This Laguna Beach Tiki Bar Finally Got Its Soul Back

Laguna Beach just got its tiki magic back. Step inside the Royal Hawaiian today and you’re met with walls of bamboo and thatch, carved totems in every corner, glowing starfish lamps overhead, and cocktails that hit the sweet spot between strong and smooth.

I wasn’t always a fan. Back in 2018, my visit was a letdown—thin on atmosphere and even thinner on the wow factor you expect from a place with “Royal” in its name.

But on a recent return, the difference was night and day. The Royal Hawaiian is once again a tiki bar destination worth talking about, thanks to a full-scale overhaul that’s restored its soul.

The history here runs deep. First opened in 1947, the Royal Hawaiian was a Polynesian escape long before tiki culture became a retro trend. Locals and visitors came for the legendary Lapu Lapu cocktails, the bamboo-and-thatch décor, and the promise of a little island time in the middle of Laguna.

Over the years, ownership changes and design shifts pulled it away from that vision—sometimes with good intentions, sometimes not. By the late 2010s, the place had gone from great to terrible to okay and back to terrible again.

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The Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach has found its soul again. Step inside and it’s all bamboo and thatch, carved totems in every corner, an... See more

That cycle ended with the 2023 relaunch, led by tiki designer Ignacio “Notch” Gonzalez (Dr. Funk, Smuggler’s Cove) and cocktail expert Dushan Zaric.

Out went the short-lived “Fire Grill” look, and in came layer upon layer of bamboo, thatch, and carved wood. Every sightline offers something interesting: hand-woven mat walls, Polynesian-style lamps glowing in warm reds and blues, totems peeking out from corners.

Even the ceiling is worth a look, crisscrossed with bamboo poles and thatch that make the space feel intimate and tucked away.

The cocktail list leans into tradition without feeling stale. The Lapu Lapu still arrives in a flaming goblet, all rum and citrus swagger.

The Mai Tai was fine, but the standout for me was the Passionate Maiden, a riff on the Saturn that swaps in Elderflower liqueur for the usual orgeat. It’s bright, floral, and dangerously easy to finish.

The menu follows the same playbook—Polynesian-inspired without trying too hard to be “authentic.” What we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and matched the escapist setting perfectly.

After nearly 80 years, the Royal Hawaiian is back to being a super cool tiki bar—not because it reinvented itself, but because it returned to what made it special in the first place.

The rebuild isn’t just a facelift; it’s a revival of the tiki spirit, executed with enough craft and care to make you want to come back before you’ve even left.

Insider tip: check their website before you go. They offer a $30 coupon online, which pairs nicely with a Lapu Lapu and a night surrounded by Laguna’s most immersive slice of the tropics.

One more pro move: While you’re soaking in the décor, keep an eye out for a hidden Star Wars figurine of Boba Fett. The restaurant’s designer has a tradition of tucking one into every project he works on. Find it, tell the staff, and you might just score a little something extra.

Happy Hour is every Monday- Friday from 3 - 6 pm.

Location: 331 N. Coast Hwy Laguna Beach

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