Palm Springs, California, United States
The Reef Bar is within the Caliente Tropics Resort in Palm Springs, a historic tiki hotel that opened in 1964.
The bar at the Caliente Tropics has changed names, theming, and management many times over the years. Originally, the bar was the Congo Room restaurant, a steakhouse. After the Congo Room years, the bar adopted its most-used Reef Bar name, and there was also a brief period in the late-'00s when it was Hawaiian Bill's.
After many years with the bar in flux, as of March 4th, 2017 it re-opened under the management of Rory Snyder, perhaps best known as the organizer of the annual Tiki Caliente event at the Caliente Tropics (and Circa Caliente). The bar has large windows and a patio overlooking the hotel's swimming pool, and rather than fight the light, Snyder aims to differentiate from the other tiki bars in town and create a space that blends the mid-century history of Palm Springs with the classic tiki elements on the grounds. A menu of tropical drinks and food is available. See cocktail menu below...
In addition to mugs and glassware, the bar also sports its own line of branded rum bottles with label designs by Anthony Carpenter.
Ilene and I were here for Tiki Caliente and I had several drinks from both the pre-made selections and the menu. Very good. Bought a bottle of the Dark Arts Rum with Anthony Carpenter's art on the label. Before this, I'd been to the Reef for previous Tiki Caliente events. I usually get the Caliente Burger with pineapple ring here at some point. "That's one tasty burger!" as Jules would say.
The Reef Slanted Two-Ring Bamboo Mug - Green Edition
Santa P.I. - Red Edition - by Eekum Bookum - for The Reef
Blue Lady - Monochromatic Edition - by Eekum Bookum - for The Reef
Caliente Tropics Roof Mug - Blue - by Eekum Bookum - for The Reef
The Protector of Paradise - Second Edition - Blue - by Eekum Bookum - for The Reef in Palm Springs
Blue Lady - Full Color Editon - by Eekum Bookum - for The Reef
The Protector of Paradise - First Edition - by Eekum Bookum - for The Reef in Palm Springs
The Reef Skin Diver Mug - 3rd Edition - Queen of Hearts - Red
King of Kapu - Test Glaze - for The Reef
King of Kapu - for The Reef
The Reef August Holland Pearl of Wisdom Mug Christmas Edition
The Reef Skin Diver Mug - First Edition - Blue
The Reef Skin Diver Mug - 2nd Edition - Orange
The Reef Severed Hand Mug
The Reef Slanted Two-Ring Bamboo Mug - Yellow Edition
The Reef Zombie Glass White
The Reef Mai Tai Glass Blue
The Reef Mai Tai Glass Orange
The Reef Mai Tai Glass White
The Reef Tiki Pole Mug Blue
The Reef Pink Pearl Mug
The Reef 2018 August Holland Pearl Of Wisdom Mug
The Reef Mai Tai Glass Green
The Reef Leprechaun Long Pig Mug
The Reef Black Pearl Mug
The Reef Diver Duke Diving Helmet Mug
The Reef 1st Anniversary Mug
The Reef August Holland Pearl Of Wisdom Mug Mucho Caliente Lava Edition
The Reef Zombie Glass Green
Caliente Tropics 55th Anniversary Mai Tai Glass For Mod Palm Springs Event
The Reef Moai Mug Green
The Reef Tiki Pole Mug Green
The Reef Tiki Pole Mug Orange
The Reef Long Pig Mug