Penelope & The Beauty Bar

I see the Tonga Room as a place to go when you are looking for something different. It's a tiki bar -- which is supposed to be a little cheesy -- and has rooti-tuti-fresh-and-fruity drinks that are also not the most refined things in the world (except maybe a Mai-Tai). It's a place to go because it is different and not a place to go for relaxing, fine dining, or cheap drinks. Although the drinks are a little costly (I mean, you are in a Fairnont hotel), they are pretty damn strong. I find this to be a great place to take out of town visitors. They get a real kick out of it -- even dancing to the 80s and 90s covers by the band. And for the drinks -- with one group we ended up ordering a lot of bowl drinks and ended up with something stronger than a scorpion bowl (and I didn't know that was even possible). I personally wouldn't eat there (too costly for what you get) -- but it's fun for that something different you want to do. more

Of course the Tiki craze (or was it re-craze) is over, but this place is still cool! They have an indoor pond like thing with a boat where people sing, and it rains inside and you can get umbrella drinks! So fun! more

It's like having a little bit of Epcot Center right here in SF. The cover band plays on a boat, in the middle of a lake. The beginning and end of each set is signaled by a monsoon. The boat floats away. It is soooo cool. Couples dance the night away getting loaded on expensive tropical drinks. Make sure to save that little umbrella, because when morning comes, it just might be the only thing you remember from the night's festivities. more

This is a funky place to come for drinks and happy hour buffet – its located on the bottom floor of the Fairmont hotel, and has a 70’s Hawaiian bar atmosphere. There are even sound effects of a thunderstorm every 15 minutes or so. They have a good all you can eat buffet for happyhour, but it usually gets pretty crowded with tourists, so come right at 5pm to get in! more

This is the greatest bar on earth if you are in the mood for a kitsch, themed tiki sensation. Got there around 5 "just for the one", left 4 or 5 hours later having not laughed so much in a bar for years. The staff are great (esp Frank behind the bar who has worked there for 29 years), the crowd friendly and the band (playing on a floating boat) play the lounge hits you would expect. Bottom line is that if you are in the mood to drink from a pineapple you should go there. If this does not appeal then why are you thinking of going to a bar called "The Tonga Room" in the first place??? more

Tonga Restaurant & Bar seems to be every ones favorite club in San Francisco and I have to admit, I don't really like it very much. The door price is always expensive, the bar isn't that great, the atmosphere is okay, but there's no place to sit and talk if you don't feel like listening to the show. They book some good underground bands sometimes, but the Hemlock Tavern is better (and much quieter.) The lcoation is definately traffic-heavy - so expect to be looking for parking... more

The Tonga Room is one of the more unusual bars in San Francisco that is fun to go to once. However, the Tonga Room is pricey and just comes across as cheesy. The thunderstorms are pretty neat, but the floating stage in the middle of the room is often occupied by a lounge singer targeted at the over rich over 60's clientele. Beware the 'entertainment' charge that is automatically added to your check after 8PM. more

The jungle theme here is pretty cool, but the food doesn't justify the overpriced environment. We could have gotten better Cashew Chicken at a dozen places a block down in Chinatown for 1/3 the price. If you're staying at the Fairmont and want to watch a ballgame and kick back cocktails, it's a good bet. Don't bother with dinner, though. more