Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar: Dinner for 6 ($50 Deposit)

Join SF Foodies for a night of rum drinks, pupus and old school nostalgia at a San Francisco institution, the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.

Located in the basement of the venerable Fairmont San Francisco, the space was originally the hotel’s indoor swimming pool (the "Fairmont Plunge") before being transformed in 1945 by an MGM set designer.
Today, it serves as a portal to a mid-century South Seas fantasy, where the atmosphere is as much of a draw as the cocktails.

The venue is designed to feel like a tropical lagoon under a night sky, complete with elaborate nautical and Polynesian decor. The center of the room is dominated by a 75-foot pool that now functions as a lagoon, complete with a floating stage. Every 30 minutes, an artificial thunderstorm rolls through the room, featuring simulated rain falling into the lagoon, thunder, and lightning effects. A live band performs from a thatch-roofed boat that floats across the water, providing a soundtrack of island-themed music and pop hits.

The menu features tiki drinks, shareable punch bowls, and Pacific Rim cuisine. Menu is here

We have a reservation for dinner, so we will be expected to order food at the table. (Patrons who only order drinks and appetizers are directed to the bar.) We will get a great view of the music and thunderstorm shows.

[I used Google Gemini to generate the event description and photo.]

Costs
I will collect the deposit about a week before the event via cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Pay. Please check your Meetup notifications (comments on the event or private message) for communications from me.

The deposit will be deducted from the total amount you owe on the night of the event.

Drinks or food ordered will be the responsibility of the person who ordered them. No separate checks. Please be prepared to split the check and pay via cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Pay.

Taxes and Fees
IMPORTANT: The restaurant charges a $20 per person entertainment fee if you are seated during the live music show (we will be seated during that show).

Dining in San Francisco has a sales tax (8.625%) and possibly a mandate (5-6%). We will add a gratuity of 20%.

Parking and Transportation
BART to 16th & Mission plus a 10 minute walk
Muni 1 to Sacramento & Jones or Sacramento & Stockton
But given the nostalgic, old San Francisco theme of the evening, you should take a cable car!
Limited street and garage parking