I am writing to express my disappointment regarding a recent visit to your tiki bar, which unfortunately fell far short of the standard of service I have consistently experienced over the past five-plus years.
I have been a loyal customer and have always enjoyed excellent service, professional bartenders, and well-made drinks. That is why this experience was particularly upsetting.
During my visit, I ordered a drink I have ordered many times before. After tasting it, I politely mentioned that it seemed to be missing a few ingredients. The bartender, Ian, responded by saying, “We don’t make it like that,” despite the fact that this drink has always been prepared the same way during my many prior visits. When I calmly explained this, he became visibly irritated and stated that the ingredients were “optional.” While he eventually remade the drink, his attitude was dismissive and unwelcoming, which made the interaction uncomfortable.
What was even more concerning happened afterward. When I returned to the bar with my friends, Ian stated that he did not want to serve them anymore, claiming they had “given him attitude” and needed to leave. This was extremely surprising and upsetting. None of us were rude or confrontational, and no behavior occurred that would justify refusing service.
As we were walking out, the hostess laughed at us. This was salt in the wound and felt deeply disrespectful. Regardless of what had occurred earlier, this behavior was completely uncalled for and further reinforced how unwelcome we were made to feel.
This is not how loyal patrons should be treated—especially those who have supported your establishment for years and considered it their go-to bar. As a result, I did not enjoy my time, and sadly, this experience makes me question whether I will return.
It is very disappointing to feel pushed out of a place I’ve always loved, and I believe this situation reflects poorly on what has otherwise been an excellent establishment. I hope you take this feedback seriously and address it internally so future customers do not have a similar experience.
- Tikigods
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
David Peter
Unfortunately there are incredibly disappointing and unfriendly staff working at this Tiki bar in 2026.I hope they can change their ways and treat people with respect and compassion.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
David J
Learn to care about the people that come into your establishment and treat us like valued customers instead of an annoyance that’s requiring you to do your job Ian. Please be kind.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Nick Leghorn
It's exactly the vibe I hoped it would be. Fun, quirky, and full of mid century design touches. Probably the best bar in the Burbank area.
Alexandra Jenkins
Beware they won’t let you in an hour before closing. Arrived at 12:18am and tried to order one round before closed and were turned away saying they had done last call.
I understand last call but over 40 minutes before closing time esp when we spent a ton of money on Ubers to make it out here is crazy. We even asked politely saying we just wanted one quick round, there’s only 3 of us, and we’d spent $50 on Ubers to try them. They said “no exceptions” and turned us away. Used to love this place until i experienced the worst and laziest customer service ever :(
Service: 1
Alexander Orme
Most overrated tiki bar in LA. The drinks are great but the decor is lacking. It's all female run, but it takes a long time to be seated, and an equally long time to get a drink at the bar. The process is streamlined for the staff at the long wait expense for the guest. If you go here, get all your drinks up front, because you're not going to want to wait in the line at the bar to get them again.
Tom
One of the best tiki bars you'll find. Friendly service, great atmosphere, excellent drinks! Try the Rum Barrel and the Tongan Swizzle!
Joseph
Never tried their food, might update it if I do, not even sure if they have food but I love their drinks.
Brenda “Ducky” M
The place is very dim lighted inside. The drinks can be good but be careful some can taste a little off. Especially if you don't like licorice. The nutty chi chi is good. Service kinda sucks. Takes forever to get the drinks but still an ok spot. They allow fury friends. We will try this spot again
Clayton Haverdink
The inside of Tonga Hut is what I picture when I imagine a tiki bar. The outside is in a strip mall, and the entrance is on the back side. It is very dark inside with loud music and red lights, the decorations are very Hawaiian themed. The drinks were very good and very strong. Mike took good care of us. Would recommend visiting the oldest operating tiki bar in LA! We did not have a reservation, just walked in with no wait.
Hopefully she was just having a bad day, but the front bartender by the exit was awfully rude at the bar (opening S). Everyone else was great, but we won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
B Vyas
Great tiki cocktails, and super yummy Pina Coladas made right before your eyes!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Vanessa Stotler
Worst experience for tiki I have had. Not authentic look elsewhere. Don’t waste your time.
? BeyondMe
Place was empty & no line but blonde girl continued to make us, people of color, wait. No wheelchair accessible counter. Not worth the wait, not ADA accessible & the blonde girl had no clue whether the bar was ADA accessible.
Dear Management,
I am writing to express my disappointment regarding a recent visit to your tiki bar, which unfortunately fell far short of the standard of service I have consistently experienced over the past five-plus years.
I have been a loyal customer and have always enjoyed excellent service, professional bartenders, and well-made drinks. That is why this experience was particularly upsetting.
During my visit, I ordered a drink I have ordered many times before. After tasting it, I politely mentioned that it seemed to be missing a few ingredients. The bartender, Ian, responded by saying, “We don’t make it like that,” despite the fact that this drink has always been prepared the same way during my many prior visits. When I calmly explained this, he became visibly irritated and stated that the ingredients were “optional.” While he eventually remade the drink, his attitude was dismissive and unwelcoming, which made the interaction uncomfortable.
What was even more concerning happened afterward. When I returned to the bar with my friends, Ian stated that he did not want to serve them anymore, claiming they had “given him attitude” and needed to leave. This was extremely surprising and upsetting. None of us were rude or confrontational, and no behavior occurred that would justify refusing service.
As we were walking out, the hostess laughed at us. This was salt in the wound and felt deeply disrespectful. Regardless of what had occurred earlier, this behavior was completely uncalled for and further reinforced how unwelcome we were made to feel.
This is not how loyal patrons should be treated—especially those who have supported your establishment for years and considered it their go-to bar. As a result, I did not enjoy my time, and sadly, this experience makes me question whether I will return.
It is very disappointing to feel pushed out of a place I’ve always loved, and I believe this situation reflects poorly on what has otherwise been an excellent establishment. I hope you take this feedback seriously and address it internally so future customers do not have a similar experience.
- Tikigods
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Unfortunately there are incredibly disappointing and unfriendly staff working at this Tiki bar in 2026.I hope they can change their ways and treat people with respect and compassion.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Learn to care about the people that come into your establishment and treat us like valued customers instead of an annoyance that’s requiring you to do your job Ian. Please be kind.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
It's exactly the vibe I hoped it would be. Fun, quirky, and full of mid century design touches. Probably the best bar in the Burbank area.
Beware they won’t let you in an hour before closing. Arrived at 12:18am and tried to order one round before closed and were turned away saying they had done last call.
I understand last call but over 40 minutes before closing time esp when we spent a ton of money on Ubers to make it out here is crazy. We even asked politely saying we just wanted one quick round, there’s only 3 of us, and we’d spent $50 on Ubers to try them. They said “no exceptions” and turned us away. Used to love this place until i experienced the worst and laziest customer service ever :(
Service: 1
Most overrated tiki bar in LA. The drinks are great but the decor is lacking. It's all female run, but it takes a long time to be seated, and an equally long time to get a drink at the bar. The process is streamlined for the staff at the long wait expense for the guest. If you go here, get all your drinks up front, because you're not going to want to wait in the line at the bar to get them again.
One of the best tiki bars you'll find. Friendly service, great atmosphere, excellent drinks! Try the Rum Barrel and the Tongan Swizzle!
Never tried their food, might update it if I do, not even sure if they have food but I love their drinks.
The place is very dim lighted inside. The drinks can be good but be careful some can taste a little off. Especially if you don't like licorice. The nutty chi chi is good. Service kinda sucks. Takes forever to get the drinks but still an ok spot. They allow fury friends. We will try this spot again
The inside of Tonga Hut is what I picture when I imagine a tiki bar. The outside is in a strip mall, and the entrance is on the back side. It is very dark inside with loud music and red lights, the decorations are very Hawaiian themed. The drinks were very good and very strong. Mike took good care of us. Would recommend visiting the oldest operating tiki bar in LA! We did not have a reservation, just walked in with no wait.
Restaurantji Recommends
Hopefully she was just having a bad day, but the front bartender by the exit was awfully rude at the bar (opening S). Everyone else was great, but we won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Great tiki cocktails, and super yummy Pina Coladas made right before your eyes!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Worst experience for tiki I have had. Not authentic look elsewhere. Don’t waste your time.
Place was empty & no line but blonde girl continued to make us, people of color, wait. No wheelchair accessible counter. Not worth the wait, not ADA accessible & the blonde girl had no clue whether the bar was ADA accessible.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
The drinks are terrific. Many to choose from.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
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