Oakland's Conga Lounge - new review

Conga Lounge was featured in the Contra Costa Times this last weekend. Here's the review:

JESSICA YADEGARAN: NIGHT WRITER

Conga's island vibe keeps summertime alive

So it's mid-September and this Indian summer business isn't kicking in fast
enough. I've resorted to peek-a-boo heels as a happy medium between my
sandals and my boots, and I'm sporting more layers than an Italian sub.

One thing helps me stretch out the summer spirit, and that's a trip to the
retro-heavy Conga Lounge in Rockridge. It's not a particularly sunny bar.
It's not even open during the day, actually. But, on a reasonably warm
night, you can sit on this teeny patio and feel bamboo shards poking you in
the back while you slurp some lethal pink concoction, inhale secondhand
cigarette smoke and tinker with broken tiki torches.

Ahh, Oakland summers.

I've been to the tiki bar on several occasions, and each time I feel vertigo
approaching as I try to take in all the Polynesian tchotchkes. Here's a
smattering of what I saw last time: ukuleles, surfboards, life preservers,
fans, bongos, straw hats, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley records, hula
skirts, fish spears, wind chimes, fake parrots, fake trees. And that was
just on the walls.

Inside, lounge music and 1950s movies round out the tropical paradise. In
addition to wicker chairs with soft cushions that are much easier on the
tush than the bamboo bench outside, there are enough tiki heads and red
candle lanterns to light up all of Easter Island. I loved this image through
that thick red fog: Four Goths sharing a venomous Scorpion, a cocktail of
rums and brandies, with the aid of feet-long straws. The drink was served in
a bowl big enough for a family salad.

I've already felt the sting of Scorpion-esque beverages -- my curse was the
Lapu Lapu at the infamous Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach -- so my gang stuck
to, among other things, a fabulous mojito made with gobs of fresh mint; a
pomegranate margarita, which was more like a martini; a Rosarita, better
known as a pucker-ific cranberry martini; and a so-so bellini. Two numbers
we hope to try next time: the Purely Chi Chi, a pina colada made with peach
schnapps; and the Gilligan's Island, coconut rum, banana liqueur and juices.
Watch out, Little Buddy.

The Conga Lounge feels as if it's been open way longer than two years, and
that could have something to do with the history of tiki bars in Oakland.
The chain version, Trader Vic's, began as Hinky Dinks on 65th and San Pablo
in 1934. Owner Victor Bergeron invented the mai tai, and the rest is one
blurry Scorpion night.

What makes it new, and freaking smart, are the themed nights featuring
everything from calypso to reggae DJ jams. Packing that place reminds me of
the parties I'd throw in my first post-college studio -- a pad about the
size of a financial analyst's bathroom.

Another Conga Lounge plus: the reasonably priced appetizer menu, which will
keep lightweights like me coming back for more Lomi-Lomi Salmon, a Hawaiian
style ceviche, so I can serve my Scorpion team proud.

Night Writer Jessica Yadegaran profiles bars, clubs and similar hangouts in the Bay Area every other week in Friday TimeOut. Send comments or suggestions to Jessica, c/o the Times, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8099, or e-mail [email protected].

THE CONGA LOUNGE

• WHERE: 5422 College Ave., Rockridge

• HOURS: 5 p.m. until closing, Wednesdays through Saturdays

• CONTACT: 510-463-2681; http://www.congalounge.com

• PARKING: College Avenue's not horrible, but turn on your parking karma anyway.

• COVER CHARGE: None

• ATMOSPHERE: Polynesian party extravaganza

• CROWD: Berkeley grad students, Oakland punks, young Rockridge 'rents

• NASTOID FACTOR: Minimal

• MOJITOS? Perfection

Great review, CM!
You deserve all the best.

Can't wait to get back to see you and Mano.
Ummm, unless you're coming to the Hukilau in which case I'll see you next weekend.

"parking karma"

"NASTOID FACTOR"

very funny!