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.

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.

Although I am not the biggest fan of the new drinks, the staff was and is always incredible. The…read moreambiance, Henry, and Mike are the reason why we keep coming back. Thanks so much guys, you're awesome!

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

Drinks are good and definitely a cool place! BUT the waiter/bartender tried to double tip himself…read morehoping I wouldn't notice. They make it hard to see but 20% gratuity was already included and somehow they "accidentally" selected an additional 30% tip for me. I had to ask about it and he gave me a refund but seemed suspicious. Make sure to thoroughly review your bill before paying. I have brought many people to this place over the years and probably won't be back.

Whimsical speakeasy inside Killowatt Brewing in Oceanside. SMALL but incredibly detailed and…read moreentertaining atmosphere. Reservations suggested. Doors at the end of the hallway past the bathrooms. This is a FUN speakeasy. There are moving parts, visual effects, beautiful dioramas and hallucinogenic black-light effects. Drinks are good. I have been here 4 different times in various capacities (with 2-3 friends or with dates) and I found the staff inside a bit stoic and unwelcoming each time. I'm not expecting Puppy-dog enthusiasm but it definitely feels you are invading their space by being the room and I find I tend to apologize for my presence. That perception aside, if you aren't trying to chat the bartender up for lively conversation there is plenty to see in the cleverly themed bar. There are just a couple U-booths and a handful of bar stools. So you're on a time-limit for your stop in this portal.

I love it here; this is one of my go to spots to bring people when they are in town for…read morework/visiting etc. Be warned, you can have a very long wait here if you just pop in, especially on a Friday or Saturday evening. Make a reservation if you know this is your destination. They have some spot on Tiki decor and the staff here is really friendly, happy to share their favorite drinks, or make suggestions based on your likes. If fruity drinks are not your jam... what are you doing in a Tiki Bar!! No really, they have great options for on the rocks or straight as well as ordering your favorite cocktail or beer. They have a ton of options, all sorts of alcohol bases depending on what your vice is, they also have non-alcoholic drinks for those so inclined. Hard to pass on a Mai Tai or a Zombie to start your evening off. lately I have been enjoying the Eastern Sour which is their take on a whiskey sour. It's always fun when someone orders a bowl and the room shakes and the lights flash with thunder and lightning adding a bit of excitement for first timers. Just to recap: Don't get mad if you have to wait and did not make a reservation. While they have lots of options, most drinks and all specialties are Tiki Drinks. Tiki drinks can be strong, mind yourself. If a place like this is not your vibe, that is fine, head back into Craft & Commerce, make room for others who are waiting to get in, just have fun!

We ate at Craft and Commerce and decided to jump in line for False Idol as walk-ins. Luckily we…read morelined up near opening because there were quite a few reservationists that showed up on a Friday night. We were led into a dimly lit speakeasy soon after lining up. Fortunately we got bar seating. The bar then quickly filled up with many standing as the bar got crowded. As far as drinks, their menu had many listed drinks. Wifey and I started with Rum Old Fashioneds and they were delicious. Our second drink was a King Kong Old Fashioned and it too was yummy. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. The place was hopping and packed. We will definitely return.

This was such a cool bar with very nice staff…read more It's easy to find, street parking was a nonissue, and they have a huge selection of cocktails with a decent selection of mocktails as well. I love their menu design. It gives a lot of attention to each drink with a clear description breakdown along with the level of alcohol meter. A lot of the drinks are STRONG and their presentations are magnificent.

We had such a great experience at this space themed bar! One thing that I would make a note of is…read morethat we did make a reservation for 10 pm on a Saturday night, but still had to wait in a very long line out the door for a good 15 minutes. We were confused, along with many other folks in line. I think they were just preparing their tables way longer than expected. Other than that inconvenience, the bar itself was beautifully decorated and very on-theme. The drinks were very much giving "tiki bar but in space" and were veryyyy strong. They have an alcohol strength spectrum on their menu so you can guide yourself through the drinks. We got drinks that weren't even on the strong side of the scale and they were still pretty strong. This would be a great place for a pregame for sure! They even have some food and seasonal soft serve other than their normal drinks. Overall, great service, strong drinks, and fun vibes. Perfect place for a pregame!

Food - ? Service - 5…read moreAmbiance - 5 We had such a fun time at Forbidden Cove! The whole experience was so unique, starting with the hidden entrance and unlocking the secret door. Once inside, the tropical tiki theme, colorful lighting and decor really made it feel like we were escaping into another world. The ambiance was fun yet intimate. The drinks were creative, beautifully presented, and delicious! The whole experience made for such a memorable night. I love places that feel like more than just going out for drinks, and Forbidden Cove definitely delivered. Such a cool hidden gem in San Diego!

I enjoy the novelty of this place. I come here when I want to escape the city vibe…read more Ambiance 4* Drinks 4* Service 4* The only thing I think it's missing is the sound of the jungle--birds calling, distant waterfalls, and tropical ambience. Think Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room. That extra layer of immersive sound would take an already amazing experience to the next level. It would definitely be cool!

The absolute best speakeasies are transportive, sending the guest into an immersive state of…read moresuspended reality for a while. From the sign as you enter, through the teeth, to the throaty-red textured walls, The Belly of the Beast encases guests in the whimsical journey down the whale's gullet. Who knew getting "swallowed" would be such fun? Keeping with the throaty theme, the space inside holds a few tables. It's an intimate space with ambient lighting and cheery Hawaiian/beach music. Puppets hang here and there, as well as other thematic, decorative details. My friend and I shared a few mouthwatering apps and imbibed a few delicious concoctions. Our wonderful bartender frim "outside" even came in with us, which made our experience even more personalized. We especially appreciated the complimentary shots! Our food was delicious and plentiful for apps: spam musubi, edamame, sliders, and shishito peppers. Now this is a big deal: my friend has celiac disease. She needs to be very cautious when ordering food. She self-advocates but much relies on the knowledge of servers. Our wonderful bartender, now our server, was very diligent and knowledgeable, and double checked ingredients with the chefs. Accommodations were made. Good times rolled on! Extra heaps of thanks on that! We fully enjoyed every minute of our (generous+) 90 minute time slot here. The service was amazing, the food delicious, and the cocktails made with magic. It was worth the drive, and one I'll gladly make again at next opportunity.

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.

Yelp, where keyboard cowboys come to bitch about their entitled asses being needy. If you're…read morelooking for yelp smut here it is. First time in Grew up in Enc but left 20 years ago Walked in at 10pm, first impression BIG SEAN! What a fucking good human, bouncer guy. Felt welcomed immediately and off to the bar...holy shit! Hospitality that didn't suck...immediately acknowledged even though the tenders were slammin. Props to all the bartenders, welcoming non cocky, nit entitled, zero attitude. We didn't eat but I should have, the fucking hangovers kicking my ass! Great drinks amazing hospitality and all those young 20-30s making me feel like a fucking king. The only thing missing is my liver, please put it in the office if it's found. To the waitress that kept making me put a wrist band on, those were all I ate all day yesterday, needs salt. To big Sean, we will come back just to see you big fucking smile at the door. To the bar staff and waitresses, hospitality is dying in the buisness...keep it up, making people feel important, acknowledged, and welcome is why I'm coming back every time I'm in town. When you're slammed and make me feel like I'm the only person in the room...I know I'm home. When I see you all next please feed, water, and walk me before I drink a gallon of vodka. Love the fucking vibe To the girl that took me home, what's your name? Lmfao PRD

I really wanted to like this place, especially because my family enjoys Hawaiian food, but…read moreunfortunately the experience was pretty underwhelming. We came in around 12:30 on a Saturday and waited about 5 minutes just to order. It seemed like there was only one person handling everything, taking orders, serving food, and cleaning tables. So I do understand that she was probably overwhelmed. Still, the service felt pretty unprepared. The waitress wasn't sure what came on the burger I ordered or where I had even found it on the menu, and she asked if I wanted chips with it even though the burger already comes with chips. We ordered a Coke, Hawaiian Sun, and a hot chai. It took about 15 minutes for the drinks to come, and our chai took about the same amount of time. All of the open booths were dirty when we arrived, and some still hadn't been cleared by the time our food came out. Since there weren't any clean booths, we sat at a large round table that was extremely wobbly. My chai latte cup handle was also sticky, which didn't help the overall impression. The food itself was a mixed experience. My family got the loco moco and kalua pork, and both were good. I ordered the American burger because my mom makes Hawaiian food at home all the time, so I wanted to try something different. Unfortunately, the burger was pretty bland compared to the other things on the menu, and I was left unsatisfied after finishing my meal. Honestly, I think they should reconsider having the American burger on the menu or at least give it a little more flavor. If you come here, I'd definitely stick with the Hawaiian food. The loco moco and kalua pork were much better. The music was great and the vibes in the restaurant were there but the messy tables, long wait, sticky cup, wobbly table, and lack of familiarity with the menu, I was hoping the food would make up for it. Unfortunately, it didn't quite get there for me.

We got here just in time for sunset and the amazing view. The bartender was super friendly and…read moreaccommodating. It wasn't a very busy evening, there were only a few other patrons at the time so we were able to get nice seats looking out towards the beach. My friend and I each ordered a cocktail that was cute but weren't amazing flavor wise. I had decided some fish tacos sounded great for dinner and found out that they were actually on special for taco Tuesday, score! $6 each, don't mind if I do. The tacos were delicious and refreshing, 2 was the perfect amount for me. My friend opted for the poke bowl which she said she enjoyed but it did have quite a bit of spice so be aware. This was such a cute spot I loved the ambience and I will be back, maybe try a different drink next time.

This place kind of feels like a group of girls were sitting at a bar one night and decided how cool…read moreit would be to open their own place. And honestly, that would be cool if the flow was there, but you can kind of tell that all the ideas aren't fully there yet. For starters, the drinks are expensive, which I get because you're in Oceanside by the beach and I'm sure rent isn't cheap. But man, I paid $18 for a coffee-style cocktail and it was pretty bad. They put this whipped cream on top that just didn't work with the drink and was actually pretty nasty. They definitely put alcohol in it, which was good I guess, but overall it was probably one of the worst cocktails I've had in a while. My wife and I also walked up to the bar and waited to be attended. One of the waitresses was busy cleaning and organizing things, going back and forth from inside to outside, while another waitress was socializing with a group of guys for probably 6-7 minutes before noticing us standing at the front of the bar. I really don't mind waiting, but when you combine that with the quality of the drinks and the lack of attention, it just makes it seem like no one really cares that much. That's kind of why I made the comment in the beginning. The place has a cool idea behind it, but you can tell it's missing some of the professionalism and attention to detail that comes with running a good bar. The one thing that really saves this place is the view. It's a really nice view, and during sunset I can definitely see why people come here. Other than that though, I personally wouldn't spend my money here again.