This space debuted in 1964 as part of The Tropics Motor Hotel, called The Congo Room. It was the poolside steakhouse and cocktail lounge where the Rat Pack held court, Victor Mature had his own table, and Elvis and Nancy Sinatra were regulars at the pool.

Underneath it? The infamous Cellar Bar — a 100-person underground den that eventually filled with water and had to be entombed in concrete in the 90’s. Very Palm Springs horror movie. Very on-brand.

The Congo Room space was later transformed into the Reef Bar.

The Reef Bar had been remodeled by Bamboo Ben when it was still operated by the hotel; in 2006, the bar was transferred to independent owners, and the name was changed to Hawaiian Bill's. Traditional Hawaiian food was served, with live musicians playing Hawaiian music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Hawaiian Bill's closed in the summer of 2008. Today the space is again The Reef Bar.

Not a lot of photos around from Hawaiian Bill's today, but below is a photo showing Rory Snyder, Doug Horne, and Hawaiian Bill at Hawaiian Bill's circa 2006 (holding brown Doug Horne Tiki Farm Grog mugs).

Details

Type

Bar & Restaurant

Address

Palm Springs, California, United States

Closed?

Yes (Permanently)