Pre-birthday brewskis with the old school, homie. Didn't eat, but the service was great, and the beers were cold off the tap. Me: 2 The Towns He: A Fieldwork or was it 2 too?! We: 2 games of pool, which I remember him winning one, but I don't remember who won the second because we hit up two bars after this! LOL Definitely will go back to chill, because the ambience was cool like that just like Digable Planets! read more

See all

Came here for a little drinky drink to celebrate my bday! Arrived and was so happy to find two seats at the bar. This was a Frday night so the bartenders were definitely slammed, but I had a seat so I didnt mind. Got the holy grail macadamia nut chi chi. It wss very good, very creamy. We got a bunch of other drinks too and alll were great. I will say that although this is technically a tiki bar, its catering to a. on tiki audience. Oldies esque music playing, but to be fair, I like a little Denny Martin in my tiki spots. All in all a good time and I'll be here again. read more

Kona Club - Exterior - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Kona Club is such a gem. I came here for birthday drinks with friends and the whole night was perfect. The tiki interior is gorgeous -- super immersive and fun. The staff was incredibly kind, and when I asked if they could make a Suffering Bastard (a Smuggler's Cove classic), our bartender offered to look it up and nailed it. We came back with more friends later and tried several of their signature drinks, all fantastic. Great atmosphere, great people, great cocktails. Easy 5 stars. read more

What can I say, I love tiki bars. Staff was amazing and super friendly. They had some great drink recommendations and even have some "off the menu drinks". Entire place is tiki themed minus the outside where if you didn't know it existed you would go right by it. Just make sure you bring your ID because they do check EVERYONE. read more

See all

Went here on a cute date a couple of months ago what can I say? I love the tiki drinks, tiki ambience, and tiki vibes of places like this there are plenty in the area, but this one is definitely worth coming to time and time again with a friendly neighborhood vibe in Piedmont read more

This bar is an absolute hidden gem -- the kind of place you walk into "just for one drink," and suddenly you're three cocktails deep, debating whether you should just move in. The staff? Incredible. They don't just serve drinks -- they adopt you. After 10 minutes I felt like I was a regular, even though I had never been there before in my life. The drinks are chef's kiss -- tropical, balanced, and dangerously easy to order "just one more." The tiki vibes are top notch, and the ambiance is pure nostalgia... like walking onto the set of Cheers, if Sam Malone traded baseball for rum cocktails. It makes total sense why so many regulars basically have their own seat and probably their own emergency pina colada ready at the bar. If you love tiki, good people, and the feeling of being part of a secret club you didn't know you joined, this is your spot. I'm already planning my return -- preferably when I'm not pretending I'll only have one drink. read more

Kona Club - Tequila+soda - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

I've been here before and can't remember if I've ever left a review, but this spot has amazing drinks. They have a seasonal one right now call mango sticky rice chi chi. It tastes exactly like Thai mango sticky rice in a milk shake like form, but with alcohol. I loved it, would def go back to try other drinks. read more

Kona Club - Mango sticky rice chi chi - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Four words: macadamia nut chi chi Classic tiki bar with blended drinks and other drinks. Highly recommend getting their chi chis bc they're good and effective. Service could be better, bc there wasn't anyone bussing tables late night. Music is kinda loud in the back room, it was hard to hear my friends talking, my friend could even hear the music when she stepped outside to take her smoke. I would suggest their turn down the music to a comfortable level. They don't serve food, but who needs when you got tiki drinks? read more

Was in the Piedmont neighborhood and wanted to catch a nightcap with a local Oakland friend. I had ordered a Mai Tai 44 which is close to the Traders Vics Mai Tai. My friend had ordered a Mezcal beverage and the Bartenders were helpful and friendly. Both drinks were good and I liked the Halloween spooky vibe since they decorated it for the upcoming holiday. Definitely a nice place to stop by mid week since it's a little slower than the weekend. read more

Very sweet and lovely drinks. My high school friend recommended me this place and the drinks are amazing! My only concern was this place did have longer wait times than I'm used to (I understand it was a Friday night but I've waited 10+ minutes) and it was the reason it lost a star. Pool costs a $1 per game, you'd have to go to the bar and they will give you quarters. read more

See all

Legendary Tiki Bar with a great vibe and fabulous drinks, cocktails and umbrella creations. Adequate street parking and good neighborhood. Bartenders are friendly, expert and quick. This is our default bar in this area. read more

Kona Club - Chi Chi - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Only went to this place in 2010 and 2011! Basically they set it up so you drink and hangout. Amazing that they haven't closed down. Near other cool stuff in Oakland. read more

The drinks here are so good -- I had the mango sticky rice slush and it was absolutely killer. Not too sweet, super refreshing, and really unique. The vibes were immaculate and the tiki décor gave it that fun, transport-you-somewhere-else kind of feel. Staff were super friendly and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better. Prices were also really fair -- not overpriced at all for cocktails this tasty. My only drawback is the volume: the music was way too loud for a tiki bar, and it carried into the bathroom so much that I couldn't even hear myself think. A little volume control would have taken the atmosphere from great to perfect. Overall though, I'd definitely come back for the drinks and the vibes -- just maybe bring some earplugs. read more

Kona Club - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Adam and Cameron this evening were amazing hosts/ bartenders. Providing a friendly environment with exceptional drinks and conversation. Will definitely be back again. read more

We love Kona Club! We went on a Saturday evening and while things were calm in the streets of Piedmont there was already a good group of people at Kona Club. I love nutty drinks so I got the Macadamia Chi Chi with rum instead of vodka, and then I got the painkiller. It's cute hour they measure the alcohol content of the drinks by the number of fish next to it. My partner got two mocktails including Mama's Punch (too sweet for us) and a virgin piña colada (yummm.) The drinks are reasonably priced for the Bay Area, and we chit chatted with the bartenders for a bit before leaving tipsy and ready to munch on dinner. read more

Kona Club - mama's punch mocktail (left) Painkiller (right) - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I came here on a Monday night at around 10:30 and it was very packed. Plenty of people here and it is such a vibe. Definitely takes a bit time to get your order started at the bar. It is a very spacious area. I really enjoy it. It's a lot bigger than some of the other tiki bars in the area. Their prices are also very affordable and I highly recommended. There's usually a security guard outside to check ID before going in. I really love the vibe here. They also have large games for you to play connect for. This is a great spot to hang out with friends or meet new people. read more

Kona Club - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Not a bad hole in the wall to grab a drink. We decided to stop by after dinner since I've always wanted to check it out. Tiki bars are my favorite bars because I love the Hawaiian themed decor. The outside always look like the place is closed/shut down. The inside was dark (just how I like it) with lots of seats available near the front and back. Surprisingly there weren't a lot of people on a weekend. They even have a pool table in one of the rooms! We ordered at the bar and got a Pina Colada. The drink had a strong coconut flavor and a hint of alcohol. It was the perfect drink for me since I'm not a huge drinker. I also liked that the ice was blended well so it was icy. This bar is nested on Piedmont Ave near the Oakland cemetery. There are lots of street parking available and lots of restaurants/shops if you walk down Piedmont Ave. read more

Kona Club - Pina Colada - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

No wait on a Saturday around 7:30pm. It was fairly busy and only got busier through 10pm when we left. Parking was easy on the same block. * Mango Madness - 2 stars This was uninteresting, too strong and too sweet. * Macadamia Nut Chi Chi - 4 stars There's a reason this is their most popular drink! Much more well balanced read more

Kona Club - Drinks menu. Sat night 2024-02-24 - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

The drinks were very good and strong. Big fan of the range of chips available and that the two TVs at the bar had such different things on - "King of the Hill" and a samurai drama. Never a dull moment between that and the fun decor. Staff was surface level nice, no fluff. read more

Kona Club - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

My husband LOVES Tiki bars, so when we visited Oakland he immediately looked up some local spots on Yelp. Stephanie Y. also recommended this spot and ended up going with us for a drink. From the very moment you walk up,you know you're in for a treat. The whole building and entrance screams Tiki bar. As we walked in through a cute alcove there was a security person checking IDs, but he sat so still, tucked into the dark corner, before interacting with us we almost thought he was a statue that was part of the aesthetic. He greeted us and we made our way in to decide where to sit. There is a lot to take in, they've done a great job decorating the place and you can tell they have some great custom decorations as well. We ended up sitting at the bar and the bartenders made sure we had some yummy drinks. They even have an option for the bartender to surprise you, which I love. They have a self serve water station and have bar seating, high top table seating as well as lower tables. The bar area gets a bit crowded but there are plenty of seating options in the restaurant. The drinks were delicious and it would be easy to end up staying here for hours trying them all. I ended up with a chi chi and sipped on a couple drinks my husband tried as well. They were all so tasty. I will say the random movies playing on the TV and non-beachy/tiki music took me out of the full Tiki experience, but I would definitely come back again for a cold beverage and to browse all their amazing decorations again. read more

See all

I called just to see if they served food , and unfortunately they don't. However you can bring in your own food or have it door dashed . I did see a few people with chips with I do believe they sale. The ambience is very nice . Kinda of are to find this place at night . The area is dark and there isn't a real bright sign that says the name of the bar . I will definitely be back Drinks Price Range from - $ 10 - $14 read more

Kona Club - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Cool spot for drinks and socializing Decor is nice Venue is clean Lots of places to sit Pool table Full bar Bartenders are friendly Prices are reasonable Drinks are good Street parking only They sell chips No food read more

See all

Kona Club - A Hidden Gem in Oakland If you're looking for a little slice of tiki heaven in the heart of Oakland, look no further than the Kona Club. This incredible tiki bar, located on Piedmont Avenue, opens its doors at 2:00 PM weekdays, and that's when the magic begins. With one of the most impressive cocktail menus around, the Kona Club has earned its place as one of my absolute favorite spots in the East Bay. I've been coming here for years, and it never disappoints. The ambiance, the drinks, the vibe--everything about this place feels like a tropical escape right in the middle of Oakland. Whether you're a local or visiting, you have to try their signature Macadamia Nut Chi-Chi. Trust me, it will change your life. It's not just a drink--it's an experience. In fact, I love the Kona Club so much, I wrote a song in its honor! This place is an institution that deserves to be celebrated, and I urge everyone to experience it at least once. The Kona Club holds a special place in my heart, and I hope it continues to thrive for years to come. Sending all my love to the Kona Club--Tre' Taylor believes in you, and I can't wait to see you soon. Wishing you all a Happy New Year! SCORCHING NEW FUNNY SONG! REAL MEN DRINK CHI CHI"S: https://suno.com/song/691011b7-64bd-4925-a413-b75d05bc5cbd read more

Kona Club - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here for date night and it was my first time here. Very attentive and kind staff, the bartenders don't let you go unnoticed. My man had the highball and I tried the piña colada and Mai tai. All of our drinks were great. The ambiance was laid back and the music was at the perfect level allowing us to converse without yelling at each other. Very excited to come back again! read more

My friends and I come in here when we want to play pool and get something to drink. Now I don't drink often, but when I do, I want the chi chi. It's so good! They have one pool table and a giant connect four. They don't serve food, but there are plenty of places to walk and grab a bite. My friend has a goal to try every cocktail on their menu. We are very excited to come in the fall/winter for their seasonal warm beverages. read more

Affordable drinks and great staff. The decor is super cute too! A gem in Piedmont. While we were there we saw a birthday party, a proposal, AND another wedding party come in. It's the place to be! read more

Staff are rude and will call you names for not leaving ten minutes before closing time. If your closing time is 1:50, say so! We will respectfully leave at closing time but don't act like it's some unwritten rule to close ten minutes before your posted closing time. We were even trying to be accommodating and chug our drinks but they called us d*cks for not leaving already. Really aggressive attitude and off putting for patrons that totally respect waitstaff closing times. It felt like the vibe just shifted as if we were trespassing ten minutes before posted closing time. ??? Just give us guidance ahead of time and we would respectfully follow it without impeding on your closing shift.... read more

Order the Macadamia Nut Chi Chi, I been to numerous Tiki bars in California. But this drink has taken the number one spot . I dont know how to describes it , it's a Hawaii in a drink. The only thing is that it does not serve bar food, so only drinks which is fine . But this is the spot for NorCal tiki scene. read more

Kona Club - Me and the Kona Queen - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

You already know that this is the spot for macadamia but chi chis! And if you've never had a chi chi, this is the spot to make that change. The service and staff here are great. This spot is a longtime fave for a meet up with my friends or a night starter. It's definitely playing on those classic tiki bar themes and can be a bit campy but I really do think that's what makes this little bar shine. I'm honestly not sure if they have food, but that just means more room for macadamia nut chi chis ;) read more

Kona Club - Macadamia nut chi chi - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Drinks, atmosphere, everything here is really fun. A+ Singapore Sling. A cute place hidden on Piedmont Ave. Highly recommended. read more

I love this place. Best Tiki bar ever. had many many great times here!! I wish I could go more often.

I have a fondness for tiki bars that goes back to my days at Chicago when I was a lonely student trying to avoid frostbite. I would go to Ciral's House of Tiki and down a mai tai or three to get into a tropical mood after winter midterms and finals. This spot on Piedmont Avenue was a little too clean-cut and rock n' roll to make me feel like it was a throwback to Ciral's, but the chill vibe and heavy tropical decor did get me and Jamie W. in the appropriate aloha mood. I used to come to this corner location years ago when i lived nearby and it was just a regular neighborhood spot called Kings X, but this was my first time in Kona Club. We're big fans of owner Doug Miller's other watering hole, Club Mallard in Albany (review: https://bit.ly/3y33V67), so we were hopeful. It was a particularly hot Saturday afternoon, so we were a bit surprised how empty it was. Perhaps the lack of a lanai made it less appealing. The Island Cocktail selection, however, had us at hello. Jamie ordered the $10 Kona Mai Tai and I went with the $12 Macadamia Nut Ga Ga (photo: https://bit.ly/3rkpH1x). The mai tai was sweetly smooth with Myers's Platinum Rum and DiSaronno Amaretto mixed with pineapple juice and guava nectar. The macadamia concoction was creamy decadence with macadamia nut liqueur and vodka blended with crème de coconut and pineapple juice. It was like being back at Trader Vic's without the ribs. We continued our Hawaiian state of mind with another round, this time the $10 Undertow and the $10 Kilauea (photo: https://bit.ly/3fwZPN5). Both of them were anchored by Myers's Platinum Rum with the appropriately named Undertow adding a kicker of coconut rum to the mix of passion fruit purée, guava nectar, and a splash of orgeat. The Kilauea was more artistic looking with strawberry purée swirled into the crème de coconut and pineapple juice. We were, shall we say, lulled into a fantasia of tropical breezes in a tiki-covered room like a deceptively relaxed confrontation scene on "Hawaii 5-0". The original, not the reboot. I'm guessing this won't be our last visit to the islands. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...satisfying fru-fru drinks with the tiny umbrellas AMBIANCE - 5 stars...they did a fine version of the tiki decor SERVICE - 4 stars...very efficient though light on the interaction TOTAL - 4 stars...a tropical throwback to Trader Vic's and in a good way. RELATED - Looking for a tiki bar? Here's a collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3SpoS3c read more

See all

One of my favorite tiki bars in the East Bay. The drinks are--as expected in a good tiki bars--generally yummy and dangerous. They use a decent variety of spirits, and there's good creativity in the concoctions. Despite going on weekend evenings, I haven't had much trouble finding a spot to sit or stand. There's a good amount of space in the larger, second room (away from the bar), including some larger, upholstered chairs to lounge in. Sometimes you have to wait a bit to find a spot if it's really busy, but I don't think it's too big. In terms of atmosphere, they go the distance in terms of decor and theme, which is what makes a great tiki bar experience. Some drawbacks are related to when it's busy. Sometimes, empty glasses and pile up in the back room, and the tables and menus also get pretty sticky. When it's particularly busy, it can also take quite a long time to get a drink or even close a tab. But all of these drawbacks are standard for popular bars. Kona Club is a very good tiki bar, and I definitely recommend it! read more

See all

It's quit amazing place for hung out. Kona Club is such a fun hidden gem on Piedmont Ave! The atmosphere is pure tiki bamboo walls, tropical lights, and even a volcano it feels like stepping into a different world while still being in Oakland. It has that perfect mix of tiki bar flair with the laid-back vibe of a neighborhood spot. read more

I'm a big tiki bar fan, and this place is my kind of bar! For ambience and tiki themed decor you will find. Bar is located in the Piedmont area, and fairly easy to get to and parking isn't bad. They have those tiki cocktails on the menu if you like, or just simple beer and well drinks at any other bar. Staff is courteous and friendly, although the bar can get busy depending on the night. Regardless, it's a nice spot to have a drink if in the area. read more

Kona Club - Various spirits! - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

I would consider this a hidden gem even for locals. Went with a bunch of friends to celebrate a 50th birthday on a Friday night and most of local friends didn't even know it existed. The ones who had had never been. It definitely looks like a shuttered place from the outside as there are no windows, so you have to be in the know to know! I have been a handful of times in my past decade of living in Oakland. It is a darkly lit interior reminiscent of a tropical night. No outdoor area but great for cold rainy days. You can reserve tables as another large birthday party did reserve a bunch of tables in the back. Luckily, we had gotten there early enough to get a few tables that were not reserved. It is a chill vibe, not really a loud boisterous party place, as we heard some of the people in the 20 something year old birthday party complaining. There is street parking. Sometimes there is a bouncer upfront depending on the time. Even if there is no bouncer, the bartenders always ask for ID when you walk in. Service was slow and friends had trouble getting drinks at the bar because of all the labor intensive cocktails that had to be made. Scorpion bowls are lit on fire and served with several straws. There is an x-large connect-four game for people to play along with the pool table. Restrooms are towards the back, women's restroom does not lock very well. No dogs allowed but you can bring in outside food. read more

See all

Nice tucked tiki on the corner. They have bar seating and around the bar as well. Best part is there's pool. Music was all different genres. We went on a late Saturday night crowed was mixed which is why I love going out in Oakland. Customer Service-5/5 Bartenders were super busy but made time to tell you they would be with you. It was crowed but everyone respected who was next it was like a merging lane and everyone knew how to drive. Drink- 4.5 Order the scorpion bowl which came with a small flame $30 and we shared with the 2 of us which isn't bad. You could taste the alcohols which is what you want! 4/5 Decor-5/5 I love the them the bathroom for women had shell and sand themed toilet seat and I know it's random but I loved it. Overall-4.5/5 This is a must try if you want a random hang out our a friendly game of pool and don't mind waiting. But try. There is street parking and you might need to walk a little but it's worth it and they look closed because it's a little dark on outside but their open. read more

Kona Club - Scorpion bowl - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

There are two bars that you can find me at every weekend. And one of those is the Kona Club. Well, well, well, where do I even BEGIN to describe the Kona Club?! Let's start with the outside. The place always looks completely shut down. But as soon as you venture within, you will find that it is FAR from that. It feels like stepping into the islands! Immaculate decor, great vibes, and delicious drinks. My personal favorites are the Chi Chi and the Beachcomber Zombie. Even a church-going, southern grandma would shake her booty for a Chi Chi. The bartenders match the perfection of the beverages 100%. So quick, fun, and talented! Their drinks are works of art. Michael is my man. He is so delightful and always makes me feel right at home, and very safe, which is crucial for a young woman. Michael makes the most delicious drinks (including one he once sent on behalf of me to a cutie guy at the other end of the bar...thanks Michael lol). If you're looking for a trip to the islands close to home, shimmy your way down to the KC!!! read more

Kona Club - A Scorpion Bowl that i accidentally burned the umbrella on lol still delicious - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

"Isn't this place SO COOL?!" - me to all of my friends when we visited Kona Club last week During my fiancés birthday brewery crawl, all the breweries closed but we wanted the night to continue. Luckily, Kona Club was open and we made it our last stop of the evening. First off, parking here is a breeze which I'm very grateful for in Oakland. Granted we got here at like 11:15 PM so all the other shops around here were closed so the street parking options were aplenty. We showed our IDs at the front door and entered a tropical hideaway. PROTIP: you're not allowed to bring your water bottles in, but you can bring food! Tiki decor adorns the walls like any good tiki bar would have. I will say this one does a little less when it comes to decor - still got all the great tiki vibes but other places take it a step further with sound/light effects, more stuff on the walls, etc. Also the music wasn't tiki (had some good ratchet rap music going at times lol). But what Kona Club has that often other tiki places don't - lots of space! Seriously, there were three separate areas - one with the bar, one with the pool table, and one with larger lounge areas, tables, and games. Our party of 10 had no problem finding enough space for all of us to be together and sit down. We were able to order our drinks at the bar with no problem. They also have some snacks available (chips, etc). No real food/apps that I saw which is prob why they allow you to bring in your food. Also, shout out to the staff who quickly cleaned up tables so there was always enough room for us to hang and get more drinks without feeling like our table was getting cluttered. For drinks we ordered a couple of their Kona Cabana bowls. They were strongggg but I'm a rum girl so this was perfect for my taste. Also a great size to share with the group. I'll have to come back when I'm not DD to try more drinks. Already looking forward to my next visit! read more

Kona Club - Kona Cabana bowl to share ($30) - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here for a work happy hour! Cute little tiki bar with absolutely delicious tacos. Didn't try any drinks because I was driving home that night, but I heard good reviews. There were comments that the music choice didn't really fit the vibe of the place since it seemed quite intense. I don't know if I would choose this place for a work social again (lighting was a bit dim and it seemed a bit more on the raunchy side), but would potentially come with friends. No comments on service - didn't really interact with the bartenders, but they came around frequently enough and were able to accommodate our group of 10+. read more

Kona Club - Really good tacos which show the lighting in the space - Tiki Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all