Post #203360 by Humuhumu on Fri, Dec 16, 2005 12:05 AM

San Francisco has all the tiki!!!

Good god, I feel lucky these days. As if having our Mondays at TV SF & regular visits to Conga Lounge, TV Emeryville, TV Palo Alto, Tonga Room, etc, etc, wasn't already an embarrassment of riches, now we've got the frickin' Kona Club. Within just a few blocks, we've got Kona Club, Conga Lounge, and the resting place of Trader Vic himself right there to look over the proceedings.

Good god. It's gorgeous. Much of last night was spent bowing down before Doug for making it happen. Bravo. It's beautiful, and on opening day it has more tiki depth & patina than places that have been open for decades. Ben has knocked this one out of the park. Bamboo Ben has been incredibly busy lately; it's heartening to see that there are so many folks out there who are seeking out high-quality Polynesian Pop installations. If Bamboo Ben's dance card is any indication, high-quality, full-immersion tiki is on the rise.

Last night was a doozy -- amazing hospitality. Frankly, I got looped. Here are the pictures (with a few from later in the night edited out. :wink: ):

Full gallery: http://photo.humuhumu.com/v/konaclubpreview/

:up: Otto von Stroheim (the whole von Stroheim clan was there, including a very, very tiny Dashiell)

:up: Conga Mike & Mano pop in to give their best wishes to their new neighbor

:up: The jukebox, which has been given the MacGyver treatment by Bamboo Ben -- he's the only one that can run it, from what I can tell, and it involves opening the sucker up. 5507 (a.k.a, The Kona Club Build Out Theme Song) funked up my earhole! Also, note Crazy Al's APE plug!

:up: His name is Ben/And he is funky/When it comes to funk/He is a junkie

:up: The long house, a.k.a the back room -- great lamps in there, didn't get a chance to check it out closely -- I'll be sure to on Saturday!

:up: Super Fun Time Bamboo Fiesta Deluxe

:up: The younger Boos, with Doug's kids -- they won't get to sit at a bar again for another 12 years

:up: Everything's better with The Jab

:up: Some commentary left behind by King's X patrons

:up: At the bar with Hanford, Mrs. B, and the owner, Doug

:up: Ben feels at home behind the bar

:up: And so do I! It was a real treat -- at the end of the night, I got to make some drinks for Kona Club owner Doug. Unfortunately, my Mai Tais really are not so good when I'm drunk. Doug was kind to me, and drank them anyway.

:up: Old Faithful blows again

:up: The last standing -- it was just Bamboo Ben, Mrs. B, Doug, Hanford & me at the end of the night. When Ben flips you off, he does it with love.

:up: Things got a little silly there at the end

:up: Gathered around the bronze hula girl

:up: I have a feeling her breasts are going to get polished often.

Thanks so, so much to Ben and to Doug for last night -- it was a wonderful night, and won't be forgotten.