FOOD NEWS
At San Francisco's Tonga Room Drink Cocktails Around A Swimming Pool Turned Tiki Bar
BY LISA CURRAN MATTE
Located at the Fairmont San Francisco in the City by the Bay's iconic Nob Hill neighborhood, there's more to the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar than meets the eye.
Before it was transformed into a lagoon surrounded by nautical decor in 1945 by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer set designer Mel Melvin, a swanky swimming pool occupied the space.
It was a challenging transformation that cost Fairmont $75,000 (about $1.25 million in 2023 dollars), but the investment proved its worth.
Spurred by the interest of World War II veterans returning from the South Pacific, tiki culture was experiencing a heyday, and the Tonga Room was a hit.
A thatch-covered barge floating in the swimming pool-turned-lagoon became the stage for live music performances, while patrons sipped on oversized cocktails with a tropical twist.
While the Tonga Room went through various makeovers and even survived a proposed demolition over the years, today, it remains a popular San Francisco attraction.