The whole concept of the tiki bar was created during the Great Depression as a form of welcomed escapism. Amidst a time when most people couldn’t dream of affording a Polynisean getaway to a magical spot with black sand beaches, a man named Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt was inspired to create a spirited oasis where people could forget their troubles and relax in the fantasies of their imagination.
Filled with nautical and tropical tchotchkes, floral leis, rattan furniture, bamboo decor and lots of rum, Don’s Beachcomber Cafe opened its doors in Hollywood in 1933 as the very first tiki bar in the United States, igniting a tiki bar craze that spread across the entire country.
Tiki Ti
Tiki-Ti sits on Sunset Boulevard between Silver Lake and Los Feliz and has been a local tiki institution since 1961. It was founded by Ray Buhen, a Filipino-born bartender who moved to Los Angeles in 1930 and spent decades refining his craft.
Inside, the atmosphere is dense with tiki memorabilia and a loyal crowd that keeps the place tightly knit. Drinks are known for being both flavorful and stronger than expected, which adds to its reputation.
The bar is also famous for its playful rituals, including group chants triggered by certain drink orders. All of this has helped it maintain a cult status, standing out in Los Angeles as one of the most authentic and enduring tiki experiences!
The Bamboo Club
Located in the historic Zafaria District of Long Beach you’ll find The Bamboo Club, a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood spot with a lovely patio that’s helmed by the duo Erick Verduzco-Vega and Brett Gallo. Filled with vibrant tropical decor and delicious Polynesian-inspired and Asian-style eats, this tiki bar is the perfect place for post-work drinks.
Plus: every Tuesday they feature a lineup of DJs who spin vinyl tracks from Caribbean and Latin American artists. Whether you’re a Long Beach local or you’re just looking to experience somewhere new, put The Bamboo Club on your list of bars to visit.
If you find yourself at this relaxed North Hollywood tiki bar, be sure to order the Scorpion Bowl. This giant tiki drink features a mix of three different rums (Aged Jamaican Rum, Gold Rum, and Silver Rum), falernum (a Caribbean syrup liqueur with hints of ginger, lime, and almond), passion fruit, lime juice, grapefruit juice, cinnamon syrup, pineapple juice, and angostura bitters, all served with a flaming garnish.
It’s a delicious blend of sweet, sour, and strong flavors. Tiki No is popular with both locals and tiki-loving tourists, offering a casual neighborhood atmosphere.
Damon’s Steak House
This historic Glendale steak house has been serving up prime rib, filet mignon, and tropical cocktails since 1937 — a huge feat for the notoriously transient city of Los Angeles. With its casual and unpretentious atmosphere, Damon’s manages to recreate the distinct feeling of being on vacation right in the middle of Glendale.
Per its name, this is a restaurant first and bar second, so we recommend visiting Damon’s when you’re in the mood for a full sit-down meal. As for drinks, keep it classic with Damon’s Famous Mai Tai, a deliciously simple mix of rum, orange, and pineapple juice.
Tonga Hut
Any tiki bar can throw up tropical decor, mandate their bartenders to wear Hawaiian shirts, and recreate the classic tiki cocktails from the ’50s, but the mark of a true tiki bar is having a quirky sense of tradition and a commitment to loyal patrons…
At Tonga, the bartenders place a dedicated “reserved” sign on a very specific bar seat every happy hour for a woman named Dottie, a staunchly loyal customer who frequented Tonga Hut every week for 50 straight years.
Purple Orchid
If you’re looking for a place to sip on a Singapore Sling and listen to live music, Purple Orchid in El Segundo is your place. The atmosphere here is always loud and lively, with two pool tables that beckon amateurs and pros alike. Compared to the other spots on this list, Purple Orchid feels like the most dive-y tiki bar in town.
Kahuna Tiki
North Hollywood solidifies its status as the tiki capital of Los Angeles with Kahuna Tiki, a sushi restaurant and a tiki-inspired bar that slings sake alongside a long list of tiki drinks. They’ve got the classics — mai tais, navy grogs, zombies, and the like, alongside more inventive modern tiki drinks. Kahuna Tiki is perfect for a casual dinner with friends or happy hour libations.
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
Leave it to Disneyland to create the most fantastical (and yes, enchanting) tiki bar in the city. With tiki memorabilia adorning every inch of this space, it’s easy to get swept up and imagine yourself smack dab in the middle of Oceania. Order the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum, a delectable cocktail made with Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, cream of coconut, orange and pineapple juices, and dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg that tastes as fun as it is to say.
Luau Larry’s
Real island vibes abound at Luau Larry’s — a legendary tiki bar located on the one and only Catalina Island. You’ll get the full island experience by first hopping on the Catalina Express, an-hour long ferry ride that takes you from Long Beach to the cute and quaint town of Avalon. We know, we know — it’s not technically Los Angeles, but we couldn’t leave out an actual island bar from the list.
With beautiful harbor views and a warm and friendly atmosphere, it’s easy to see why Luau Larry’s is everyone’s favorite hang-out on Catalina. Order their famous Wiki Wacker cocktail — a tropical blend of Cruzan aged light rum, Parrott brandy, pineapple and orange juice and grenadine — while you plan your next adventure to Hawai’i. Bottoms up!
The Lucky Tiki
One of L.A.’s most sought-after reservations right now isn’t even a restaurant—it’s the Lucky Tiki, a speakeasy-style tiki bar tucked behind West Hollywood’s Tail o’ the Pup. To enter, buzz the intercom inside the pickle barrel on the patio, push through the beaded curtain, and you’ll find an intimate space adorned with blowfish lanterns, unique tiki mugs, and memorabilia from the original Lucky Tiki, which Bobby Green of the 1933 Group first opened in the San Fernando Valley in the early 2000s.
This second-floor location is also where the Doors recorded L.A. Woman in 1970, commemorated by the bar’s drink, the Ghost of Jim Morrison, featuring Copalli rum, blackberry shrub, and burnt rosemary. The drinks here are quirky, strong, and delicious—everything you’d expect from one of the best tiki bars in L.A.
Gin Rummy
While this is not a traditional tiki bar, Gin Rummy stands out among the best tiki bars Los Angeles has to offer with its rum-forward drinks and laid-back atmosphere. The island-inspired contemporary space features two separate bars and ample room to relax, though Gin Rummy’s specialty cocktails are only available at the indoor bar, which often has a wait on weekends.
With racks of leis, pinball machines, and nightly DJ sets on weekends, Gin Rummy is a lively spot, but for a quieter experience, visit during happy hour (daily 4–6 pm).
Broken Compass
Minutes from the airport, Burbank’s Broken Compass is a top-tier new-school tiki bar. The owners have opted for a vaguely pirate-themed island decor, avoiding culturally appropriative elements while still creating a transportive space with palm roofs, wicker lamps, and parrots.
The drink menu is a tiki lover’s paradise, featuring classics like Navy grog, zombies, and painkillers alongside new creations like the caffeine-spiked Wake Me Up Before You Coco. Nonalcoholic options are also available, as well as delicious Polynesian-inspired bar bites like pork breakfast burrito, poke nachos, and “bang-bang” shrimp tacos.
The Hula Hula Room
The Hula Hula Room is one of the few tiki bars in the South Bay. The narrow strip mall space boasts a thatched roof over the bar and wicker panels, with a well-curated drinks menu featuring mai tai, Navy grog, zombie, and painkiller.
House creations like the bright blue Pali Highway Sunset and the booze-free Hawaii or Bust, a nonalcoholic blue Hawaiian, are also delightful. The decor is modest, but the excellent bartending and laid-back local crowd make the Hula Hula Room stand out, along with the relatively easy walk-in access.
Secret Island Tiki
Secret Island Tiki Restaurant and Lounge in Long Beach, is a must-visit for tiki enthusiasts. The cocktails are superb, perfectly crafted to delight any palate. Live music and karaoke nights add to the vibrant atmosphere, making each visit a unique experience.
The decor is authentically tiki with fun effects that transport you to an island paradise. The food menu might not be extensive, but it still offers delicious options at reasonable prices. Whether you’re there for the drinks, the entertainment, or the ambiance, Secret Island delivers on all fronts.
