Comments on: Will The Tonga Room Be a Casualty of The Fairmont’s Condo Plans?

By: Weeza

Weeza — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:05:12 +0000

We just called the Tonga, they say there are no plans to close

By: jenna medina

jenna medina — Wed, 06 May 2009 02:59:03 +0000

JUST AN FYI- yeah, sure, the ambiance for some that are regulars at the tonga room has maybe dwindled, but to see it close? And not care? MY father has been a part of that band that “floats” in the pool for 20 years. That little entertainment fee? Helps pay for survival of a middle class family for the past 20 years. Take it from someone who will be deeply affected by this closing- PLEASE at least relocate it, don’t shut it down.Coming from a young woman who’s tuition payments depend on employment from this establishment, I one day want to be able to go to this place “regularly”…

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:18:43 +0000

How will their plans affect the Cirque, the other historic bar in the Fairmont? This one designed by Timothy Pflueger?

By: CTP

CTP — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:44:37 +0000

just remember, molotov cocktails and thatch huts you want to preserve do not mix…just sayin’ ;-)

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:22:45 +0000

I live in Sydney, Australia. The Tonga Room is one of my favourite bars in the world – forget the drinks, the prices, the food or whatever – the room itself is SO spectacular – it’s one of the wonders of San Francisco. It is the real deal and it MUST be preserved. If anyone’s starting a picket line, let me know – I’ll be there. It would be an act of the most unimaginable stupidity to destroy this beautiful place. Tiki people: put down your Mai Tais and pick up your molotov cocktails – this is one to go to the line for.

By: mikl-em

mikl-em — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:27:33 +0000

historical society types, email: dangergirl299@yahoo.com

See the updated post, I think the fact that may be helpful that the dancefloor is made from “the deck of the S.S. Forrester, one of the last of the tall ships that plied the route between San Francisco and the South Sea Islands.”

That sounds historical to me!

By: Matthew Maurice

Matthew Maurice — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:50:50 +0000

I’ve got to agree with CTP. While it’s sad that the Tonga Room will probably go away, the fact is that it’s already essentially gone. While it gets points for “old-school” authenticity, the drinks, food, and policies are unendearing.

What the Fairmont people need to do is license operation of the Tonga Room out to a third party. I’d suggest the people who run the Forbidden Island in Alameda! The “bones” of the place are fabulous, and the place has enormous potential as a stand-alone lounge/nightclub.

By: guinevere

guinevere — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:12:39 +0000

Save the Tonga Room!!!

I’ve been going there for years (my 24th b-day party was legendary), and when I took my parents there to drink to my grad school graduation last May, my dad had a crazy flashback to when he visited as a kid with his parents in the 1950s. I always knew my grandmother loved staying at the Fairmont when she came to SF… only then did I figure out that it was really for the mai tais. Condos can’t replace memories like these.

By: Jennifer Henry

Jennifer Henry — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:14:16 +0000

I was the original poster of the call to arms, which I am happy to say has been copied and pasted into other busy websites.

I wanted to inquire as to whether anyone is a member of a SF historical society that would be interested in filing to make the Tonga Room a historical site.

If so, please email me at dangergirl299@yahoo.com

By: Lillie Kittredge

Lillie Kittredge — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:06:22 +0000

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *gasp* OOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I have emailed the hotel to ask for comment and to beg them to have mercy.

By: Kevin Evans

Kevin Evans — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:55:07 +0000

Old SF Cacophony Lore:

During the first Santarchy & Santacon (1994?), we rolled into the Tonga Room (after terrorizing a gathering upstairs) danced around whist the band played “Here comes Santa Clause” -Actually, it was more of an inebriated shuffle.

the entire group was then “escorted” out by security.

fun night.

By: CTP

CTP — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:50:21 +0000

This might attract some flames, but in some ways I won’t be sad to see it go if it does. I used to go to the Tonga Room all the time. But quite steadily the prices have gone up and up, while the quality and service have gone way down. The last time I went the drink menu had been severely shrunk, the happy hour food was up to I think $7 (and it never was any good even when it was free) and then we were all informed that if we were still in our seats by a certain time (8PM I believe) we’d all get charged an “entertainment fee”…even though we had been drinking like fish for hours. I’d love to see the current management bulldozed, actually. I haven’t been back since, and haven’t missed it one bit.

By: denisej

denisej — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:44:11 +0000

The Tonga room is such a great place to go for happy hour! Especially with large groups. I hope they don’t bulldoze such a great place.

By: Tracy Feldstein

Tracy Feldstein — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:26:15 +0000

Don’t even get me started about the Farmount owners! They have been systematically ripping the heart out of it for ages. The replacement of the cool rugs with cheap white marble flooring, the closure of the lobby tea area, the closing of the elevator & the upstairs restaurant. …they’re whole plan was to go bland and non-personality. I Guess it didn’t attract the corporate dollar….I’m not surprised at the latest dumbassery.

For a great SF overnight, Try the “Inn of San Francisco!”

By: Ricardipus

Ricardipus — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:05:20 +0000

You know, I *stayed* in this hotel last summer, and had no idea this crazy place was there. Seems like a photo-op missed, so thanks for the article and pics.

By: erik

erik — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:49:01 +0000

I had no idea this place existed which is weird. I figured trader sams was the best we had.