Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

InexorableTash

Active member
roundshort said:
Why not Trader Vic's in Emeryville?

It didn't make the cut:

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-tiki-bars-in-america-thrillist-nation

I actually ate there on Saturday, between a stop at the Treasure Island Flea - inside Building One (a.k.a. the Berlin Airport from Last Crusade - keeping this thread topical!) and IKEA. I needed the Mai Tais before the latter, ugh.

The drinks and food are good and the setting is lovely... but the bar is pretty high in the Bay Area.
 

Le Saboteur

Active member
InexorableTash said:

If memory serves, and it should, the article's author mentioned somewhere that chains were not up for contention. Personally speaking, Trader Vic's is problematic for groups larger than three; the bar is rather miniscule, and seating options limited. A table in the restaurant would be required.

I would first and foremost put in my vote for Forbidden Island followed by the Tonga Room. Prepare to get either place early, but Forbidden Island has fairly decent seating options coupled with an outdoors patio. The Tonga Room doesn't take reservations, so if you aren't there as soon as the doors open @ five be prepared to wait.

w765.c6930_r16-9_020be6976b976a3a97aa8f3e3840473b.jpg


...it'll be interesting to see how Mystic Point's Society of Explorers and Adventurers fits into the whole thing considering it's set about thirty years early.

Yes, it will. Now that Mystic Manor is open I have half a mind to take a side trip to Hong Kong.

<a href="http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130514220933/disney/images/c/cd/SocietyPortrait.png"><img width="600" height="450" src="http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130514220933/disney/images/c/cd/SocietyPortrait.png" alt="Henry Jones, Sr., is that you?"></a>

There's a damn fun movie to be made here. Think That Darn Cat meets Indiana Jones...

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Is that Mara's molten cousin, Agni?!
 

roundshort

Active member
I guess a lot depends on when you want to go. If it is earlier Trader Vic's is open and lively (if you consider people over 75 lively). The Tonga room is pretty tame until pretty late, but then it has a bad habit of taking on a Frat like vibe from all the kids coming up from the Marina. Also the indoor pool makes you feel like you are at a Free swim night at the local middle school pool. I have not been to Forbidden Island, so that would be my first choice.

Sad thing is I do have all 4 of the Branded Trader Sam's mugs and bowl!
 

Stoo

Well-known member
roundshort said:
What a fun thread.
You thinkin' of coming down from Napa, roundie? Great!(y)
InexorableTash said:
Among the tiki set (e.g. Tiki Central) the Tonga Room is one of the few remaining "high holy places" of tikidom.

Also in SF is the new high-class rum joint Smuggler's Cove in the city itself, and Forbidden Island across the bay in Alameda (where they keep the nu-cle-ar wessels) - those are the high "tikis per square yard" (TiPSY) rated places. There's Trad'r Sam's (no relation to the Disney joint), slinging drinks in SF since the 30's and some dive bars with the right name but the wrong music.
I'm open to anything but bear in mind that I won't have a car and will be at the mercy of public transport (BART) & taxis. Getting into Alameda or Emeryville will take some figuring out but shouldn't be too much of a problem. (Check this out: I'll be staying near the SF end of Oakland Bay Bridge on HARRISON STREET! How freaky is that?:eek:)

After searching the 'net for photos, all of the recommendations look appealing for their own reasons. I'm really easy, though. Like the old saying goes; It's not where you are that matters, it's who you're with.;) Here are my choices from last to first:

5) Trad'r Sam falls at the bottom, sorry to say. I'm sure there's a lot of nostalgia associated with this place but, from the (few) photos that I could find of the interior, it seems kind of dreary. However, I wouldn't be against going there.

4) Trader Vic's appears to be rich with atmosphere. Really nice but if seats will be a problem, it might not be the ideal joint.

3) Tonga Room is much more formal and spacious than I was imagining but the rainstorms, pool & boat band make it rather special.

2) You guys seem to be leaning towards Forbidden Island and that looks & sounds fine. It has some wicker chairs and I want to sit in one.
Le Saboteur said:
The first person that suggests Smuggler's Cove gets slapped.
1) SMUGGLER'S COVE! SMUGGLER'S COVE! While I did say that "authentic" was the aim, Smuggler's Cove would be a hoot! Rock walls, plants, a waterfall, wild decor, etc. The place looks like a theme park! Heck, I'm going there one night whether you guys join me or not!:D

If we go to Smuggler's, the 4 of us can do a Scorpion Bowl!:dead:

7644d65d-3398-485a-8e35-d473446b6d9c_zpsd89cc1e4.jpg

InexorableTash said:
We can definitely arrange some outings, tiki or otherwise. Need to get you to the Presidio to see some Indy-related sights, too. (What size helmet do you wear?)
Heh, my helmet (hat) size is Medium 7 1/8 (57 cm, 22 1/4"). Is the Presidio giving out free Mickey Mouse ears or something?

Send me an e-mail, Tash, because I lost your address (long story) and we can square away details about non-Tiki stuff.
 

InexorableTash

Active member
The challenge with the Cove is it can be crowded. The challenge with Forbidden Island is getting to Alameda for those of us who don't drive frequently - or want to enjoy the cocktails thoroughly! But I'm a bit biased towards the Tonga Room:

http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=30385&forum=1&vpost=623383

So... I'll let others make the call.

Stoo said:
Is the Presidio giving out free Mickey Mouse ears or something?

I'm just sizing up the possibilities for a "whirl through" some choice locations.
 

Le Saboteur

Active member
Stoo said:
1) SMUGGLER'S COVE! SMUGGLER'S COVE! While I did say that "authentic" was the aim, Smuggler's Cove would be a hoot! Rock walls, plants, a waterfall, wild decor, etc. The place looks like a theme park! Heck, I'm going there one night whether you guys join me or not!:D

It is a hoot if, as Tash mentioned, you can find a seat. To put a not too fine point on it, if you can a.) find a seat, b.) stand the offensive odor of hipsters and tech workers, c.) don't mind fighting your way to the bar to order a drink, d.) fighting your way back to the bar to pick up your drink after they call your name and e.) realizing there's no where to place your drink except, maybe, the floor or precariously balanced on the decor then it might be a hoot.

All of that might be acceptable, however, if they poured a mean drink at a reasonable price. They don't, though. Be prepared to spend far more than you'd like for much, much less.

Stoo said:
If we go to Smuggler's, the 4 of us can do a Scorpion Bowl!:dead:

The bowl is cool, but not unique to Smuggler's Cove. The Rum Keg* at Trader Vic's is right up there as is the Virgin Sacrifice at Forbidden Island. While I've never had a bowl at the Tonga Room, the Pineapple Royale and the Zombie are both splendid. No mugs though. Those need to be purchased at the gift shop.

*- Normally prepared for four people, I polished one of these off myself.

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roundshort said:
Sad thing is I do have all 4 of the Branded Trader Sam's mugs and bowl!

You say that like it's a bad thing!
 

Stoo

Well-known member
Le Saboteur said:
The bowl is cool, but not unique to Smuggler's Cove. The Rum Keg* at Trader Vic's is right up there as is the Virgin Sacrifice at Forbidden Island. While I've never had a bowl at the Tonga Room, the Pineapple Royale and the Zombie are both splendid. No mugs though. Those need to be purchased at the gift shop.

*- Normally prepared for four people, I polished one of these off myself.
Consider me a Tiki Bar Virgin.:eek: This is un-plundered territory for me so you'll have to excuse the naive unawareness.:p Due to this deplorable circumstance, the 4-person Virgin Sacrifice at Forbidden Island is definitely in order!(y)
InexorableTash said:
The challenge with the Cove is it can be crowded. The challenge with Forbidden Island is getting to Alameda for those of us who don't drive frequently - or want to enjoy the cocktails thoroughly! But I'm a bit biased towards the Tonga Room:

http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=30385&forum=1&vpost=623383

So... I'll let others make the call.
Le Saboteur said:
It is a hoot if, as Tash mentioned, you can find a seat. To put a not too fine point on it, if you can a.) find a seat, b.) stand the offensive odor of hipsters and tech workers, c.) don't mind fighting your way to the bar to order a drink, d.) fighting your way back to the bar to pick up your drink after they call your name and e.) realizing there's no where to place your drink except, maybe, the floor or precariously balanced on the decor then it might be a hoot.

All of that might be acceptable, however, if they poured a mean drink at a reasonable price. They don't, though. Be prepared to spend far more than you'd like for much, much less.
Gotcha. If the Cove is that crowded every evening, then I'll save it for some other night with my girlfriend instead.

Now, if Tash doesn't mind going to Alameda, then let's aim for FORBIDDEN ISLAND. (I don't know about the ferry schedules but, perhaps, we could take one to Oakland Terminal and then get a taxi from there?:confused: I'll pay the cab fare to & from.)

If not, then TONGA ROOM (if that won't be a hassle for Le Sabo nor Roundshort).

Once we settle on a place...then it's a question of when. Preferences & availabilities for which night, guys?:confused:

**************
By the by, that Tiki Central website has a good thread about a legendary, Montreal restaurant, the Kon Tiki (1959-1986). Some Californian folks from the forum speak about the place with high regard. My mother went a couple of times in the '70s and would order a drink called, The Mauna Loa. Apparently, when the mixed ingredient was poured into the glass, the beverage erupted over the sides just like its volcanic namesake!:cool: I never went inside the Kon Tiki but do remember the bombastic entrance:

KonTikiMontreal_zps18a9f164.jpg


(Grabbed & modified from scans by Dustycajun at Tiki Central)
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=33509&forum=2&start=0

After the restaurant's closing, its owners started up 2 more in the city. One of them is still going today, Jardin Tiki (Tiki Garden).
 

Attila the Professor

Moderator
Staff member
Finally managed a Trader Sam's visit last month. Went for the Krakatoa punch; the volcano didn't actually go off on mine, but I saw it as the next Krakatoa was ordered. Delightful place.

But I really dropped by to tell Stoo that I've been to Smuggler's Cove on a visit to San Francisco last year; if you get there just about at opening (5 PM, I think) or in the 15 minutes or so afterwards, you'll be fine.

You might also be interested in a little dive in Chinatown called the Li Po Lounge, dating from the Indiana Jones-concurrent year of 1937. I have a vague guess that that "Lao Che Cocktails" sign from the early Staff of Kings footage might be taking a cue from its sign.

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screenshot_ps3_indiana_jones_and_the_staff_of_kings004.jpg


They're quite proud of something they have there called a Chinese Mai Tai, a variant with a Chinese liqueur added. Potent enough, but I'm not sure it'll have you writing home to Quebec about it.

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Not a bad joint; it featured prominently in a bender Tony Bourdain went on while on a layover.

image.jpg
 

Le Saboteur

Active member
Attila the Professor said:
But I really dropped by to tell Stoo that I've been to Smuggler's Cove on a visit to San Francisco last year; if you get there just about at opening (5 PM, I think) or in the 15 minutes or so afterwards, you'll be fine.

And you never *sniff* called.

That's the same with every bar! Well, all of the popular bars. As for Smuggler's Cove, try it on a Tuesday.

Attila the Professor said:
You might also be interested in a little dive in Chinatown called the Li Po Lounge, dating from the Indiana Jones-concurrent year of 1937. I have a vague guess that that "Lao Che Cocktails" sign from the early Staff of Kings footage might be taking a cue from its sign.

Not the Li Po Lounge! Actually, yes, do send Stoo to the Lo Po Lounge. Ignore that other place across the street.
 

Pale Horse

Moderator
Staff member
Attila the Professor said:
Finally managed a Trader Sam's visit last month. Went for the Krakatoa punch; the volcano didn't actually go off on mine, but I saw it as the next Krakatoa was ordered. Delightful place.

Wait, you were in So Cal and didn't tell me?
 

Stoo

Well-known member
Attila the Professor said:
Finally managed a Trader Sam's visit last month. Went for the Krakatoa punch; the volcano didn't actually go off on mine, but I saw it as the next Krakatoa was ordered. Delightful place.
Hey, Attila. What a disappointment, especially for a drink named after such a prestigious volcano. If I go to a Californian Tiki Bar and order something called, "Krakatoa Punch", I'd want that thing to explode in my face!:eek:

Krakatoa: The Noise Heard Around the World!

As anti-climactic as your drink might have been, I hope that it tasted good, anyway.:p Drink aside, tell us more about your visit.
Attila the Professor said:
But I really dropped by to tell Stoo that I've been to Smuggler's Cove on a visit to San Francisco last year; if you get there just about at opening (5 PM, I think) or in the 15 minutes or so afterwards, you'll be fine.

You might also be interested in a little dive in Chinatown called the Li Po Lounge, dating from the Indiana Jones-concurrent year of 1937. I have a vague guess that that "Lao Che Cocktails" sign from the early Staff of Kings footage might be taking a cue from its sign.

They're quite proud of something they have there called a Chinese Mai Tai, a variant with a Chinese liqueur added. Potent enough, but I'm not sure it'll have you writing home to Quebec about it.
Thanks for the heads-up. Busy bars aren't a problem as long as you're with fine company. Smuggler's Cove will be hit. No problem there.

As for your "Emperor's Tomb/Li Po Lounge" connection: It looks pretty solid and one of definite note. Let's take it to a better thread, yes?
Attila the Professor said:
Not a bad joint; it featured prominently in a bender Tony Bourdain went on while on a layover.
Hey, anywhere that Anthony Bourdain goes to, I will go. His tastes are admirable and he is an Indiana Jones of popular local food joints.
Le Saboteur said:
Not the Li Po Lounge! Actually, yes, do send Stoo to the Lo Po Lounge. Ignore that other place across the street.
Won't understand the Lo Po Lounge reference until I get there!
Pale Horse said:
ditto, wait. maybe not.
Frickin' lame reply, man. Will you come up to SF or what?

Krakatoa: The Noise Heard Around the World!:eek: :dead: :eek: :dead:
 
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roundshort

Active member
Stoo said:
Hey, Attila. What a disappointment, especially for a drink named after such a prestigious volcano. If I go to a Californian Tiki Bar and order something called, "Krakatoa Punch", I'd want that thing to explode in my face!:eek:

Krakatoa: The Noise Heard Around the World!

As anti-climactic as your drink might have been, I hope that it tasted good, anyway.:p Drink aside, tell us more about your visit.
Thanks for the heads-up. Busy bars aren't a problem as long as you're with fine company. Smuggler's Cove will be hit. No problem there.

As for your "Emperor's Tomb/Li Po Lounge" connection: It looks pretty solid and one of definite note. Let's take it to a better thread, yes?
Hey, anywhere that Anthony Bourdain goes to, I will go. His tastes are admirable and he is an Indiana Jones of popular local food joints.
Won't understand the Lo Po Lounge reference until I get there!
Frickin' lame reply, man. Will you come up to SF or what?

Krakatoa: The Noise Heard Around the World!:eek: :dead: :eek: :dead:

Date..... Time..... earlier is better
 

Pale Horse

Moderator
Staff member
Stoo said:
Pale Horse said:
ditto, wait. maybe not.

Frickin' lame reply, man. Will you come up to SF or what?

Krakatoa: The Noise Heard Around the World!:eek: :dead: :eek: :dead:

Let me find a designated pilot, last thing San Francisco needs is Sum Ting Wong flying back into town.
 

Stoo

Well-known member
Me said:
February 18-27, I'll be in San Francisco
My arrival date has changed to the 20th, late Thursday evening so that limits our options a tiny bit.
roundshort said:
Date..... Time..... earlier is better
If we get together on the weekend (21-23), my girlfriend will be coming along. Since I'd prefer a boy's night out, how about Wednesday, Feb 26th at 7:00pm?:confused:
Pale Horse said:
Let me find a designated pilot, last thing San Francisco needs is Sum Ting Wong flying back into town.
Pale, if you can't make it up, we'll raise a glass for you in spirit.:)
Le Saboteur said:
Interesting factoid: the very first China Clipper took off from Alameda Island in 1935. Which probably helped spur the Polynesian craze.
Apparently, one of Forbidden Island's house specialties is a drink called, China Clipper.

"On November 22, 1935, the world?s first transpacific commercial flight left from right here in Alameda bound for the Far East. Taste the enchanting flavors of our house made five-spice syrup, skillfully blended with fine rum and fresh lemon juice."

http://www.forbiddenislandalameda.com/menu/
 

micsteam

New member
Have fun Stoo !!! I wish I could go meet you boys in SF but not this time, I really don't need much of an excuse to come out to the West Coast !! Have one for me and let us know how things.. drinks.. went !! Hah !! Have fun guys !! :hat:
 

Stoo

Well-known member
WilliamBoyd8 said:
It's getting warm down there.
Are you referring to the statue's 'family jewels' dangling close to, what appears to be, a flaming heat source?:p Anyway, Hoppy, you're more than welcome to join us, should you be able to get down to SF again.:hat:

Micsteam: Yes, we'll definitely have a drink (or 2 or 3) in your name. I'm sure that hanging out with you in person would be lots of fun.:D

********************
Because of schedules & whatnot, I'm thinking of 2 Tiki nights:

Friday, Feb 21 - Tonga Room in San Francisco
and/or
Saturday or Sunday, Feb 22 or 23 - Forbidden Island in Alameda

The time is drawing near so this is essentially a call out to Roundshort & Pale Horse, to see if they're still interested in congregating for a Scorpion Bowl or a Virgin Sacrifice.:whip:
 
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