Amazing place, best tiki bar I've been to period. Good vibes great staff with a soul and personality. No legit 'meals' but the snacks are tasty and complement the theme well. If you're going alcohol free they do have an assortment of their drinks that you can get sans booze which is awesome (no weird side menu) and those are honestly great in their own right too! Try to come here every time I'm in the area :D
Forbidden Island never disappoints. The staff is very friendly and attentive. They make me feel like I belong. The cocktails are expertly crafted, using exceptional ingredients. This is, in my opinion, the best Tiki bar in the SF Bay area.
Opentable Diner
The decor is what first captured my attention. It's clear that so much thought and creativity went into every detail. Beyond the beautiful space, the drinks are consistently delicious. The bartenders are incredibly skilled, and their passion shines through in every glass. I am a sucked for a piña colada. I love that people dress up to come here.
Rebecca
Always a great time. Macadamia nut chi chi is like dessert. The drinks are dangerously good. Always love to see what old surf movie they have playing
Gary
One of the oldest (and finest!) tiki bars in all of California. The drinks are exceptionally crafted, the staff is warm and welcoming, and the ambience is perfect: CLASSIC tiki look and feel - it's more “Donn the Beachcomber” and less “Disney.” For the purists AND the pure of heart!
Audrey
Outstanding drinks, food is yummy, although it's really there to make sure you survive the drinks. Great staff and moody tiki environment. Make a reservation because they're busy! 1.5 hours for groups of 1-3, 2 hours for 4+
Jazz
 Had reservations for a table showed up in time they made me and my date sit at the bar. I've been there four other times that has never happened and I hope it doesn't happen again. I do not like to sit at the bar and I will not eat at a bar. Ruins the whole mood turning to your right or left.
Sergio
What is super nice white staff. I said that because they laughed at my jokes. Always a good time at the neighborhood tiki bar.
saniyah
I really loved the Atmosphere!!! Everyone was friendly asf, GREAT DRINKS! I even surprised my girlfriend with going here and they made it absolutely beautiful. We left here telling each other “This is our go to spot” - Most of all I felt SAFE at this bar. The only thing I can say is that I manifest for them to have a bigger location soon with the same workers. Def would recommend.
Irving
My friend lives on the adjacent corner on Sherman, and we've been wanting to check it out for the longest time. It used to be exclusive, but open to the humble rest of us now. We booked early at 2:30 on a Saturday hoping for a tiki booth. There was one left but the hostess sat us at a table. Not a complainer. Bar seating is cool. And, tables in nooks and crannies throughout. Food was really good for pub food. Drinks didn't get me as “tikied” as I thought they would. I'd try it a few more times.
The service was excellent, the bartenders were fabulous. Thank you again for making our 18th wedding anniversary rememberable.
Amy
Decor was amazing, drinks were strong & the servers were friendly & personable. Even though we're not from the area, we joined the rum club in hopes that we'll continue to come back each time we visit since we have friends who live in the area! The patio was super cool & next time, I'd love to sit out there.
Olivia
Great selection of drinks! Food was very mid and just small snack bites but priced higher. Outdoor seating is very cute but I think our spot was a little out of the way as service was slower towards the end and we waited 30-45 min to see a waiter for another drink order. Overall I had a good time and would return with friends only if I was in the area.
Gregory
The staff are top notch, respecting our social distancing needs, attentive and kind. This place is really top notch. Other establishments could learn a lot from them. Much gratitude to them for for helping to create a space where our immunocompromised community feels safe.
Amanda
I still love that you can reserve a table - best thing from covid! I also love that there is outdoor and indoor seating. Great music not too loud fun atmosphere and friendly sporty service. The drinks of course were amazing per usual and the food has improved - had the forbidden fries and cups with guacamole. We rode our bikes there and they even allowed us to park them inside the gate which was very nice!
Amazing place, best tiki bar I've been to period. Good vibes great staff with a soul and personality. No legit 'meals' but the snacks are tasty and complement the theme well. If you're going alcohol free they do have an assortment of their drinks that you can get sans booze which is awesome (no weird side menu) and those are honestly great in their own right too! Try to come here every time I'm in the area :D
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Monkeypod \u0026 Colada, Sweet Potato Fries, Monkeypod, Seasoned Waffle Fries, Coconut Shrimp with Fries
Forbidden Island never disappoints. The staff is very friendly and attentive. They make me feel like I belong. The cocktails are expertly crafted, using exceptional ingredients. This is, in my opinion, the best Tiki bar in the SF Bay area.
The decor is what first captured my attention. It's clear that so much thought and creativity went into every detail. Beyond the beautiful space, the drinks are consistently delicious. The bartenders are incredibly skilled, and their passion shines through in every glass. I am a sucked for a piña colada. I love that people dress up to come here.
Always a great time. Macadamia nut chi chi is like dessert. The drinks are dangerously good. Always love to see what old surf movie they have playing
One of the oldest (and finest!) tiki bars in all of California. The drinks are exceptionally crafted, the staff is warm and welcoming, and the ambience is perfect: CLASSIC tiki look and feel - it's more “Donn the Beachcomber” and less “Disney.” For the purists AND the pure of heart!
Outstanding drinks, food is yummy, although it's really there to make sure you survive the drinks. Great staff and moody tiki environment. Make a reservation because they're busy! 1.5 hours for groups of 1-3, 2 hours for 4+
 Had reservations for a table showed up in time they made me and my date sit at the bar. I've been there four other times that has never happened and I hope it doesn't happen again. I do not like to sit at the bar and I will not eat at a bar. Ruins the whole mood turning to your right or left.
What is super nice white staff. I said that because they laughed at my jokes. Always a good time at the neighborhood tiki bar.
I really loved the Atmosphere!!! Everyone was friendly asf, GREAT DRINKS! I even surprised my girlfriend with going here and they made it absolutely beautiful. We left here telling each other “This is our go to spot” - Most of all I felt SAFE at this bar. The only thing I can say is that I manifest for them to have a bigger location soon with the same workers. Def would recommend.
My friend lives on the adjacent corner on Sherman, and we've been wanting to check it out for the longest time. It used to be exclusive, but open to the humble rest of us now. We booked early at 2:30 on a Saturday hoping for a tiki booth. There was one left but the hostess sat us at a table. Not a complainer. Bar seating is cool. And, tables in nooks and crannies throughout. Food was really good for pub food. Drinks didn't get me as “tikied” as I thought they would. I'd try it a few more times.
Restaurantji Recommends
The service was excellent, the bartenders were fabulous. Thank you again for making our 18th wedding anniversary rememberable.
Decor was amazing, drinks were strong & the servers were friendly & personable. Even though we're not from the area, we joined the rum club in hopes that we'll continue to come back each time we visit since we have friends who live in the area! The patio was super cool & next time, I'd love to sit out there.
Great selection of drinks! Food was very mid and just small snack bites but priced higher. Outdoor seating is very cute but I think our spot was a little out of the way as service was slower towards the end and we waited 30-45 min to see a waiter for another drink order. Overall I had a good time and would return with friends only if I was in the area.
The staff are top notch, respecting our social distancing needs, attentive and kind. This place is really top notch. Other establishments could learn a lot from them. Much gratitude to them for for helping to create a space where our immunocompromised community feels safe.
I still love that you can reserve a table - best thing from covid! I also love that there is outdoor and indoor seating. Great music not too loud fun atmosphere and friendly sporty service. The drinks of course were amazing per usual and the food has improved - had the forbidden fries and cups with guacamole. We rode our bikes there and they even allowed us to park them inside the gate which was very nice!
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