Tacoma Cabana

Tacoma Cabana is one of my favorite places in Tacoma. Period. I have never, and I mean never, had a bad experience there. The cocktails are awesome and true to tiki culture. The food is surprisingly good---I am used to bars where you get drinks, and then stumble over to a restaurant. Some of the best guacamole I have ever had, period.

What's interesting to me, as I read the reviews, is how some people are just not reasonable. If a place is super crowded, don't be a H8r. Come back when it is less crowded. I have been there when there isn't much of a crowd, and when there is a helluva crush. I have NEVER been treated poorly.

I can understand being upset when a bunch of staff is sitting around. But that NEVER happens here. People are working their backsides off, all the time. They respect me, and I respect them.

It's a wonderful place.

Its an interesting lay out, there are two different seating areas, each with very different vibes. They have an extensive tiki cocktails list...extensive. They also have food.

I've tried to come here twice, the first time it was closed for a private party. The second time it was a pretty quick wait to get a table for four.

Affordable, fun tiki in downtown tacoma.

My girlfriend and I have been here several times and love coming here! The staff is always very friendly, the drinks are amazing, ambiance is relaxing, and food is also great. If you like rum and tropical drinks, this place is for you! There is a book full of unique drinks and out of the many I've tried, I haven't had a bad one yet.

As others have suggested, the bar area is best, but the restaurant section is nice if you're looking to have an intimate dinner/date night. I noticed a few changes yesterday after not having been here for a couple months. They removed the happy hour menu (previously offered from 5-6pm), which one of the bartenders confirmed is no longer offered. This is somewhat disappointing, but I tended not to order from that menu much anyway. Just be prepared to spend above average on the cocktails here, but they're far above average drinks, so you get what you pay for! The food is well priced and offers some great options.

Another change I noticed was the restructuring of their drink menu, along with a few new options (and perhaps removing some others?). I didn't mind this since it gave me some new drinks to try, but I did feel a little thrown off. I think this place would do well to keep its menu consistent going forward. I totally get swapping out drinks based on popularity and introducing new options (which I absolutely encourage and appreciate!), but I think keeping things in relatively the same order/structure would help.

All in all a great place I'll continue to come back to!

BLUF: A fun tiki themed bar that makes you rum away from your life problems!

I walked by this bar several times on Pacific Avenue and I am glad I finally walked in! This bar is adorned with island decor with a bar on one side and a seating area on the other. If you're here at night, the warm ambience at night makes for a more romantic mood (if you're into that kind of thing). The host sat us down quickly in the open area even though the bar area was filled, thankfully!

I ordered the Fiji Blackout and it was a super tasty drink! Definitely did not go lightly on the rum for sure! I'm sad to hear that this place closed, but I would definitely have come back If I could!

What a fun place! Lovely atmosphere and full of character. Out of everything I ordered, I recommend getting the creme brûlée - the best I've ever had.

On another note, I tried the Fiji Blackout and was def the worst drink I've ever had. Ever. For $15, I would never recommend this. However, it's def an opinion - I'm sure there are people out there that might like it!

Overall, I recommend this place if you want something new and interesting. Good place to go out with a group of friends and catch up.

I found this bar on Yelp and was excited to come try some of their tropical blended drinks. I was Super bummed to learn their blender was not working. I ended up ordering a drink on the rocks which was still delicious.

Our waiter was not the best but the hostess (I later learned was the owner) was great. We ordered the appetizer fruit and nut tray which was amazing! It was also plenty of food for the two of us.

The hostess/owner gave us a complimentary round of drinks for no reason. Super unexpected and kind.

I would love to return for a blended drink and dinner.

Very cute/fun atmosphere.

Am excellent little rum bar! Selection of rums from around the world! Very nice quiet with knowledgeable staff! Supercool ambiance!
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience! The ribeye steak was perfectly cooked to medium rare! The pork sliders had an excellent flavor with a piece of basil that added to the taste explosion !
Each flight of 3 rums provided a complexity of flavors that certainly pleased! Well worth the visit!

I LOVE TIKI BARS!

This is the best tiki bar I've been to in the state of Washington. Damn shame I had to drive 30 miles to get to a tiki place that had strong drinks. We were the first to walk in when they opened on Saturday at 5pm (kind of late....but I get it. The decor was like I stepped right into Tahiti and they had white tablecloths (fannnncy).

I have this obsession for drinks that are set on fire and guess what....they had one. I wish I remembered the name but it was huge, strong and delicious. All the things I love in a drink. The waiter was real nice and gave me a heads up that there is a party room you can rent in the back for birthdays. I love this place and can't wait to go back.

It seems like a really cool place. But the terrible service and overpriced food kills its potential.

The interior is pretty neat, a bit dim, had to use the cell phone light to read the menu.

Our server didn't seem very intetested in serving us, it really felt like he didn't want us there. Wasnt friendly or attentive. Plus he smelled heavily of cigarette odor, yuck!

Ordered the guacamole and chips, I think we got the bottom of the bag, since most of the chips were in tiny pieces instead of usable triangles.

The pu pu platter was way overpriced for what we got. It tasted ok, except the chicken which was pretty bland. The portions were just tiny, more like a $5 happy hour size.

Ordered a pineapple for two, had to ask for an additional straw as it only came with one. Really??

Overall, I felt this experience a waste of $40. I like the decor, it was cool, but that was about it and the only reason it got 2 stars instead of 1. Will not be returning nor will I recommend.

I met a friend here for a drink -- which in my case was a coffee ($2.50). I don't know why, but Tacoma is big on serving Caffe D'Arte... It was at my hotel ("The Meaning of Life" written on the caffeinated one, and simply "decaf" on, well, the decaf one; subtle?), and then at this bar. There were some interesting and fun choices on the beat up menus shared with us, and the venue seemed to brag of dark corners where the waitress would find you but you otherwise felt enshrouded. For a second, I may have even felt like I was in New Orleans, particularly since my cell phone didn't work like it hadn't in thick cement buildings in Louisiana.

Anyway, the coffee was fine, particularly once the waitress came 'round again and I could get more sugar. And my friend was happy with his old fashioned ($10)... And we paid right at the table on the iPad, which I hate, but was otherwise secure for those afraid of servers taking their cards away.

Bottom line: Why not?