deep in the Tenderloin on Jones near O'Farrell, but the only trace of its existence are the palm trees painted on the light fixtures above the otherwise nondescript access doors. Once I entered, the surprisingly expansive bar beckoned. There were large tiki masks, dramatic lighting effects, stars on the ceiling, and the requisite periodic volcano effects (video: https://yelp.to/xVfodFVaBT). The right mood was indeed struck.
The cocktail menu was appropriately evocative and a perfect match for the ambiance. Brian was a great bartender, friendly but never obtrusive, and he dealt with loud alpha types like a liquor sales rep with aplomb. I went for the $17 Coco Pandan, an alluring elixir of Barbados rum, coconut milk, pandan, and coconut rum liqueur accompanied cheekily by a tropical popsicle (photo: https://yelp.to/S39dFUjxDx).
Made with lychee and coconut, it was a whimsical touch that brought a sweet element to the drink. My next drink was even better, the $16 Disco Banana with Martinique and Jamaican rums, lime, cinnamon, and banana. Topped with a banana chip, it evoked a balmy night at a Caribbean resort with Billy Ocean playing on the muzak (photo: https://yelp.to/tnRhFyKyP7). Brian was kind enough to top off my evening with a rum aperitif (photo: https://yelp.to/RfFtUvse60).
COCKTAILS - 5 stars...well tested libations, the popsicle was ingenious
AMBIANCE - 5 stars...the best traditional tiki bar setting in the city
SERVICE - 5 stars...Brian was aces
TOTAL - 5 stars...pure tiki delight
RELATED - Exploring the Tenderloin? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2NIQ0tw