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    Trader Vic's

    3.6 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Trader Vic's Photos

    Business Info

    TRADER VIC'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Trader Vic's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Michael L.

    Went to try trader Vicks in Emeryville. It is one of the few waterside restaurants in the Bay Area. It has a great view and there is a nice walkway right next to it where you can walk along the water and even see artwork. Add this to your list of date night spots. It has a Polynesian flair. This is where the original Mai Thai was invented. Food is pretty good, but you are paying for the view.

    Ethel R.

    Dinner with the gals. Cheers! Trader Vic Server - Shaqu and Lamberto Manager - Aarron They were great in advising on drinks and what is best to order for dinner. Drinks: Pig Grog Mango Citrus Fizz Tropical Tai Wave Mai Tai - Orginal Dinner: Tuna Poke Jalapeño Cheese Balls Hawaian Luau Dip Spices Fries Oven Smoked Steak - Med Food was so good and too full for desert this time. We will be back. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The deco had so my Hawaian antique pieces and an amazing way to cook all the meat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Everything design is Hawaian style.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It is a must try.

    Container of wonton soup.  16.50 for this?

    I just got out of the hospital and wanted wonton soup. They charged me 16.50 for it. It's only half of the container full. Taste is ok. And now they charge you for parking to eat their overpriced food. Oh and I love how they put it in a big ass bag so you don't know how bad they're ripping you off. Will definitely order from Chinese restaurant next time.

    Guava Mai Tai
    Sara B.

    We came here for lunch the other day with our kids and they loved it! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor reminds me of the tiki room at Disneyland and the views of the water are beautiful on a clear day.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There is a kids menu with three items: grilled cheese, chicken tenders and crispy shrimp. The portion sizes were good and my kids enjoyed their food. Especially the sweet potato fries it came with. The kids drinks come in a really cute branded cup with sea creatures on it. Hubby and I enjoyed our food as well. The coconut shrimp here is so good, we can't get enough. Our favorite though is the All In fried rice. There's plenty of protein and veggies packed in to make you feel less guilty, but it's so good and flavorful. I tried the Huli Huli chicken sandwich and it was not bad! A bit messy, but juicy and just the right amount of spice. We paired our food with the classic Mai tai (it was invented here after all). I got mine with a guava twist and it was so refreshing on a hot day. Service was a little slow, since it looked like there were only one or two waiters holding down the lunch time crowd. But in my opinion it just adds to the island vibes; why be in a hurry?

    Amelia D.

    First things first, the drinks here are absolutely outstanding. It was great to go to one of the first tiki bars in the US and to try so many different cocktails. They're about $16 a cocktail which isn't terrible, but if you are drinking and dining you'll run up a pretty tab. It's also not in a part of the city that you'll be able to take public transit to, so make sure you have a DD or an uber ready. The food was good, but not exquisite. I liked the Maui Wowie shrimp a lot, and would probably try something more novel instead of chicken next time. The artisanal love is definitely poured into the drinks. Overall, this was a fairly expensive date night. The bartenders were lovely, and although the place was full when we got there around 6:30 the crowd thinned out as the night progressed. It's the kind of place you either have to get reservations for or be comfortable waiting.

    Sunset
    Valie K.

    Had a great experience at Trader Vic's. The service was outstanding and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the sunset views made the whole evening feel extra special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was top notch highly recommend the miso salmon, which had a really nice kick of spice. The potatoes, however, were a bit bland in comparison. The drinks are super creative definitely get the Smoke Show, it's a standout. The mai tai was just okay and a little too heavy on the ice for my taste. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, great vibes all around and a spot I'd happily return to.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Alice H.

    We were thrilled to be invited to a dinner event host at Trader Vic's since it's one of the tiki bar I really waned to try! The dinner was decent overall. We started with a salad that came with lettuce mix, tomato, artichoke, hearts of palm and Japanese dressing. For entrees, we had the miso salmon that's pan seared salmon with chimichurri, grilled bok choy. We also tried the sliced New York strip loin, which tasted great as well. For dessert, we had the dulce de leche cream brûlée, which tasted great. After dinner, we went to the bar and ordered a few cocktails. The bartender, David, was very friendly and chill! We tried the original Mai tai, Polu Puffer and Bumbu Hunter. The one I liked the most was the Bumbu Hunter, it had four kinds of rums with tropical notes and warm spices! I would definitely come back to try more of their drinks! Highly recommended!

    Sue L.

    Another spot on inKind that we decided to check out since we were in the area. I've never heard of this spot, but I did know that it was a Tiki/Hawaiian restaurant, which I was really excited about! I swung by with my family on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch. We were told that their lunch ended at 3pm but could still dine in for items that were similar to their lunch menu. We were seated next to the window next to the water and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather. I really enjoyed the beautiful decor and felt like I was in Hawaii for a few seconds. We ordered a few dishes to share and portions were small given the price. I didn't care much about the Crab Rangoon and the Cheese Balls since the inside was a bit too mushy for my preference. We really enjoyed the fried rice since it's was flavorful and the rice was cooked perfectly. The burger was also delicious, especially paired with all the ingredients. I would love to come back again for drinks and happy hour. Our server was hospitable. Love the location and it's peacefulness this place brings!

    Taylor J.

    Came to the ultra famous (to us) Trader Vik's. We have spent lots of time reading about the iconic Tiki spot and made sure to give it a try during my latest work trip to SF. Arrived on time for our 7pm reservation and were seated right away. The place is a tiki lover's dream with all the decor to match. The hostess gave us a little more trivia on the history and a mini tour of the place. We fell in love. For drinks, babe had the Mai Tai and i had a banana drink. So good and of course we gagged over the tiki glasses. For food, we shared the jalapeno cheese balls + the lamb chops. Both were totally great and yummy! Loved our little date night at Trader Vik's. It was such a great experience. I'm sure if we spend more time in the city, we will definitely be back.

    Bumbu Hunter & Island Glider
    Karen T.

    Valentine's Day at Trader Vic's was busy, which we expected. We were greeted right away and told they needed to seat a few parties before checking us in. Totally fine. It gave us time to browse the very cool tiki glassware and chaikey pieces in the display case. Now the mildly funny part. The couple right before us was checked in, walked halfway to their table, and then offered the option to wait for the main dining room. They said yes. We were next. No main room offer. Just a cheerful "Follow me!" and off we went to a side room. My husband leaned over and whispered, "Do we want the main room?" which made me laugh because apparently that was not on the table for us. But honestly, it worked out. The side room is where the hidden bar lives and it is adorable. We had a small cocktail table by the window with a canoe hanging in it. It felt cozy, quieter, and very island romantic. Perfect for Valentine's Day. It took about 15 minutes for the server to greet us, but our server was lovely. I had the Island Glider, which was delicious and not too sweet. My husband ordered the Bumbu Hunter, strong and tasty. Only note, dried fruit garnish. In tiki world, I am team fresh fruit. We started with the Cosmo Tidbits. The pork was good, the ribs were a bit much, but the shrimp was the best bite. Next time we are going straight for that. For mains, my husband's Green Chili Salmon was moist and flavorful. I had the strip steak cooked in their famous Chinese ovens using an ancient indirect heat method that gives a subtle smoky flavor. One end was slightly overdone, but the thicker cut was so good. After dinner we checked out the oven room, which is such a cool historic touch. Overall, Trader Vic's is an experience. Vintage tiki vibes, historic cooking, and sitting right on the Emeryville Marina make it special. We will definitely be back, maybe for daytime drinks and marina views next time. Fun, festive, and the perfect quirky Valentine's night out.

    Menu
    Mel S.

    Service and Staff: - We came early for our reservation and sat in the bar area. Service was pretty quick and we got our drinks and small appetizer in good time - When it came time to dinner, it was unfortunate that three of the dishes we wanted weren't available Food and Drinks: - Mango Mule: very flavorful and mango-forward - Painkiller: be careful because you can't taste the alcohol in this drink! - Original Mai Tai: solid drink - Spiced Fries: not spicy - seasoned well - Beef Kew Pake: almost like an Asian-inspired Lomo Saltado. Flavorful and plentiful - Tuna Poke: very flavorful (little heavy on the soy sauce, making it a little salty). Paired perfectly with the taro chips - Veggie Spring Rolls: comes with 5 and some sweet chili sauce. Be careful as these are very hot (temperature) for a good amount of time Miscellaneous: - Parking available via a private parking lot right in front of the restaurant - Drop off area available right in front of the doors for those that need / prefer easy access - Bar area has bar seats and tables available - Large space available for large groups and / or large parties (our friends had their wedding reception here) - Lots of fun goodies like ornaments, tiki mugs, and apparel for sale near the host stand

    I forgot the name
    Juhee J.

    Food: As vegetarian there is nothing really here for beside potato's and jalapeño poppers Service: wonder I was helped by Myra and Hana they definitely are an asset to this restobar! Please give them a raise! Ambiance: [[HIGHLIGHT]]omg the magical feeling of being in a tiki room! I love the views of the marina and the decor is like the tiki room in Disneyland but way cooler![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Definitely go here! Book a table and try to get seating by the windows for the view![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Crispy Prawns
    Domonique O.

    Always a 10/10 at Trader Vic's. Favorite drink is the Mai Tai and they never miss with the SF Mai Tai. Smooth, sweet and refreshing. The server was very helpful with ordering. Wish I remembered her name. Ordered small bites, crispy prawns and a side of fried rice. Was the perfect amount of food. Never any concerns when it comes to trader Vic's

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    Page 1 of 34

    Trader Vic's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Trader Vic's

    It there a gift shop?

    They have a display case in the front of the restaurant and they have goods on line. I wouldn't call it a gift shop but they do sell different things such as mugs and mixes.

    Is this location dog-friendly / is there outdoor seating currently?

    No outdoor seating and no pets. I imagine they are ok with Service animals. You should call and verify.

    Is this the same Trader Vic's as the one in San Fran and Denver? Both are now history but I had the best of memories of Trader Vic's!!!?

    I'm pretty sure it is, but this is the original.

    Is there a dress code?

    Casual

    Can kids sit at a table in THE LOUNGE / BAR area?

    Yes!

    Is there a valid email address for someone in private dining? The one supplied on the website in Emeryville is no longer valid.

    banquets@tradervics.com

    Is there still happy hour?

    Happy Hour is currently Wednesdays & Fridays from 4pm to 6pm, and Thursday is all night Happy Hour from 4pm to closing time.

    Is this place kid friendly?

    Yes

    Is it still mandatory valet parking even through covid?

    We no longer provide valet service, it’s all self parking!

    Reserve Now is a link to Opentable, but opentable gives message that it can't find you?

    You can visit the website www.tradervicsemeryville.com - there is a link at the bottom right side of the homepage that says 'Reserve Now'

    How do you make reservations? I see nothing about it on the website and the phone isn't being answered.…

    You can visit our website www.tradervicsemeryville.com, there is a link at the bottom right side of the homepage that says 'Reserve Now'. We apologize you haven't been able to reach us on the phone! We do are best to answer phone calls between… 

    Does it look like this place can be wheelchair accessible?

    Yes I believe so. I think I recall seeing someone in a wheelchair there before. It's best to call them and ask. For takeout, you drive right up to the door and call them and they can bring your order out to the car.

    Is the deck open again for outside dining? When we last went it had just been closed down that day by an order from Alameda Co. but then opened again a day or two later. Now I hear it is closed again but your website says it is open. Which is it?

    Hi Rand, we are not sure where you heard it was closed again, we were able to open successfully open again on July 16th and have been open for patio dining ever since! Come see us, Tues-Thurs 3pm-8pm & Fri-Sun 1pm-8pm!

    Do you take Togo orders?

    Yes! Check the website.

    What r dinner prices?

    $25-35 without drinks.

    Is Happy Hour everywhere in the restaurant or only in the bar?

    The weekday happy hour is only in the bar/ lounge area. NOT in the restaurant.

    Is there free parking?

    They provide free valet. No exceptions. There's free street parking. Do not park in The Watergate. You will be towed to West Oakland!

    Is this restaurant Expensive?

    yes

    Do you take American Express cards here?

    Yes we do

    Can you accommodate gluten free? More than just a salad? Thank you.

    Hi Carolyn, absolutely. We have a separate GF menu that you can request from the host or server. We have many items inherently GF, like Seafood Parillada, Vic's Veggies, and both our Curries. We also have many items that can be easily modified to… 

    View All 32 Questions

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    TONGA ROOM & HURRICANE BAR

    3.4
    (3.3k reviews)
    6.4 mi
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    A very unique experience that I highly recommend when you are visiting San Francisco. It's at the…read morebasement of Fairmount Hotel. If you want to have dinner while enjoying the band, there will be a cover charge of $20 per person. The band performs on a floating platform on a former swimming pool . There's an artificial rain intermittently. Great music. Food is pricey. We got poke with thin and fresh plantain chips. The raw fish is fresh too. Ver good. The drinks here is amazing and beautifully presented. The menu describes the alcohol content and the level of sweetness. Great feature to help you to make your selection. They successfully create a Polynesian ambiance inside and outside the restaurant. Our waitress was very nice and professional.

    Someone in my friend group chose this spot for a girls' night out. I was not thrilled by the…read moreprospect but went along with it because the rest of the group was set on going here. There's not a cover charge to enter, but if you sit at a table and "dine in", a $20 per person entertainment fee is added to the final check. I was really annoyed by this, especially because I didn't order anything since I thought we were bar hopping. In the end, the math didn't make any sense. I calculated percentages on the final receipt to determine what I owed the person who paid the check. The gratuity (15%) only applied to the food and cocktails my friends purchased, but tax was added to the entertainment fee ($100 for my group of 5) and just the food but not alcohol. In the end, I paid my friend $22 for the space I took up at our table. Music was extremely loud and not very good when I first entered but improved slightly when the live band performed on the boat. Overall, this place was not the vibe. It felt touristy, not surprising since it's located in a hotel. I can see how it could appeal to certain audiences, but still, I find it absurd to charge guests just to sit at a table with their friends. If the venue wants to recover the costs of providing the live entertainment, then they should set expectations up front by either charging cover at the door or making tickets available to purchase in advance because essentially, I could've entered separately from my friends, ordered a drink at the bar, and not paid cover, but what's the fun in that.

    Photos
    Decorative sculpture.
    Decorative sculpture.
    Lomi Lomi Salmon Poke
    Lomi Lomi Salmon Poke
    Lava Flow- alcohol free

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    Pagan Idol

    Pagan Idol

    4.2
    (844 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$

    Shockingly well-executed and high-concept Tiki bar. I cannot believe I had never heard of this…read moreplace, the decor and cocktails are on par with other famous Tiki bars in SF. Each room has its own vibe. The front room has more of a nautical theme, down to the tv screen "portholes" showing fish swimming by. The middle room has more of a ship galley/pirate theme, and the back room has a tropical theme, complete with a koi pond. Drinks were good, huge rum selection and knowledgeable bartenders.

    Pagan Idol might be my favorite tiki spot this side of the bay for a few reasons:…read more 1) Inspired decor -- the wooden ship hull design in the front bar and the huts + volcano in the back bar make popping in for a cocktail feel like an excursion to another world. I'd heard the back bar opens after 7, but when I was there the doors magically parted at 5:30 so my hubs and I relocated to a private hut for a cozier final round. 2) Delicious drinks -- the menu offers a nice selection of tiki standards, new takes on old classics and some Pagan Idol originals. Each drink is built from fresh, house-made ingredients and all potent yet balanced on the palate. Many are rum-based but not all so there's some variety if rum isn't your thing. 3) Expert bartenders -- the fella who made my drinks knew his stuff and answered questions about the menu patiently without an ounce of attitude. When I decided I wanto venture off-menu for my second order, he whipped up a daiquiri variation that he intuited would fit my tastes based on preferences I shared (and nailed it). Will definitely come here for my next tiki fix.

    Photos
    One of the bars
    One of the bars
    Rum Monkey $30, serves 2 - 3.  Be careful, it's like a sailor's banana smoothie and I mean that as a compliment.
    Rum Monkey $30, serves 2 - 3. Be careful, it's like a sailor's banana smoothie and I mean that as a compliment.
    Back room bar

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    Back room bar
    Last Rites

    Last Rites

    4.3
    (529 reviews)
    8.2 mi
    $$

    My absolute favorite bar I've ever been to I give it six…read morestars if I could The bar seats are out of an old airplane and the actual bar is like half of a airplane passenger area The lighting is dim with old incandescent bulbs, and you get lost in time being there 10 out of 10 bar experience

    Came here for their weekly Wednesday trivia- parking is easier to come about around the Duboce…read moreTriangle neighborhood that this is in! This review will primarily be about the trivia experience. The inside is cutely themed with the rainforest invasion style they pull off. The trivia nights require one beverage to be purchased per person in the party- I was coming off of a nasty burn in my mouth, so I asked our server what the best nonalcoholic choice would be with no citrus and she suggested the Mocking Bird. I feel that I cannot pass judgment on the Mocking Bird as a beverage since I asked for such an altering modification to the drink itself, but it was just not good without the lime. It tasted too strongly like actual alcohol. I get why they would make a rule about having one drink per patron here for the sake of their business, but I'm personally not sure if it's worth it considering even their mocktails are upwards of $15 with tax and tip. The trivia itself is very fun. There's x amount of rounds and each round is 4 questions, and you can pick whether you want certain questions to be worth 7 points or 3 points if you're certain of the answer. This pushed our team up from 9th place to 8th place! If you also are just not sure of the answer at all, the funniest answer gets a free round of shots. The night we went, the option was milk punch. I would say that it's a cute place to take people visiting from out of town or once in a while, there's also much more seating within the location than at certain other trivia bars.

    Photos
    Main area
    Main area
    Liquid Swords
    Liquid Swords
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    Slim Pickins
    Club Mallard

    Club Mallard

    4.1
    (489 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Our second bar of the night! Stopped by Club Mallard after Blue Rabbit Bar for something more…read morespacious so our group could all be together. This was very nice; it was very spacious and offers outdoor patio with tiki vibes! Our group was able to snag the outdoor patio upstairs! Other people were free to also hang out in the patio too, but because we got there early and our group was big, we were able to put the tables together and it really just felt like we were the only ones there; very intimate. There is a pool table and a bar on the second floor, so you don't have to go back downstairs. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They provided great customer service and came by to our table to pick up empty glasses. There was an incident that happened where a man was taking pictures of people in the bar and he came outside to the patio and started taking photos of our group, which we felt very uncomfortable about. We alerted staff and they were able to handle the situation and came back to check on us. They don't serve food here, but they do allow you to bring food from other places! That was very convenient because we were already comfortable and didn't want to leave to go somewhere else. Tacos El Autlense is a 5 min walk away and it's one of my fave places to get tacos; that's where we got our food at! I literally had it the night before too hahaha, but I wasn't complaining! This place was so cute; the music, the ambiance, the service... a whole vibe!!! I would definitely come back.

    Sexy cabin themed bar for the win!…read more Relaxed and fun spot with lots of spaces to explore. Pool, the bar and a bamboo themed patio on the ground floor, and then an upstairs too for a more intimate vibe. Drinks seem above average quality, but I just stuck with Guinness (poured quite well). Street parking.

    Photos
    Chic!?
    Chic!?
    The place has a unique motif! A tiki Cabin in the woods!?
    The place has a unique motif! A tiki Cabin in the woods!?
    Club Mallard

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    Trader Vic's - hawaiian - Updated August 2026

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