Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar Celebrates 70 years of Tiki Glory

Historic Venue Marks Milestone Anniversary in September

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. September 23, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. September 23, 2015 - This September, the iconic Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, located at Fairmont San Francisco, will light its 70th tiki torch! The beloved venue will celebrate seven decades of delighting guests with tropical decor, decadent libations and island-inspired cuisine. Tonga Room, the oldest continually-operating tiki bar in North America, opened its doors on September 18, 1945 and has reigned as a swanky outpost of South Seas splendor ever since. In celebration of this momentous occasion, locals and visitors alike are invited to toast this legendary location throughout the anniversary year. Mai Tai merriment will commence with Tonga Room's 70th Anniversary Tiki Chic Party on September 23, 2015 from 7:00pm until close. Joel Riddell, host of “Dining Around with Joel Riddell”, and the Co-Host of “Cory & Joel” on Talk910 and iHeartRadio will serve as emcee for this exciting fete. This ticketed event ($99+service fee general admission ticket and $199+service fee VIP ticket options), will feature delectable bites, spirited cocktails, live music and more. Tiki chic, festive cocktail attire is suggested. Tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/tonga-room-70th-anniversary-tiki-chic-party-tickets-18159668056

The week following the kickoff celebration soiree, Tonga Room will feature some special themed nights and offerings during its normal business hours :

Wednesday, September 30: Wahine Wednesday (Ladies Night) 2- for-1 Happy Hour Cocktails and waived entertainment cover charge for female patrons.

Thursday, October 1 Throwback Thursday - featuring original cocktails and menu items from 1945.

Friday, October 2: Club Tonga featuring late-night DJ

Saturday, October 3: Super Saturday featuring “Tiki Tacos”, Limbo, cocktail specials and more will make it a “super” Saturday to visit Tonga Room!

Sunday, October 4: San Francisco Sundays Offer - What better way to spend your Sunday than at Fairmont San Francisco and Tonga Room with the San Francisco Sundays package! Whether you choose to explore the city, ride a cable car or visit a museum, make the most of your weekend and make Sunday your favorite day of the week! This package starts at $399 per night, subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply.

Package Includes: •Luxurious Accommodations •Complimentary three-course dinner for two at Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar •Complimentary breakfast for two in Laurel Court

Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, often cited as a “must-visit” landmark in San Francisco, will extend unique and festive offerings throughout the year in honor of this milestone anniversary, sharing updates on its website and social media accordingly. Fans of Tonga Room are urged to share favorite images of their visits using the hashtag #TongaRoomat70

Guests can also take advantage of Tonga Room's convenient location within Fairmont San Francisco by booking a room or special package option http://www.fairmont.com/san-francisco/special-offers/hotel-offers/ to make the most of their tiki experience.

ABOUT TONGA ROOM

Fairmont San Francisco created an indoor 75-foot swimming pool on its Terrace Level in 1929. Known as the Fairmont Terrace Plunge, the elaborate tile pool attracted local crowds, Olympic athlete training and celebrities such as Helen Hayes, Ronald Reagan and members of the Water Follies. In 1945, Metro Goldwyn Mayer's leading set director, Mel Melvin, was hired to transform The Terrace Plunge into Tonga Room. The pool became a lagoon, a floating stage for the orchestra that entertained guests each evening. Not surprisingly, Tonga Room was an instant success. Following a $1 million restoration by Gensler San Francisco in 2008 and an updated cocktail menu featuring fresh new ingredients in 2013, Tonga Room rekindled the interest and nostalgia of one of the nation's first tiki palaces. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar features top-40 band, The Island Groove, performing on a thatch-covered barge in the lagoon; a dance floor built from the remains of the S.S. Forester, a lumber schooner that once traveled regularly between San Francisco and the South Sea Islands; and periodic light tropical rainstorms, complete with thunder and lightning.

The celebrated tiki haven serves island-inspired cuisine, showcasing fish flown in directly from Hawaii for a truly authentic dining experience. Tonga Room offers dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 6:00 to 10:00pm and is noted for its Happy Hour buffet. The award-winning Happy Hour is offered Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

Today, Tonga Room is riding the wave of the tiki revival and is the venue of choice for several high-profile figures who have celebrated everything from wedding rehearsals, birthdays and holidays at this unique location. Tonga Room continues to be recognized as one of the nation's hottest bars by several notable publications and has been featured on numerous television shows. During his 2012 visit for Travel Channel's “The Layover,” Anthony Bourdain even exclaimed Tonga Room is “the greatest place in the history of the world!”

Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar at The Fairmont San Francisco is located at 950 Mason Street. For reservations, please call 415-772-5278 or visit www.tongaroom.com

Contact:
Melissa Farrar
Fairmont San Francisco
[email protected]
415-772-5041