Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Forbidden Island

    4.2 (1.6k reviews)
    ModerateTiki Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Forbidden Island Photos

    FORBIDDEN ISLAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Forbidden Island

    Recommended Reviews - Forbidden Island

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cheese Mozzarella Sticks
    Anthony H.

    Amazing drinks, perfect vibes, not too loud not quiet, great for a meetup with friends . Really fun decor and great service really can't ask for a better tiki bar and the hurricane is very good. Great snacks too!

    Kelly H.

    This place is adorable and we had a 10/10 experience. We ordered Hurricanes and the shrimp and mozzarella sticks. Everything was delicious, and the staff were really nice and on top of it. The ambiance was incredible and makes you feel like you are in another time and place. It's a great go to if you are in the area!

    Banana Hammock
    Brian V.

    4++ Tiki bar that feels like it's been around for a long time, located in Alameda. As soon as you walk in, the place feels a little diver, and I mean that with utmost praise. It feels comfortable and if you're regular here feels like you're just going to something familiar. There's a backyard area with seating as well. I came here with my brother and my sister-in-law for a drink after having dinner in the area. The people were friendly and helpful. We ordered a few of the tiki drinks. I got the banana hammock, lol. It was tasty and refreshing. Overall, great spot, and I hope to return in the near future. Parking on the street wasn't too hard to find. We parked about a block away in the residential area.

    Forbidden island drink
    Monica V.

    Decided to come back after years of wanting to go back. The stars had aligned today and we showed up without a reservation. Luckily there was a spot at the bar and my husband and I jumped on the opportunity. We usually like to watch how the bartenders make the drinks. I went with the house drink, forbidden island. I had gotten it before and purchased the green glass. I opted not to get it this time but we did here new cups are coming so I'll be on the lookout for that. My husband got the mai tai but added the upgrade. It was indeed worth it. Ive has mai tai that were super strong but this one didn't have the traditional bite. We hot some coconut shrimp and the empanadas. We tried the Jamaican one. The sauce it came it definitely elevated the flavor of the beef. The coconut shrimp were pretty standard but we enjoyed them. Hopefully it wont be 5 years till we come back again.

    Thomas B.

    This place was recommended to my daughter, and she wanted to bring myself and my wife along to experience at first hand. I remember old tiki bars back in the day in the 50s when I first remembered hearing about him and the 60s when they were still popular. But as time went on and people change, they kind of disappeared, but this one popped up. And I'm so glad it did because it brought back fond memories of what it used to be. When you walk into the place, it's unlike anybody you're gonna walk into there are one dollar bill stuck to every square inch of the ceiling. Smoking is only allowed outside, so the room was pretty clear because as you walk in it is small, but there's plenty of room at the bar and there are a couple little hutches that you can sit in as well as an area around the corner, but the big surprise is outside. When we walked outside, there was like a 10 foot tiki head out there and it was a flash throwback to the old days. It was so much fun to see. The bar serves drinks that are long forgotten and most bars, and they served them with flair. Everybody from the minute I walked in the front door was awesome. They were smiling, attentive, helpful, and making sure that you got exactly what you wanted and the perfect experience. I even had a moment to talk to the owner and tell him how impressed I was by the staff and the fun that the place brought. I would say I will absolutely be glad to return to this place anytime. The quality that drinks is absolutely five star. The flavors were spot on. And the throwback atmosphere was perfect. I strongly recommended for anybody that wants to go out for an evening of fun and frolic. When they close the back where the outdoor seating is a little bit earlier than the regular bar hours it does get a bit crowded on the inside because so many people are there that you didn't see originally. But that didn't change it. We still had maximum fun.

    Rum Barrel*****
    Chayden B.

    I love tiki bars and this had a great tiki theme inside and out. Drinks were solid, servers were friendly, but I will say the bar snacks were smaller than expected. Still would go back.

    Funk Blaster**** Naught Coati*** Lei Lani Volcano*
    Vicky O.

    My friends and I had a good time. We didn't have a reservation but they gave us a standing table pretty quickly on a Saturday night. But once a table opened up, they gave us one. I got the Leilani volcano and it was very fruity almost like a juice, but I really liked it. The funk blaster tasted like a banana pudding with alcohol in the best way. I also appreciate how the menu rates how strong the drink is. Good vibes and I liked the surfer rock music they were playing.

    Hot Buttered Rum
    Patty P.

    I always have a great time at Forbidden Island. Went on a Wednesday night, got a reservation for a table, and had delicious hot-buttered rum and our fave mozzarella sticks. Service was friendly and helpful, and fast! Love the vibes always and recommend a reservation in case you want a booth of seats that are not the bar.

    Tradewinds***
    Sapphire D.

    This place is so cute! If you're looking for a fun spot with cool ambiance in alameda this is your sign to go check it out. I had an excellent time here with my cousins the other night. The person at the door was so sweet. Wishing us happy belated birthdays as they checked our IDs. My cousins birthday was last week, so they actually bought him a complimentary shot. That was so thoughtful. The drinks were fun, and there are plenty to choose from. You'll definitely find something you like here. They also have a small food menu, so if you get the drunk munchies, they have you covered!

    Outside decor
    Brandy L.

    Great spot for parties , hang out , Sunday afternoon relax , small or large get togethers. Street parking . Looks small from outside but lots of seating inside and out. Love the tiki bar vibes including music and staff attire. Eveyone from the hostesses to the server and bartender were extremely nice, welcoming and funny. Didn't try the food but they do offer bar foods . Next time will do . Tried the drinks and I wish I had all day and a high tolerance. I wanted to try everything all looked so good . 100% recommend.

    Front sign
    Frankie R.

    Food - bar bites (think chicken nuggets, corn dogs, fries). Service - depends greatly on the service professional, my experiences have been good in general, not long waits and plenty check ins without it being overkill. Ambiance - if you like tiki bars, this is your spot! Definitely givinggg as soon as you walk in, outside is nicely decorated en theme also. 4 stars because the drinks I've had all leaned on the too sweet side, less super sweet options would be nice

    Barcode for menu
    Teff A.

    Forbidden Island is one of those rare neighborhood gems that somehow manages to feel both special and effortlessly welcoming. It's a longtime local favorite of mine and my go-to spot for meeting up with friends--equal parts escape and comfort. The cocktail menu is impressively deep, full of beautifully crafted, fancy tiki drinks that practically beg to be explored, and so far every single one I've tried has been delicious (dangerously so). Inside, the bar nails the classic tiki vibe--warm, immersive, and transportive--while the outdoor patio offers a lovely, relaxed option with plenty of extra seating on warm days. It's the kind of place where you can linger, laugh, and lose track of time. The staff deserve a special shout-out: genuinely friendly, attentive, and accommodating, which only adds to the overall experience. A quick pro tip: if you're planning to stop by during popular after-work hours, definitely make a reservation--it fills up for good reason. The food menu is on the smaller side, but the bites are tasty and thoughtfully done, perfect for sharing alongside a round (or two) of cocktails. All in all, Forbidden Island is a standout spot that keeps me coming back again and again.

    Siren Song in special edition mug and Forbidden Fries

    What with the first time with my wife and we were not disappointed. It was not hard to find, but there is no parking lot, so have to find curb space to park. Right when we walked in, the ambience was nice and easy going. We say at the bar at first, but later they let us into a booth when a reservation cancelled. The drinks were good. My wife got the"monkey business" and that was delicious. I got it off the newer cocktails"siren song" and they secret it to me in a really cool tickki mug, driving was good and I had pleasant buzz. I tried the chambolada after, tasted to me like a raspberry cheesecake. We had the mozzarella sticks and the forbidden fries, we really like the fries. Very solid experience and definitely would go back

    Rum tasting

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kev H.
    127
    1165
    3934

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 5

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 3

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of C C.
    1
    55
    117

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 3

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Service was excellent and the drinks were good. I'm a margarita person myself but I highly recommend the Chamborlada

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S B.
    3
    46
    1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael T.

    Michael T.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 41

    Forbidden Island Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Forbidden Island

    Is there happy hour? If so, when is it?

    YES! Mon thru Thurs 4-6pm. Discounted cocktails and $2 off any bar snacks

    Is there public transit nearby? Otherwise I'll need a designated driver if I'm drinking tiki drinks.

    Yes, the 51A runs from Broadway/ 12th Street BART to Santa Clara & Morton Str (a couple blocks from the bar)

    Are we able to Spilt the check with 5 people?

    Probably not! They ask for a credit card to put on file before ordering.

    Do they have great non-alcoholic options?

    Yes! We have 8 delicious tiki mocktails on our menu plus lots of fresh juices!

    How is their "service charge" calculated?

    "Service Charge" is the same as gratuity and applies to groups of 6 or more. 20 percent before tax.

    Can you keep the glasses?

    We have a unique signature Tiki mug, served with our Forbidden Island cocktail, that is yours to keep.

    Are Pets allowed?

    Not as this time. Pre-COVID, pets were allowed on the Patio, as it was an auxilliary drinking area & food was an option. Right now, under Alameda County quarantine rules, they are allowed to operate, patio only, under restaurant guidelines coupled… 

    Do they take walk ins and is there long time waits?

    We now take reservations for most of our seating area, so it's now in your hands to have a table ready for you when you arrive. There is a small section of our outdoor and indoor space that is kept for "walk ins" but it's best to make a reservation,… 

    Open on memorial day?

    Yes, open 5pm to midnight. Also, Happy Hour pricing all night!!

    How much is a Scorpion bowl?

    $25 for two; $35 for four. Scorpion for four discounted on Sundays...only $25!

    When does the kitchen close?

    10:30pm Mon thru Thurs; 12:30am Friday and Saturday; 9pm Sunday

    Are dogs allowed?

    I was there last week, and a man had a beagle with him on the back patio.

    Are kids allowed?

    Unfortunately not. We hold a bar/ spirits license, so it’s 21+ at all times.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Trader Vic's - Lettuce Cups

    Trader Vic's

    3.6(1.3k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$$

    Finally was able to try this legendary spot! We made reservations on a Saturday afternoon. We…read morearrived a bit early so they sat us in the "lounge" instead of the dining room but we were okay with this since the seats were by the window overlooking the water instead of the middle of the dining room. We mainly wanted drinks and maybe an app anyways. Ambiance is immersive with the tiki experience but still feels open. Large windows overlooking the bay and boats, music is very quiet. Casual and relaxed vibe feeling like an island escape. Water was promptly provided and was kept refilled throughout our visit. We tried 4 cocktails. Solid painkiller and variety of drinks and flavors but my absolute favorite was the "Cucu Lada" this was essentially a piña colada with cucumber. Really refreshing and nicely prepared with crushed ice. We also tried the crab rangoons. These came out ultra fast but were not hot, seems like they prep them ahead of time. The dips were awesome though, we loved the spicy mustard that they were served with. Never had that before with rangoons. Our service was great for the most part up until the end when we were trying to leave it seemed difficult to flag our server down so we could close out and leave. Overall it was fun and if back in the area I'd gladly return for another Cucu lada and maybe try some dinner menu items. Don't forget to checkout the gift shop for some fun tiki mugs and memorabilia.

    My friends and husband brought me here for my birthday and it was AMAZING! From the food to the…read moreservice to the decor, it was all memorable. I love the Tiki Room at Disneyland and this goes right along with that vibe, except no singing. We ordered many "Tidbits and Pupus" to start us off, it almost meant no room for dinner. But our dishes were so good, we miraculously grew a second stomach. I had the Tuna Poke ($24.50) and the All-In Fried Rice ($29.50) for my entree. My friends loved their Madras Curry ($30). Great service throughout and then I got a Free Snowball dessert for my birthday. ($10 value) We also ordered the Decadent Chocolate Cake ($17) to share. I highly recommend this place for a fancy night out!

    Photos
    Trader Vic's - Well-stocked bar included local rums

    Well-stocked bar included local rums

    Trader Vic's - Koans Puffer

    Koans Puffer

    Trader Vic's - Bumbu Hunter

    See all

    Bumbu Hunter

    The Barbary

    The Barbary

    4.3(44 reviews)
    2.8 miGrand Lake, Lower Hills
    $$

    Barbary Bar - Chill Vibes & Great Energy…read more This bar has such a great atmosphere! Whether you choose to sit inside or enjoy the beautifully set-up outdoor area, the vibe is always relaxed and inviting. Everyone here is super friendly and welcoming, making it a great spot to grab a drink, unwind, and enjoy some good conversation. Pro tip: Have dinner at one of the local restaurants nearby, then stroll back to Barbary for a nightcap (or two). It's the perfect way to wrap up a great evening.

    The Barbary is a beautiful bar. Everything from the lighting, signage, themes and drinks embody…read moreoriginality and uniqueness. Bartender Nick couldn't have been a better host. He gave great recommendations on the different drinks, and also was a fun person to chat with. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you'll love the Coconut Mojito which was creamy, rich, and a perfect 5/5 cocktail. You can also find pleasure in with the Black Tot Grog which was the perfect blend of pineapple, rum and charcoal, and also carried a black esthetic with a pirate flag for an added touch. With this being located near the Grand Lake area, this is a great spot to hang out at right after a film at the nearby theatre or if you just finished up a meal at one of the neighboring restaurants. My experience here couldn't have been better and I look forward to coming back sometime soon. 5/5.

    Photos
    The Barbary
    The Barbary - Ships wheel

    Ships wheel

    The Barbary - Back end looking to the front

    See all

    Back end looking to the front

    Sobre Mesa - Stuffed Plantains 8/10

    Sobre Mesa

    4.1(431 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    My evening spent here was nothing short of amazing. Wonderful service, beautiful interior and great…read morefood! We were the first to arrive tonight when they opened so we were also greeted by the chef! This was our pregame before the Masego concert at the fox theater which is within walking distance. Definitely highly recommended for cocktails and tapas. We for sure will be back for dinner to try the branzino For this visit we had the Oysters (phenomenal!), complimentary Fred goat cheese with the squid ink aioli (you have to try this!), adobo chicken, and you can't leave without having an order of the empanadas. For drinks we had espresso martini with mezcal and the island paradiso (yummy!!!)

    Party of 8 and we made a reservation at Sobre in Oakland. The Miami vibes hit you as soon as you…read morewalk in, and everyone was sooo nice! The customer service was amazing. We ordered two of several dishes to share, including the bone marrow, plantains, empanadas, adobo chicken bites, crispy goat cheese, herbed patatas, arugula salad, ribeye steak bites, jerk gambas, and tostones rellenos. Everything was delicious except the adobo chicken bites, which fell a little short because they were very dry. The drinks were flowing and absolutely amazing, which definitely kept the night bubbly! Such a fun spot for a girls' night out. Definitely recommend!

    Photos
    Sobre Mesa - View room back of restaurant

    View room back of restaurant

    Sobre Mesa - Jerk Gambas 10/10

    Jerk Gambas 10/10

    Sobre Mesa - Roasted Potatoes with Squid ink

    See all

    Roasted Potatoes with Squid ink

    Forbidden Island - tikibars - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...