Tonga Hut

When you enter the Tonga Hut, L.A.’s oldest operating tiki bar and our favorite of the old-timers, there will be, without fail, a drooling bastard there to greet you. We’re not referring to a sloshed patron slumped over the bar, but rather the Drooling Bastard, the North Hollywood bar’s unofficial mascot. The sloppy drunkard comes in the form of a lava rock fountain, where a tiki mask (the bastard) dribbles water (a drunkard, clearly) into a small pool. Across from the fountain, the bartenders whip up classic tiki cocktails, like mai tais garnished with large sprigs of mint or the always-popular flaming Scorpion Bowl. The Tonga Hut, which first opened in 1958, has a loyal following of patrons, some of whom have tried all 78 cocktails in “The Grog Log” (a famous tiki book); as a reward, they become members of the Loyal Order of the Drooling Bastard. For the mere mortals among us, we can be happy choosing our favorite tunes at the jukebox before settling into the Tonga Hut’s cozy booths or chatting up regulars at the bar. If you’re ever visiting Palm Springs, you can also visit Tonga Hut’s sister location, which serves a full food menu, as well.