Venue Image

Hours

Sun.-Thu. 5PM-12AM
Fri.-Sat. 5PM-1AM

Nearest Subway Station

Montgomery St. Station
598 Market Street
San Francisco Muni

Cross Street

California Street

Parking

Street parking, Covered pay lot, Valet

Pricing

Medium ($$)

Tonga Room   

950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-772-5278
www.fairmont.com

Rating: 2 out of 5  (19 Ratings)   Read Reviews (19)    Rate and Write a Review

The Fairmont Hotel is a stately mansion, all about luxury, architecture and gorgeous views. But its ground-floor bar, the Tonga Room, is an island of island kitsch, with tropical-paradise trappings like thatched-roof tiki huts, palm trees and a buffet served on the deck of a boat. Every so often, thunderous "monsoon" rainstorms hit the large "lagoon" in the middle of the bar. You'll stay dry, unless your laughter turns to tears. Drinks are more appropriately called concoctions. Served in hula-girl and tiki-head glasses, the potent mixtures are sweet and juicy and packed with rum or vodka. The bartenders mix a decent mai tai, but don't have more than one zombie or you may feel a little undead yourself the next morning. On weekdays from 5PM to 7PM, stop by for Tonga's happy hour buffet. Drinks are substantially cheaper, and for $7 you can stuff yourself silly with appetizers like ribs, Shanghai noodles, potstickers and fruit. There's a one-drink minimum to partake of the buffet -- but that won't be a problem, will it? Aside from the happy-hour crowds, the Tonga Room is a great date spot. It's dark and atmospheric, the cheesy decor gives you much to talk about and the punch-packing drinks certainly liven things up. After 7PM, Thursday through Saturday, you can dance to pop covers from a live band floating on a raft in the water.

User Ratings and Reviews Rate and Write a Review

19 Ratings and Reviews

Order by: Oldest | Newest
user image
Review rating 2 out of 5
Have appropriate expectations!
By ilvmyrav4l2 on 08/11/2007
You MUST have proper expectations to enjoy this. Do NOT come here if: - You don't like paying $30+ per entree or $10+ per drink - You want good (or even decent) food - You are expecting a "nice" or fancy dinner This place is about cheesey entertainment and dancing for older folks. Think cheap cruiseship entertainment. Come becuase you enjoy listening to old people music and watching them dance or be among them. Decor is fun, but don't think Disneyland. Come with NO expectations, and a fat wallet, and you'll enjoy it.
robotdog333
Review rating 3 out of 5
Unique
By robotdog333 on 06/11/2007
The Tonga is unique, where else can you have a near-Disneyland experience complete with faux monsoon rainstorms, tiki bar atmosphere and those little umbrellas in your drinks! The food is not great, but the happy hour & dancing are a good fun outing. And, my daughter loved going there for her birthday when she was 5 and also when she was 17! It's corny but fun.
user image
Review rating 5 out of 5
great date restaurant!
By estrellagomez13 on 05/04/2007
no matter what any of these reviews say about the drinks being over priced or the food was too expensive...ITS NOT THAT EXPENSIVE!! it's a good special occasion place (birthdays, dates, anniversaries) but if you want really really cheap go to burger king!
user image
Review rating 4 out of 5
Had a good time
By mzsilky4tnpmusic on 07/07/2006
My husband took me there for my birthday, and we had a 7:00 PM reservation, took a while to be seated. Once seated around 8:15 PM On the side of pool. I thought WOW good seats, but sitting neat the pool/water it was kind of nippy, I had to keep my coat on the whole time. we looked over the short menu, Not much to choose from We ordered our meal, then another couple was seated directly behind us. So now I am locked in I couldn't move my seat out because I would hit the person behind me and my husband couldn't move his seat either because someone was directly behind him as well. Then a band floated out and started playing 70's and 80's music. a big blast from my past, took me down memory lane. As I caught my self singing along our meals arrived piping hot and eye catching. The meal was yummy I couldn't complain not one bit. After the meal we noticed some tables had been moved and a dance floor emerged. So we hit the dance floor and danced our hearts out. when we arrived back at our table the waiter had neatly placed our food in to some to-go containers and had them bagged for us ( he asked us to do that before we hit the dance floor) After a hour or so of dancing and having a good time it was time to leave. I had such a good time Minus the seating problem. well that's until we got the check the meal was priced Fair but there was a cover charge. something we were never told about when we booked our reservations. the waiter then showed me a card seated on our table which stated all patrons will endure a cover charge after 8 PM... I protested of course doing what a woman does. while my husband was happy to take the check and run I was not.. I spoke to the manager who then worked out a deal since THEY were the one who were late on our reservations. Other than that I had a great time and the meal was pleasing I would go back again this time be much more prepared with a light jacket and cover charge: