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.
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!
This was my 3rd visit here if memory serves. Ilene's first visit. The 5 spice ribs were amazing. I think Murph needs to bottle that sauce and I told him so. The Navy Grogs were on point as well. We did not make it into the secret room this time, but I've hung out there in the past and that's my favorite part of the build-out. Lots of cool details all over the place though!
Christmas Coconut - for Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Coco Lantern Halloween 2020 Mug - for Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Coco Lantern Halloween 2021 Mug - for Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Ole 2 Face - Fifth Edition - Valentine's Day Edition - by Eekum Bookum - for Tonga Hut in Palm Springs
Ole 2 Face - Fourth Edition - Christmas Edition - by Eekum Bookum - for Tonga Hut in Palm Springs
Ole 2 Face - 2nd Edition - Green - by Eekum Bookum - for Tonga Hut & Circa Caliente Event
Ole 2 Face - First Edition - Orange - by Eekum Bookum - for Tonga Hut & Tiki Fever Event
Ole 2 Face - Third Edition - Blue - by Eekum Bookum - for Tonga Hut in Palm Springs
Suck 'Em Up! Mai Tai Glass - Light Green & Blue - for Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Zombie Glass - Yellow & Blue - by Clee Sobieski - for Tonga Hut
Zombie Glass - Green & Purple - by Clee Sobieski - for Tonga Hut
Zombie Glass - Orange & Turquoise - by Clee Sobieski - for Tonga Hut
Zombie Glass - Brown & Blue - by Clee Sobieski - for Tonga Hut
Tambu - Orange - by Tiki Diablo - for Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Tonga Hut Palm Springs Rum Barrel - Blue
Tonga Hut Palm Springs Rum Barrel - Orange
Virgin Coconut Mug for Tonga Hut - White
Tonga Hut Palm Springs Two Tikis Salt & Pepper Shakers
Eekum Bookum Mermaid Mug Mucho Caliente Lava Edition For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Eekum Bookum Mermaid Mug Green For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Tiki tOny Zombie Glass For Tonga Hut Blue
Tiki tOny Zombie Glass For Tonga Hut Green
Tiki tOny Zombie Glass For Tonga Hut Orange
The Drooling Bastard - Mucho Caliente Lava Edition - Orange
Tiki tOny Zombie Glass For Tonga Hut Purple
Eekum Bookum Mermaid Mug Orange For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Tonga Hut Palm Springs Green Coconut
Tambu - Green - by Tiki Diablo - for Tonga Hut Palm Springs
12 Volcanos White For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Macumba Orange For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Tambu - Blue - by Tiki Diablo - for Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Tonga Hut North Hollywood & Palm Springs Bamboo Mug
Macumba Green For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
12 Volcanos Orange For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Tonga Hut Palm Springs Rum Barrel Wiped Dark Blue
Tiki Farm Clamshell Bowl For Tonga Hut Palm Springs
Tonga Hut Palm Springs Rum Barrel Gloss Brown
