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Tonga Hut Reviews

Submitted by Avedon Arcade on 03/01/2022

Avedon Arcade 5 stars rating.

Overall Rating

A bastion of delight in the wilds of North Hollywood. I don’t care if you’re into the tiki aesthetic or not, this bar has some of the best cocktails you’ll find around.

First off, while there is a front facade to the bar, it’s an exit only and meant to be entered via the parking lot behind the strip mall.
Most recently their parking spaces have been taken over by a built out patio space to better accommodate patrons due to the pandemic; though there’s still limited seating in doors with proof of vaccination. Regardless of where you sit you’ll enjoy a beautifully decorated space (which is more evident outside than in, with the low lighting they have indoors) that transports you outside of NoHo and into some kind of tropical paradise.

There’s no food offered by the bar but food vendors will post up at the entrance to serve anyone at the bar and you can always carry or order in food any time.

Highly recommend checking out the inside as well just to marvel at the classic decor.

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Tina Kelly 2 stars rating.

The drinks were good but we were definitely not impressed with the service. The drink took forever and it seemed like there was a big lack of communication with the staff. They did not make it very clear that they were full service and everything was very slow. Had one drink and left for another place.

Submitted by Tina Kelly on 04/12/2022

Dennis Wells 5 stars rating.

Cool dark refuge from the city and the heat.
The music is more than exotica and excellent!
Drinks are tasty and potent. What more could you ask for?

Submitted by Dennis Wells on 04/07/2022

Al Zequeira 5 stars rating.

Known to be the oldest Tiki Bar in the Los Angeles area. The Tonga Hut is a must go to spot anyone who thinks they're into Tiki. Some of the best drinks and people in Tiki make this their favorite Watering Hole. With the occasional fun event I stopped by for Saint Patrick's Day and saw many familiar faces. A little scary still because of covid-19 around but all in all a great time... Oh they also have really nice Tiki Mugs so I picked one up...????

Submitted by Al Zequeira on 03/22/2022

BL M 3 stars rating.

Drinks are good...place is very tiki bar. Lots of history and the staff is friendly and helpful. They do not serve food, but have a taco stand in back. Food was good, but took 50 minutes to get two tacos. Just know it will be a long wait for food if you go on a weekend.

Submitted by Bl M on 02/19/2022

Lauren Dana Boynton 5 stars rating.

Great tiki spot with tasty drinks, relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff! Big outdoor space and dog friendly!

Submitted by Lauren Dana Boynton on 01/24/2022

Sonny Soto 5 stars rating.

What an amazing Tiki bar. Legendary!!! The oldest in Los Angeles. Since 1958!!!Delicious, Refreshing authentic Tiki cocktails. Amazing staff. Very friendly. The amazing Marie was gracious enough to give us a tour of the place and show us how they restored it to the way it was originally in 1958. If your into Tiki this place is a MUST!!! There are very few old Tiki bars around so go visit them all!!!! Okole Moluna!!!

Submitted by Sonny Soto on 01/03/2022

Mel M 4 stars rating.

So, I should start by saying I have pretty high standards when it comes to a tiki bars. My favorites being Smugglers Cove in San Francisco and Three dots and a dash in Chicago. The first time I visited this bar was pre-pandemic after moving to LA. Recently, I visited again and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the drinks! I tried a seasonal drink, buttered rum, and it was pretty good! I also tried the Haitian magic. It has an interesting combination of rum, pineapple juice, passionfruit juice and also coffee. It definitely makes for a weird combination with the coffee, but it’s only a hint of it. It actually creates a really nice complex flavor that you can savor with each sip. I highly recommend it! Overall, they have a nice selection of drinks to try. Unfortunately inside seating space is limited, so they have roughly a 90 minute time limit and then you have to move outside. But, you can continue to drink. Though having cold drinks outside in about 50° weather is not very comfortable. I don’t recall seeing heaters. However, there we’re not any parties waiting to get inside so we were able to stay seated past our time limit— no questions asked!

Other than minor logistical nuances, I would have to say this is one of my favorite tiki bars in LA so far!

Submitted by Mel M on 12/20/2021

Emmett Wesolowski 5 stars rating.

Tonga Hut is the OG. And surprisingly they also have the best tiki drinks I’ve ever had. You would think an establishment with such clout for being the original may rest on their laurels like many older establishments do but not Tonga Hut. The blended drinks like the Pain Killer are particularly impressive. Many exotic flavors are delicately balanced in every drink here utilizing great rums as well. If you’re in the valley you owe it to yourself to go.

Submitted by Emmett Wesolowski on 10/25/2021

Matt Plummer 5 stars rating.

Outdoor only right now. Service is fast and friendly. Drinks are well made. Will be even better when indoor dining is back.

Submitted by Matt Plummer on 10/11/2021