11 Exciting San Diego Tiki Bars For A Fun Night Out

Looking for a fun night out? How about visiting a San Diego tiki bar? Themed tiki bars are everywhere these days. San Diego is the right setting, after all, with sandy beaches, a bit of party culture, and views of the Pacific Ocean wherever you go. Some might even say it’s like a mini Hawaii.

With so many tiki venues, finding which ones are actually worth a visit can be challenging. Fortunately, we’ve done our research and have been to quite a few ourselves. We’ve curated an extensive list of tiki bars in San Diego for inspiration regarding where to enjoy your next cocktail.

Whether planning a date night or fun evening with friends, there’s something for you!

The Best San Diego Tiki Bars

False Idol 

Address: 675 W. Beech St, San Diego, CA 92101
Website

Tucked away on W. Beech Street is the extremely popular False Idol Tiki Bar. Immediately as you walk through the doors, the tiki theme is evident, with a dimly lit bar decorated with skull heads and tribal designs.

False Idol couldn’t be any more speakeasy if it tried. To enter, you’ll walk through a cold room situated in a separate bar. This confuses the heck out of some people, but the delicious cocktails make up for the bewildering entry process.

The bar itself is quite small, with a relaxed ambiance and a huge selection of crafty cocktails. Whether you want to try an old classic Mai Thai or something a bit different, like their Tailwinds recipe which doubles down on rum, there’s something for everyone.

The Tiki Hut San Diego

Address: 535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Website

Everyone loves the Tiki Hut San Diego, a classic pop-up tiki bar on Fifth Avenue. It provides a fun atmosphere with a nice selection of tropical drinks. The Tiki Hut is located across the street from well-sought-after Rustic Root Restaurant and Rooftop Bar. Plan to pop in for some pre-drinks before your meal.

The Tiki Hut has the vibe of a traditional tiki bar, serving drinks in wooden carved cups and providing visitors with colorful flower necklaces.

Although you can purchase regular mixed drinks, you should really try one of the specialty cocktails. The Blue Hawaiian knocks the rest out of the park with a kick of rum and coconut flavor. You’ll really feel like you’re in a tropical paradise.

The Grass Skirt 

Address: 910 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 412-5237
Website

Next up, we have San Diego’s Grass Skirt. This tiki speakeasy is located on Grand Avenue, next to Pacific Beach. It offers Polynesian designs, whacky furnishings, and extra strong drinks, it doesn’t get more tiki than this.

The Grass Skirt’s entrance is inside the Poké Restaurant, hidden behind a freezer door. It can be a tricky one to find, but just ask the staff, they’ll send you in the right direction. As you open the door, you’ll encounter fire-lit torches, ancient tiki carvings, and hula girls. For a minute, you’ll think you’re in Hawaii.

Enjoy an extensive cocktail list containing tiki-influenced drinks like Lava & Ice, punch bowls such as Hamilton’s Hornblower, and a selection of standard drinks for those who prefer a cold beer.

Miss B’s Coconut Club

Address: 3704 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 381-0855
Website

Another of San Diego’s vibrant tiki bars is Miss B’s Coconut Club on Mission Boulevard. It’s surrounded by mini artificial trees, designed with Hawaiin-influenced decor, and offers some of the tastiest tiki drinks prepared by professional mixologists.

The laid-back vibe at Miss B’s Coconut Club attracts those looking to unwind after a long day at work and indulge in some of their “grown-up cocktails” which promise to get you a little tipsy.

An outstanding brunch menu with tiki treats and snacks is offered every day until 2 pm. It has everything from breakfast tacos to Instagrammable agri granola bowls. 

Enjoy vodka-infused Havana Good Times or ice-filled Rum Cannonballs. Each Monday – Friday from 3 – 6 pm, is Daquiri Hour. On Thursday, happy hour is offered for the entire day.

MOTHERSHIP 

Address: 2310 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
Website

Embark on a tropical space adventure at this San Diego tiki bar in South Park. It promises to be a good time every night of the week. The bar is meant to be a crashed starship which has transformed into a Hawaiian retreat offering flavorful drinks and yummy bites.

MOTHERSHIP is meant to be a speakeasy boozer, but it’s really not that hidden, a security guard stands outside the door at all times. However, the inside makes up for it. Expect a dark room with stars on the ceiling plus galactic and tiki ornaments, the result is a fun and futuristic atmosphere.

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to drinks. Everyone raves about the Self-Destruct Sequence cocktail, combining three rums and a selection of spices and fruits. The food menu is strictly vegan, but even meat-lovers will enjoy their many delicious options.

Moray’s Outdoor Lounge

Address: 3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 488-1081
Website

For a more high-end hula, check out Moray’s Outdoor Lounge at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, only a few minutes from Mission Bay. While it’s not like other picks on this list, it does offer an outdoor lounge carefully designed with tiki torches, fire pit tables, and displaying awe-inspiring views of Mission Bay.

Maybe you want to meet a loved one for lunch, have a couple drinks with your friends, or sip on cocktails after work? Moray’s Outdoor Lounge is just the place to do so.

Monday – Thursday between 2 and 4 pm is happy hour, Wednesdays between 5:30 and 10:00 pm are $2 off all craft draft beers. Plus, there’s live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 6 and 9 pm.

Bali Hai

Address: 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Phone: (619) 222-1181
Website

Award-winning Bali Hai Bar & Restaurant deserves mention on every list of best San Diego tiki bars. Situated in Shoreline Park, this exotic establishment opened in 1954 and has served over 2.5 million Mai Tais since. Impressive, right?

Set in an open, modern building, it showcases contemporary finishes with a hint of Polynesia and over 100 pieces of tiki artwork. Bali Hai ticks all the boxes as a tiki cocktail haunt.

Throughout the week, Bali Hai hosts a number of specials. Every Monday – Thursday from 3 until 5 pm, is Pau Hana Happy Hour, and on Sundays from 9:30 am to 2 pm, there’s a brunch buffet.

The Luau SD 

Address: 7123 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
Phone: (619) 467-7334
Website

The Luau SD is the only surf tiki bar in California. It guarantees a peaceful vibe with exotic beats, the friendliest staff, bamboo furniture, and tiki statues.

Located on El Cajon Blvd, the Luau SD has a huge cocktail menu, including fruity drinks, bowls, and frozen daiquiris. While your first instinct might be to go for the Mai Tai, you should order the HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA’A instead (yeah, that’s the real name). After having one, you’ll be buzzing for the night.

Try to plan your trip to The Luau on a Thursday, there’s lively karaoke from 8:30 pm to 12:00 am.

The Forbidden Cove

Address: 7576 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 715-3998
Website

Find your way behind the wall where the Forbidden Cove lies. Located on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, this tiki speakeasy is hidden away in Kilowatt Brewing Kearny Mesa. Boasting island-style decor, a large bar with tiki-influenced drinks, and intimate lighting, the Forbidden Cove is well worth searching for.

The bar has a highly skilled team of mixologists who know their stuff when it comes to cocktails. Whatever you want, you can have. Who said you have to drink Mai Tai all night? Have your first Zombie or Singapore Sing.

Reserve a table before arriving at the Forbidden Cove, as it tends to fill up fast. Depending on how busy it is, they may even introduce a 90 minute limit which is something to factor in before booking.

Duke’s La Jolla

Address: 1216 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 454-5888
Website

Immerse yourself in a Hawaiian-style dining experience at Duke’s La Jolla. It’s a casual eatery welcoming guests to join their “Ohana” and offering its own take on island dishes and drinks. Boy, are they good, especially the Tropical Mule!

Open from 11 am until 9 pm on weekdays and 10 am until 9 pm on weekends, plan your visit for one of their specialized Island Nights. Enjoy Taco Tuesdays, Surf & Turf Thursdays, Aloha Fridays, and Weekend Brunch.

Tiki Time Bay Tours

Address: 2803 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106
Phone: (858) 848-0097
Website

Who said all tiki bars have to be on land? The Tiki Time Bay Tour knocks the competition out of the park with its floating tour designed in ultimate exotic fashion.

Embark on a cruise through San Diego Bay to see famous attractions like USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, Seaport Village, Coronado Bridge, and more. All while relishing your own tiki bar, manned by a professional bartender onboard. 

There are a couple of cruise options, including a family-friendly sail, or if you want to let your hair down, the Tropical Tiki San Diego Bay Cruise.

Now you should be spoiled for choice with tiki bars in San Diego. Grab your hula skirt and bikini, and get into the Hawaiian spirit.

Looking for more date night ideas? Check out these Top Speakeasies In San Diego.

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