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- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sat-Sun 7 pm - 2 am
Wed-Fri 5 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Eastsac G. said: "Their T-shirts say it very eloquently: The "non - marina" marina bar. Visit this place whenever we're in the City because we usually stay close to the Marina. Went in around 8pm on a Friday and hadn't gotten crowed yet so nabbed a…" read more »
223 reviews for Bamboo Hut
Review Highlights
"My friend and I split a Volcano Bowl and I must say."
(in 31 reviews)
"I love some Tiki action and the music always rocks."
(in 63 reviews)
"Rockin like dokken on the third thursday of every month."
(in 3 reviews)
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223 reviews in English
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Review from Daneca V.
Daly City, CA
1/12/2012
Tiki bar ooh tiki bar, how I love thee. I am a total slut for divey, kitschy tiki bars and Bamboo Hut gives me a major woody every single time. They used to have a board of specialty shots for $5 (which I haven't seen in a while) but my personal favorite was the Pearl Necklace ;-).
Come during happy hour, their already reasonable prices get quite reasonable! $12 for that massive volanco bowl? Hells yes!
They do get incredibly packed on weekends, and whenever they have a live band there is a cover charge, $10 I believe. -
Review from Bianca U.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2012
Three stars only because the bartender, Jamie, was SUPER NICE. Friendly, fast service, fun guy to have serving you drinks.
Otherwise, this place is a dive. It looks like a party store threw up discount tiki masks. Been to a few great tiki bars, this just can't compare--if you are a die hard tiki enthusiast, might wanna go here on a night you don't want to impress your friends.
Not very clean, the bathroom was gross.
LOTS of hipsters and groups of tourists from Europe. Funky part of town, stone's throw from a bunch of strip clubs on either side. Right next door to a porn shop and what is now a defunct brothel. Sketchy parking lots if you want to pay to park, street parking is limited and awful on the weekends.
Music was good on the slow night I went, but it was a weird mish-mash of 80's and early 90's music--definitely not what I expected at a tiki bar.
Fun but tacky. -
Review from Kent T.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2012 2 photos
Volcano bowl. That's all we got. Pretty ok since it was happy hour and split between 4 people.
Cocktail ice shake in bowl with flaming rum in the middle.
I tried to suck up the flaming rum up by a straw - don;t try it -
Review from Rachel M.
San Jose, CA
1/24/2012
Douche-y-est crowd I've ever seen in a SF bar.
I ended up here Saturday around midnight and it truly reminded me why I never go out on amateur night.
But maybe it's just me...as I was about to leave a group of three guys were like "hey...where are you going? you look really out of place...in a GOOD way." lol -
Review from Madhu P.
San Francisco, CA
This is not an everyday type of bar, but if you're in the mood to rage a bit and are north of Market it's not a bad place to end up. The bartenders here are super friendly and there's usually a DJ or band keeping things lively. Skip the beers and cocktails and dive straight into a Scorpion Bowl for $20 to share with three of your best friends. Tonga Room seems to be getting all the love these days, but this is the real deal Tiki Bar in SF.
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Review from Joy A.
1/8/2012
Not the cleanest place in the neighborhood I must admit, but...
Wowza.
Where in the world can u get 5 shots of vodka for $18? Dare I say impressive...or is that just something dangerous waiting to happen?
$3 shots perplex me.
The mixed drink specials are a pretty sweet deal, too, and I mean that literally. With names such as Mimi's Lemonade ($8) and Mango Madness ($8) you can only expect a different mix of sugary delights. Both cocktails were delicious, but were creepers waiting to hit.
Not as impressive, however, was their cleanliness. Although there was ample table space to choose from, and even an open private area in the back that could easily fit 10 people, the moment I sat I felt something sticky on my derriere. Apparently their bench wasn't clean. It left a slimy, sticky film on my jeans. I walked into the bathroom to clean myself off a bit, only to find the sink falling apart.
Cleanliness aside, the bartender was very friendly. Drinks were served pretty fast and kind words and jokes were shared.
Bottom Line:
Would I come back? Sure. For a quick $3 shot, no problem. I'll be sure to check my surroundings before I sit down though. -
Review from Maria M.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
My drink of choice...a dirty martini. But this doesn't mean I'm one to pass up a good "girly" drink. When in a tiki bar do as the natives do and go with fruity.
I have not tried a bowl here. But I have had the Lava Flow consisting of light rum, strawberry puree, pineapple, and coconut mix. So delicious and fruity.
The service here was friendly and while sitting at the bar I saw that they have a number of regulars they know by first name. While that may never be me...I live on the other side of town, I will definitely stop in here again with more people and try one of those magical bowls. -
Review from Jada M.
South San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
Love, love, love this dive bar. Not only do they have a plethora of yummy umbrella type drinks, but the music be pumpin'. I've been there when bachlorette parties roll through with their caca-maney dares. SF scavenger hunts and of course the ugly tiki vintage shirt weareres can't fit anywhere better than The Bamboo Hut. Good times, an amazing variety of people, andgenerous servings of spirits. When you roll through give a nod to Mario the bartender he'll take care of you!
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Review from Matthew B.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2011
Ummm... consider this a very biased review... But then, I wouldn't be a very good Yelper if I weren't judgmental, now would I?
So this is where all the trash in SF hangs out?
Got charged $22 for two shots (valued at $7 a piece) and the bartender was so stupid he didn't know how to refund the difference, so he offered free drinks (which I wasn't feeling at the time) instead. Then he takes off with said shots (still full, by the way) thinking we were done. Another five minutes go by before the shots are returned and we finally get our "free" drinks.
Awful experience, awful service. We will not be returning...Comment from Max Y. of Bamboo Hut 11/21/2011
Matthew, I see you don't want to be contacted directly but I… More » -
Review from Joshua F.
Milpitas, CA
1/17/2012
Very nice dark laid back place to hang out. There is a friendly crowd there when I went, which was a saturday night. The one thing you have to try is the large tiki bowls. I think its a volcano bowl. Good liqure in there. btw, blow out the flame before all the 151 disappears!
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Review from Erin S.
A tiki bar between titty bars? Why not?
Broadway is not the street I would expect to see a tropical-themed bar. In fact we almost walked right past it. Not much to see on the outside, but a great tiki bar beach scene going on inside, complete with palm fronds, surfboards, & hanging puffer fish.
We came specifically for the mai tais but one look at the huge ceramic bowl that holds the Volcano & we couldn't resist. Crushed pineapple & rum lit on fire? I'll take it! Plus it was $12 as opposed to the usual $20 since it was happy hour. They must have a long HH cuz we rolled in there after 8:00 & it was still going on. The Volcano Bowl is definitely enough for 3 but 2 could probably finish it off no problem.
Before I knew it, our Volcano Bowl was empty and another one was quickly brought in as a replacement. I never did end up getting my own mai tai, but I think drinking the majority of 2 Volcano Bowls was enough for me.Listed in: Happy Hour, Dives, dives, & more dives
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Review from Angela S.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2011 2 photos
I always knew my first legal drink would be something fruity and on fire.
Yeah, I came here on my 21st with a couple of my friends.We shared a flaming volcano bowl, (which I know has been talked about to death on here, but how can you resist one in a place like this?) and it was fucking delicious. If you're into the whole fruity drink thing, you'll probably like it too. If not, you can just pound down some shots, or have a beer, neither of which are horribly expensive.
This place has a friendly, laid - back vibe to it. It's not intensely decorated, but you can definitely tell it's a tiki bar. The music didn't exactly match the vibe, mostly pop/hip hop stuff, because I think on slow nights, it's just the bartender fucking around with his laptop. The service is very good during slow hours and on weekdays, and although it looks like it can get crowded on the weekends, it's still worth going. -
Review from Tiffany U.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Attended a private party here last Friday and absolutely loved it. I'm a big fan of tiki bars and Bamboo Hut is exactly the reason why! I loved the tropical themed drinks, decor and ambiance.
After two island inspired volcano bowls, I was good for the night. Loved the mermaids and monkeys that came with the bowl! Mind your manners and don't sip too fast or you might end up with a brain freeze!
The only down side is finding parking in the neighborhood. Beware of parking on Broadway and make sure you read the tow-away hours clearly or you may end up in a mess!Listed in: Drink, Drank, Drunk
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Review from emma g.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2011
Dear Bamboo Hut,
OH how I adore thee simple wonderful-ness that is you. You are a safe haven of Tiki proportions. You made me feel like a Hula Gurl on my birthday, and for that I will be eternally thankful.
You presented, as a birthday token, Ariel the DJ, who by all accounts and means wasn't even an embryo when she busted out with the BEST set that ONLY a true Soul Sister would understand. The party didn't stop there, we did the Limbo and practiced the Mashed Potato...we also 'dropped it like it was hot' even though some of us couldn't get back up again.
Mixologist Mustachio was like the cool parent. Keeping us respectfully imbibed with refreshing island beverages that almost made me forget I was still in my Hood and not in Maui.
All in all this is a fantastic spot, that puts out. I TOTALLY got lei'd, and what more could a Hula Gurl want on her birthday.?! -
Review from Abby S.
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
$12 volcano bowls during happy hour with sea horse and monkeys adorning the drink? Sign me up! I couldn't ask for a better way to spend an evening.
Bamboo Hut started off what ended up being a very eventful Friday night. Just a small group of us left the office with the intention of doing a low key Chinatown/North Beach Bar Crawl - and if that's what your plan is, probably shouldn't start of the night with rum drinks. Lesson learned there, folks!
But I digress. We walked into to Bamboo Hut around 6 pm and it was relatively empty. Which I found surprising since the drinks here during happy hour are so cheap. Three of us split the giant volcano bowl and another two split the pina colada. Both were generous with the booze, yet didn't taste like rubbing alcohol. Maybe this is more of a late night spot? Regardless, we had a blast. Love a good Tiki bar and this bar is no exception. Can't wait to go back with friends and share in some more drinking delights!Listed in: Where I'd like to go on a…, Cocktail Crazy, Stuff on the Walls
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Review from Jessica t.
San Francisco, CA
7/10/2011
Bamboo Hut has two magical items which make it stand out from the majority of San Francisco bars.
1.) Pina Colada
2.) Volcano Bowl
Sip on a cold refreshing Pina Colada from a coconut bowl, while jamming to MoTown hits - till you get brain freeze (apparently the best way to remedy said brain freeze is to jam your tongue up sharply into the roof of your mouth)
A seriously What's Up way to bring in the weekend.
Trust. -
Review from Jeremyn H.
Alameda, CA
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I feel kinda bad giving this place two stars but It has to be done, I may try it again one day just to grab a beer but the tiki drinks...I'll pass. Making Tiki drinks is not just for any old bar to attempt. The mixture has to be right, and when your volcano bowl tastes a little like burning plastic and it feels like it was made with cheap syrups and slush ice, then it's gonna get two stars. Sorry but too many other Tiki Bars use fresh ingredients, the best rums, and recipes that have been perfected over the years.
The bar itself is cool, and deserves a visit on this side of town as a good pre-game spot if you want to get a cheap buzz off of the volcano bowls. -
Review from Jason S.
San Francisco, CA
4/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Pretty chill pad daddy-o. Stopped in here on my way to the opening of Monroe's and have to say I was pretty impressed with my Tiki themed cocktail the Zombie.
The staff is super chill and together we fight crime. And by fight crime I mean we where looking at some a-holes trying to break into cars and when I saw a cop driving up I pointed in their general direction to which the cops busted their punk asses! The one dude tried to run after they had the cuffs on and fell right on his face. We all laughed good that day.
I'm taking one star off though because the Giants lost the first game while I was there. So maybe don't go during Giants games.Comment from Max Y. of Bamboo Hut 4/1/2011
ouch - a one star minus for two infield errors? How about… More » -
Review from Liz N.
Hayward, CA
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cool place to hang out. Bar tenders are friendly and has a fun atmosphere. Drink prices are a little high though and the bathrooms smell incredibly bad.
But when we have a night out in SF we'll drop by again. -
Review from Katherine F.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2011 3 photos
I'm writing this in response to Cristofer P's review below...
Dating Tip No. 524, if you're so diluted in your attempts to impress the girl who agreed to go out with you (I'm guessing out of pity or some bet gone awry) that you would even consider dragging her to a bar on Broadway laced with casual drinkers, social party goers and those who generally want to have a good time then I feel for whatever poor soul you one day bed down. "Yes, let's go to a bar with loud music, flaming volcano bowls, and rowdy folks to have an intimate, starry eyed romance..." Are you dense? Go to the hut with your lady to have fun and interact, not to sit like a bump on the wall across from each other and talk art. I digress...
As to the comments about the bar...
*"Somehow filling the great chasm between dive bar and tiki lounge is the Bamboo Hut. It doesn't manage to quite achieve either of those things..." IT IS A TIKI DIVE BAR and achieves exactly that. If you're expecting some bar you saw in the movie Swingers so you can act out what you thought your life should have been then go to LA.
*The drink menu is such that everyone from new bar attendees to legitimate Tikiphiles have something available...if you don't like tiki drinks then get whatever the f*ck you want...how can you b*tch about that?
*Okay yes, the music is all over the place however, it's completely different from the rest of Broadway! That's why people go there! That's why I go there! My girls and I dance here pretty much every time we come...hey, sometimes it's fun to dance to Billy Idol. Also at least half the time I'm there I see girls climb up on the bar and dance...no comment...ha.
*So you don't like cheezy comedies on display in the background for your amusement? Maybe you' d prefer Glen Beck?
Okay I don't mean to be terrible but I'm tired of seeing crappy reviews on Yelp for awesome places because people have no clue what they're getting into or their carnal advances didn't go as planned. Expect the world from a bar where the bartenders wear ties...expect a good time from a place where the bartenders where t-shirts of obscure rock bands...maybe next time you should stay home. -
Review from Tina A.
San Francisco, CA
6/13/2011
Come to have a good time with a group friends
Volcano Bowl:
- yummy and strong, and yes, it does have a flame in the middle
- would highly recommend
Entertainment:
- live music that night [cover is $5 for guys] - get up and dance!
- nights without live music charge no cover
Atmosphere:
- decor was like a legit tiki house
- dirty videos playing on the screen (uh oh! but hey, this is the red light district)
- tables are always slightly sticky, sometimes the seats are too...
Bathroom:
- large and sometimes not stocked with toilet seat covers
Service:
- friendly and fast
Overall: 4.5 stars for a good time with good service and drinks, minus 0.5 stars for cleanliness -
Review from Scott G.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2011
I came in here during a friday happy hour with my friend and the place was pretty empty for the time of day/week. My friend and I split a Volcano Bowl and I must say...Wow! For $12 you get a massive bowl of rum and fruit set on fire (the bartender came very close to letting the lit rum spill onto the bat, which he said actually has happened on occasion. It is definitely a place worth checking out with a few friends and splitting a Volcano.
From reading reviews on Yelp, I thought the Happy Hour special was $4 drinks so I decided to go nuts and get a zombie. I was a little shocked to hear the $10 price tag. I then learned that the happy hour is $2 off drinks, and Zombies are normally $12, fair enough, now I know better. For the extra $2 I am sticking with Volcanoes from now on. I am from Alameda so I have been spoiled by the deliciously well crafted tropical drinks they make at Forbidden Island so I was a little dissapointed in the Zombie that I had. It was strong as hell, but not what I was expecting, basically a tropical Long Island Iced Tea (Big Island Iced Tea?)
I will have to check out Smuggler's Cove to determine where my new Tiki bar in the city is going to be, but Bamboo Hut definitely serves its purpose. -
Review from May Y.
Millbrae, CA
11/12/2010
VOLCANO BOWL!!!!
VOLCANO BOWL!!
VOLCANO BOWL.
Need I say more?
Well, I'll add a little more so that it'll meet my Yelping standards (which are not very high).
You leave the bustling streets outside and end up in a tiki hut!
A creeper with long hair follows you and your friends around for a while. "You guys are hot", he says drunkenly.
Well, he's totally harmless - after all, you're at Bamboo Hut to HAVE FUN and accordingly GET EFF'D UP!
You know what that means, right?
VOLCANO BOWL!!!
VOLCANO BOWLL!
VOLCANO BOWL!
Well the thing you do to GET EFF'D UP is get a couple of these with your friends in addition to your shots and WIDE RANGE of mixed drinks with quaint names that Bamboo Hut has to offer.
Then you get up and dance yo' ass off to their interesting music selection that consists of 90's hip hop and 90's rock (at least on the night that I was there). The song transitions will be awkward, but for whatever reason it adds to the atmosphere. Every song change is an explosion of awesomeness and anticipation, because you never know what freakishly random song will be played next.
The crowd is fun and friendly, particularly on nights when the SF Giants win the NLCS ;).
I know they are friendly because my friends were crowded together in Bamboo Hut, merely EXISTING, when a nice girl walks over to us and says, "You guys rule!" with her thumbs-up. She also later asked to take pictures with us.
This place is just pure fun. A great crowd and everyone is there to chillax or get really drunk or meet nice people and possibly take someone home, but I'll mentally leave that one out for now.
The bathroom could use some work. Just FYI, this is the type of place where a lot of throwup gets cleaned every night...lol.
You know what they say, right?
PARTY AIN'T CRACKIN' TILL SOMEBODY YACKIN'!!!
And just for good measure:
VOLCANO BOWL!!!!!!
VOLCANO BOWL!!
Volcano bowl. -
Review from Cathy Y.
10/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Volcano bowl(s) = giant bowl filled with fruity drink plus FIRE
+
little plastic mermaids in the drinks (and somehow in my purse the next morning whaat?)
+
8 friends cramming into a little booth
+
musical favorites including the Footloose song
+
sighting of MCLOVIN aka christopher mintz plasse
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sighting of MCLOVIN because he was too busy mackin' on some girl to turn around when I tapped him on the shoulder to say hi.
-------------------------------------------------- ---
= a great night -
Review from Bonita C.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2011
I freakin' love this place! I can't believe I've only been here once...!
I planned my bfffffff's 21st bday here and it was successful and spectacular! She was pleasantly surprised + happy about the place. I must mention that the outside of the place doesn't quite do the inside justice. From the outside, it can be easily missed, and it doesn't look quite attractive. Inside, it's very well illuminated with miscellaneous island-themed decorations. I likey.
We ordered so many drinks that it's pretty hard to review them. I'd stick with the volcano bowls because the regular drinks didn't seem very strong. The volcano bowls will fuck you up ;) -
Review from Captain J.
San Francisco, CA
9/18/2011
Always delighted to head to the Bamboo Hut whenever I'm in North Beach. It's certainly a unique bar with the fun tikki layout, the crowd is a good mix and the bartenders are a lot of fun. The DJ pumps up the crowd and it's an awesome place, especially when people start dancing. By far my favorite bar in North Beach.
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Review from Jaide K.
San Jose, CA
9/7/2011
Stumbled in to this place with some friends recently after a trip at Centerfold. A little tiki bar that breaks up the monotony of strip clubs and porn shops on the SF Broadway strip. The decor is funny and the vibe is fun, next time I'll be sure to try their signature Volcano Bowl.
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Review from Cristofer P.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2011
Dating Tip No. 523. A booth in a busy bar should either be for entourages, or if it's just a guy and a girl, for making out. There's nothing that screams awkward more loudly than two people trying to hold a conversation in a loud crowded bar by taking up an entire booth to themselves.
Somehow filling the great chasm between dive bar and tiki lounge is the Bamboo Hut. It doesn't manage to quite achieve either of those things, but finds some redemption in its creative drinks (some were a bit too creative). The eclectic selection of music played way too loudly makes conversation here impossible, and the random oldies ballads inserted at inopportune intervals discourage any dancing from taking place. Combined with tv screens playing Dumb & Dumber and you've got a bar full of people staring off into space, focused on anything but each other. If this is being social, next time I'll stay home. -
Review from Mez L.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2010
This place is like the "Cheers" of North Beach. It's hardly ever so loud that you can't strike up conversations with the regulars, and it's easy to become one of those regulars yourself. Being a fancy beer gal, I never thought I'd have so many Pina Coladas in my life, but Mimi knows how to make them right, and I apparently know how to drink them. It's the kind of place that feels like a good secret, being tucked away in the midst of a thousand strip clubs, I never would have gone in if I weren't invited. Now I find myself there at least once a week, and if I didn't live so far, I'm sure it would be far more than that.
It's a four star dive bar, but the atmosphere and the bartenders make it a solid five!!! -
Review from Helen V.
OMG....VOlcano bowl..can we say hangover? I think I drank about a quarter of it... Let's just say that I had a headache all night and slept horribly because of it. But it is super yummy! The 151 is definitely masked by the ultra sweetness!
The bartender was awesome! Will be back again! -
Review from Jeska D.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2011
Best happy hour in the city, as long as you don't mind girly drinks.
Between the Pina Coladas (served in plastic coconuts of course) and the $12 Volcano Bowls (served flaming) you might not make it out of here alive. One of the best tiki themed dive bars around. -
Review from Denise S.
6/24/2010
I really really really like the Bamboo Hut and it is one of my favorite places in the city. I always have a really great time, sometimes weird, but always fun.
Every time I'm in North Beach I somehow convince the people I'm with to grab some drinks here. I mean, you can't go wrong with sweet, juicy, tropical drinks in a bar decked out in tiki decor. It is very small but I've never had issues with that or with it being crowded. Oh, and the bartenders are cute, nice and quick!
The Bamboo Hut also has great drink specials for cocktails and beer. If you are looking for a great deal and a great drink go for the VOLCANO BOWL. Oh my goodness, for twelve dollars you get a volcano bowl filled with booze and topped off with fire, plastic monkeys, seahorses and cherries. So much fun, especially for a group (or just two!). -
Review from Lacey C.
Campbell, CA
2/28/2011
The Bamboo Hut is as good as it gets for little hole in the wall bars. The bartenders were awesome and fast. The DJ was good and was willing to play requests and they have these to die for drinks called Volcanos that come in huge bowls that they light on fire. Best night I have had in the city in a while!
Def go to place if you are on Broadway! -
Review from Jacelyn M.
Redwood City, CA
9/24/2010
Lovin this bar!
If your confused or scared of the entrance don't be shy. Its really happy inside.
NO COVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) ((i always buy hella drinks no need to cover charge me!))
The bars tacky tiki decor is awesome
The strong drinks on the menu are strong and sooo tasty so if your in the mood....
Pretty nice looking bartenders. Its busy but they will chat it up with you.
There was some dooshy people in the bar, but thats not the bars fault. Its loud enough in there to tone them out and focus on you and your friends.
Thinking of having my party here. -
Review from Alannah T.
2/25/2007 ROTD 3/31/2007
I think I'm a REPUBLICAN. I was previously under the impression that I was NOT a Republican, but a recent visit to the Bamboo Hut made me question my political identity.
Oh, this is not because I've suddenly seen the logic in abstinence based sex education or am now considering joining the NRA (both of which reasonably COULD happen after a Saturday night in North Beach). No, I'm questioning my political identity because I felt pretty comfortable in the Bamboo Hut even though it was populated by what appeared to be members of the Republican caucus.
The men's uniform: Striped shirts! Khaki pants!
The women's uniform: Ann Taylor! (or maybe J Crew?)
The music: the play list from my jr. high and high school dances. (I vaguely recall dancing to Guns n Roses?). Ok, no Funky Cold Medina, but we got there late, so it COULD have been played earlier.
The signature drink: The FLAMING VOLCANO which does involve actual fire and is basically a LOT of alcohol mixed in a BLENDER!
The tiny dance floor: BLAZING whiteness in both appearance and technique! Woooo-Hoooo!
The bartender: Apparently, not a believer in a welfare state as there were NO FREE DRINKS. However, Mr. Bartender was also the nicest, most pleasant bartender in recent experience --- think Mr. Rogers the bartender.
Like I said, I felt pretty comfortable here. I'm voting four stars. -
Review from Liz T.
10/19/2009
My friends and I randomly wandered into Bamboo Hut, and it was one of the best unplanned nights ever. There were $4 tropical cocktails, two tons of sand on the floor (!!!), and guys buying us drinks without expecting us to talk to them whatsoever. (I officially dig native San Franciscans and Texans). Can a girl ask for more?
Of course! We got lei'd multiple times and free flip-flops, a tank top, and a glow stick. I felt like I was back in Hawaii with the tiki atmosphere and sand between my toes. Man, I really miss home now. Looks like it may be time for another trip to Bamboo Hut! -
Review from Drue C.
San Francisco, CA
7/24/2007
Okay, so let me make sure I have this right.
In the Bay Area we have the Tonga Room, Trader Sams, Trader Vics, Trader Vics again, Trader Vics yet again, Hawaii West, Forbidden Island, Kona Club, Conga Lounge, the patio at Club Mallard, Temple Tiki Bar and Restaurant, Martini Monkey, Smoke Tiki Lounge and last but not least Bamboo Hut.
All decent bars if you like the tiki thing. All serve sweet drinks with umbrellas. Some have bad music, some have good music, some I just cant seem to remember the music.
This particular tiki bar is small and a bit divey. It is more Hanalei than Honolulu. It neither falls into the bad nor good music category because it varies depending on the night. It definitely falls into the hangover category. The drinks here are just as likely to make you puke as all of the other tiki places that serve you what essentially amounts to alcoholic kool aid.
It's sort of amazing, all of these drinking establishments with a tiki theme. Maybe I am not actually in NorCal. Maybe I have had one too many Hurricanes or Scorpion Bowls in my time and actually stumbled all the way to the Islands.
I do seem to recall that the Bamboo Hut IS the temperature and humidity of the tropics when its crowded, which it is on the weekends, typical North Beach style (the reason for the lower rating). So, remember to wear a coconut bra (or, of you are a guy, coconut bro) and a grass skirt.Listed in: Almost a dive bar
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Review from MJ T.
San Francisco, CA
12/17/2007
Two words: SCORPION BOWL
3 more words: F. U.c. k. e.d m.E U. P.
Why do your scorpion bowls taste like sweet sweet lollipops?
Why is there only ONE ladies bathroom?
Why was someone doing lines of coke off the toilet seat?
Why didn't she lock the god damn door?
Why is there no coat hooks underneath the bar?
Bamboo Hut got me drunk from 0 to 60 in about 30 seconds flat.
I. h.[e]a[r]t[e]. y. o. u.
p.s. Why is Bamboo Hut located under the category: Day Spa?
There was no fucking day spa to be found at this location.
Only scorpion bowls and seedy chode-bags. -
Review from Todd E.
Oakland, CA
9/4/2006
So all you want to do is quickly forget that you went to Dragon Bar - and I mean QUICKLY...In point of fact, you want to forget the trip to Dragon bar ever happened because you are feeling physically violated - erasing it from your permanent record is probably closer to the true desire...Now if you're following the story you know our hero feels violated, not because he had to pay an obscene cover to get into Dragon Bar and not because he had to wait in a huge line but violated because some not so attractive B&T chick with the grip of steel gave said author a package check that probably bruised the twins (See Dragon Bar review for all of this to make sense or just roll with it) and induced a stomach ache the second he hit the door...this of course, threw off your evening like only a package check from an unattractive girl with man hands can...
Thankfully, me being the lush that I am and knowing my bars like I do, I had to look no further than right next door for help - Bamboo Hut (otherwise know as 'The Hut') is the place to make all those bad memories a little bit, or a lot, fuzzier (NOTE: If you are an experienced drink or an amateur with a death wish you can do this very quickly by applying a Flaming Volcano Bowl or two to the liver - WARNING this is not a smart thing to do but be sure your friends get pictures afterward as you will not remember any of the truly humorous things that you will do or exactly who or what you did them to or with)...there is nothing like a Tiki Bar to take the edge off...Bamboo Hut feels like a throw back to the days of Blue Hawaii...The throwback music coupled with a great bar staff make this a great place to go and throw back a few Mai Tai's...
Yes, it does get packed and yes, sometimes crowd is a bit of an annoyance but it's always a good solid place to go and get your drunk on if you're on Broadway and you don't want to deal with the typical pretentious BS at the typical over-hyped places...Listed in: The places I go to drink my…
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Review from Brady T.
San Francisco, CA
7/1/2007
I suppose it's about time I chimed in on this place as I have been there just about every week since it opened 9 some years ago. The hut has a long sordid history and I have seen most of it. Hell, I have been some of it!
First off, this place is fun. It's super cheesy so if you don't have a sense of humor go somewhere else. This place is made for cutting loose, having fun and letting go. Recently under new management by Nick (who kicks ass) and now Marshal (who also kicks ass), the place is undergoing another paradigm shift with new theme nights and a fresh attitude toward making it the place to be on Broadway. Frankly the rest of the once jumping street has basically gone to hell in a hand basket.
There's a new rocking happy hour, new drinks, always new people and generally a great time to be had. It's a get what you give kind of place so if you are an asshole expect to be treated accordingly (which I think should be true everywhere) but if you are there because you are looking to have fun then fun you will have.
And if you are a first timer, get the Volcano Bowl. Come on, just do it, you know you like to see drinks on fire!Listed in: The Places I Go Out
