![\"Round](\"https:\/\/images.mapsofworld.com\/san-francisco\/2016\/02\/tonga-2.jpg\")
<\/a> Round 2<\/p>\nThe drinks are an important part of the Tonga Room experience. There are tropical drinks that make you feel like you\u2019re on a Hawaiian beach, like the classic Mai Tai, daiquiri, pina colada, or hurricanes, and there are some house specials like the Zombie and Singapore Sling. Then there are the punch bowls, which are the giant drinks for two or four, served in large bowls with extra-long straws. Some things are more fun shared. The drinks tasted fairly strong, but they were served with a whole lot of ice so there wasn\u2019t as much in there as you\u2019d expect. My friend and I shared a Lava Bowl first, which has rum, lemon and lime juice, and some orgeat. It was refreshing and fruity without being too sweet, and it was garnished with pineapple and of course, a tiny umbrella. I was disappointed that the straws weren\u2019t ridiculously long, but now I know that I\u2019ll have to bring a few extra friends and get the bigger bowl (or just get it for the two of us!). For the second round, I went with a Mai Tai, the Tonga Room\u2019s signature drink, as recommended by the bartender. It was similar to the Lava Bowl, but I have to say, it wasn\u2019t quite as flavorful. My friend got the Singapore Sling, a cocktail of some fruity liqueurs, lemon, pineapple, bitters, and Benedictine mist. I\u2019ll try a Hurricane, a daiquiri, or maybe one of those pineapple Royale\u2019s they serve in an actual pineapple on my next visit \u2013 and I will definitely visit again soon.<\/p>\n
Live bands perform on a stage floating in the lagoon every night the restaurant is open starting around 8pm (which means there\u2019s a cover charge at that time). Generally, the Tonga Room draws an older crowd but there were plenty of younger guests for the happy hour when I went. While there\u2019s sometimes dancing, the bar shuts down early even for San Francisco standards, by 12:30 am on weekend nights. The Tonga Room is popular among tourists but it\u2019s not unusual for locals to meet up at this classic spot for happy hour after work or for special occasions.<\/p>\n
Location<\/strong><\/p>\nNob Hill<\/p>\n
Address:<\/p>\n
950 Mason St<\/p>\n
San Francisco, CA 94108, USA<\/p>\n
The Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel is situated a few blocks away from Union Square. Though it\u2019s less than a mile from the Powell BART station, I don\u2019t necessarily recommend walking, since most of that walk is straight up a steep hill. If you\u2019re up for the hike, and prepared with some comfortable shoes, it\u2019s a straight shot up Powell Street and a good way to burn off that buffet.<\/p>\n
Another option for those who aren\u2019t up for the trek, the California Street Cable Car runs from near the Embarcadero BART station all the way up to the Tiki Room.<\/p>\n
A warning to those wanting to drive: parking prices at the Fairmont are even steeper than those hills ($5 every 20 minutes).<\/p>\n
![\"Happy](\"https:\/\/images.mapsofworld.com\/san-francisco\/2016\/02\/tonga-1.jpg\")
<\/a> Happy Hour buffet and bowl drinks for two<\/p>\n