Tonga Hut
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bar |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | Ace and Ed Libby |
| Headquarters | 12808 Victory Blvd., , North Hollywood, California United States |
| Website | tongahut.com |
Tonga Hut is a tiki bar in Los Angeles, California. It is the oldest extant, and was founded in 1958.[1]
History
[edit]Having worked at a Polynesian restaurant on Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys, brothers Ace and Ed Libby decided they wanted to open their own Polynesian bar.[2][3] They purchased their storefront at 12808 Victory Blvd. in North Hollywood, and hired an architect to design the bar and fountains.[2] They named the bar after the Kingdom of Tonga, discovered by Captain James Cook in 1773 in the South Pacific.[4]
Jeremy Fleener and Ana Reyes bought the bar in November 2005.[5] By 2013, Amy Boylan was a co-owner.[4] Kevin and Claudia Murphy later became co-owners.[6][7]
In 2014, a Palm Springs branch of Tonga Hut opened.[8] Unlike its Los Angeles counterpart, it serves Polynesian food along with drinks.[7]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in California, the Los Angeles bar added a 2,000 square feet (190 m2) pandemic-friendly patio to its floor plan.[6] Decor was donated to enliven the space, items such as potted palms, a moai, and a six-foot vintage swordfish.[6]
Libations at Tonga Hut include the Mai Tai, Blue Hawaiian, Dark and Stormy, Bermuda Dunes, Old Skool Zombie, Voodoo Juice, and Rhumboogie.[2][7]
References
[edit]- ↑ Subscribers, Gerard Burkhart For (August 22, 2025). "This must be North Hollywood". Los Angeles Times.
- 1 2 3 Darling, Michael (May 30, 2018). "60 Years Of Tiki: An Inside Look at the Tonga Hut in North Hollywood". welikela.com.
- ↑ Peterson, Lucas Kwan (October 22, 2014). "Tonga Hut, LA's Oldest Tiki Bar, Has Become Its Greatest". Eater LA.
- 1 2 O’Connell, Sean J. (July 4, 2013). "Tonga Hut still carrying the tiki torch after 55 years". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Shatkin, Elina (October 24, 2008). "Tonga Hut carries tiki torch high". Los Angeles Times.
- 1 2 3 "North Hollywood tiki bar Tonga Hut gears up for reopening, with help of its dedicated community". KCRW. May 10, 2021.
- 1 2 3 Pena, Xochitl. "Tonga Hut tiki lounge to open in Palm Springs in February". The Desert Sun.
- ↑ Powers, Jim (February 17, 2014). "Tonga Hut Palm Springs Brings Tiki Vibe".