Tonga Hut

Last updated
Tonga Hut
Company type Private
Industry Bar
Founded1958
FounderAce 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

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]

Part of the Tonga Hut interior. Tonga Hut interior 19-B.jpg
Part of the Tonga Hut interior.

References

  1. ↑ Subscribers, Gerard Burkhart For (August 22, 2025). "This must be North Hollywood". Los Angeles Times.
  2. 1 2 3 Darling, Michael (May 30, 2018). "60 Years Of Tiki: An Inside Look at the Tonga Hut in North Hollywood". welikela.com.
  3. ↑ Peterson, Lucas Kwan (October 22, 2014). "Tonga Hut, LA's Oldest Tiki Bar, Has Become Its Greatest". Eater LA.
  4. 1 2 O’Connell, Sean J. (July 4, 2013). "Tonga Hut still carrying the tiki torch after 55 years". Los Angeles Times .
  5. ↑ Shatkin, Elina (October 24, 2008). "Tonga Hut carries tiki torch high". Los Angeles Times.
  6. 1 2 3 "North Hollywood tiki bar Tonga Hut gears up for reopening, with help of its dedicated community". KCRW. May 10, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Pena, Xochitl. "Tonga Hut tiki lounge to open in Palm Springs in February". The Desert Sun.
  8. ↑ Powers, Jim (February 17, 2014). "Tonga Hut Palm Springs Brings Tiki Vibe".

34°11′11″N118°24′44″W / 34.1865°N 118.4122°W / 34.1865; -118.4122

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