tiki bar tour san diego

TOUR THE BAY THE TIKI TIME WAY!

* Yep, we have family friendly cruises and adult cruises, check out our different tours above.👆

* Yep, our bar is open during EVERY cruise - I mean it's a Tiki boat, right? (Click here for menu). * Yep, our tours are designed with sarcasm, wit and fun - so buckle up! Not for everyone but most LOVE it! 😊

* Nope, drinks aren't included in the price of your ticket, but they are reasonably priced.

* Yep, we have a bathroom on board. Check it out here !

* Yep, we do both: Single tickets OR rent the entire Tiki for your private event.

* Yep, our tours ALWAYS start at the TOP of the dock - on time, every time - with a short intro from your host.

* Yep, every tour, every day is unique (the beauty of improv).

* Yep, unlike other bay tours WE provide an emersive guided entertainment experience.

* Nope, it is not a full improv show, just full of great improv moments.

* Yep, it can get breezy and cool on the bay, so listen to your mom and bring a jacket.

Fun for everyone!

San Diego’s first and only Tiki boat!

Kid approved!

Marina : H&M Landing, 2803 Emerson St.

1) 2725 Shelter Island Dr. (free & paid)

2) 4980 N. Harbor Dr. (paid)

3) 1403 Scott St. (paid, limited spots)

📷 🎥 Professional photography and videography done by @ ic_drones & @ dankirksey

Tiki Time Bay Tours

2803 Emerson Street

San Diego, CA 92106

(858) 848 -0097

Book a weekday tour!

• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to secondary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

San Diego Blog

• Welcome to San Diego!
• Privacy Policy
• Work With US
• San Diego Attractions
• San Diego Eat & Drink
• San Diego Hotels
• San Diego Travel Tips
• Beyond San Diego

11 Exciting San Diego Tiki Bars For A Fun Night Out

August 2, 2023 By: Maria Haase This article may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our links.

Please share our article here:

Looking for a fun night out? How about visiting a San Diego tiki bar? Themed tiki bars are everywhere these days. San Diego is the right setting, after all, with sandy beaches, a bit of party culture, and views of the Pacific Ocean wherever you go. Some might even say it’s like a mini Hawaii.

With so many tiki venues, finding which ones are actually worth a visit can be challenging. Fortunately, we’ve done our research and have been to quite a few ourselves. We’ve curated an extensive list of tiki bars in San Diego for inspiration regarding where to enjoy your next cocktail.

Whether planning a date night or fun evening with friends, there’s something for you!

The Best San Diego Tiki Bars

False idol .

Address: 675 W. Beech St, San Diego, CA 92101 Website

Tucked away on W. Beech Street is the extremely popular False Idol Tiki Bar. Immediately as you walk through the doors, the tiki theme is evident, with a dimly lit bar decorated with skull heads and tribal designs.

False Idol couldn’t be any more speakeasy if it tried. To enter, you’ll walk through a cold room situated in a separate bar. This confuses the heck out of some people, but the delicious cocktails make up for the bewildering entry process.

The bar itself is quite small, with a relaxed ambiance and a huge selection of crafty cocktails. Whether you want to try an old classic Mai Thai or something a bit different, like their Tailwinds recipe which doubles down on rum, there’s something for everyone.

The Tiki Hut San Diego

Address: 535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 Website

Everyone loves the Tiki Hut San Diego, a classic pop-up tiki bar on Fifth Avenue. It provides a fun atmosphere with a nice selection of tropical drinks. The Tiki Hut is located across the street from well-sought-after Rustic Root Restaurant and Rooftop Bar. Plan to pop in for some pre-drinks before your meal.

The Tiki Hut has the vibe of a traditional tiki bar, serving drinks in wooden carved cups and providing visitors with colorful flower necklaces.

Although you can purchase regular mixed drinks, you should really try one of the specialty cocktails. The Blue Hawaiian knocks the rest out of the park with a kick of rum and coconut flavor. You’ll really feel like you’re in a tropical paradise.

The Grass Skirt 

Address: 910 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 Phone: (858) 412-5237 Website

Next up, we have San Diego’s Grass Skirt. This tiki speakeasy is located on Grand Avenue, next to Pacific Beach. It offers Polynesian designs, whacky furnishings, and extra strong drinks, it doesn’t get more tiki than this.

The Grass Skirt’s entrance is inside the Poké Restaurant, hidden behind a freezer door. It can be a tricky one to find, but just ask the staff, they’ll send you in the right direction. As you open the door, you’ll encounter fire-lit torches, ancient tiki carvings, and hula girls. For a minute, you’ll think you’re in Hawaii.

Enjoy an extensive cocktail list containing tiki-influenced drinks like Lava & Ice, punch bowls such as Hamilton’s Hornblower, and a selection of standard drinks for those who prefer a cold beer.

Miss B’s Coconut Club

Address: 3704 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 Phone: (858) 381-0855 Website

Another of San Diego’s vibrant tiki bars is Miss B’s Coconut Club on Mission Boulevard. It’s surrounded by mini artificial trees, designed with Hawaiin-influenced decor, and offers some of the tastiest tiki drinks prepared by professional mixologists.

The laid-back vibe at Miss B’s Coconut Club attracts those looking to unwind after a long day at work and indulge in some of their “grown-up cocktails” which promise to get you a little tipsy.

An outstanding brunch menu with tiki treats and snacks is offered every day until 2 pm. It has everything from breakfast tacos to Instagrammable agri granola bowls. 

Enjoy vodka-infused Havana Good Times or ice-filled Rum Cannonballs. Each Monday – Friday from 3 – 6 pm, is Daquiri Hour. On Thursday, happy hour is offered for the entire day.

MOTHERSHIP 

Address: 2310 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 Website

Embark on a tropical space adventure at this San Diego tiki bar in South Park. It promises to be a good time every night of the week. The bar is meant to be a crashed starship which has transformed into a Hawaiian retreat offering flavorful drinks and yummy bites.

MOTHERSHIP is meant to be a speakeasy boozer, but it’s really not that hidden, a security guard stands outside the door at all times. However, the inside makes up for it. Expect a dark room with stars on the ceiling plus galactic and tiki ornaments, the result is a fun and futuristic atmosphere.

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to drinks. Everyone raves about the Self-Destruct Sequence cocktail, combining three rums and a selection of spices and fruits. The food menu is strictly vegan, but even meat-lovers will enjoy their many delicious options.

Moray’s Outdoor Lounge

Address: 3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 Phone: (858) 488-1081 Website

For a more high-end hula, check out Moray’s Outdoor Lounge at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, only a few minutes from Mission Bay. While it’s not like other picks on this list, it does offer an outdoor lounge carefully designed with tiki torches, fire pit tables, and displaying awe-inspiring views of Mission Bay.

Maybe you want to meet a loved one for lunch, have a couple drinks with your friends, or sip on cocktails after work? Moray’s Outdoor Lounge is just the place to do so.

Monday – Thursday between 2 and 4 pm is happy hour, Wednesdays between 5:30 and 10:00 pm are $2 off all craft draft beers. Plus, there’s live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 6 and 9 pm.

Address: 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 Phone: (619) 222-1181 Website

Award-winning Bali Hai Bar & Restaurant deserves mention on every list of best San Diego tiki bars. Situated in Shoreline Park, this exotic establishment opened in 1954 and has served over 2.5 million Mai Tais since. Impressive, right?

Set in an open, modern building, it showcases contemporary finishes with a hint of Polynesia and over 100 pieces of tiki artwork. Bali Hai ticks all the boxes as a tiki cocktail haunt.

Throughout the week, Bali Hai hosts a number of specials. Every Monday – Thursday from 3 until 5 pm, is Pau Hana Happy Hour, and on Sundays from 9:30 am to 2 pm, there’s a brunch buffet.

The Luau SD 

Address: 7123 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115 Phone: (619) 467-7334 Website

The Luau SD is the only surf tiki bar in California. It guarantees a peaceful vibe with exotic beats, the friendliest staff, bamboo furniture, and tiki statues.

Located on El Cajon Blvd, the Luau SD has a huge cocktail menu, including fruity drinks, bowls, and frozen daiquiris. While your first instinct might be to go for the Mai Tai, you should order the HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA’A instead (yeah, that’s the real name). After having one, you’ll be buzzing for the night.

Try to plan your trip to The Luau on a Thursday, there’s lively karaoke from 8:30 pm to 12:00 am.

The Forbidden Cove

Address: 7576 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111 Phone: (858) 715-3998 Website

Find your way behind the wall where the Forbidden Cove lies. Located on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, this tiki speakeasy is hidden away in Kilowatt Brewing Kearny Mesa. Boasting island-style decor, a large bar with tiki-influenced drinks, and intimate lighting, the Forbidden Cove is well worth searching for.

The bar has a highly skilled team of mixologists who know their stuff when it comes to cocktails. Whatever you want, you can have. Who said you have to drink Mai Tai all night? Have your first Zombie or Singapore Sing.

Reserve a table before arriving at the Forbidden Cove, as it tends to fill up fast. Depending on how busy it is, they may even introduce a 90 minute limit which is something to factor in before booking.

Duke’s La Jolla

Address: 1216 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037 Phone: (858) 454-5888 Website

Immerse yourself in a Hawaiian-style dining experience at Duke’s La Jolla. It’s a casual eatery welcoming guests to join their “Ohana” and offering its own take on island dishes and drinks. Boy, are they good, especially the Tropical Mule!

Open from 11 am until 9 pm on weekdays and 10 am until 9 pm on weekends, plan your visit for one of their specialized Island Nights. Enjoy Taco Tuesdays, Surf & Turf Thursdays, Aloha Fridays, and Weekend Brunch.

Tiki Time Bay Tours

Address: 2803 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106 Phone: (858) 848-0097 Website

Who said all tiki bars have to be on land? The Tiki Time Bay Tour knocks the competition out of the park with its floating tour designed in ultimate exotic fashion.

Embark on a cruise through San Diego Bay to see famous attractions like USS Midway Aircraft Carrier , Seaport Village , Coronado Bridge, and more. All while relishing your own tiki bar, manned by a professional bartender onboard. 

There are a couple of cruise options, including a family-friendly sail, or if you want to let your hair down, the Tropical Tiki San Diego Bay Cruise .

Now you should be spoiled for choice with tiki bars in San Diego. Grab your hula skirt and bikini, and get into the Hawaiian spirit.

Looking for more date night ideas? Check out these Top Speakeasies In San Diego .

Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by Maria Haase

About Maria Haase

Maria Haase has been a travel writer since 2007, stumbling into this profession during an internship in China. She grew up in Germany, but has lived in San Diego since 2006. Maria is a globetrotter, but also adores to explore her own back yard whenever she is home. She loves to share her favorite spots, help visitors plan their trips and share helpful tips about her chosen hometown San Diego.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Follow us on Social Media

• Our Mission
• Our Partners
• Tea and Travel (In Books!)
• Arizona Towns
• Arizona Hiking Challenges
• Arizona National Parks
• Arizona State Parks
• Other Public Lands In Arizona
• The Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico
• The Netherlands
• The United States
• New Zealand
• Itineraries

San Diego Tiki Bars and An Honest Review of Tiki Oasis

By waitingforrain28

On September 25, 2021

In Restaurants , U.S. Travel

As the tiki folks who read my guide to Phoenix tiki bars know, I still have a lot to learn about the world of tiki. But we have really gotten into the scene (in my introverted way) since our first tiki bar out in Las Vegas. I’ve been to all the tiki bars in Arizona, visited tiki bars across the Midwest, started collecting signature tiki mugs… And we started our home bar with tiki recipe books. Needless to say, I really enjoy this corner of Americana. So, when we got vaccinated in the year of our Lord 2021, we wanted to celebrate with tickets to Tiki Oasis. It seemed like the biggest tiki celebration we’d probably ever have the chance to attend, and it was nestled among some of the amazing modern San Diego tiki bars. So, we made a weekend of it.

Whether you are considering Tiki Oasis in what I hope to be less strange years post-2021, or will be visiting San Diego in general and want to see the tiki sights, this little, honest guide is for you.

The Wonderful World of San Diego Tiki Bars

San Diego is home to one of the oldest tiki restaurants still in operation in the US. It’s got the sun and sea for tiki. And its modern tiki bars are exceptionally fun.

For anyone looking to get into tiki or cross a few special places off of their tiki bucketlist, San Diego is a must-visit location. There is a tiki bar for everyone here.

• 1 The Wonderful World of San Diego Tiki Bars
• 2.1 Food and Drinks at the Bali Hai
• 3 False Idol
• 4.1 Drinks and Atmosphere at Forbidden Cove
• 5.1 Food and Drink at Grass Skirt
• 6.1 An Event for Hardcore Tiki Fans

(c) ABR 2021

The Bali Hai is a tiki classic, which opened all the way back in 1954. You can delve into the story of this historic restaurant on their website, but no tiki trip to San Diego tiki bars would be complete without a visit. At least, not if you’ve never been.

For as special as it is, the Bali Hai isn’t really what I would consider my jam when it comes to tiki. The restaurant is beautiful, and the views are unmatched, with its huge glass walls. But it’s really more of a classy place for date night than it is a fun-loving tiki place. The prices are higher, and the food is fancier. But it also lacks the immersion of other tiki restaurants/bars on this list. Also, while I think it is inarguable that tiki has questionable roots, there are some strong… inappropriate vibes when it comes to the Bali Hai signature tiki mug and the giant head that adorns the top of the building. I know it’s historic, but we didn’t even bother buying a mug because it just felt… a little too on the nose. I know people will have differing opinions than me on this in both directions when it comes to tiki, and I think all perspectives are legit. But for me, it was an additional element that just made Bali Hai one of my less favorite tiki spots in San Diego.

Food and Drinks at the Bali Hai

In terms of food, I wasn’t disappointed. But again, this is a classy date night sort of menu. By this, I mean the entrees are expensive, and don’t include sides. But everything that we ordered was amazingly delicious and I enjoyed every bite.

I can’t quite say the same of the drinks. Perhaps because they were a bit too alcoholic for me. But for those of you less concerned about that, the Mai Tai is their classic drink. Although it is notably stronger than most (so much so that it is noted on the menu). They also limit how many you can order due to this as well.

That being said, the Bali Hai has served 2 million mai tais and counting; consider getting one for yourself if you are ready for the intensity of their drinks. And again, even though it wasn’t my personal favorite, I did enjoy visiting, and it’s a bucketlist tiki restaurant for its historic role in the sub-culture.

Ok, so I have to be honest here, we weren’t able to get a reservation at False Idol . So, I can’t tell you what it was like. However, from what I have seen online, this is a spot much enjoyed by the tiki crowd. If you can get a reservation here, I’d suggest it. (Let me know how it is! *sobs*) I hope to make it here someday in the future.

Forbidden Cove

The Forbidden Cove is a bit of an odd one among San Diego tiki bars, and I have mixed feelings about it. This little speakeasy-style tiki bar is located inside of another bar, Kilowatt. The brewery/bar that you have to go through in order to find the Forbidden Cove wasn’t my style at all. And no shade to anyone who does enjoy places like Kilowatt, but it reminded me of the chaos of Animal House and kind of had that party-brewhouse feel. It wasn’t exactly the kind of place I wanted to be struggling to find a speakeasy in.

And getting into the Forbidden Cove was a bit confusing, to the point that I can’t even exactly tell you how to get in. I think you need to ask the bartender in Kilowatt for an idol. Then you can use it as a key to open a door behind the brew barrels to get into the speakeasy. However, we didn’t know that, and sort of lucked out when someone else came out of Forbidden Cove. We were able to slip in. Since we had reservations, it was a little frustrating not knowing the process and the bartenders at Kilowatt were too busy to help.

Drinks and Atmosphere at Forbidden Cove

In any case, once we got in, I really enjoyed the atmosphere that they created in the speakeasy. It was a dark room, with glowing lights of various colors, and tiki accents everywhere. I have read that some consider this spectacular tiki vibe to be a rip-off of False Idol. But since I didn’t manage to visit there, I can’t say if I agree. For what it was, I thought the atmosphere in Forbidden Cove was very nice. We also had the chance to experience it when it was near capacity and when it emptied out. Full capacity wasn’t nearly as fun and relaxing, but it also didn’t make me want to throw down my drink and swim out through the crowd.

Now, when it comes to the drinks at Forbidden Cove, things get a little… unique. They don’t use rum in their tiki drinks, they use undistilled sugar cane liquor. Some people find the flavor of this alcohol to be a bit odd, and it definitely wasn’t a rum flavor in the least. I wasn’t bothered by it myself, but if you are looking for traditional tiki flavors, you won’t find them here.

All things considered, I think some hardcore tiki fans will find this place a little off-putting. But if you go willing to try the unique flavors and enjoy the speakeasy, you will have a good time. Forbidden Cove is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 until midnight. It’s highly suggested that you get a reservation.

The Grass Skirt

Of every San Diego tiki bar related thing that I did during my Tiki Oasis weekend, the Grass Skirt was my favorite. Amazing tiki atmosphere, great drinks, good food, and an adventurous find.

Although I wasn’t aware of this when we planned our trip, the Grass Skirt is a speakeasy! And it isn’t as confusing to find as the Forbidden Cove, so I don’t want to spoil the fun for you. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of tiki as you search for the entrance, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Once you find your way inside the tiki bar, you will not be disappointed. There are beautiful little surprises by way of décor around every corner. The patio is host to a massive tiki head fireplace. There are little couched tables lining the outer walls that feel like escapes. And the bar is festooned with golden skulls, tiki memorabilia, and tv screens that lend atmospheric interest more or less throughout the night. There is even a gigantic tiki head with a table inside it for people with large enough parties.

Food and Drink at Grass Skirt

The tiki drinks here are traditional, with a little twist here and there. But nothing surprising in a disappointing way. All great flavors, from traditional to signature. The Grass Skirt also has some really nice food options. The menu isn’t huge, but each is an Asian-Polynesian fusion dish made with love. There are some really nice, healthy options here as well, like the ahi poke.

As far as I am concerned, you can’t go wrong with this place. Get a reservation ahead of time, and come enjoy yourself. You won’t be disappointed. They are open every day from five until at least 11pm, except for Mondays, when they are closed.

My Honest Opinion of Tiki Oasis

I have been to quite a few conventions (although mostly nerd-related). I used to work Phoenix’s Comicon (it got renamed due to San Diego Comicon suing con in another state, coincidentally) every year for about 6-7 years until COVID-19, I’ve also been to Star Wars Celebration, a couple anime cons, and cultural celebrations as well. And these experiences left me a little… confused by Tiki Oasis .

Primarily because I ended up feeling like my ticket price really didn’t cover anything. After paying about $155 per person for the event, every single panel/class/talk was extra. It was a really expensive ticket, in my opinion, for it to not include anything. And while I think the organizers did their best to make this clear when tickets were purchased, I was a little shocked by how restrictive the ticket really was in practice- compared to every other convention I have been to.

Frankly, the best part of Tiki Oasis for me was the vendor hall, but that wasn’t worth what I paid to get in.

An Event for Hardcore Tiki Fans

Now, all that being said, that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t get your money’s worth. Many people that went really went all out with their weekend. They dressed up every day, they stayed at the convention hotel and decorated their balconies. They really really immersed themselves in the tiki culture in ways that you can’t do anywhere else. For people who love tiki, have friends who love it, and are way more outgoing than me, I think Tiki Oasis was probably a wonderful experience. And if the tickets hadn’t been so expensive, I’m sure I would have been more excited about my experience as well.

As it is, I wouldn’t suggest paying for a ticket unless you are really going to go all out for the weekend. Far better to come and visit the vendor hall when it is open to the public, or just enjoy the tiki culture of San Diego on your own time- if the cost of a limited ticket seems like something that would get under your skin like it did mine.

Want to learn more about California?

Check out our Guide to California !

Pin for Later!

Tempe Hiking Trails: Hayden Butte Preserve, Evelyn Hallman Park and Tempe Papago Park

What to do in balboa park on a weekend away in san diego, 25 comments.

Add Comment →

I wish we had explored some of these on our recent trip to San Diego! I think there was within walking distance from our hotel. Gives us a great reason to go back!

waitingforrain28

Oh yeah! It’s amazing how there is always something new to explore in San Diego!

I had no idea that Tiki Bars were a ‘thing’! It sounds like a fun thing to look out for and discover as you travel.

Yeah! I am always on the look out for new tiki bars to visit now.

I woulde live to visit these bars!

They definitely are fun. 😉

I’ve been to San Diego many times and didn’t realize tiki bars were so big there. How fun! Thanks for the review of Tiki Oasis!

Of course! The tiki community is really lovely; so, it’s really fun to explore all the cool places that have come about from its resurgence.

These look really fun! I mean, I am with you, I don’t think the convention sounds worth $155 if you have to pay for everything else as well (I’ve never been to a convention like that!)

I think I’d skip that and just visit the bars.

Yeah, it was a culture shock issue for me. I’ve never be too or run a convention like that, but I do know alot of people really really love it. So, no shade, but I think visiting the bars is better for those of us in our boat.

I didn’t know tiki was a thing! Very interesting intro for me. If I ever get to San Diego I’ll have to check these out.

Yes! Tiki popped up in the 50-60s in the US, disappeared for a while, and has recently re-emerged. It’s a really interesting mix of historic and new bars.

While I like the Tiki bars I’ve been to I’m not sure about a convention around them, especially since it is quite a lot of money. But I like the look of some of these bars and may have to look into some places like this on my next trip to San Diego.

The bars are super fun if you have enjoyed tiki in the past. But yeah, I think the convention is really for the hardcore fans.

I haven’t been to a tiki bar before, but San Diego looks like the perfect place to try one out for the first time. There are so many to choose from!

100%!!! San Diego is the perfect town to try it for the first time.

I’ve never visited at tiki bar before, but they look like fun! The Grass Skirt looks beautiful and relaxing. I’d love to try it out. Thanks for the great guide!

Definitely give one a try. They are very interesting, if nothing else. But we love the creativity that goes into their atmospheres.

These sound so fun. We love visiting Tiki Bars! Thank you for your honest opinions. I will save this for when we make it back to San Diego!

We’ve never been to one like this where it’s an event? San Diego had such good foodie spots though that it looks like a good place to try. Thanks for the honest review!

100% – San Diego is SUCH a fun spot for the event and tiki bar hopping.

Tiki oasis is very $ money Hungry. Most of the tickets are actually $200 or more. The organizers and hotel nickel and dime and overcharge for everything. All the benefits are supplied by other companies. Not worth it.

It really is too bad. I think the tickets should at least include all the sessions and events.

Payton Jameson

Planning a trip to San Diego in January- this might be a fun activity!

Oh yes! I will be! Definitely try to get a reservation for any tiki bar you want to visit. They can be hard to get into.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address

Follow me on Twitter

Nightborn Travel on Facebook

• Arizona Travel
• Backyard Discoveries
• Colorado Travel
• Cultural Highlight
• International Travel
• Island Travel
• Restaurants
• Tea & Travel
• The Un-Planner's Guide
• Tourism Science
• Travel Thoughts
• U.S. Travel
• Uncategorized

Explore freely. Tread lightly.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén

Check Out The Best Tiki Bars In San Diego

These fantastic tiki bars will transport you to a tropical getaway!

These tiki bars will get you in a tropical mood!

Relax and unwind with a refreshing tropical cocktail and delicious coconut shrimp at the best tiki bars in the city. These 10 tiki bars have all the tropical and relaxing vibes we’re all looking for. They will transport you to an exotic getaway with just one sip or bite to eat! YUM!

1. False Idol , Little Italy

View this post on Instagram

False Idol is a quintessential San Diego tiki bar. This spot is a very popular date spot, so be sure to book your reservation well in advance. We recommend the iconic Luau Scorpion! This sharable drink is a whole party. The drink will be accompanied by thunderstorm sound effects, and it will be lit on fire! It’s typically for four people, but if you ask, they could send you a half order for 2.

Location: 675 W Beech St San Diego, CA 92101

2. The Grass Skirt , Pacific Beach

The Grass Skirt is your Tiki bar dream come true. This hidden gem is located inside Good Time Poke, giving the bar an exclusive speakeasy vibe! This is perfect for those who love a bar with a theme! You’ll find both fire pit tables and swings to perfectly fit this aesthetic. They have a delicious and varied menu filled with tropical drinks. And they also have a secret cocktail menu you’ll have to ask about!

Location: 910 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

3. Mother Ship

This intergalactic Tiki Bar is beyond amazing! Sit back and travel to a galaxy far, far away in Mother Ship’s comfy white seats. Located in South Park, this spot has an out-of-this-world decor. The cave-like interior and starry night sky will make you feel like you’re exploring the great beyond as you sip on your delicious drink!

Location: 2310 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

4. Forbidden Cove , Kearny Mesa

This hidden gem is located within the brewery, Kilowatt. A bartender will let you in, but we definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time to save yourself some time. Once you get inside, you’ll see the beautiful decor and amazing lighting. Their drink selection is delicous, and they also have great mocktails, all of which come in adorable glasses. There’s a small menu with finger food options like tacos and sliders.

Location: 7576 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Kilowatt Brewing San Diego

5. The Luau , La Mesa

The Luau is a new tiki bar in La Mesa and is already one of our favorite tiki spots. You’ll be greeted with complimentary shots as soon as you arrive. The friendly staff and fun ambiance will make you feel right at home. At the same time, their funky tropical decor and refreshing drinks will transport you to a tropical getaway. They have bowls with pretzels and goldfish crackers to snack on while you drink, which will be refilled throughout the night.

Location: 7123 El Cajon Blvd San Diego

6. Miss B’s Coconut Club , Mission Beach

This small gem is close to the beach and has a lovely Cuban/ Hawaiian feel. The ambiance is super friendly and relaxed. We recommend their outdoor seating so you can enjoy the breeze. Their staff is super friendly, and that along with its delicous food and drinks is reason enough to visit. This spot is on the more casual side, but the quality of its delicious food and mixed drinks will have you coming back!

Location: 3704 Mission Blvd San Diego,

7. Tiki Hut , Gaslamp

This fun spot is right out in front of Rustic Root, making this the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks, a tiki-style happy hour, post-meal sips, or simply a fabulous time! From the super cute decor to the DELICIOUS DRINKS, this is a must-visit spot for all! Their delicous “I’m in love with the Coco” drink comes in a beautiful rose gold pineapple glass tower!

Location: 535 5th Ave San Diego

8. Realm of the 52 Remedies , Kearny Mesa

This is probably the most unique “tiki bar” on our list. Realm of 52 Remedies is a gorgeous Chinese medicine apothecary/tiki bar speakeasy ideal for those wanting to enjoy delicous and quality food and drinks. The ambient lighting makes you feel like you’ve just walked into a film set! What a perfect backdrop for a memorable date.

Location: 4805 Convoy St San Diego, CA 92111

This little hidden gem is found behind the Marriott Hotel next to the San Diego Convention Center. They serve food until 8 pm, but drinks are served until 10 pm. The drinks are so refreshing and delicious and match the laidback and cute space and the fresh air in this outside bar.

Location: 333 W Harbor Dr. San Diego

10. Bali Hai Restaurant , Point Loma

This beloved Polynesian eatery is a must-visit for any tiki enthusiast in San Diego. The location is fantastic, and the views from the bar are alone worth the visit. We recommed “Mr. Bali Hai” and classic ”Mai Taia.” This is a beloved institution, and we recommend you have a lovely wander to appreciate the history on the walls above the staircase. You can visit the gift shop and pick up a souvenir to remember your visit.

Location: 2230 Shelter Island Dr. San Diego

Featured image: Shutterstock

TYPE IN YOUR SEARCH AND PRESS ENTER

Better Than Take-Out: Classic Pad Thai - San Diego

Classic empanadas - san diego, better than take-out: thai panang curry - san diego, san diego club crawl, homemade pizza party - san diego, hand rolled sushi - san diego, classic spanish tapas - san diego, san diego champagne brunch cruise: luxurious culinary experience, shared 6 hours tijuana taco and craft beer tour, san diego: champagne brunch cruise.

A Submarine-themed Tiki Bar: The Acey-Deucey Club

User reviews.

• Matt F. Jul 2022 Amazing experience with an amazing cast, band, and drinks! Loved it!
• Luke C. Jun 2022 Fantastic time, we had more fun than we have had out in a long time!
• Stephanie K. Jun 2022 The entire experience was so much fun!! The drinks were on point and the captain was an amazing singer (with moxie too!). Overall, it was such a good time. 10/10 recommend.
• Paige C. Jun 2022 This was such a fun experience. Definitely get the VIP tickets for the extra drink! It was so interactive and fun!
• Laura Z. Jun 2022 Drinks were fantastic, band was great, ambiance was terrific…food was just ok, wish it were a little longer than 75 min
• Rob C. Jun 2022 Great Time! Highly Recommend
• Daniel T. Jun 2022 I enjoyed the experience and cocktails. Only thing that keeps me from giving that last star is how it was rushed and service was pushy.
• Alyssa R. Jun 2022 It was a great time! We felt so immersed into a submarine experience. The drinks were great!
• Jennifer S. Jun 2022 Was AWESOME!
• Anthony C. Jul 2022 Great vibes and really entertaining
• Thornton M. Jul 2022 bang for buck - top notch. singer was fantastic, crew was fantastic, mini escape room was fantastic, the perfectly cheesey story was fantastic, drinks were great, band was phenomenal. no notes 11/10 would recommend
• Dominoe F. Jun 2022 Such a fun experience, wonderful singer and band, just enough interaction and creative atmosphere. Highly recommend!
• Elena Jun 2022 Wonderful experience. We had a blast. Wished it was longer to experience the fun.
• Stephen W. Jul 2022 Great vibe, ambiance, and experience highly recommend it!
• Kevin S. Jun 2022 Much fun with good drinks and quirky entertainment!

Getting there

Horton Grand Hotel

311 Island Ave, San Diego CA, 92101-6923

Sorry, JavaScript must be enabled to use this web app

San Diego's new secret tiki bars, plus some long-time favorites

SAN DIEGO — With breweries in every neighborhood, beer festivals galore, a museum exhibit on beer and a craft-beer program at San Diego State University, it's easy to think beer is the only libation in town. 

But there are cocktail bars aplenty to satisfy every taste.

The latest theme: tiki bars.

Two tiki bars, both "hidden'' inside other restaurants, opened in late 2016. False Idol opened in September inside the renovated Craft & Commerce restaurant in Little Italy and Grass Skirt Tiki Lounge opened in November in Pacific Beach.

More about San Diego: San Diego vacation tips for first timers and regulars

Try one or make a night of it with our self-guided tiki tour (via Uber) that starts in Shelter Island and ends near Petco Park.

Start here for history, happy hour (3-6 p.m) and panoramic views of San Diego Bay and the city skyline. Bali Hai, on Shelter Island near the airport and downtown, is San Diego's original tiki bar, open since 1954.

We weren't seated at the bar for more than a few minutes on a Tuesday afternoon when a couple of regulars, hearing we were from Phoenix, asked if Brian sent us. Brian was a longtime Bali Hai bartender who recently moved to Arizona. Nope, Bali Hai needs no introduction.

The drink menu is divided into four sections: frozen island classics, mild-to-medium potency, Bali Hai originals and strong libations. Of the latter, it says: "You've been warned!!"'

The signature Bali Hai Mai Tai gets its own section under strong libations. The drink, based on the Trader Vic's recipe, has no juice. It has dark rum, light rum, orange liqueur, Trader Vic's orgeat syrup and a splash of sweet and sour, all over crushed ice.

Prefer beer? Check out San Diego's best breweries: Beer and BBQ in North Park

Bartender Leslie Wood, who has been at Bali Hai for 10 years, gets frequent requests from newbies to cut it with guava juice or pineapple juice.

"We try to discourage it,'' she said.

A ticker above the bar counts the number of mai tais sold, year to date and in total. The total was near 2.5 million during our April visit.

Get there early for the few bar seats facing the water and the lowest happy-hour mai tai prices. They start at $6.25 and go up by $1 each hour of happy hour. The normal price is $9.25. Happy-hour appetizers range from $4 wasabi fries to $11 Hawaiian tuna poke.  

Details:  2230 Shelter Island Drive. 619-222-1181,  balihairestaurant.com .

False Idol Tiki Bar

Our young Uber driver didn't inspire much confidence as we headed to Little Italy.

"I'm conquering my fears driving downtown,'' she said.

Then she asked if she was allowed to drive in the bike lane.

We closed our eyes and pondered which strong drink to order at False Idol.

There is no sign at Craft & Commerce, which reopened last year after a major makeover and expansion, suggesting False Idol is inside.

After checking in, a hostess takes you through a small stainless-steel door near the end of Craft & Commerce's bar. You enter a walk-in cooler housing pineapples, a box of lemons and assorted skulls in a jar.

"That skeleton head is named Fred,'' our hostess May said as she showed us to the bar. "Or you can make up your own story.''

False Idol, created by cocktail and tiki impresario Marvin Cate of Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco, is cavernous, lit by colorful ceiling fixtures including buoys and puffer-fish lamps, soft lighting on the liquor shelves and an illuminated memorabilia case at the long bamboo bar. One of the items: a menu from Don the Beachcomber, a Polynesian restaurant at the old Vacation Village Hotel in San Diego in the 1980s.

The drink menu features tropical cocktails heavy on the rum, each $13-$15. As at Bali Hai, a section is dedicated to "exceptionally strong cocktails'' costing $16-$22. For a splurge among friends, check out the Luau Scorpion Bowl or Alkala the Fierce, both $45. When Alkala the Fierce (first ingredient: chai-infused bourbon) is ordered, the bar's faux volcano erupts and seats rumble and shake.

The bartender pointed us to the Port Au Prince ($13) with aged Haitian rum, falernum (a sweet syrup), lime and pineapple juices and spiced bitters, with a paper umbrella for effect. 

False Idol is open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations are recommended during peak times and for larger groups. Walk-ins are accepted but expect a wait, and standing room only, if you visit during prime weekend hours. False Idol doesn't serve food but Craft & Commerce does.

Details: 675 W Beech St. 619-269-2202, falseidoltiki.com .

Grass Skirt Tiki Lounge 

There's a large sign for Grass Skirt in the Pacific Beach strip mall it calls home but you won't find the tiki bar's name on the entrance. The door says Good Time Poke. Grass Skirt is tucked behind the small takeout shop. 

Good Time Poke closes at 4 p.m. and Grass Skirt, hidden behind a freezer door, opens at 5 p.m.

Where False Idol is small and dark, Grass Skirt is roomier, invites more light in and has a patio, befitting its location a couple of blocks from the beach. 

It has tiki touches galore, including illuminated skulls doubling as planters, hula girl lamps, fluorescent lighting and a fireplace featuring a giant tiki carving. Don't miss the tropical-themed bathrooms. The stall doors in the women's room are covered with flamingos.

When certain tropical drinks are ordered, sound effects interrupt the island tunes and a light and fire show begins. The scene on the screen behind the bar is reminiscent of the visual effects that go off when gamblers hit a bonus on a slot machine. 

San Diego road trip: 13 stops on the Pacific Coast Highway

There are 18 exotic drinks ($10-$14) and two boozy punch bowls ($45 each). Reverse happy hour is offered Friday and Saturday nights at 10 p.m. 

We ordered the first drink on the menu, if only for the name: Boozin Susan's World Famous Chi Chi. Beverage director Steven Tuttle named it for his mother.

The $10 blended cocktail, which has vodka, lime, pineapple, coconut, demerara sugar and cinnamon, tastes like Hawaii in a glass.

Food shares the spotlight at The Grass Skirt. The menu has nearly 20 items, including sushi, pork-belly rice bowl, steak lettuce wraps and noodle dishes. I wanted seconds of the kimchi fried rice with house-made Chinese sausage ($13).

The check comes tucked in an old book. Ours was slipped inside "Aku Aku: The Secret of Easter Island" by Thor Heyerdahl, circa 1957.

Grass Skirt is a hot spot so reservations are recommended and can be made for bar stools and tables.

Details: 910 Grand Ave. 858-412-5237, thegrassskirt.com .

Fairweather

Fairweather isn't a traditional tiki bar but its specialty is tropical drinks and, like False Idol and Grass Skirt, it has an element of surprise. An Uber driver recommended it as a hidden tiki spot. (She also recommended the nearby Cat Eye Club.)

The outdoor bar, in the East Village neighborhood of downtown, is above the bar/deli Rare Form and getting to it is a bit of an obstacle course.

With greenery giving it a garden feel, the rooftop bar is a relaxing spot, though both of my visits were when the San Diego Padres were out of town. That's notable because Fairweather is adjacent to Petco Park, the Padres' stadium. The only baseball excitement we had was a big-screen viewing of the Padres-Los Angeles Dodgers game shown at Petco's Park at the Park, a grassy area outside the outfield wall. 

Fairweather features classic tropical cocktails ($10-$12) and signature drinks ($11-$15) including Tony's Grogoni, a take on a Negroni, and Heming'Guey, a spin on the Hemingway daiquiri. (There's a wall-size tribute to Hemingway on the way to the bar.) From the signature cocktail list, the bartender recommended the Mauna Loa, a rum drink garnished with pineapple and an orchid.

The bar opens at 5 p.m. weekdays and noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, with $7 daiquiris, mai tais, margarita and piña coladas.

Details: 785 J St. 619-578-2392,   godblessrareform.com .

MORE AZCENTRAL ON SOCIAL:  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest

Share this story

• 12 San Diego Happy Hours to Try Right Now
• Where to Eat Tacos in San Diego
• The 38 Essential Restaurants in San Diego

Where to Find Tiki Drinks in San Diego

Live out eternal sunset at these 12 bars and restaurants

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Where to Find Tiki Drinks in San Diego

It should come as no surprise to anyone that San Diego is one of the perfect destinations for tiki bars—with an “eternal sunset” vacation-as-lifestyle vibe permeating through our beachside city, it only makes sense that we’re outfitted with many high-quality tropical watering holes, from dedicated tiki bars like 2017 Eater Award winner The Grass Skirt to cocktail spots with weekly tiki nights. Here are 12 of the best tiki bars in San Diego.

Restaurants and bars are listed from north to south. Map points are not ranked.

Known for having one of the best cocktail lists in the county, Campfire has been known to take tropical inspiration from time to time, whether in-house at the restaurant’s bar or with various takeovers, including collaborations with Pacific Beach’s The Grass Skirt.

• Book with OpenTable
• Open in Google Maps

Also featured in:

14 Carlsbad Restaurants to Check Out Right Now

Duke's La Jolla

The La Jolla offshoot of the original Duke’s in Waikiki captures proper tiki vibes with sweeping ocean views and their special Mai Tai made with passion fruit, orange and guava.

The Grass Skirt

Known as one of the most tricked-out tiki bars in San Diego, The Grass Skirt serves a full updated pupu menu, with dishes like Skuna Bay salmon cones and pork belly bao buns, alongside classic and reinvigorated tiki drinks, alike. A particular favorite is the Fire & Ice, which comes with serrano infused tequila, overproof Jamaican rum, lime, pineapple, coconut, pomegranate and is topped with a lime rind housing a flaming shot of 151.

Here Are 17 Essential Bars in San Diego

17 Speakeasies to Check Out in San Diego

Miss B's Coconut Club

Miss B’s is particularly known for its creative selection of serving glasses, which run the gamut from classic tiki mugs to copper flamingoes. It also has a healthy dose of Cuban influence, bringing a little Caribbean flair into the South Pacific. Miss B’s is perfect for daytime imbibing, owing to its location near the beach.

Sycamore Den

Normal Heights’ Sycamore Den always has a few tiki drinks on its rotating menu, usually served in a special tiki mug. One example is the Nice Mangoes, which is served in a tiki mug and features a house rum blend, mango, lime, falernum, bitters and absinthe.

25 Bars in San Diego Supporting Joshua Tree

North Park’s Bar Pink plays host to Tiki Tuesdays, which features special DJs alongside a selection of tiki drinks not usually served.

Sign up for the newsletter Eater San Diego

Sign up for our newsletter.

Thanks for signing up!

Check your inbox for a welcome email.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.

South Park’s very own heavy metal vegan restaurant also boasts a variety of tropical drinks on its menu, especially on Permanent Vacation Thursdays, when Polynesian-inspired food and rum soaked libations take over for the evening.

San Diego's Essential Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

San Diego’s other tiki speakeasy is from CH Projects and rests behind Craft & Commerce in Little Italy. The left side of its menu features classic tiki drinks while the right side features creative updates, like a Chartreuse Swizzle.

Bali Hai Restaurant

San Diego’s original tiki bar is Bali Hai, which offers some of the best downtown and bay views in the city and its no-juice, booze-only Mai Tai, which is legendary far beyond San Diego’s borders.

Where to Find Restaurants With Private Dining Rooms in San Diego

22 Stellar Spots for Waterfront Dining in San Diego

Turf Supper Club

Everyone’s favorite late-night, grill-your-own-steak spot also manages to squeeze a few tiki drinks on its menu—especially its particularly lethal Mai Tai, which is served in a pint glass.

Where to Find Late-Night Eats in San Diego

17 San Diego Restaurants That Are Open on Mondays

Fairweather Rooftop Bar

Overlooking Petco Park, the rooftop bar opened under management of CH Projects but has since changed hands. Not to worry—it’s still churning out classic and reimagined tiki drinks in a lush, tropical and outdoor atmosphere.

Cat Eye Club

This retro-style East Village lounge boasts a lively interior with tiki carvings, lava lamps, a fern wall and hand-drawn menus featuring a variety of tropical, rum-filled drinks that served in colorful mugs and other vessels.

More in Maps

Related maps, follow eater san diego online:.

• Follow Eater San Diego on Twitter
• Follow Eater San Diego on Facebook
• Follow Eater San Diego on Youtube
• Follow Eater San Diego on Instagram

Site search

• Los Angeles
• New Orleans
• Philadelphia
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco
• Twin Cities
• Washington DC
• Neighborhoods

Conscious Travel | Bespoke Experiences

Travel blog discussing destinations, tips, guides and inspiration to help you with your next travel adventure. 

The Ultimate Guide to San Diego Tiki Bars

A tiki hut on la jolla beach, san diego

Any time we hear the word "tiki" we have a smile on our face.

Tiki is all about good times, sunshine, the sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore, relaxation and escaping form the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

One cocktail can transport you to the islands. Plus, who doesn't love a tropical cocktail served in a unique glass with a fun garnish?

Donn spent time in the islands of the South Pacific, fell in love with the culture and thought it would be the perfect theme for a bar - providing patrons an escape from reality with exotic cocktails and warm hospitality. 

Tiki culture soared after World War II when soldiers returned form the South Pacific. Then a shift in culture in the late 60's and 70's all but killed tiki vibes. Recently, there has been a resurgence of tiki culture and we are reaping the benefits.

With perpetually warm weather and a laid back beach vibe, San Diego is the perfect tiki hub. We've developed a bit of a tiki obsession so we decided to check out the best tiki bars around town.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Fairweather - East Village

Fairweather was our first foray into San Diego tiki. Located in East Village behind Petco Park, it's easy to miss this hidden gem. Enter through Rare Form, head through the bar to the back stairwell and emerge into a tropical paradise. Fairweather is all outdoors, bright and airy. The bar is to die for and the drinks are the perfect mix of tropical and crafty.

False Idol - Little Italy

False Idol , a speakeasy tiki, is connected to the newly remodeled Craft & Commerce. Enter through a freezer and you are transported into a tiki oasis. The drink menu offers classic tiki cocktails accompanied by a modern day take on the original. The small space is impeccably designed from the buoys on the ceiling to the water wall by the entrance.

The Grass Skirt - Pacific Beach

Grass Skirt is the newest addition to the San Diego tiki collection. Also a speakeasy design, you enter through neighboring restaurant Good Time Poke, walk down a misty hallway and emerge into the spacious bar. The neon Polynesian dancer on the moss wall is our favorite part of the decor but there is so much more to love. Not a rum fan? Try the Boozin' Susan's, similar to a Piña Colada but with vodka.

Bali Hai - Shelter Island

Bali Hai is a staple in San Diego and the longest standing tiki bar in the city so you could argue it has less flare than the others. Located on Shelter Island, Bali Hai has 180 degree views of the downtown skyline. Bali Hai is also home to a world famous Mai Tai. This cocktail is no joke, and so strong they limit two per customer since their mixture is pure alcohol! It's not for the faint of heart.

Miss B's Coconut Club - Mission Beach

rum cocktail out of a rose gold flamingo at miss b's coconut club san diego

Miss B's has our favorite barware of all the tiki bars. Each bar creatively servers their cocktails but we can't get enough of the copper flamingos and pineapples. The bar has indoor and outdoor space and is a great choice for a day time cocktail. Miss B's has more Cuban flair than Polynesian giving a new take on tiki.

Cat Eye Club - Downtown

No trip to San Diego is complete without a delicious cocktail.

Next: The Farm in Australia's Byron Bay, a True Farm to Table Experience

Visit California

Your travels shouldn't be stressful or mass produced. California offers so many unique travel experiences, let us navigate the world of travel planning for you. 

Start   planing your next great adventure .

Recommended Articles

Sapphire & Elm Travel Co.

• Asia & Oceania
• Central America
• Middle East
• North America
• South America
• Travel Tips
• Travel and Live Well

Trending Stories

Take a Tour of Bogota’s Street Art in 21 Photos

17 Irresistible Beaches of Milos, Greece

How to Plan for Volcano Hikes in Nicaragua

Wine Tasting at a 2,000 Year Old Winery in Croatia

• Pet-Friendly
• Contact & Directions
• Accessibility
• Kona Kai Marina
• Kona Kai Private Club
• Eco Friendly
• Rooms & Suites
• Guest Rooms
• Accessible Rooms
• Packages & Offers
• AAA & Senior Rates
• Business Travel
• Point Loma Nazarene University
• Vessel Restaurant
• Spa & Fitness
• Spa Specials
• Fitness Center
• Best of San Diego
• Water Sports
• San Diego Neighborhoods
• San Diego Zoo
• SeaWorld® Vacation
• Meetings & Events
• Plan Your Meeting
• Meeting Venues
• Meeting Specials
• Plan Your Wedding
• Wedding Venues
• Weddings Offers
• Real Wedding Videos
• Experiences & Events
• Featured Experiences
• Browse Experiences
• Experience Calendar
• Private Club
• My Reservation

Pick Your Pool Bar

Dive on in. Cocktails and light bites await.

When craving a waterfront cocktail with some tasty California cuisine in a casual setting, our Tiki Bar and Paloma Bar overlooking Point Loma are the spots to visit.

619-819-8195

Friday – Sunday: 11:00am – Dusk

Vessel Restaurant + Bar Photos Events Calendar

Overlooking Kona Kai Marina, the Tiki Bar has expansive views of our private beach and the Point Loma hillside. With poolside fire pits and four deluxe cabanas for rental, you can stay poolside and enjoy the San Diego sunshine while the little ones fuel up with kid-approved food, mocktails and frozen treats.

Tiki Pool Open Daily 6:00am – 10:00pm

Tiki Bar Thursday – Sunday: 11:00am – Dusk

With views for days, a tranquil vibe and stylish cabanas, the Paloma Bar at Kona Kai is your new adults-only oasis. Take a break from lounging poolside to treat yourself to one of our specialty cocktails and coastal cuisine as you relish in being kiddo-free.

Paloma Pool Open daily: 6:00am – 10:00pm

Paloma Bar Thursday – Sunday: 11:00am – Dusk

Private Cabana Rentals

With lounge chairs, flat-screened TVs, Wi-Fi, bottled water, chips, cookies and towels. You’ll never want to leave your personal cabana.

Upgraded packages are available and include alcoholic beverages and credit towards food & beverage.

Private cabanas are available for rental from 11:00AM to sunset.

Contact:  [email protected] 619-819-8192

Plan Your Escape

Browse all our offers and packages to plan your perfect San Diego getaway.

PACKAGES & OFFERS

Awards & Press

We are honored to have been recognized by industry groups, publications and our guests for excellence in dining.

Diners’ Choice Award Winner

– OpenTable 2019

Kona Kai San Diego Resort 1551 Shelter Island Dr San Diego, CA 92106 Map & Directions

HOTEL DIRECT

619-452-3138

ROOM RESERVATIONS

800-566-2524

AWARDS & PRESS

#16 Best San Diego Hotels U.S. News & World Report, 2023.

#3 Resort in Southern California Conde Nast Traveler, 2020.

SEE MORE AWARDS & PRESS

Careers       Contact & Directions       Awards & Press      Accessibility     Travel Professionals     Sitemap       Cookie Center       Lost & Found

BEST RATE GUARANTEED

Our best rates (and special perks) are always found right here. We guarantee it.

Need some guidance? Call 800-566-2524 or contact your travel professional.

HOTEL DIRECT 619-452-3138

RESERVATIONS 800-566-2524

DINING 619-221-8001

• Fill out my online form .

Tropical Tiki Tour on San Diego Bay

• A smaller, more intimate and interactive tour of San Diego Bay on a Tiki boat!
• 2803 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106, USA Located at H&M Landing marina, behind Point Loma Seafoods.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at 2803 Emerson St 2803 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106, USA Located at H&M Landing marina, behind Point Loma Seafoods. See address & details
• Pass by San Diego Bay
• 1 Star of India Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 2 Coronado Island Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 3 USS Midway Museum Stop: 5 minutes See details Pass by The Rady Shell At Jacobs Park
• 4 Naval Air Station North Island Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 5 Coronado Bridge Stop: 5 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

More to explore in San Diego

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Tropical Tiki Tour on San Diego Bay - with unbiased reviews

• Meeting Planners
• Meet the Team
• Services & Resources
• Service Providers
• Hotel & Venue Search
• Convention Center
• Travel Trade
• San Diego Specialist
• Trade Offers
• Request Images
• Hosting Assistance
• Press Releases

Tiki Vibes & Tiki Tonics

Enjoy the day with friends - both old and new - while sipping cocktails on the bay. This cruise removes the tour guide and creates a social environment of fun, laughter and scenic picture taking. Book now and become part of the most fun Tiki vibe in San Diego! Sorry, this one is 21+, please have ID's available at boarding.

+/-1 hr. 45 mins.

Neighborhood: Point Loma Peninsula

2803 Emerson St. San Diego, CA 92106

Contact Info

(858) 848-0097 [email protected]

Date & Time

Jan 30 - Apr 29, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Please arrive 30 minutes early to allow for parking and boarding. Recurs every Sunday, Saturday

Explore San Diego Neighborhoods

• Mission Bay & Beaches
• Point Loma Peninsula
• North County Coastal
• Downtown & Urban
• Downtown & Gaslamp Quarter
• Little Italy
• North Park & South Park
• Inland Valley, Mountain & Desert
• Mission Valley & Old Town
• North County Inland
• East County
• Baja California
• Baja Regions

More to explore

Third wheel special 2hr gocar + scooter.

For groups of 3, 5, or 7. Are you third-wheeling or have an odd amount of people? Don’t drive a GoCar alone, instead hop on an electric scooter.

Ocean Connectors Wildlife Kayaking Eco Tour

Be an Ocean Connector and join us on a Wildlife Kayaking adventure!

Did you know that San Diego Bay provides foraging habitat for the Eastern Pacific green sea turtle? This small feeding population consists of about 60 individuals, and we will be on the lookout for these beautiful creatures on our Wildlife Kayaking Eco Tour while paddling through the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve. Our naturalist guide will point out local wildlife and teach you about the turtles in our bay, as well as local ecology and conservation efforts.

Best of all, proceeds of your Eco Tour ticket go to our nonprofit environmental education programs. Which directly supports youth in underserved Pacific coastal communities.

Mother's Day Cruises

Mother’s Day Gondola Ride When it comes to celebrating Mom, we always make the day extra-special. Indulge in a relaxing gondola cruise through the canals and waterways of the Coronado Cays.

A private 50 minute gondola cruise. A bottle of Italian Prosecco. Two mini bottles of Marinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider. A Mini Spring Blossoms box of chocolates from See's Candies. A Spring bouquet of flowers for Mom. Complimentary corkage (If you also bring your own bottle). Select wines and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

Sail onboard a Gorgeous 60' Luxury Yacht

Enjoy the seabreeze and sunshine on   board a gorgeous 60' luxury catamaran.

Whether you want to spend a few hours or the day on the water, all of our excursions are customized for our guests.  

The Adventuress can accommodate between 2 - 48 guests and catering and beverage service options are available.

The Adventuress is ideal for:

Family Gatherings

Corporate Events

Weddings/Rehearal Dinners

Birthday Parties

Corporate Team Building

Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Special Events

Mother's Day Cruises

Sail onboard a gorgeous 60' luxury yacht, sharing is caring.

Like what you see? Share with your friends, family, and the world!

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

• Things to Do
• Neighborhood Maps
• Getting Around
• Travel Guides & Apps
• Family Travel
• International Travelers
• Destination Weddings
• Visitor Information & Services
• Hotels & Resorts
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Camping & RV Parks
• Vacation Rentals
• Other Accommodations

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

Or use google translate.

CRUISIN' TIKIS ®

Whether you’re looking to ride a tiki cruise or own a franchise, cruisin’ tikis ® are a blast.

WHAT IS A CRUISIN’ TIKIS ® BOAT RIDE?

Host friends, family, and colleagues aboard the coolest floating tiki bar you’ve ever seen!

• Comfortably seats 6 passengers & included captain
• Cooler & ice included to keep your favorite beverages cold
• High-fidelity Bluetooth speaker system
• US Coast Guard compliant vessel
• Hand-crafted in the USA by our skilled in-house team

FIND A CRUISIN’ TIKIS ® LOCATION NEAR YOU

Ready to take a trip with your friends, family or colleagues? Grab a floral shirt, your favorite drinks/cocktails, and take a look below at the locations nearest you!

Map Marker Orange Beach, AL

Map Marker Havasu City, AZ

Map Marker Nassau, BH – COMING SOON!

Map Marker Rehoboth Bay, DE

Map Marker Amelia Island, FL

Map Marker Bonita Springs, FL

Map Marker Cape Canaveral, FL

Map Marker Cape Coral , FL

Map Marker Captiva, FL

Map Marker Clearwater, FL

Map Marker Daytona Beach, FL

Map Marker Destin, FL

Map Marker Fort Lauderdale, FL

Map Marker Fort Myers, FL

Map Marker Islamorada, FL

Map Marker Key Largo, FL

Map Marker Key West, FL

FLORIDA (CONT.)

Map Marker Lake Dora, FL

Map Marker Marathon, FL

Map Marker Miami, FL

Map Marker Naples, FL

Map Marker Panama City Beach, FL

Map Marker Pensacola, FL

Map Marker Port Charlotte, FL

Map Marker Sarasota, FL

Map Marker St. James City, FL

Map Marker St. Augustine, FL

Map Marker Tampa Bay, FL

Map Marker Treasure Coast, FL

Map Marker West Palm Beach, FL

Map Marker Deale, MD

Map Marker Ocean City, MD

Map Marker Solomons, MD

MISSISSIPPI

Map Marker Bay St. Louis, MS

Map Marker Long Beach Island, NJ

Map Marker Margate, NJ

Map Marker Point Pleasant, NJ

Map Marker Sea Isle, NJ

NORTH CAROLINA

Map Marker Beaufort, NC

Map Marker Holden Beach, NC

PENNSYLVANIA

Map Marker Pittsburgh, PA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Map Marker Charleston, SC

Map Marker Myrtle Beach, SC

Map Marker Nashville, TN

Map Marker Lake Conroe, TX

Map Marker Lake Ray Hubbard, TX

Map Marker Colonial Beach, VA

Map Marker Oshkosh, WI

CHECK OUT OUR CRUISIN' TIKIS ® AROUND THE U.S.!

Our captain was so much fun. He knows so much about the area and had us laughing almost the whole trip!

This tiki boat was the best part of our vacation! If we had known it was going to be that much fun, we would have planned more time and trips to different places. Next time!

The sunset cruise was totally awesome...it was almost like we were into the sunset!

Captain Nate took us to see the dolphins and the were swimming all over in front of the tiki as we were cruising...amazing pictures!

We felt like movie stars...all the boaters and people along the shore were taking our pictures and cheering...what an incredible time!

IN THE NEWS

Check out some of the great videos and articles people are writing about our family of Cruisin’ Tikis ®

SoWeFlo Life Features Cruisin’ Tikis ® Naples

SoWeFlo Life Features Cruisin’ Tikis Naples on this weeks episode.

Cruisin’ Tikis ® on Good Morning America

How small business owners found a way to thrive.

Cruisin’ Tikis ® Featured in Only In Your State

Turn Florida’s Waterways Into Your Own Oasis By Renting A Motorized Tiki Bar Let’s be honest, if there is one thing you could do that is pretty much Florida wrapped up in a nutshell, it would be tiki bar rentals to cruise around the waterways. At Cruisin’ Tikis, you can rent what is a motorized…

INTERESTED IN OWNING A FRANCHISE?

Cruisin’ Tikis ® is looking for Franchise operators in great territories  ! If you love being out on the water and want to run your own business, join our team!  We sell fun and we put smiles on peoples faces… one cruise at a time!

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial

Here’s what has happened so far in the unprecedented proceedings against a former u.s. president..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

It’s the first day of the Trump trial and just walking out the door in my house. It’s a beautiful day, 6:11 AM. The thing that keeps running through my head is it’s kind of amazing that hundreds of jurors are going to show up at the Manhattan courthouse. And some of them are going to know what they’re there for — probably talking to their friends, their relatives about it.

Some of them are going to learn this morning talking to other jurors in line, asking what all the fuss is about. But I really do imagine that there’s going to be at least one potential juror who, headphones on, getting into court. Here they’re going to be there for the first criminal trial of Donald J. Trump. And just, I mean, how would you react?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.” Today, what it’s been like inside the lower Manhattan courtroom, where political and legal history are being made? My colleague, Jonah Bromwich, on the opening days of the first criminal trial of a US President. It’s Thursday, April 18.

Is that his mic? Hi, there.

Hello. How are you?

I’m doing good.

OK. Thank you for coming in, Jonah —

Thank you for having me.

— in the middle of a trial. Can you just explain why you’re able to even be here?

Sure. So we happen to be off on Wednesdays during trial, so.

We being not “The New York Times,” but the courts.

That’s right.

Which is why we’re taping with you. And because we now have two full court days of this history-making trial now under our belts. And the thing about this trial that’s so interesting is that there are no cameras in the courtroom for the wider world.

There’s no audio recordings. So all we really have is and your eyes and your notebook, maybe your laptop. And so we’re hoping you can reconstruct for us the scene of the first two days of this trial and really the highlights.

Yeah, I’d be happy to. So on Monday morning, I left the subway. It’s before 7:00 AM. The sun is just rising over these grandiose court buildings in lower Manhattan.

I’m about to turn left onto Center Street. I’m right in front of the big municipal building.

And I turn onto Center Street. That’s where the courthouses are.

I’m crossing.

And I expected to see a big crowd. And it was even bigger than I had anticipated.

Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Now, I finally see the crowd.

You have camera banks. You have reporters. You have the beginnings of what will eventually become a protest. And you have this most New York thing, which is just a big crowd of people.

[CHUCKLES]: Who just know something is going on.

That’s right. And what they know is going on is, of course, the first trial of an American president.

All right, I’m passing the camera, folks. Camera, camera, camera, camera. Here we go.

Let’s start with Sharon Crowley live outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

I want to get right to ABC’S Aaron Katersky who’s outside of the courthouse.

Robert Costa is following it outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Bob, I saw the satellite trucks lined up all in a row. Good morning.

Talk to us how we got here exactly.

So this is the case that was brought by the Manhattan district attorney. So prosecutors have accused Donald Trump of covering up the actions of his former fixer, Michael Cohen, after Cohen paid hush money to Stormy Daniels. Stormy Daniels had a story about having had sex with Donald Trump, which Trump has always denied.

Cohen paid her money, and then Trump reimbursed Cohen. And prosecutors say that Trump essentially defrauded the American people because he hid this information that could have been very important for the election from those people when he reimbursed Cohen.

Right. And as I remember it, he also misrepresented what that reimbursement was. Claimed it was a legal fee when, in fact, it was just reimbursing Michael Cohen for a hush money payment.

Exactly, yeah. He definitely didn’t say reimbursement for hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. It’s a cover up case. It’s a case about hiding information you don’t want people to see.

Right. And of course, the context of all this is that it is in the middle of a presidential election. It’s 2016. Trump wants to keep this secret, prosecutors allege, so that the American public doesn’t know about it and potentially hold it against him.

Right. And prosecutors are telling a story about election interference. They’re saying that Trump interfered with an election. And Trump himself is also using the phrase “election interference.” But he’s painting the trial itself as election interference as he now runs again in 2024.

Fascinating.

And because we’re in Manhattan, and because the jury pool is going to be largely Democratic, and the judge is a Democrat, and the district attorney is a Democrat, Trump keeps claiming he cannot get a fair shake. This is democrat central. And in democrat central, Trump doesn’t have a chance.

OK. So, what happens once you actually enter the courthouse?

Outside, there’s all this fanfare. But inside, it’s a little bit business as usual. So I go up to the 15th floor, and I walk into the courtroom, and I sit down, and it’s the same old courtroom. And we’re sitting and waiting for the former president.

Around 9:30, Trump walks in. He looks thin. He looks a little tired, kind of slumping forward, as if to say with his body like let’s get this over with. Here we go.

The judge walks in a little bit after that. And we think we’re all set for the trial to start, but that’s not what happens here. And in fact, there are a series of legal arguments about what the trial is going to look like and what evidence is going to be allowed in.

So, for example, prosecutors ask that they be allowed to admit into evidence headlines from “The National Enquirer” that were attacks on Trump’s 2016 opponents — on Ted Cruz, on Marco Rubio, on Ben Carson.

Because prosecutors are in some sense putting Trump’s 2016 campaign on trial. These headlines are a big part of that because what prosecutors say they show is that Trump had this ongoing deal with “The National Enquirer.” And the publisher would promote him, and it would publish damaging stories about his opponents. And then crucially, it would protect Trump from negative stories. And that’s exactly what prosecutors say happened with Stormy Daniels. That “The National Enquirer” tipped Cohen off about Stormy Daniels trying to sell her story of having had sex with Donald Trump, which he denies. And that led to the hush money payment to her. So what prosecutors are doing overall with these headlines is establishing a pattern of conduct. And that conduct, they say, was an attempt to influence the election in Trump’s favor.

And the judge agrees. He’s going to admit this evidence. And this is a pretty big win for the prosecution. But even though they win that one, they’re not winning everything.

They lose some important arguments here. One of them was that after the Access Hollywood tape came out, there were allegations of sexual assault against Donald Trump. And you know this, Michael, because you reported two of them — two of the three in question at this very trial.

Prosecutors had hoped to talk about those during trial in front of the jury to show the jurors that the Trump campaign was really, really focused on pushing back against bad press in the wake of the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump seemed to describe sexual assault. That was a big problem for the campaign. Campaign did everything it could to push back, including against these allegations that surfaced in the wake of the tape.

But the judge, saying that the allegations are hearsay — that they’re based on the women’s stories — says absolutely not. That is incredibly prejudicial to the defendant.

Interesting.

And that Donald Trump would actually not get a fair trial were those allegations to be mentioned. And so he will not let those in. The jurors will not hear about them.

So this is a setback, of course, for the prosecution, a victory for Trump’s legal team.

It’s a setback. And it also just shows you how these pre-trial motions shape the context of the trial. Think of the trial as a venue like a theater or an athletic contest of some sort. And these pre-trial motions are about what gets led into the arena and what stays out. The sexual assault allegations — out. “The National Enquirer” headlines — in.

OK. And how is Trump sitting there at the defense table reacting to these pre-trial motion rulings from the judge?

Well, as I’ve just said, this is very important stuff for his trial.

Right. Hugely important.

But it’s all happening in legal language, and I’m decoding it for you. But if you were sitting there listening to it, you might get a little lost, and you might get a little bored. And Trump, who is not involved in these arguments, seems to fall asleep.

Seems to fall asleep — you’re seeing this with your own eyes.

What we’re seeing, overall, including our colleague, Maggie Haberman, who’s in the overflow room and has a direct view of Trump’s face — I’m sitting behind him in the courtroom, so I can’t see his face that well.

You guys are double teaming this.

That’s right. I’m sitting behind him, but Maggie is sitting in front of him. And what she sees is not only that his eyes are closed. That wouldn’t get you to he is asleep.

And we have to be really careful about reporting that he’s asleep, even if it seems like a frivolous thing. But what happens is that his head is dropping down to his chest, and then it’s snapping back up. So you’ve seen that, when a student —

I’ve done that.

(CHUCKLES) Yeah. We all kind of know that feeling of snapping awake suddenly. And we see the head motion, and it happens several times.

Lawyers kind of bothering him, not quite shaking him, but certainly trying to get his attention. And that head snapping motion, we felt confident enough to report that Trump fell asleep.

During his own criminal trial’s opening day.

Does someone eventually wake him up?

He wakes up. He wakes up. And in fact, in the afternoon, he’s much more animated. It’s almost as if he wants to be seen being very much awake.

Right. So once these pre-trial motions are ruled on and Trump is snapped back to attention, what happens?

Well, what happens in the courtroom is that the trial begins. The first trial of an American president is now in session. And what marks that beginning is jurors walking into the room one by one — many of them kind of craning their necks over at Donald Trump, giggling, raising their eyebrows at each other, filing into the room, and being sworn in by the judge. And that swearing in marks the official beginning of the trial.

The beginning is jury selection, and it’s often overlooked. It’s not dramatized in our kind of courtroom dramas in the same way. But it’s so important. It’s one of the most important parts of the case. Because whoever sits on the jury, these are the 12 people who are going to decide whether Trump is guilty or whether Trump is innocent.

So how does jury selection actually look and feel and go?

So, jury selection is a winnowing process. And in order to do that, you have to have these people go through a bunch of different hurdles. So the first hurdle is, after the judge describes the case, he asks the group — and there are just short of 100 of them — whether they can be fair and impartial. And says that if they can’t, they should leave. And more than half the group is instantly gone.

So after we do this big mass excusal, we’re left with the smaller group. And so now, jurors are getting called in smaller groups to the jury box. And what they’re going to do there is they’re going to answer this questionnaire.

And this part of the process is really conducted by the judge. The lawyers are involved. They’re listening, but they’re not yet asking questions of the jurors themselves.

And what’s on the questionnaire?

Well, it’s 42 questions. And the questions include, their education, their professional histories, their hobbies, what they like to do whether you’re a member of QAnon or Antifa.

Whether you’re far left or far right.

That’s right. Whether you’ve read “The Art of the Deal,” Trump’s book, which some prospective jurors had.

Right. It was a bestseller in its time.

That’s right. And some of it can be answered in yes/no questions, but some of it can be answered more at length. So some of the prospective jurors are going very, very fast. Yes, no, no, no, yes.

Right. Because this is an oral questionnaire.

That’s right. But some of them are taking their time. They’re expanding on their hobbies. So the potential juror in seat 3, for example, is talking about her hobbies. And she says some running, hiking. And then she said, I like to go to the club, and it got a huge laugh. And you get that kind of thing in jury selection, which is one of the reasons it’s so fun. It’s the height of normality in this situation that is anything but normal.

Right. The most banal answer possible delivered in front of the former president And current Republican nominee for president.

Well, that’s one of the fascinating parts about all this, right? is that they’re answering in front of Trump. And they’re answering questions about Trump in front of Trump. He doesn’t react all that much. But whenever someone says they’ve read “The Art of the Deal —” and there are a few of those — he kind of nods appreciatively, smiles. He likes that. It’s very clear. But because there are so many questions, this is taking forever, especially when people are choosing to answer and elaborate and digress.

This is when you fall asleep.

This Is. When I would have fallen asleep if I were a normal person.

And by the end of the day. Where does jury selection stand?

Well, the questionnaire is another device for shrinking that jury pool. And so the questionnaire has almost these little obstacles or roadblocks, including, in fact, a question that jurors have seen before — whether they would have any problem being fair and impartial?

Hmm. And they ask it again.

They’re asked it again. And they’re asked in this more individualized way. The judge is questioning them. They’re responding.

So, remember that woman who said she liked to go to the club got a big laugh. She reaches question 34. And question 34 reads, “Do you have any strong opinions or firmly-held beliefs about former President Donald Trump or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?” She said, yes, she does have an opinion that would prevent her from being fair and impartial. And she, too, is excused.

So that’s how it works. People answer the questionnaire, and they get excused in that way, or they have a scheduling conflict once they reach the jury box. And so to answer your question, Michael. At the end of day one, given all these problems with the questionnaire and the length of time it’s taken to respond to and people getting dismissed based on their answers, there is not a single juror seated for this trial.

And it’s starting to look like this is going to be a really hard case for which to find an impartial jury.

That’s the feeling in the room, yeah.

We’ll be right back.

So Jonah, let’s turn to day 2. What does jury selection look like on Tuesday?

So when the day begins, it looks almost exactly like it looked when the day ended on Monday. We’re still with the questionnaire, getting some interesting answers. But even though it feels like we’re going slow, we are going.

And so we’ve gone from about 100 people to now there’s about 24 the room there’s 18 the jury box. And by the time we hit lunch, all those people have answered all those questions, and we are ready for the next step in the process.

Voir dire. And what it is the heart of jury selection. This is the point where the lawyers themselves finally get to interview the jurors. And we get so much information from this moment because the lawyers ask questions based on what they want out of the jurors.

So the prosecution is asking all these different kinds of questions. The first round of wajir is done by a guy named Joshua Steinglass, a very experienced trial lawyer with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. And he’s providing all these hypotheticals. I’ll give you one example because I found this one really, really interesting. He provides a hypothetical about a man who wants his wife killed and essentially hires a hitman to do it. And what he asked the jurors is, if that case were before you, would you be able to see that the man who hired the hitman was a part of this crime?

And of course, what he’s really getting at is, can you accept that even though Michael Cohen, Trump’s fixer, made this payment, Trump is the guy who hired him to do it?

That’s right. If there are other people involved, will jurors still be able to see Donald Trump’s hands behind it all?

Fascinating. And what were some of the responses?

People mostly said, yes, we accept that. So that’s how the prosecution did it.

But the defense had a totally different method of voir dire. They were very focused on their client and people’s opinions about their client.

So what kind of questions do we get from them?

So the lawyer, Todd Blanche, is asking people, what do you make of President Trump? What do you think of President Trump?

And what are some of the responses to that?

Well, there’s this incredible exchange with one of the jurors who absolutely refuses to give his opinion of Donald Trump. They go back and forth and back and forth. And the juror keeps insisting you don’t need to know my opinion of him. All you need to know is that I’m going to be fair and impartial, like I said. And Blanch pushes, and the guy pushes back. And the only way the guy budges is he finally kind of confesses almost at the end that, yes, I am a Democrat, and that’s all we get.

And what ends up happening to this potential juror?

Believe it or not, he got dismissed.

[LAUGHS]: I can believe it. And of course, it’s worth saying that this guy and everybody else is being asked that question just feet from Trump himself.

That’s right. And you might think you were going to get a really kind of spicy, like, popcorn emoji-type exchange from that. But because these are now jurors who have said they can be fair and impartial, who, to some extent, want to be on this jury or at least wouldn’t mind being on this jury, they’re being very restrained.

Mostly, what they are emphasizing — much like that guy just described dis — is that they can be fair. They can be impartial. There’s one woman who gives this really remarkable answer.

She says, I thought about this last night. I stayed up all night. I couldn’t sleep, thinking about whether I could be fair. It’s really important to me, and I can.

What ends up happening to that particular juror?

She’s also dismissed. And she’s dismissed without any reason at all. The defense decides it doesn’t like her. It doesn’t want her on the jury. And they have a certain number of chances to just get rid of jurors — no questions asked.

Other jurors are getting dismissed for cause — I’m doing air quotes with my hands — which means that the lawyers have argued they actually revealed themselves through their answers or through old social media posts, which are brought up in the courtroom, to be either non-credible, meaning they’ve said they can be fair and they can’t, or somehow too biased to be on the jury.

Wait, can I just dial into that for a second? Are lawyers researching the jurors in real time going online and saying — I’m making this up — but Jonah Bromwich is a potential juror, and I’m going to go off into my little corner of the courtroom and Google everything you’ve ever said? Is that what’s happening in the room?

Yeah, there’s a whole profession dedicated to that. It’s called jury consultant, and they’re very good at finding information on people in a hurry. And it certainly looked as if they were in play.

Did a social media post end up getting anybody kicked off this jury?

Yes, there were posts from 2016 era internet. You’ll remember that time as a very heated one on the internet, Facebook memes are a big thing. And so there’s all kinds of lock him up type memes and rhetoric. And some of the potential jurors here have used those. And those jurors are dismissed for a reason.

So we have these two types of dismissals, right? We have these peremptory dismissals — no reason at all given. And we have for cause dismissals.

And the process is called jury selection. But you don’t actually get selected for a jury. The thing is to make it through all these obstacles.

You’re left over.

Right. And so when certain jurors are not dismissed, and they’ve made it through all these stages, by the end of the day, we have gone from zero juror seated to seven jurors who will be participating in Donald Trump’s trial.

Got it. And without going through all seven, just give us a little bit of a sketch of who so far is on this jury. What stands out?

Well, not that much stands out. So we’ve got four men. We’ve got three women. One lives on the Upper East Side. One lives in Chelsea. Obviously, they’re from all over Manhattan.

They have these kind of very normal hobbies like spending time with family and friends. They have somewhat anonymous jobs. We’ve got two lawyers. We’ve got someone who’s worked in sales.

So there’s not that much identifying information. And that’s not an accident . One of the things that often happens with jury selection, whether it be for Donald Trump or for anyone else, is the most interesting jurors — the jurors that kind of catch your attention during the process — they get picked off because they are being so interesting that they interest one or the other side in a negative way. And soon they’re excused. So most of the jurors who are actually seated —

Are not memorable.

Are not that memorable, save one particular juror.

OK. All right, I’ll bite. What do I need to know about that one particular juror?

So let me tell you about a prospective juror who we knew as 374, who will now be juror number five. She’s a middle school teacher from Harlem. And she said that she has friends who have really strong opinions about Trump, but she herself does not. And she insisted several times, I am not a political person.

And then she said this thing that made me quite surprised that the prosecution was fine with having her on the jury. She said, quote, “President Trump speaks his mind, and I’d rather that than someone who’s in office who you don’t know what they’re thinking.”

Hmm. So she expressed approval of President Trump.

Yeah, it was mild approval. But the thing is, especially for the defense in this trial, all you need is one juror. One juror can tie up deliberations in knots, and you can end with a hung jury. And this is actually something that I saw firsthand. In 2019, I was the foreperson on a jury.

How you like that?

Yeah. And the trial was really complicated, but I had thought while we were doing the trial, oh, this is going to be a really easy decision. I thought the defendant in that case was guilty. So we get into deliberations, but there’s this one juror who keeps gumming up the works every time we seem to be making progress, getting a conversation started.

This juror proverbially throws up his hands and says, I am not convicting. This man is innocent. And we talked and we talked. And as the foreperson, I was trying to use all my skills to mediate.

But any time we made any progress, this guy would blow it up. And long story short, hung jury — big victory for the defense lawyer. And we come out of the room. And she points at this juror. The guy —

The defense lawyer.

The defense lawyer points at this juror who blew everything up. And she said, I knew it. I knew I had my guy.

OK. I don’t want to read too much into what you said about that one juror. But should I read between the lines to think that if there’s a hung jury, you wonder if it might be that juror?

That’s what everyone in the courtroom is wondering not just about this juror, but about every single person who was selected. Is this the person who swings the case for me? Is this the person who swings the case against me?

These juries are so complex. It’s 12 people who don’t know each other at the start of the trial and, by the end of the trial, have seen each other every morning and are experiencing the same things, but are not allowed to have talked about the case until deliberations start. In that moment when deliberations start —

You’re going to learn a whole lot about each other.

That’s right. There’s this alchemical moment where suddenly, it all matters. Every personality selected matters. And that’s why jury selection is so important. And that’s why these last two days are actually one of the most important parts of this trial.

OK. So by my math, this trial will require five more jurors to get to 12. I know also they’re going to need to be alternates. But from what you’re saying what looked like a really uphill battle to get an impartial jury or a jury that said it could be impartial — and Trump was very doubtful one could be found — has turned out to not be so hard to find.

That’s right. And in fact, we went from thinking, oh, boy, this is going awfully slowly, to the judge himself saying we could be doing opening arguments as soon as Monday morning. And I think that highlights something that’s really fascinating both about this trial and about the jury selection process overall.

One of the things that lawyers have been arguing about is whether or not it’s important to figure out what jurors’ opinions about Donald Trump are. And the prosecution and, I think, the judge have really said, no, that’s not the key issue here. The key issue is not whether or not people have opinions about Donald Trump.

Right. Who doesn’t have an opinion about Donald Trump?

Exactly. They’re going to. Automatically, they’re going to. The question is whether or not they can be fair and impartial. And the seven people we already have seated, and presumably the five people that we’re going to get over the next few days and however many alternates — we expect six — are all going to have answered that question, not I hate Trump; I love Trump, but I can weigh in on the former president’s innocence or guilt, and I can do it as fairly as humanly possible.

Now, Trump is not happy about this. He said after court yesterday, quote, We have a highly conflicted judge, and he’s rushing this trial.” And I think that he is going to see these beats of the system the criminal justice system as it works on him as he is experiencing it as unfair. That is typically how he talks about it and how he views it.

But what he’s getting is what defendants get. This is the system in New York, in the United States. This is its answer to how do you pick a fair jury? Well, you ask people can you be fair? And you put them through this process, and the outcome is 12 people.

And so I think we’re going to see this over and over again in this trial. We’re going to see Trump experience the criminal justice system.

And its routines.

Yeah, openings, witnesses, evidence, closings. He’s going to go through all of it. And I think, at every turn, it makes sense to expect him to say, well, this is not fair. Well, the judge is doing something wrong. Well, the prosecutors are doing something wrong. Well, the jury is doing something wrong.

But at the end of the day, he’s going to be a defendant, and he’s going to sit, mostly silently if his lawyers can make him do that, and watch this process play itself out. So the system is going to try and treat him like any other defendant, even though, of course —

— he’s not. And he is going to fight back like no other defendant would, like no other defendant could. And that tension, him pushing against the criminal justice system as it strives to treat him, as it would anyone else, is going to be a defining quality of this trial.

Well, Jonah, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Of course. Thanks so much for having me. [MUSIC PLAYING]

PS, have you ever fallen asleep in a trial?

I have not.

[CHUCKLES]:

Here’s what else you need to know today.

It’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act. We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible and in a way that, as I said —

During a visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday, Britain’s foreign Secretary left little doubt that Israel would retaliate against Iran for last weekend’s aerial attack, despite pressure from the United States and Britain to stand down. The question now is what form that retaliation will take? “The Times” reports that Israel is weighing several options, including a direct strike on Iran, a cyber attack, or targeted assassinations. And —

Look, history judges us for what we do. This is a critical time right now, critical time on the world stage.

In a plan that could threaten his job, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will put a series of foreign aid bills up for a vote this weekend. The bills, especially for aid to Ukraine, are strongly opposed by far-right House Republicans, at least two of whom have threatened to try to oust Johnson over the plan.

I can make a selfish decision and do something that’s different, but I’m doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important. I really do. I really — [MUSIC PLAYING]

Today’s episode was produced by Rikki Novetsky, Will Reid, Lynsea Garrison, and Rob Zubko. It was edited by Paige Cowett, contains original music by Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly Lake.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• April 19, 2024   •   30:42 The Supreme Court Takes Up Homelessness
• April 18, 2024   •   30:07 The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial
• April 17, 2024   •   24:52 Are ‘Forever Chemicals’ a Forever Problem?
• April 16, 2024   •   29:29 A.I.’s Original Sin
• April 15, 2024   •   24:07 Iran’s Unprecedented Attack on Israel
• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
• April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
• April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
• April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jonah E. Bromwich

Produced by Rikki Novetsky ,  Will Reid ,  Lynsea Garrison and Rob Szypko

Edited by Paige Cowett

Original music by Dan Powell ,  Marion Lozano and Elisheba Ittoop

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Political and legal history are being made in a Lower Manhattan courtroom as Donald J. Trump becomes the first former U.S. president to undergo a criminal trial.

Jonah Bromwich, who covers criminal justice in New York, explains what happened during the opening days of the trial, which is tied to Mr. Trump’s role in a hush-money payment to a porn star.

On today’s episode

Jonah E. Bromwich , who covers criminal justice in New York for The New York Times.

Background reading

Here’s a recap of the courtroom proceedings so far.

Mr. Trump’s trial enters its third day with seven jurors chosen.

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Jonah E. Bromwich covers criminal justice in New York, with a focus on the Manhattan district attorney’s office and state criminal courts in Manhattan. More about Jonah E. Bromwich

Advertisement