Tonga Room Execution Stayed. Does Anyone Care?

• This reminds me of when Trump closed Trader Vic's at The Plaza in NYC to put in a day spa. The NYT article (Published: January 25, 1989) headline was "Trump to Close a 'Tacky' Trader Vic's". In the article, Trump states: ''Trader Vic's does not fit in with the image of the hotel that I want to achieve". You should see the Plaza now (owned by El Ad Properties)....tacky as hell, with access to the Palm Court restricted to condo owners only, and.... no sign of Eloise anywhere. Look at pictures of the original Penn Station and the junk that is there now. To think that developers were trying, and almost succeeded to demolish Grand Central Terminal makes my skin crawl. I will never understand why people want everything new and so antiseptic? History is critical....oh.....loook.......shiney...Chris...Chris....Chris, Stay with me here...oh never mind. SAVE THE TONGA ROOM!

• Leave the Tonga Room where it is! I'm not even from SF, and I've only been to the Tonga Room once, but things lke this need to stay put. This reminds me of the fight to save Coney Island (see attached petition). Though not everyone's taste, old places like Ruby's or the Tonga Room have a place among shiny new chains. There are plenty of Americans who do not like shiny new generic chains. Let's let some of the places with character live!

• I live in San Francisco and the only reason I step inside the Fairmont to spend money is the Tonga Room. It is because of the Tonga Room that I recommend the hotel to visitors, and if they stay elsewhere I make it a point to take them to the Tonga Room for dinner. To me, it's as essential a visit as Coit Tower. It's a San Francisco treasure. Fairmont needs to understand that I will not be recommending or spending anything in their direction if Tonga leaves.

• My girlfriend and I actually hunted out the Tonga Room on our visit to San Francisco from Australia......we had dinner, a few drinks and a fantastic time. If it's still there when we get back, we'll be there again. It was a highlight of our trip.

• I've been there twice and it was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit San Francisco. It's a landmark of San Francisco, pure and simple. Yes, the drinks and food are overpriced, but there are few places left like this in the country. I hope it's still there the next time I visit SF!

• Um, yes. Some people DO care. Just because you don't, please do not shit on those of us who do. Long live the Tonga Room!

• Wow, of all these comments, only twowere positive conserning Chris Roberts. And they both were written by him.

• When the Tonga Room ends, the Fairmont boycott begins.

• Actually planning a trip to SF to visit the Tonga Room one last time before the forces of bland-ification wipe it out for good. So sad the Fairmont is ruinovating!

• We stop at the Tonga Room every time we visit SF (from NY)...every chance we get, actually. It's a special place that we hope will stick around for a long time.

• Pleased to see so many positive comments from all over the world and all over the US in support of this wonderful Tiki Bar. I have made some comments on this weeks show about Mr Chris Roberts and the Tonga Room that might interest you all, especially Chris Roberts. you can hear the Cocktail Nation show by heading to www.cocktailnation.net Koop Kooper

• Yes people do care about the Tonga Room. Up here in Seattle we've lost almost all of our most unique properties for dining and drinking because some developer mowed them under for cheap condos. Seattle has become just another average city which means myself and others up here like must travel to SF for experiences like the Tonga Room. And we do! I go every year and wish I could go more often. Please don't just throw this little gem away. It is the last fully atmospheric (ie raining) cocktail lounge in the country! Don't let yourselves become another boring Seattle. Jeffrey

• Notice the following things: 1- The overwhelming number of comments this piece has attracted. 2- The rather surprising (to some) number of responses from East Coast reader. (Like, say, me.) 3- The comments run vastly in favor of keeping the Tonga Room as is. That all said, the Tonga Room not only runs the risk of the wrecking ball, but also of starvation. If the hotel's management decides to neglect the quality of food & beverage served there it only bolsters their case the Tonga Room is a cash hemmorhage and the only way to remedy this is to wreck it and put in meeting facilities. Now, a cynical person would say this is exactly what's happened. Not I, but a cynical person would. The issue here is not whether there are any Tiki venues left, it's how many ORIGINAL Tiki places exist. During the Regal Beagle years, many went under, many were demolished (here S. FL area I can think of five) and many more were neutered into homogenized blandness. Of the places original to the period, I can count how many remain on one hand: Trader Vic's in Atlanta (the last of the original ones), the Mai-Kai in Ft. Lauderdale, the Tiki-Ti in L.A. and the Tonga Room. 30 years from now, nobody (and I mean NOBODY) will be saying "Whew, thank goodness we had the foresight to demolish that ol' Tonga Room and put in a ballroom! Our lives were so immeasurably improved by this!" Once it's gone, it's GONE...and there's not enough buyer's remorse in the planet to resurrect it.

• I don't agree with the author's dismissive summary of the Tonga Room, but I get what he was trying to say: The decision has been. It's over. The only thing left is to enjoy the place while it lasts. Don's could be next. The last time we were there in August, the bartender said they had only made money only one month since they've opened. They've cut out the Sunday brunch and scaled back happy hour. As a member of the Tiki community, I feel responsible to make an effort of supporting these places while they are open. I want them to be around for my grand kids. When our family goes out, we spend our hard-earned money at Don's and I hope everyone else does the same with their local Tiki bar. I'm now planning a family trip to the Tonga Room in December which wouldn't have happened if I hadn't seen this article. The place sounds amazing.

• It's truly unfortunate that the owners of the Fairmont Hotel have never understood how to embrace and promote the ambiance and experience of the Tonga Room. The current ownership is being driven by it's bottom-line profit mentality and bean-counting exercises; unlike days gone by when the Swig Family owned and ran this unique hotel with a true sense of pride and class which filtered down into the Tonga Room. Nothing will shock me re: the fate of this venue, but after numerous nights and years of personal experience in the Tonga Room, I can safely say that it is Easy to tear something down and Never Easy to replace the special memories this room can provide......

• What I want to know is, who doesn't want to "sit under a faux bamboo canopy and sip a singapore sling"? The Tonga Room is kitschy and great, and many people appreciate its history. It would be a shame to lose it in the name of progress, and this article is a shameful and misguided rant. Our buddy Chris needs to cool his warm jets or get his four-stroke kick-started bitching about the prevalence of crap like Applebee's franchises that level American cityscapes.

• It would be a very sad day if the Tonga rooms go. I finally had a chance to check it out in 1998 and it was a blast. It would be the first place I would go to if back visiting in San Fran. The USA would lose a very cool landmark.

• I agree with everyone who wants the Tonga Room to be preserved, and that it is a valid cultural icon. The list of places, monuments and things that fell out of popularity and were destroyed, only to be regretted later when the pendulum of public opinion inevitably swings back is long. Chris represents the typical backwards, ignorant attitudes that are responsible for so much loss of our historic fabric in this country.

• Chris, I drive from Sacramento to San Francisco and spend lots of my hard earned money to enjoy a night out at The Tonga Room and other Tiki places in the Bay area. Tear The Tonga Room down and move it to Sacramento and I won't have to drive so far or spend my money in a city which doesn't care about its culture icons! You must be brain dead for thinking that by moving The Tonga Room it makes everything alright. San Francisco is a great city because of the preservation of past generations. Don't demolish San Francisco just because you have such poor taste for the past. Apologize for your poor judgment.

• Everything I have to say has already been said by the majority above, so just add one more voice to those who care very much and would consider the loss of the Tonga Room a very sad occurrence.

• No Chris, you are dead wrong. People DO care. Obviously, you know nothing about the subject. The Tonga Room is a part of San Francisco's living history and a unique icon of contemporary Tiki culture. So, do some research, have a decent tiki drink or two (NOT from Trad'r Sam's!) and think about what you've said.

• Keep up the good fight. Landmarks are meant to last!

• The current owners of the Fairmont Hotel are from the Middle East. It is my understanding that their religious background is very intolerant of other religious icons and "deities". In this case, the imagery of "pagan" tiki gods. As artificial as the tiki imagery may be, it is still an assault on the owners religious sensibilities. As a result, they feel it is their religious duty to extricate and destroy the "infidelic" Tonga Room.

• Hi Chris, You might not get it and that's fine. But there are people out there that would like to preserve certain cultural icons. The Tonga Room is just that. It should be saved and better yet, not moved.

• Hello Chris, According to a group of Tongan women seated across from me the last time I was at the Tonga Room, the Tongan royal family dines there when they visit San Francisco. If the Tonga Room is good enough for them, then it's certainly good enough for the rest of us. By the way, I'm from New Zealand, so I actually do know what authentic Polynesian cuisine is, but that's not why you go to a tiki bar or restaurant, any more than you would go to McDonalds expecting authentic Scottish cuisine, so it seems your ethnographic approach is somewhat disingenuous. CN

• Chris, Count me as another who cares. My fellow tiki-lovers here are not exactly expressing the usual Ohana spirit (go look it up) that is our norm, so you have obviously gotten the rise out of us that your column's wording seemed to request. Every trip I make to SF includes the Tonga Room, and I started my birthday night there as well on my last trip. One reason: where there have been a couple of rainforest/rain schtick clubs in America's past (now all gone, of course), no other had an actual "lagoon." C'mon! There's a frickin' LAKE in the middle of the bar! How cool is THAT!! And I'm talking North and South America, not just the USA. My native Houston has the disease with which you seem to be afflicted. That is, if it's old and past its official cool [first] period, tear it down. Well, if it's 50 yrs-old, no. But guess what; if you tear down all 45 yr-old buildings, you don't *have* any 50 yr-olds to preserve. Which the developers LOVE. Trad'r Sam's is a great dive bar. The Tonga Room is a gorgeous, lush, themed, mysterious link to another era. Apples and oranges. And the best part is, that era is as fantasy-laden as the TR. That is, we who love places in the vein of the TR know fully well that even "back then" wasn't like the "back then" that we wish it had been. But we can pretend ;) BTW, words and feelings have indeed been made known to the owners, but venom would be unproductive there. Looks like you tossed out the poised-and-waiting venom bait, so to speak.

• My uncles went there when they returned from WWII - one from Germany, and one from the Pacific...My dad went there when he got back from Korea. The stories they would tell... Does anyone care about the kitsch? - looks that way... I have one uncle, and my pops left, need to get them two old duffers back to the city for a mai tai! fff

• The "writer" of this article should be fired for writing one of the worst articles I have ever read. How can you give an opinion and know nothing about the subject matter? I guess SF Weekly is now hiring uneducated douchebags to write articles. On a side note, obviously this guy has no idea about the history of Tiki bars and the impact that it had on the history of California. Currently, there is a large renewed interest in the Tiki bar scene. This is mostly due to the economy and the need that people have to escape to somewhere that reminds them of paradise. Should the "writer" decide to grow a brain and research Tiki culture and the Tiki scene, I would be willing to buy him a Mai Thai at the Hukilau. Just please stop writing about something you have not researched. And shame on you SF Weekly, for allowing this to even me printed or posted. Long live Tiki bars and long live independent businesses.

• Wow, it's amazing to read a post by someone so obviously out of touch with current pop culture and the importance of preserving and enjoying our country's pop history. Tearing down the Tonga Room would be like tearing down the Abby Road studio to put up a Baby Gap. The ONLY problem with places like The Tonga Room is that the owners have lost interest, therefore allowing it to slip into obscurity. Want to see a highly successful, world-renowned Tiki Bar? Check out the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, built in 1955 and packed to the bamboo rafters 6 nights a week. All from proper marketing. People WANT places like the Tonga Room. Ok, maybe not neatly unshaven, Starbucks-drinking dooshes, but people who love the exotic, adventure and fantasy of having a cool tropical drink next to a waterfall. You don't have to like the Tonga Room. But don't get in the way of the thousands who want to enjoy it. -Tiki Chris P, TikiLoungetalk.com

• Wow. So sad to see such a clueless take on the glorious Tonga. My guess is that Chris needs to twirl under half-a-dozen tiny umbrellas.

• Hey Chris, here,s about 80 people who care about the Tonga Room and looks like they,re still comin in. Probably double your readership for the week? Maybe you should write another column retracting your comments?

• Tonga Room = Good. Chris Roberts and his trying really hard to be cool column = Not Good.

• im about to head out the door, so i dont have time to formulate any eloquent response, so ill leave it at this: snide hipsters peices o' shit, who dont know a damn thing about what theyre reporting on, shouldnt be the ones reporting on it.

• Ru serious Chris? I feel you must not believe your own words, but rather are simply trying to get a rise out of us. I believe the number of comments has answered your question: "Does anyone care?" Simply put, yes!

• The Tonga Room is unique and has stood the test of time and should be treasured for this, as well as the cultural history it represents (and yes, it does represent a specific time in American post-war pop culture). The treat it as kitsch or a relic is a mistake and the Fairmont is being short-sighted. Do we really need another "upscale" nightspot that will flame out in a few years, only to be replaced by another trendy joint? Btw, this blogger is a complete dope and sounds like a shill for the Fairmont ownership.

• Chris, you obviously don't have the knowledge or depth of understanding necessary to appreciate the importance of historic preservation, both social and economical. I live in San Diego. When I go to San Francisco, where do I always go? Answer: The Tonga Room. Why? Because there is no other place like it in the world. Indeed, it's no Gettysburg, but it is an irreplaceable historical artifact from a different time, and it is unique enough to have compelled locals and tourists alike to have enthusiastically supported it for over half a century.

• Chris, Chris, Chris, I am TIKI hear me roar.From east-to-west man, this phenomenon is real and widespread. Check out Hukilau.com. in Ft. Lauderdale. It's the greatest revival of mid-century kitch to grace our planet in decades. Tonga Room must remain in-situ. What you want? another Starbucks?

• I am TIKI hear me roar. All the way from the east coast, Chris. TIKI is a solid phenomenon in our time. It is woven into every area of this nation and it's cool! Don't tear down what you don't understand, man. America doesn't need another Starbucks but we could use a few more Tonga Rooms.

• Why do I get the feeling that Chris Roberts is waiting on pins and needles for the Tonga Room to close, so that he and his FauxHawk sporting "City" foodie douchebag friends can dine in "the next Gary Danko" restaurant at $300+ a plate, then bash it on Yelp because the waiter couldn't tell him if the grapes in their $80 per glass Chardonnay were grown on the sunny side of the vineyard or not.

• you just cant have too many tiki bars! rock on tonga room! MR J.

• As Chris Roberts says: <i>"...we can't understand the flap over the Tonga Room."</i> This is exactly what's wrong with this column and so many like it. When a self-adoring knucklehead experiences the miracle of a thought or opinion passing through their skulls, they feel compelled to bless the world with the output of these random firings of neurons, even with full acknowledgement that they never actually understood the matter at hand. YES, Mr. Chris Roberts, the world is clamoring for your uninformed opinions, give us more O Great Oracle! Please enlighten us with more opinions on topics you don't understand! Let's look at some of the specific shining stars of brilliance in this column... 1. Tiki bars are relics of a bygone era. "We" (= Chris Roberts? = the SF Weekly collectively?) can't understand why anyone would want to preserve relics of a bygone era. If Roberts really can't understand this, then his problem is deeper than one might think. Nonetheless, Roberts probably means to say that he can't understand why SOME relics merit preservation. So whose opinions matter on WHICH relics merit preservation? Apparently not the members of the general population, who "bother the Planning Commission with this issue." Tut tut, what an irritant. It would appear that Chris Roberts believes these opinions should be disregarded in favor of much more insightful opinion-makers, like for instance, Chris Roberts. People who don't need to be distracted by an understanding of an issue before taking a position. 2. Members of the public were split on the issue Yes, and...? All we get is an irrelevant comment about Hawaiian pizza? What was the argument from the HALF OR MORE who wanted to preserve the Tonga Room? Oh yes, that's right, they're in the group that this column is trying to discount and ignore. 3. <i>"Hawaiian pizza .. has nothing to do with a historic preservation label"</i> Well, at least Roberts got that one right. But why'd he cite it in the first place then? 4. <i>"...the Fairmont Hotel's tiki bar is... unique"</i> BUT <i>"I simply found it to be an over-priced, kitschy bar, and not a particularly unique one at that (the Tiki-theme has certainly been done elsewhere)"</i> Well which is it? Is it unique or not? Many comments here have already outlined how the Tonga Room is unique, but since this is beyond Roberts' capacity for understanding, here is some more information. First some history from the Fairmont website... <i>"The Fairmont created an indoor 75-foot swimming pool on its Terrace Level in 1929. Known as the Fairmont Terrace Plunge, the elaborate tile pool attracted local crowds as well as celebrities... In 1945, Metro Goldwyn Mayer�s leading set director, Mel Melvin, was hired to transform The Terrace Plunge into The Tonga Room. The pool became a lagoon, a floating stage for the orchestra that entertained guests each evening. Not surprisingly, The Tonga Room was an instant success."</i> Still don't understand the historic appeal? Here's some commentary from other, more insightful outlets... From NYTimes... <i>"FOR many, the Tonga is more than a sight gag. It�s a potent nostalgic touchstone, a place where the combination of cocktails � like the Scorpion, a rum-and-something that carries a menu warning (�Beware! One too many may sting�) � and two-foot-long straws have lent a warm glow to untold numbers of honeymoons and anniversaries, first dates and last dances, birthdays and bar mitzvahs. [...] ...with dark wood walls, thatched overhangs and a formidable totem at the front desk, the Tonga Room has also been the site of more than a few clandestine canoodlings, some of which were immortalized by Herb Caen, the famed San Francisco Chronicle columnist, who trumpeted the room�s happy hour and its famously strong mai tai. Mr. Caen, who died in 1997, had seen other famed Fairmont bars close during his lifetime, but believed the tropical basement dive would always survive."</i> (hopefully Roberts must have stumbled across Herb Caen's name somewhere along the line) From SFGate... <i>"The Fairmont Hotel's campy tropical lounge and restaurant is a local institution, a cavernous tiki fantasy uniting tourists, conventioneers and kitsch-seekers in rum-soaked harmony."</i> From the Fairmont's own website again... <i>"Today, The Tonga Room is riding the wave of the tiki revival and recently has been recognized as one of the nation�s hottest bars by InStyle, Gourmet, Travel & Leisure, Harper�s Bazaar and Wallpaper magazines as well as The Food Network."</i> <b>DOES ANYONE CARE? Yes, many people care.</b>

• If folks are this mad at me, I don't even want to know what they tell the owners of the Fairmont (you know, the ones who have been trying to demolish the Tonga Room for several years...).

• Hey Chris, Don't be an idiot (too late). How did you miss the retro poly-pop extravaganza that is sweeping the nation (among those in the know). Hawaiian pizza's got nothing to do with it. It exists for people who are tired of the never ending next big media "hype" and are exploring the rich history of our American past for remnants of a real "culture" before it is all plowed under, paved over and synchronized to an "American Idol" soundtrack from hell. You've been brain washed like all American youth into thinking that the 20th century is ancient history. Thus the fascination with the new messiah supposedly leading America into an era of hope and change. Give me a tropical drink and a place like the Tonga room and do with the world what you will. Be careful what you wish for ...you might get it.

• Wow - that may be the most uninformed column I've read in quite some time. Not only are tiki bars still in vogue (take a visit to Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco or Forbidden Island in Alameda), but they are part of our history and cultural landscape. You may not care, but many of us enjoy the opportunity to connect with the past - and the post-war years are a particularly interesting part of American history.

• Just the fact that you compared Tradr Sams to the Tonga Room proves you have NO clue what you're talking about. Don't write about stuff without doing the research. Makes you look like an *ss. But I'm thinkin' you are no matter what.

• chris, maybe you should move to phoenix. they dont really care about history there and all the beige buildings are shiny and new

• Apparently someone (city builder maybe) greased the palm/wallet of Chris Roberts. Why would he go out of his way for such a pathetic article? Even though it's old, the Tonga Room rocks!

• i love the tonga room! please dont tear it down!

• Of course the Tonga Room needs to be preserved. OF COURSE! If the Fairmont wants to revitalize business, keep all the decorations the way it is, and fire whoever was managing it. Get rid of the cover charge, the crappy band, and the bad drinks. There are a ton of craftsman bartenders in San Francisco who would love the opportunity to bring the drink quality up from terrible to decent.

• Hi - third generation San Franciscan here. And what the heck are you?! As I was growing up, the Tonga Room sign beckoned me - I yearned for the day when I could sip those pretty cocktails amidst polynesian splendor. And it was one of the first destinations on my must-do list when coming back for visits while I lived on the opposite coast. And, now that I live here again, the Fairmont wants to take this away from me for frickin' condos?! Have you noticed the gazillion empty condos around town? That obnoxious tower looming in the sky as you're exiting the Bay Bridge is certainly selling like hotcakes (not). Obviously, there are lots of us who care about saving this SF institution. What the Tonga Room could use is a refresh. Get someone who knows what they're doing to book the entertainment, for one. Get rid of the tired lounge bands playing Midnight at the Oasis. Plenty of happenin' acts that will bring in the crowds worthy of a cover. And get someone who actually has a passion for what the Tonga Room represents to take over the marketing efforts.

• Everything that needs to be has been said. We love the Tonga Room and want to see it preserved. Replacing historically awesome kitsch for modern cookie-cutter crap is a poor exchange for SF and all the folks who love this town.

• Chris...I care. A large portion of Post WWII America has been erased from our cities and suburbs. As someone mentioned in an above post, if this were some rotting Victorian home, the story would be completely different. Why is something built 50 or 60 years ago deemed NOT historical, or worthy of historical note by the community ? This was an era of extremely adventurous design...often whimsical, bold, and always beautiful to look at. This time period NEEDS to be preserved, so that there is SOME evidence of it's existence 200 years from now. Whether it's a "tacky" tiki bar, a space age Googie diner, or some other "themed" restaurant or bar, very few people are actually bold enough to build anything like this anymore. So, please do us all a favor, disconnect your keyboard from your computer, and shut the hell up.

• Are you a complete moron or just an ass? I am not from SF and live on the East coast but I have hoped for a long time to get the chance to visit the Tonga Room! We have Trader Vics in Atlanta and it is a fabulous treasure of the past that we are proud to have around and which the hotel it is located in (the Atlanta Hilton) has embraced. Hipsters and non-hipsters alike enjoy it. It's truly unfortunate that once again greed is ruling the day - or in your case narrow mindedness! Oh and by the way seems like a lot of people CARE!

• If striking a nerve was your goal, then congratulations! There are 5 times as many comments on this blog article as there are on any other similar article on this site. It's fair to note of the nearly 60 comments at the time of this writing, only one is even mildly at best in support of your position. People care.

• Whether you like it or not, whether you think it's valid and important, or stupid and pointless - none of that really matters. The Tonga Room has historic value to San Francisco and we can't just bulldoze things when we get bored with them.

• P.S. �As for you Mister Roberts, I doubt you even care about anything you cared about say, five years ago. You stand for nothing but poor journalism skills. You can dislike the Tonga Room I don't care if you do in the least. But watch what you wish for, something you might care about could be gone, demollished in the future that is, IF you cared about or stood for anything at all. Your a �San Franciscan? Shame on you.�

• In NO other state or country is history torn down or dismantled like it is in the U.S. and the Great State of �California. Greed on a grand scale has been sweeping it's way through California for more than 30 years. Some of this greed is produced by U.S. shareholders, investors, local Californians let alone foreign�corporations and investors.� �Whether you care for a slice of "Polynesian Pop Culture" or not, take a stand, don't let our local governent, state goverment, U.S. Investors, foreign investors or anyone else pull our historical landmarks and cultural temples out from under us. ��As a Native Californian and a tax paying citizen it is vital that we preserve what is left of our pre-war, post war and all of history, pop culture or not. I want to show my children and �generations to come what our land is made of, where we come from, great or small, our daily lifes, how great we are as a state, a free nation. Please help see that history is not only left to Europe and the rest of the world, we do have history and �culture beyond Burgers and Malls.

• I'm confused. You're asking who cares? Is this an honest question? If no one cared, would this post even exist in the first place? I'm getting inundated with messages from people who care very much. I'm a historian of Polynesian Pop sites around the world, and I've been down this road before. I don't want it to go, but I'm a realist and I've said my goodbyes. Obviously, I'm a big ol' tikiphile and thus my perspective could be a bit skewed. But here's the thing: FAR, FAR more than for any other Polynesian restaurant I've ever encountered, the people I'm hearing from who are panicked about the Tonga Room closing are *not* the rabid tikiphiles. They're normal people who love midcentury history, love San Francisco history, or just know a damned special place worth saving when they see it. The response is coming from a surprisingly broad swath of people. The Tonga Room has flaws, but they're all temporary. The service, food and drink could all be fixed in a jiffy. But the space, both the physical location it holds and the place it holds in the history of restaurants (not just tiki joints) cannot be replicated. When it's gone, it's gone forever. We could all rattle off a list of a hundred places in San Francisco we never go to that are generally deemed worth preserving (the cable cars, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, Mission Dolores). Thank goodness historic designations don't come down to what just one person can or cannot see. This would be a very dull city, indeed. Chris, if you don't see what the city's historic preservation commission sees, and you want to step away from your jaded, too-cool existence for a moment and instead be genuine, earnest and curious about the awesome city in which you live, shoot me an email. I'll be happy to let you know what is special and historic about the Tonga Room.

• I think someone needs to remind some of you to have good manners. People think that because you can post anonymously you have the right to belittle people and name-call, and I'm sorry but that's just not cool. Calling someone a bunch of names doesn't make you look smart, it makes you look like a big jerk. If you wouldn't say something like that to someone's face then you probably shouldn't say it on the internet either.

• OOF! I love the Tonga Room, but it ain't no Trad'r Sams. Trad'r Sam is a dirty run down little place. Fun for a Sunday afternoon cocktail before the Frat boys come in and annoy folks. Tonga Room was in really good shape, and then the Fairmont Hotel RENOVATED IT about a year ago and now it is in INCREDIBLE condition! Yes, the polynesian drinks are always bad at Trad'r Sam and sometimes at the Tonga, but that is the fault of the Food and beverage folk! I have never been charged a Cover Charge when the band isn't playing- Go before 8pm. Both Trad'r Sam and the Tonga Room are pieces of tiki history, and as much as, I'd hate to lose either, there are more tiki dive bars in this world like Trad'r Sam, but there is only one tiki businees with a "pond" in the middle, AND a floating band, AND a rain storm with thunder and lightning! That place is called The Tonga Room and that place is in San Francisco, your current city and one of the best cities in the world! Keep San Francisco great-Save The Tonga Room! OOF, Don't be an oaf! PS- My buddy Russell pointed out that the Banana Daiquiri is good!

• Also, I'd like to note that Army Street was only renamed Cesar Chavez in 2001 or 2002 in a coup by the Board of Supervisors to gain favor with Latinos. It was supposed to be on the ballot, but the BoS approved it themselves even though people against the measure outnumbered supporters 2 to 1. So...yeah that's not really that long ago if I still remember it. BTW, I say we rename it back to Army St. How long ago did you move to SF Mr. Roberts?

• Polynesian Pop is alive today and shall live forever. The Tonga Room is one of the few amazing surviving icons of Polynesian Pop culture. Eradicating such a fine example of this culture would be a shame. Luckily I grew up in Hillsborough and have a number of wonderful memories of goint to the Tonga Room with my mom when I was a kid, and meeting dad after work, his office was in San Francisco. We had such fun and truly escaped at The Tonga Room to times past. These memories are wonderful, and the Tonga Room should remain to create similar memories for many others! More condos and restuarants and more, NOT SO MUCH!! SAVE the Tonga Room!

• There is nothing like the Tonga Room in the entire world. The fabulous aura that makes San Francisco such a great city will most certainly be diminished if the Tonga were torn down. Indeed, the quality of life itself will be brought down several notches knowing that ignorant, greedy bastards have gotten their way. God bless the Tonga Room and all that drink there.

• i like the tonga room and feel it would be a great loss if it were gutted.

• And while were at it let's get rid of those silly and expensive cable cars that just block traffic, build a golf course on Alcatraz and condos on Fisherman's Wharf. Chris, the Tonga Room is a destination, an event and a chance to revel in another era. It used to be a reason to visit or stay at the Fairmont. Perhaps the city would be better served if the Fairmont were leveled and replaced with a highrise Marriott?

• It would be a crime to lose this place.

• The tonga room is one of The best places to catch the Tiki vibe in nor-cal. Major history, good food and great drink abound. It would be a crime to lose this after so many years. My wife and I go when ever we are in the city. I prey it stays.

• Chris, Taste is privileged. Why don't you find some.

• Did you actually learn to be a jerk at journalism school or does it come naturally? Did you even GO to journalism school? Like a vast majority of the so-called "professional writers" on the net these days, I suspect not. Even I know the first rule of good journalism is to be objective; please note that. Oh, and just to make sure you understand this post, YES, I'm a Tonga Room fan!

• Holy Moly....Chris...look at what people think of you!!!! Im sitting her laffin my butt off knowing how small you are...but listen up...I am a native San Franciscan and Herb Caen is my idol....he was a REAL journalist...ever hear of him? I think not...I am also deeply into the Tiki Movement and I am NOT TACKY!! Most of these peeps that have commented are friends of mine and they speak from well mannered and knowledgable mouths...Ok as for the Tonga Room. NO ONE TOUCHES MY TONGA ROOM....dont even TRY!!!!!!!!!! I am also against all the cookie cutter dry stale establishments that only make dollars count. Maybe the Tonga Room needs to rethink costs...offer weekday deals to sweeten the capacity...but there aint nothing so cool as the REAL DEAL and Chris....you aint !!!! Shut up and get a different job that doesnt piss people off.

• The Tonga Room (the physical location - not the people running its current food & drink concession) is a national treasure. It's one of the very, very few remaining shining examples of mid-centry-modern Tiki architecture. The "Tiki" craze lasted for decades and provided escapism for an ultra-repressed population that was worried about "ducking and covering." Sadly, very few of these "palaces" still exist because Tiki culture was deemed "uncool" by newer generations. I'm glad it's back on the upswing.

• I CARE! I SO VERY CARE!!! If there's anything to be done - let me know and I'll do it!!

• Chris, Remember that cool old car your parents/grandparents/uncle etc had when you were young..? Now imagine it's still in their garage, unmolested, gleaming and just as it was back then.. Maybe it's a hot rod, maybe a muscle car, y'know a "kitch" type vehicle.. maybe an early 80's volvo but mint condition nonetheless.... Sure it's not what you would buy (you know, cause you are all about hybrids) but is still a COOL old car. AND you would still like to inherit it. And you would love to show it to your kids and take them for a spin in the car thats in all of those old pictures. NOW CRUSH THAT CAR. because you want more room in your garage to park the crappy hybrid. you suck.

• Do Americans still believe they invented the pizza? Anyway, Americans definitely invented Polynesian Pop. It's one of their more delicious and sophisticated creations. It's their own culture. Tearing down a fine example of this culture, as the Tonga Room undoubtedly is, would be a shame. A crying shame. I can only thank heaven I saw the Tonga Room once in my life, before this crime is going to take place.

• Naresh, those words could come from my mouth. I'm from Cologne in Germany and it's a shame to consider the loss of this remarkable San Franciscan (Tiki)landmark.

• The Tonga Room is awesome, I go every time I'm in town from L.A. The new bars are cool, I'm thrilled Tiki culture has made a come back, but it can't compare to the originals. Chris, I'm sorry the Tonga's allure is lost on you, sounds like you aren't much fun, just because you don't like it why dismiss the multitudes that do? I hate all the new hipster post modern clubs and bars, so guess what? I don't go. I don't however judge the people who like them or wish for their destruction. There is plenty of new bars and restaurants and room for plenty more, why do we need to throw away history and uniqueness for more new crap. Please leave the Tonga Room where it is for us to continue to enjoy. And Chris? I'm sorry, but you're kind of a tool!

• Chris, your ignorance and lack of proper research is amazing. I'm a second generation native. You are quite obviously not from here. Trader Sam's?!? Really?!? You must have been in a frat to even step foot in that place. Your editor should be fired for hiring you. This article is laughable. I am now done with reading the the Weekly due to poorly written articles. And yeah, every post I've seen about this on Facebook is about your ignorance.

• Chris, your lack of knowledge concerning the Tonga Room and more importantly Tiki Culture as well as your failure to do any research before carelessly voicing your opinion concerning the Tonga Room's historical significance and its future simply shows nothing except for your ignorance. Do yourself a favor before you lose all credibility if you ever had any and step down from your weekly-tabloid-rag High-horse and read the above comments or maybe open one of the many books that have been written on Tiki Art and Culture. Just because it isn't considered "cool" in the corporate elitest hipster bubble you must live in is really of no consequence! Bottom line here is you just don't get it! Save the Tonga Room and I will leave it at that. Parker

• Can't believe what I'm hearing who is this guy ? Judging by the comments here he is thankfully a lone voice personally coming from England i love the Tonga rooms and would consider it a tragedy if it was lost to "modernization" San Fanciscans stand up and be counted don't let this happen

• Kudos to everyone sticking up for the Tonga Room, and other relevant--yes relevant--historical and cultural landmarks. Beyond a fixed landmark, the Tonga Room offers still more value through experience and entertainment... not just something to look at, but a place to gather with friends, visitors, family and celebrate life. As for the notion that "tiki bars are relics of a bygone era"... it's ludicrous in the face of August 2010, Tiki Oasis the biggest Tiki lounge event in modern history... and other events like it around the planet. Message to Chris Roberts: I don't like your arrogant tone, your irreverence for a fun pleasant culture that many people value, or your sheer ignorance. That's putting it politely.

• Has this author been hiding in a hole? What a tool. He sounds like he's of the vapid "tear it down because it's old" mindset. Tiki culture has been making a huge resurgence in the past few years. If brand new tiki bars are thriving, the historical ones certainly have a place. That being said, someone who knows a thing or two about mixing tropical cocktails should take over the bar!

• Chris, you've proven yourself to be an idiot on two accounts. 1) that you think you are warranted to comment on a topic on which you are obviously completely ignorant - Tiki culture. (See The Book of Tiki by Sven Kirsten for a quick education so you don't seem so stupid next time you open your mouth) 2) You drink at Trad'r Sams (you fool) But I trust you actually don't care at all about the Tonga Room and wrote your flippant remarks to piss off people who do care and to garner a lot of hate mail cause it makes for lots of hits and your editors love it. If journalists had to be licensed I would make sure yours was revoked.

• Your comments are so indicative of the current generation who have zero sense of history,The same mindset that I have come across when discussing old (Black & white) movies, so many people of a certain age group will not even watch a movie if its not in color and can not understand why anyone would want to? Without a connection to History we have no roots.

• I'd like to point out that all Facebook likes on here are not a result of anyone liking your article, but from all of us posting it on our walls saying what a jackass you are! If you don't understand something or know the history of something you shouldn't be writing about it.

• Chris, maybe you are guilty of self-delusion or maybe you're just a tool being used by someone else. In either case, progress is not always what you or your handlers have on your agenda. There are others that do appreciate what you, obviously, do not.

• ditto to what Kooper said. I feel sorry for you Chris, you are a classless guy with no appreciation for history. Go eat at TGI O'Craplebees and leave The Tonga Room to the rest of us.

• The Tonga Room is an American icon! San Francisco would be a lesser city for its loss! This gem is a stellar example of a bygone era and to replace it with some contemporary blandness would be an act of sheer idiocy!

• We are, in fact, in the midst of another national revival of "Tiki culture", such as appears to happen ever ten or fifteen years. Tacky so some, for others a chance to escape, at least temporarily, the general degeneration of our surroundings. For others it might be something else--punk revivals or tattoos and Harleys. To each his or own preferred form of kitche--but I digress. For San Francisco and the Fairmont to be so eager to avoid capitalizing on a trend seems unwise in these times. Besides, it's a pretty safe bet that whatever might be planned to go in the Tonga Room's place would contribute far less to the city's unique character.

• Thank you, Chris, for admitting you don't understand something so blatantly obvious. If it's not your thing thing then why not simply focus on something positive instead of trying to accerbate a negative for those who care about preserving what little cool is left in America, out of ideas to print about?

• Chris, you shared your opinion. Many above this comment have shared theirs. Mine is short. Im a thirty something now. I grew up in the 70's and 80's. A time that grandkids had plenty of time left with grandparents so they could understand that a depression is and what a world war will do to people. The tiki movement, fad, "thing" happened as a way to quench a need for escapism in times that had little other distractions. No internet, portable media, megaplexes, or even a VCR. People had to try a little to get lost. The man made triteness of a tiki bar is meant to force out the light of the real day and allow only enough light in to see your well garnished Mai Tai. Get a group of your friends together. Go to your local Vic's or any good neighborhood favorite. Have some drinks. Talk. Enjoy the ambiance. Try it again. Sunshine

• Chris, your lack of understanding and appreciation for this part of San Francisco and California history is lamentable but not irreversible. I encourage you to do some real research. Oh, and to the haters: The Tonga Room is only tacky due to a similar lack of care from its ownership. It doesn't have to be, and didn't used to be, that way. Thanks.

• Shame on you Chris, dismissing such a great historical landmark! The problem with most people like you is you have no sense of pop-culture history. The Tonga Room is a big part of it, Tiki Culture or not! These places should be preserved for people who enjoy a sense of �not so distant� Mid-Century Modern history. It's not about the price, the "kitsch" factor, it's about the good times, and great feeling one has while being at the Tonga Room. It would be a crime to remove this from the San Francisco landscape...I live in San Diego and Los Angeles...I make a pilgrimage to the Tonga Room almost every visit with a large group of friends that appreciate this beautiful place. If you would like to know more about how large the Tiki community is try checking out Tiki Central...you will be surprised at how many people are willing to fight to keep the Tonga Room open as it is, a glorious Tiki bar and restaurant! Switched On Audrey Host of "Pretty World" on www.luxuriamusic.com

• Little people who bag on legendary icons of any variety make me laugh. The Tonga Room may not be everyone's cup of rum, but it is indeed historic and cool in an old school-cool, cable car-kinda way - something else many people once wanted to get rid of, to make room for...what? More buses? You don't dig the Tonga, don't go there. Hang out at one of the six hundred generic hip hop dance clubs in the area, and let us have our one classic SF tiki lounge, since we've lost Trader Vic's on this side of the Bay, TWICE (figures this guy prefers that dive Trad'r Sam's, which is nothing but an ongoing frat tiki party, no class at all, though it serves its own special purpose - as does the Tonga). What is this clown's contributions to society anyway? Wiseass articles? And what would the Fairmont replace the Tonga Room with - a shopping mall? Condos? Yawn. About as conventional, and unnecessary, as this article. If all the orgininal tiki bars that once existed had been mowed down and replaced with chain stores, maybe the Tonga wouldn't be be so precious to our community. Kudos to kitsch and anything like the Tonga that celebrates Tiki or Retro Pop Culture. In fact, cheers to personality, imagination, individuality and respect for our collective culture.

• I'm hard pressed to give additional comments to supplement the thoughtful ones posted above. I can only say that short-sightedness, lack of historical awareness and a flippant attitude does not make for good journalism. The antithetical position to Mr. Robert's "whine-writing" can be found in the pages of TIKI MAGAZINE (and a dose of Koop Kooper's 'Cocktail Nation' would be the perfect audio accompaniment.)

• The silliest and worst element of this silly and bad article (if one may dignify it with that appellation) is the ever-so-subtle denigration of the Tonga Room as insufficiently multicultural: the notion that it is not authentic because it is not truly Polynesian. Tiki bars and tiki culture are a specific post-World War II American refraction of Hawaii and Polynesia, not an authentic replica thereof. Mr. Roberts' failure to see this is one of the more disturbing elements his unwise diatribe. One expects journalists to be a bit more clued-in on American social history. They do not need to have a PhD in history, but perhaps the equivalent of an MA or at least a BA should be a requirement. There is, for the record, an authentic Hawaiian bar in Berkeley, on University Avenue. It is not really a tiki bar: actual Hawaiians own it, and it does not have that special Americana-feel to it that characterizes good tiki bars. It is a different animal. To devalue the Tonga Room because it is not authentically Polynesian is to simply misunderstand it, and to misunderstand tiki culture in general. This level of misunderstanding is not something we desire in a good journalist. Mr. Roberts should find other employment. Mr. Roberts: you try to come off as snappy. You only come off as snotty. As well as ignorant.

• Chris Roberts is right. And you know what else we should tear down? The Mission San Francisco de Asis. It's just an old church, and not a very good one at that. Also, can we please bulldoze all these old Victorian buildings. I mean, sure they were OK for your great-grandparents, but what good are they to us now? Cable cars? Give me a break - they're too slow so rip those out too. And who needs the Ferry Building. The clock isn't even digital! And that Coit Tower is an eyesore.

• The Tonga Room is legendary and one of the few remaining originla tiki bars that hasn't been done away with by the greedy interests of real estate. This gem is not tacky but in fact very well done bit of mid century escapism. If the investors spent a fraction of the time and money they've spent on trying to get rid of it, the Tonga Room would be thriving. Real estate money has always bullied its way through the distruction of era specific treasures in the name of "progress" only to later realize that thye've destroyed the character of the place they were actually trying to profit from.

• Chris, Your not-so-subtle disdain for "relics of history" doesn't serve you well. This is indeed a relic, and it deserves to preserved - just like California's great national parks! I'm sure there's things people would love to build where Yosemite is. And how about the Redwoods? There's a great deal of kitsch left along the scenic highway - a tree you can drive though, and other relics from America's great "motoring years." I sincerely doubt your later comments on preservation - it is likely you don't even know what year the Tonga Room was built, or some of the features that make it special and unique. That floor? Made from the remains of the S.S. Forester. The room is essentially as it was in 1945. So tiki is done elsewhere, yes. "Done first" has no place in your view of preservation? In one sentence, you've managed to compare tearing out a piece of history to a number of GOOD aspects of social progress. (And you've done so in a most unattractive manner.) So the Fairmont wants a ballroom. You'd like to lead us to think that is social progress on the scale of multi-cultural awareness, or becoming social conscious about our choices with meat. No, tearing out the Tonga Room would be akin to modernizing the swimming pool at the Berkeley City club. Luckily, that isn't up for debate - I'd hate to hear what you had to say about it! Destroying pieces of America's social history isn't progress. So, its social history that you personally don't care about. That leads to the carelessness that has destroyed far too many architectural treasures - theaters, bank buildings - and yes, restaurants, too. It doesn't matter that the Tonga Room isn't authentically Polynesian - it is authentically American. And more pointedly, it is your city's history and heritage. (Or is it? Because most native San Franciscans I know have a far better developed sense of historic preservation.) And, regarding your acid parting words - I'm don't know how you find any reasonable comparison between the Tonga Room and Trad'r Sam. Yes, you're right, they both have tiki decor. One is a pearl of social history from the era of themed restaraunts. Massive, beautifully maintained, all-original, clean and still novel. The other is small and dark, a one-time quaint little place that devolved into the neighborhood bar, complete with sticky surfaces, frat boys and questionable bathrooms. This editorial is full of poor journalism and a worse sense of America's social history. SFWeekly should be embarrassed to have you writing for them.

• So Chris, What would you prefer there, another Starbucks? What is wrong with enjoying some history along with your cocktails? And Tiki is not all about the food (your example about the pizza) it is the experience, the history and the FUN! Maybe when you grow up you will understand, Audrey

• Chris, your comments do society in general a dissservice. Special places like this tiki bar should not be considered "postwar kitsch" that no one cares about. They are a historical piece of our past that should be preserved. My grandparents were regulars at the original Don the Beachcombers, as were my parents, as am I, and now so is my daughter. The Tonga Room is an original "tiki temple". It is an escape from the craziness of the outside world that I hope will be around for my grandchildren, and not torn down because of the short-sightedness of people like you.

TotalComments: 100