Trad'r Sam
Bar · Outer Richmond ·
Rum-based blender drinks with kitschy Polynesian decor
Rum-based blender drinks with kitschy Polynesian decor
"After a brief hiatus, this tiki bar has made a return to The Richmond after a remodel. Trad’r Sam opened in 1937 and has been serving up Mai Tais ever since. This iteration is a bit different, with new bar tops, flooring, and decorations. The general atmosphere is still the same, but without the cringe-inducing island-named seating areas. " - Ricky Rodriguez
"The long-running Geary Boulevard tiki bar Trad’r Sam has returned after a confusing temporary closure; it reopened roughly three weeks ago with a slicked-up interior that removed the eye-rollingly bad tiki-inspired seating." - Lauren Saria
"After a temporary closure “to fix up the bar” amid a legal dispute between owners Dorothy Riedel and John Munguia, Trad’r Sam on Geary Boulevard reopened three weeks ago with noticeable updates: new flooring, a new bar top, and new taps and blenders, and the distinctive neon exterior sign is being restored by Neon Works. The renovation also removed the "somewhat cringe-inducing" island names for the seating areas, but otherwise the drinks remain the same beloved fruit juice-spiked cocktails and regulars are still bellying up to the bar as in years past." - Dianne de Guzman
"After a distressing “Closed until further notice” sign and a public legal dispute between co-owners John Munguia and Dorothy Riedel, Munguia reassured fans that the beloved tiki bar will return in a few weeks following some work to fix up the space." - Paolo Bicchieri
"A longtime San Francisco institution, Trad’r Sam has been serving potent scorpion bowls and tiki drinks since 1937, but a sign on the bar’s door now says it is closed “indefinitely.” When I visited on Monday afternoon the parklet had been removed, though there was some activity inside, and owner John Munguia later emailed that the family business — which he described as family-run since 1972 — will be back in a few weeks, with some work planned to “fix up the bar while maintaining its charm” and continue serving San Francisco. Behind the temporary closure, a three-year legal battle between siblings Dorothy Riedel and John Munguia has unfolded: Riedel’s August 2020 complaint sought two-thirds ownership and accused Munguia of interfering with operations (withdrawing funds without consent, preventing access, removing property, and damaging fixtures) and sought $18,500 in damages; Munguia’s cross-complaint says he discovered in April 2020 months of unpaid rent and other past-due bills, extended an $18,500 loan to the business, and later withdrew funds when he learned Riedel was claiming a larger ownership stake. A May 2023 judgment awarded each sibling a 50 percent stake (and the liquor licenses), awarded Riedel $25,299 on her claims, ordered Munguia to pay the partnership $27,500, and awarded Munguia $197,306 to be paid by Riedel. Eater SF has reached out to Riedel’s attorney for comment." - Dianne de Guzman
