A must stop for any goonies lover…read more The entrance leaves a lot to be desired, but I suppose it add more to the magic and experience once you've entered. It feels like we're are navigating the caves from the movie and the bar is the treasure ship. Once you enter there is decor and memorabilia spread throughout (whether any of it is authentic or not I'm not sure) they have speciality drinks after the movie and the bartender was very attentive. Overall it was fun to experience and a nice spot to explore while going around San Clemente.

Really bummed out. My husband grew up in San Clemente, loved tiki bars and his favorite movie was…read moreThe Goonies. He sadly passed away recently and his memorial is this weekend, so we tried to go to Lost Inferno to celebrate him with all his high school and college friends. We called in advance and the person we spoke to said we couldn't make a reservation unless we could guarantee 20 people, but we could walk in with a smaller group no problem. Of course we got there right when they opened and they told us they couldn't seat us for an hour. We joined the wait list and walked to a bar a couple doors down waiting for the text that our table was ready. We received a text that our table would be ready at a specific time and then 2 minutes before our table was supposed to be ready we get a text saying we were removed from the wait list with no clarification or follow up. I understand being busy/booked up, but I would have liked to have received accurate information. We could have made reservations online if we had been told. I wore his favorite Goonies Hawaiian shirt and everything expecting to have a nice time talking about my husband. I guess I'm glad we never had the opportunity to experience this level of service with my husband, and guess I won't be back seeing that he's dead and all. Edited to add tips - don't believe anything they tell you on the phone and if you really want to go, make a reservation, and apparently they will close for you if you can guarantee 20 people.

Fun ambiance. Great cocktails! Service was also great too. It feels like the Tiki room. Very…read morenostalgic.

First time at Stowaway last night, loved the tropical tiki vibe! Place was packed when we got there…read morearound 6 pm. FREE parking available right in front. The shareable small bites were incredible--the Poke Bombs were indeed da bomb (pun intended), and the Tempura-battered Spam Musubi served with a sweet teriyaki-esque glaze and sriracha-mayo is an absolute must-order. Both items were so good that we ended up ordering them again. The drinks were great -- Three Dots and a Dash, Smoking Rita and the Lava Flow instantly transported me right back to Hawaii. Huge shoutout to Michelle and David for providing such warm, friendly, and attentive service. We will definitely be back!

So we finally made it here! I just love the concept here, a Japanese inspired speakeasy x hand roll…read moresushi bar x craft cocktail/whiskey bar. The experience starts before you even get upstairs. The staircase is covered wall to wall in vintage Japanese artwork and pop culture prints with colorful parasols hanging overhead. They even had Ultraman and Doraemon up there! Super cute! Sherman was our server and Emily made us some delicious cocktails. The menu maybe small but the hand rolls we tried were all fresh and tasty. Their hand rolls aren't the traditional cone shaped ones you're probably used to. They're served more open-style, almost like little sushi tacos with crispy nori folded around the rice and filling. I was also curious about the meaning behind the name and found out a fun fact: it translates to "The Blind Rabbit." And yes, if you're wondering like I was, there is a connection to The Blind Rabbit in Anaheim! They're located in the same building as The Lost Inferno with Momoku upstairs. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back! A fun and refreshing concept, definitely come check them out!

Behind the cool bookcase is a really cool secret staircase decorated in Japanese style with…read moreumbrellas on the ceiling and lots of fun anime photos. Upstairs you'll find a tiny but super cozy bar with only 5 or 6 tables, so I highly suggest making a reservation. I went with my husband mainly for the drinks. They have lots of interesting cocktails and a large selection of sake and whiskey. We were surprised they also had a few hand roll options, so we tried them all... and oh my. Extremely delicious. The ones that stood out were the wagyu, the eel, and the yellowtail, we even ordered a second round of each. The ambiance was so cool and our bartender Tu was very attentive. We had a great time and plan to be back soon!

Went for Happy Hour Love the Tiki bar Ambience…read more They got it right Hubby loved the Taco Tuesday fish tacos I had the dry rib chicken wings...perfect Shout out to our amazing bartender Parker

If you like your tiki bars low-key, The Lobby Tiki Bar & Grill has got you covered…read more If that sounds like a negative, it's not. In this case, "low-key" refers to a tiki bar that is not over-the-top; one that doesn't cause you to enter into an entirely different reality. There's a time and place for that sort of tiki bar but in a small coastal town perhaps you don't want or need to enter a fourth dimension. The Lobby is small (though larger than I'd anticipated), not noticeably dark (like many in the genre), and outfitted with a nice array of tiki-themed tchotchkes. Scooby Doo, playing silently on a small tv above the bar, is a perfect accompaniment to the pleasing decor. I both ate and drank here and found nothing not to enjoy. Tiki bars generally elicit happiness in me and this one, with its excellent server, did not change that mindset. An Astro Chimp ($14) was my tiki drink of choice, mostly because I was interested in trying a cocktail featuring cold brew. Very good, and it did not keep me up all night. Fish & Chips ($23) was a sizable and satisfying portion, plenty there to be shared by two. "Brussels" ($11), were also quite good and ample. You will not go hungry if you choose to dine here. The Lobby is a fun choice for your time in Oceanside. Stylish and satisfying on every front, I'd happily return. Other stuff: * There is apparently a stairway-accessible rooftop deck here but it was closed for a private event during my visit. If open, definitely worth checking out. * 5% surcharge is automatically added to everything you spend here.

Performed here a couple of weeks ago for a private party. Jacob the manager was helpful and…read morefriendly; he ensured tgat all went smoothly as possible. I ate a variety of the food after the performance and found it all to be delicious. Will likely stop by again when I am in the San Clemente area.

Was in town for a wedding and decided to give this place a try…read more If I could give more stars I would. Delicious! I've never had a Spam tempura and now that's all I want from now on! The bar area was cute and TV's playing sports games. We were seated quick, our food came just as quick and left with full happy bellies. Will comeback when craving a Spam Musubi and in the area!

Definitely make a reservation here! I believe there are only like 4 booths!…read moreWe were able to secure a booth because someone missed their reservation. You will have to go through the main tikibar (Stowaway) and walk to a side door in the back. The theme is along the lines of Pinocchio. After you enter the side door, you will be transported and see a story book. You will walk through a whale's mouth to get to your booth. There is so much to look at all around so take your time admiring the decor while you drink. The tiki drinks are different from Stowaway and are delicious! It's definitely more intimate so you can talk to the bartenders. Though since it's all booths, you won't really see them make the drinks. Overall, fun spot - intimate if you want the tiki vibes in a quieter location

The Belly of the Beast - Pinocchio Speakeasy at Stowaway Tiki Bar, Tustin…read more The Belly of the Beast is a Pinocchio-themed speakeasy tucked inside Stowaway Tiki Bar in Tustin, and it's definitely a fun experience. You actually enter through the mouth of a whale, which immediately sets the tone. The decor and theming are really well done, with plenty of unique details that make the space feel immersive. The atmosphere is more intimate and private compared to the main tiki bar, which makes it a nice change of pace. The food menu is limited, but what we tried was good. The drinks were definitely the highlight. I had the Farewell Jimmy, Smoke the Monster Out, and Geppetto's Last Words--all three were great. Smooth, tropical, flavorful, and definitely potent. Service was okay, but nothing particularly stood out. Overall, The Belly of the Beast is a cool place to check out if you enjoy themed bars and unique experiences. For me, it's probably more of a one-time experience rather than somewhere I'd regularly return to. Still, the creativity, decor, and cocktails make it worth experiencing at least once.

Strong Water isn't just a place to grab a drink, it is an entire experience from the moment you…read morewalk through the door. We were escorted inside and our hostess immediately started introducing us to the lore of the place: a capsized ship with the space decorated using pieces recovered from the wreckage. The room is VERY dimly lit, and we actually stood near the entrance for a moment while our eyes adjusted, but honestly that just added to the atmosphere. On the way to our reservation in the Captain's Quarters, our hostess gave us a little tour of the main room and even pointed out the bathrooms for later. Once we sat down, we met our bartender, Drew, who was fantastic. He walked us through the different menus, explained the food and cocktails, and really added to the experience throughout the night. I'm normally a whiskey drinker, so I started with the Southeast Spice Trade while my girlfriend ordered the Pineapple Whipped Colada. Both were delicious, but half the fun was watching Drew make them. You could really see the amount of care that went into the craft and presentation of every drink. For food, we ordered the chicken katsu and ahi poke nachos. I was especially excited when the nachos arrived and I realized they were made with wonton chips. I'm a sucker for wonton chips, so those were an immediate win. We obviously couldn't stop at one round of drinks, so next came the Tarobi Colada and Zombie King. Drew told us a little about the history of the Zombie King and gave us a lesson on rum, so I had to try it, plus it came in one of the coolest mugs I've ever seen. The Zombie King was easily my favorite drink of the night. The flavor was fantastic from beginning to end and dangerously smooth. I didn't even realize how much it had hit me until I stood up. Even leaving was part of the experience. We finally checked out the bathroom and the door has what feels like TEN different locks on it. It genuinely felt like I was locking myself inside the bathroom of an old pirate ship. Between the storytelling, incredible atmosphere, Captain's Quarters, food, cocktails, and especially the service from Drew, this was such a memorable night. Strong Water completely commits to its theme without sacrificing the quality of the drinks. Absolutely an experience worth having, and we can't wait to come back.

We have returned to Strong Water several times in recent months, so it's time for an update. We…read morefirst returned in early June since they introduced some new cocktails and food to the menu. The other visits were just because this is by far our number one place. Recently added cocktails: Buzzin' Jungle Bird (Jamaican gold rum, coffee infused campari, dark rum, pineapple, lime, hemp orgeat, cane, Angostura bitters). This is a great spin on a jungle bird, with some complexity and coffee flavor. I'm usually not a big fan of coffee, but it is at a good level. Chi Chi (Whey vodka, pineapple, lime, date, honey, coconut, salt). This has a great creamy texture which I believe comes from the dairy component of the whey vodka. It is well balanced with some sweetness, and I could taste the coconut and date flavors. Lapu Lapu (Asian rum, Jamaican rum, dry curacao, lime, orgeat, demerara). It is juicy, well balanced, and served with a flaming sugar cube on top. This is the cocktail they chose to serve at their booth at Tiki Oasis recently which says a lot, try it! Thai Me Down (Barbados rum, coconut liqueur, papaya, lemon, demerara, Thai basil). It is served old-fashioned style, and was light and perfectly balanced. Those Thai inspired flavors were all noticeable. Demerara Dry Float. They added and took this one off the menu as of now. It was a balanced light citrusy drink which was served with a delicious sidecar of Hamilton 151 rum infused with banana chips. I sipped half of that and mixed the rest into the cocktail. It was served with a beautiful ice shell. I'm guessing it was too labor intensive, and took up a lot of space in their freezers. Recently added food: Ahi Poke Nachos (marinated ahi tuna, masago, avocado, cucumber, spicy mayo, furikake, green onion). This is such a tasty starter with so many textures and flavors. I love that the nachos are wontons too, and not just chips. Crab & Cream cheese wontons. Nice crisp wontons with a good amount of crab and cream cheese inside. The chili sauce and spicy mayo adds another layer of flavor, and there is a slice of jalapeno on top for a little heat. Pan-Seared Scallops. This was an excellent lighter entrée. The four scallops are cooked perfectly, and even have a little dollop of caviar on top. I liked the mix of veggies and really liked the bed of potato puree underneath. Steak & Eggs (8oz hanger steak, crying tiger glaze, Nam Jim Jaew sauce, sunny eggs, rice). I normally wouldn't try steak & eggs for dinner, but I can't resist a good hanger steak. It was cooked a perfect medium rare and I appreciate that it was pre-sliced. The crying tiger glaze and sauce were so flavorful. There's plenty of rice to soak up any left egg yolk or sauce. Recently added desserts: Dubai Chocolate Lava Cake. This was excellent, but it's definitely sweet and rich. Save some room if you plan on ordering this. Ube Flan Cake. I'm usually not a fan of flan, but I have to try anything with ube and this was good. The cake had nice ube flavor, and I liked that the flan was a little firm since the looser custardy/gelatinous texture is not for me. This is definitely a lighter dessert than the lava cake. It's not a new drink, but I also had the Naval Grog for the first time. (Lost Voyage rum, overproof white rum, allspice dram, lime, grapefruit, demerara, honey). It is boozy with nice spice notes. Other repeat cocktails enjoyed were Tales from the Black Lagoon (my favorite), Missionary's Downfall, Agave Parrot, Singapore Sling, and Serpents Grasp all of which are excellent. Their cocktails, food, ambiance, and service are always top notch. Thank you Ying, Erica, Greg, Jordan, Joey, Iris, Karen, Kyle, Joy, and John for your wonderful hospitality during our visits. We will return again soon!

Finally made it here last weekend after wanting to check this place out for so long and it…read morecompletely lived up to the hype! The vibe is super cool and energetic. The skull heads art with the fog effect were such a fun touch for our kids. Everything we ordered was delicious, the portions are huge (definitely come hungry), and the Lapu Lapu drink is incredible. Even though the restaurant was completely packed, our server Alex was super attentive, and brought such a fun, awesome energy to our table. We had the best time and highly recommend (make sure to make reservations)!

As one of the oldest tiki bars in both the country and the state, Royal Hawaiian thankfully lives…read moreup to its historic status. Opened in 1947, the place has closed and re-opened intermittently under different owners, and most recently underwent a historic renovation process that more-or-less returns it to its origins. What you'll find here is a tiki bar that feels less like a time warp into another dimension, but rather, one that returns you to a time when tiki bars were full of things that evoke both Hawaii and the rest of Polynesia. This environment pretty much demands a rum-based cocktail and several patrons (including the band) appeared to have gotten well into the spirits. From a seat at the bar I enjoyed not just the music of the 3-person band, a good view of the surroundings, and a Nui Nui (cocktail, $19) but also a shared Spam Musubi ($7.95, excellent) and extravagantly lengthy Lumpia ($19.95). The Musubi, as indicated, was delicious and though I hadn't the appetite, I watched another bar patron sharing a fabulous looking order of poke nachos. So the drinks aren't the only reason to come here. Probably for good cause, the Royal Hawaiian isn't a late-night place. On Friday and Saturday they close at 10pm and on other days at 9pm. With a lively atmosphere, great cocktails, and some really interesting food options, the reborn Royal Hawaiian is a fun and worthy spot to at which to spend an evening.

Had a great experience at Twisted Tiki! The bartender was incredibly personable and made us feel…read morewelcome from the moment we sat down. I can't remember his name, but he mentioned he was from Virginia, and his friendly service really stood out. The tiki drinks were delicious and had a beautiful presentation--almost too pretty to drink! Their happy hour is a fantastic value, and we also tried the chicken skewers, which were very tasty. The tiki-themed decor is fun, colorful, and adds to the overall atmosphere. Between the great drinks, good food, and excellent service, we'll definitely be back. Highly recommend checking it out!

This was my first time at Twisted Tiki, and I really wanted to like it because I love tiki bars…read more It's a fun little place, and we enjoyed the two drinks we ordered. They were both tasty. I ordered the Zombie, which was really good and came with a cool zombie hand. We also had a nice time talking with the bartenders. Unfortunately, the air conditioning wasn't working that night, and it was really hot inside. We sat in the corner at the bar, and one of the bartenders was nice enough to turn the fan on the bar toward us. I appreciated the effort, but at that point it was basically just moving warm air around. We also ordered French fries, but they never came. We asked about them and were told the kitchen might be backed up. After we finished our drinks, we were ready to leave because of the heat, so we asked about the fries again. They went to check, but there still wasn't an answer as to when they'd arrive, so we canceled the order. I don't want to be too hard on the place because the drinks were good, the bartenders were friendly, and the broken AC may have just been an unfortunate situation that night. We actually went to Twisted Tiki because Mission Control wasn't quite what we remembered, so I'm not sure I would make a special trip just for Twisted Tiki based on this visit. That said, we're fans of tiki bars, so if we're in the area again, we'll definitely give it another try. Hopefully the AC is working and the French fries make it to the table next time!

The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach is a fantastic tiki bar. This place is everything you'd want in a…read morelegit tiki experience. They pay attention to details which is why you feel like you're in a Hawaiian cave somewhere or in the Hawaii episode of the Brady Bunch . We tried a number of their signature recipes. I started off with "Boozin Susan's World Famous Chi Chi". It's a frozen vodka cocktail that tastes like vacation. The vodka is complemented with pineapple, coconut, lime, Demerara syrup and cinnamon. It was a perfect recipe when you think about tiki. (Pic 2) We also tried "Hella Missionary" which is another frozen cocktail with tequila, mezcal, adobo-spiced honey, pineapple, lime and mint. It's the blended mint that makes it green. It was quite tasty with a very fun crazy straw. (Pic 4). We had some bonus fun with a signature shot called "OJ Did It". It was a delicious add to the vibe with vodka, liquor 43, coconut and orange juice. (Pic 7). I couldn't remember what pic 6 is but it was tasty. Maybe it's "OOO-BAE I Love You So". It starts with rhum agricole, salted cream, pineapple, cinnamon, macadamia nut and toasted coconut flakes. I could be totally wrong so oh well. The Grass Skirt is always a great idea if you're in the PB area when in San Diego. Go check them out. Salute @thejohnnycocktail

I was looking for sushi options and found this place by accident. We tried to go but were confused…read moreabout the building not knowing it was a speakeasy so I made a reservation for a date night the following weekend for 5:15pm. We arrived at 4:50 and it was clear by the line outside that we were in the right place and thankfully we made that reservation. At 5:00pm they started letting people in, there was no real like so it got a little messy as everyone enters this speakeasy type entrance one party at a time. Ambiance is amazing! So cute and creative, every inch tells a story. Very tiki themed. It was a Friday but still happy hour so half of drinks and food discounts. We didn't 3 drinks and 3 small plates for about $75 and I was both full and tipsy. It was wonderful! The cocktails were my favorite part. I don't remember which ones we ordered because I let our waiter choose but it was hitting