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Tiki Central / Locating Tiki / Bamboo Hut, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA (bar)

Post #798180 by kevincrossman on Sun, Oct 20, 2019 3:46 PM

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(I used the search and couldn't find a previous location thread for this place)

The Bamboo Hut is back!

Closed for more than year, this North Beach dive bar with tiki leanings has finally reopened. The decor has been refreshed with clean lines, with less of a “neon beer sign” vibe and with a more upscale cocktail menu. No more “parrot head” decor either. Only two bras hanging from the bar, a departure from their earlier aesthetic. I first visited years ago when they opened in the late 1990s, but even after the refresh it does feel more like that sort of tiki place rather than the craft-inspired and high-art tiki bars of recent vintage in the Bay Area. But the place was packed on a Friday night so let’s give it a try.

Something was off, way off, with my Mai Tai. I saw them pour in the Plantation 5 year and Real McCoy rums. I saw them pour in the Ferrand Dry Curacao. These are high quality ingredients that normally make for a good Mai Tai. But there was a very funny taste. So it was either the lime juice or more likely the Orgeat. Very disappointing.

The Business with Pleasure cocktail made with Gin, Pineapple, and Lemon was also a mixed bag. One in our party thought it was bland, whereas I thought it was light and refreshing. The Manhattan that was ordered was deemed “fine,” which is about what you’d expect in a tiki leaning dive bar.

Their tiki head remains a focal point and a feature worth visiting for. If you’re in North Beach you could do worse. (Hawaii West)

Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zrU_4A-2k/