Tonga Hut - Palm Springs
5 May 2023
Part of our Palm Springs Tiki Bar crawl during Tiki Caliente! The Palm Springs Tonga Hut is more expansive than its older North Hollywood sister, and also serves food along with its distinctive cocktails. We shared the Puu Puu Platter, which at $13 per person is a nice deal on a variety of Chinese/Polynesian appetizers. I had a Kraken the Dole Whip cocktail, and our server was kind enough to have it made special in a hollowed-out coconut after I requested it, not its usual setting. The food, drinks and decor were all fun, and there's also a wide sitting area with tables and a variety of board and card games. We played Jenga and chatted up other patrons after we'd finished our meal. Great fun!
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Tiki Bar
Tonga Hut - Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California, United States
Tonga Hut opened in Palm Springs in the spring of 2013. It is the sister location of the historic Tonga Hut in North Hollywood, with the same ownership responsible for restoring that location to tiki glory.
Tonga Hut is located on the second floor of its building. The restaurant has booth seating, and a dramatic tiki bas relief wall. Tucked at the back is a phone booth with a false back, leading into a small private room with a rich, dense, golden-era approach to tiki style. Behind that room is a small private lanai with a Witco bar and stools. Opposite the restaurant side of the space, there is a good-sized bar with a tiki-tinged mid-century modern look, and a lanai overlooking Palm Springs' main drag. The interior was created by Tiki Diablo.
The Palm Springs Tonga Hut location has a full food menu, including a flaming pu-pu platter. The drink menu is a mix of classic tiki drinks and their own modern creations, and includes a flaming coconut drink and shared volcano bowls. Tonga Hut hosts special music events, with particular emphasis on Exotica acts.