The best tiki bars in Los Angeles

What is it? A laidback tiki destination tucked away in Long Beach.

Why we love it: Home to killer tropical cocktails and vinyl nights, the Bamboo Club serves some of the most affordable, delicious-tasting tiki concoctions in L.A. County; most drinks are less than $16, and man, are they strong. There are tiki classics, rum-free creations and a section of the menu devoted to coconut. Their Jungle Bird satisfies purists while still being approachable, softening the Campari with a coconut wash. The food menu is excellent as well, from the Thai tea-brined fried chicken sandwich to Hawaiian local food classics like loco moco and Spam musubi. Unlike many of the other bars on this list, the Bamboo Club opens before noon on the weekends and has a roomy patio, making it friendly for dogs and kids—at least before 9pm, when the DJs normally come on.

Time Out tip: Drop in for their all-night happy hour on Mondays and Tuesdays to get even better deals on drinks and food items like their $10 burger.

Address: 3522 E Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA 90804

Hours of operation: Mon, Tue 3–10pm; Wed, Thu 3pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? L.A.’s oldest operating tiki bar and our favorite of the old-timers.

Why we love it: When you enter the Tonga Hut, there will be, without fail, a drooling bastard there to greet you. We’re not referring to a sloshed patron slumped over the bar, but rather the Drooling Bastard, the North Hollywood bar’s unofficial mascot. The sloppy drunkard comes in the form of a lava rock fountain, where a tiki mask (the bastard) dribbles water (a drunkard, clearly) into a small pool. Across from the fountain, the bartenders whip up classic tiki cocktails, like mai tais garnished with large sprigs of mint or the always-popular flaming Scorpion Bowl. The Tonga Hut, which first opened in 1958, has a loyal following of patrons, some of whom have tried all 78 cocktails in “The Grog Log” (a famous tiki book); as a reward, they become members of the Loyal Order of the Drooling Bastard. For the mere mortals among us, we can be happy choosing our favorite tunes at the jukebox before settling into the Tonga Hut’s cozy booths or chatting up regulars at the bar. If you’re ever visiting Palm Springs, you can also visit Tonga Hut’s sister location, which serves a full food menu, as well.

Time Out tip: Every evening except for Sundays, you can also get your fill of carne asada from Durangos Tacos as part of their longstanding partnership.

Address: 12808 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–1am; Fri 4pm–2am; Sat 2pm–2am; Sun 2pm–1am

What is it? A small, divey Tiki bar with decades of stories and kitsch in its walls.

Why we love it: Drive past Tiki-Ti in Silver Lake and you will almost always see a line out the door. Its popularity is a factor, but so is its size: Tiki-Ti is tiny. Finding a seat here feels like winning the tiki bar jackpot, but once you’ve settled in and gained some bearings, you’ll see that there are all the usual suspects—a menu filled with classic tiki drinks, tchotchkes galore, a mechanical bull trotting down the bar… wait, what? The bar’s unofficial mascot, a small robotic toy bull, often makes an appearance as the night wears on, walking past patrons’ drinks as they cheer him on. This and many other unexpected touches seem to drive Tiki-Ti’s fandom. The limited occupancy might be a pain, but regulars will always return for the strong drinks topped with maraschino cherries. Newcomers come by to experience a Los Angeles institution—and wind up becoming regulars themselves.

Time Out tip: Get there right when it opens or even a bit before on weekends, unless you’re prepared to wait for a spot.

Address: 4427 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Hours of operation: Wed–Sat 6pm–midnight

What is it? The NELA counterpart to WeHo’s favorite tiki speakeasy with a little extra flair.

Why we love it: If you thought West Hollywood’s Lucky Tiki was theatrical, get ready for drinks and a show at the Highland Park speakeasy. You enter this tropical den by buzzing in through a Zoltar-like Salty Sailor machine by the entrance to Highland Park Bowl. Once your eyes adjust, you’ll find rigging, straw, and bamboo that feel more Mad Men lunch than Party City luau. Though some drinks from their sister location’s mai tai, pina colada, painkiller, and old fashioned can be found here, there are new treasures to explore on the menu. Their Saturn riff, Whatever Floats Your Boat, arrives in a ship, activating lights, thunder, and animatronics of a stormy sea above the bar. In addition to lighting cues and tableside fire shows, the Siren Song gets the full bubble maker treatment and a pop song that the entire bar will likely join in singing. 

Time Out tip: Walk-ins are less likely to be accepted on the weekends, but during the week, well, you might just get lucky.

Address: 5621 N. Figueroa St, Highland Park, CA 90042

Hours of operation: Wed–Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 3pm–9pm

What is it? A tiki speakeasy upstairs from Tail o’ the Pup offering riffs on classics.

Why we love it: One of L.A.’s hottest reservations is the Lucky Tiki, a speakeasy-style tiki bar hidden away behind West Hollywood’s Tail o’ the Pup. Enter by buzzing the intercom within the pickle barrel on the patio, push through the beaded curtain and you’ll find an intimate space decorated with blowfish lanterns, one-of-a-kind tiki mugs and plenty of memorabilia from the original Lucky Tiki, which the 1933 Group’s Bobby Green first opened in the San Fernando Valley back in the early aughts. The second-floor space is also where the Doors recorded L.A. Woman in 1970, and the bar pays homage with a drink called the Ghost of Jim Morrison, which pairs Copalli rum with blackberry shrub and burnt rosemary. All of the drinks here are kitschy, strong and delicious—everything we’re looking for in a tiki drink. 

Time Out tip: Walk-ins aren’t guaranteed and reservations are even harder to come by at the WeHo location. Reservations are released on a 30-day rolling basis on Resy.

Address: 8512 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Hours of operation: Wed–Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 3pm–9pm

What is it? A darkened tiki bar where North Hollywood regulars come to sing their hearts out during Wednesday karaoke night and dance the night away on the weekends.

Why we love it: Next to a line of auto body shops on Lankershim Boulevard sits Tiki No, a dimly lit spot that’s often full of locals commiserating over coconut cream. On slower nights, feel free to chat up your bartender as they concoct a Toasted Marshmallow, one of Tiki No’s more popular cocktails. Made from overproof Jamaican rum, fluffed vodka and Licor 43, the drink’s cherry on top arrives in the form of a flaming marshmallow. It’s an impressive (and tasty) libation, as are some other staples on the menu—the Coconut Mojito, the Eastern Sour, the Suffering Bastard—and the bartenders make each one with admirable precision under plastic blowfish lamps and a thatched palm roof. 

Time Out tip: While there’s no kitchen for coconut shrimp or other tropical delights, Tiki No welcomes outside food—so feel free to bring in takeout from elsewhere to soak up all that booze.

Address: 4657 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91602

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 7pm–2am; Fri, Sat 6pm–2am; Sun 7pm–2am

What is it? L.A.’s closest tiki dive to the ocean (if you don’t mind a side of roaring 747s).

Why we love it: Does El Segundo conjure images of low-flying planes and plumes of smoke coming from the Scattergood electric plant? It should. There’s a heavy industrial feel to this city, but the Purple Orchid, a divey tiki bar just around the corner from Main Street, brings a lighter touch to the area. Pass by regulars smoking under the neon purple sign and enter a tropical mecca of fruity drinks and kitschy decor. There are the requisite bamboo-lined walls and tiki lamps, but the Purple Orchid also does tropical with a twist: yes, tiki masks hang throughout the bar, but there are Barbies dangling from their mouths as sacrificial offerings, and a cage with shrunken heads hangs by a big-screen TV (one hopes they’re artificial). The drinks don’t always take such a creative turn, but you can order a mai tai, scorpion, Blackwell daiquiri and various coconut-infused libations. You may or may not get an umbrella depending on who is working, but this longtime neighborhood haunt is a worthwhile destination for anyone seeking a boozy tropical escape in the South Bay.

Time Out tip: There are non-tiki classics, like a Sazerac or Aviation, available if you need a break between navy-strength grogs.

Address: 221 Richmond St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Hours of operation: Mon–Fri 3pm–2am; Sat, Sun 2pm–2am

What is it? A sprawling Westside tiki bar with a beach of its own.

Why we love it: The team behind the Roger Room and the Friend has transformed Marina del Rey’s Nueva into Gin Rummy, a Westside drinking destination serving impeccably crafted tiki classics, a small food menu, and a five-spirit scorpion bowl(!) all but made for summer get-togethers. While it’s not a tiki bar in the traditionally dimly lit, kitschy sense, Gin Rummy is one of the few bars on the Westside serving rum-forward drinks in a laid-back atmosphere. The island-inspired contemporary space offers two separate bars and plenty of room to stretch out, though you can only order Gin Rummy’s specialty cocktails at the indoor bar (where a wait is practically guaranteed on weekends). Racks of leis, pinball machines and nightly DJ sets on the weekend mean most nights are a party at Gin Rummy. 

Time Out tip: If you’re seeking a tamer environment, head here during happy hour (daily 4–6pm) for $10 chicken wings and $10 margaritas and daiquiris.

Address: 822 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Hours of operation: Mon–Fri 4pm–2am, Sat, Sun noon–2am

What is it? A new wave tiki spot that leans more toward appreciation than appropriation.

Why we love it: Minutes away from the airport, Burbank’s Broken Compass is a new-school tiki bar of the highest order. Inside, the owners have shied away from Polynesian idols and other more culturally appropriate design choices in favor of vaguely pirate-themed island decor, though the space still feels transportive with palm roofs, wicker lamp fixtures, and plenty of parrots. The drink menu, however, is a full-blown tiki lover’s paradise; tiki staples like navy grog, zombies, and painkillers coexist peacefully alongside newer creations like the caffeine-spiked Wake Me Up Before You Coco. There are even a few nonalcoholic house creations—instead of just rum-free piña colada—like the Port in a Storm, which combines a booze-free rum alternative with pineapple, falernum, grenadine, and lemon juice. Foodwise, chef-owner Erica Abell whips up a Polynesian-inspired menu of bar bites that includes a kalua pork breakfast burrito, poke nachos and “bang-bang” shrimp tacos. 

Time Out tip: Broken Compass closes at 10pm most days—no late-night mai tai sojourns to be had here. 

Address: 2013 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

Hours of operation: Tue–Thu noon–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–11pm; Sun noon–10pm

What is it? Since 1937, this classic tiki-themed steakhouse has served thick-cut steaks and tropical-inspired drinks along Brand Boulevard. 

Why we love it: The thatched roof and Hawaiian murals lend an overall easygoing, casual vibe to this Glendale institution, which churns out killer mai tais and vodka- or rum-spiked swirls of Dole whip, the beloved frozen pineapple dessert. While we’d recommend sitting down for a full meal here to get the full tiki steakhouse experience, you can also head to the back bar if you’re just looking for a drink before Damon’s closes at a relatively sleepy 10pm.

Time Out tip: Stop by early on weekends for the prime rib specials—it often sells out early—but you can dine on coconut shrimp and other delicious fried appetizers any day of the week.

Address: 317 N. Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203

Hours of operation: Tue–Sun 3–10pm

What is it? A rare South Bay tiki bar hidden in a strip mall.

Why we love it: Taking over an old Torrance dive bar, the Hula Hula Room is one of the only tiki bars in the South Bay—unless you count the intermittently opened Hale Hawaii Lounge, which opens only when the owner feels like setting up shop. The narrow strip mall space is fully decked out with a thatched roof over the bar and wicker panels, and the tightly curated drinks menus include a mai tai, a navy Grog, a zombie and a painkiller. The house creations are delicious as well, from the bright blue Pali Highway Sunset to the booze-free Hawaii or Bust, a nonalcoholic version of a blue Hawaiian. The space isn’t the most over-the-top in terms of tiki decor, but the excellent bartending and relaxed locals’ crowd at the Hula Hula Room more than make up for it, not to mention the relatively easy ability to walk in.

Time Out tip: They have pretty strong event programming throughout the week, including late-night DJs on Thursday through Saturday.

Address: 20930 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 4–midnight; Fri, Sat 4pm–2am; Sun 4–midnight