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In 1945, Hollywood set designer Mel Melvin was tasked with creating a fantastical bar at San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel that would make patrons feel as though they were drinking and dining on the set of a movie. Mel Melvin fashioned the Terrace Plunge—which was a room that contained a swimming pool that was installed in 1929—into a Tiki-themed paradise known as the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.
Mel Melvin’s tropical creation featured lava rock walls, subdued lighting covered in thatched palm fronds, and a man-made lagoon with a boat that served as a stage for live bands. The lagoon even featured periodic rainstorms that simulated a tropical storm. Visitors could watch a pretend hurricane—without the disruptive high winds—as they sipped on rum-infused drinks.
The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar has remained wildly popular since it opened its doors in 1945. Celebrated chef Anthony Bourdain once gushed that San Francisco’s most beloved Tiki bar was “the greatest place in the history of the world.” The space has experienced a handful of renovations, but the 20th century Tiki aesthetic remains unchanged. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing rainstorm from a safe, dry distance as a mellow surf band plays on a covered boat in the middle of the lagoon.
The Tonga Room serves classic Tiki drinks such as the Tropical Itch, the Zombie, and the Mai Tai. Just a friendly reminder that swimming in the Tonga Room’s lagoon is strictly prohibited. If you have more than one boozy Zombie, a swim in the nearest body of water may seem suddenly quite appealing. The drink menu also includes non-alcoholic Tiki drinks for patrons who want to enjoy some delectable tropical flavors sans booze.
The food menu at the Tonga Room features Tiki favorites such as edamame, poke salad, and short ribs. The Tropical menu features plenty of vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as kid-friendly food. Drinkers and diners of all ages are welcome to enjoy the Tonga Room’s retro ambiance.
If you can’t afford a lavish beach vacation to the island of Tonga, but still have an insatiable urge to visit the tropics, consider swinging by the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco so that you can enjoy a relaxing drink by a calming lagoon. The soft lighting, gentle rain, and mellow live music will instantly lower your blood pressure and lighten your mood. The Tonga Room &…
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