Forbidden Island

Party of 2 at the bar. My hubby and I went to Valentine's Day as I have been wanting to go here for a while. We made reservations and glad we did as they were fully booked all night. We were welcomed at the door by a friendly host. Sat promptly. Comfortable bar chairs and very clean establishment. Bartenders were attentive and all very nice. All of our drinks were yummy and so were the bar bites. Looking forward to going back.

I stopped by a very empty bar and was immediately told that we would be kicked out if they got more customers. Since it was my first visit, it also ended up being my last. I didn't even order a drink because I was ready to leave.The bartenders were not welcoming, and the ambiance was uninviting. Tiki is a lifestyle of mine, but I will not return to this establishment.We did not sit in a booth; we sat at the bar. It seems that you didn't really listen to someone who had a bad experience at your establishment. Your poor attitude perfectly reflects how your staff treated us during the brief moment we were there.

One of the best Tiki Bars in all of California! The bartenders make each and every cocktail effortlessly and with a smile. The inside is kitschy with lots of Tiki/Polynesian decor and a constant playing of Beach themed Movies from the 50s and 60s. They offer some food (chips + salsa, fries, wings) but this is NOT a restaurant and Bar. It is first and foremost a tiki bar. Navy Grog, Monkey Pod and the Forbidden Island is delish, but honestly you can't go wrong with any of their drinks.

From Denver to the Bay, this tiki bar slaps hard. The ambience is what I always look forward to and I have been visiting Forbidden Island for the last two years. I do dig the good music, excellent drinks and personable staff. Friday nights get busy but put your name down! If it's more than an hour wait, try again with less than a party of 5! Little hidden gem in alameda :). Also, you can't go wrong with coconut shrimp. Plus it's pet friendly on the patio!

Excellent cocktails at a reasonable price. Around $16 per cocktail. Funk blaster was super spirit forward, but also well balanced. Great to sip on and really get you going.The Leilani volcano was really delicious, not too alcoholic, easy to enjoy.Would totally come back and recommend!When we came, only one bartender was working for like 8 groups, so drinks may take a little longer, so just come in with that expectation and you won't be disappointed!

I came here with a friend to celebrate my birthday after dinner. Forbidden Island was packed with bar patrons. My friend and I sat at the bar. I am not one to imbibe any type of alcohol. An attempt was made to get a Kahlua and cream. No Kahlua, but I was told they had an alternative. Okay, a Black Russian consisting of Mr. Black coffee liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream and vodka was the cocktail beverage that I ordered. The drink was okay.The bartenders then found out it was my birthday and had offered me a complimentary shot glass or rum. I didn't realize it was rum until I drank it. Never again! I left out of there messed up drunk. Thank goodness I did not heave/barf/throw up. Another thing I have not drank rum since the mid 70's. Back then it was a 151 with a coke back. Yep, I threw up and hadn't touch hard liquor since about 50 years ago.Although the ambiance is a nice one, hard liquor is not my cup of tea. Thus, this tiki bar is a hit or miss for me. I'm 73 years old, and I don't need a drink to be sociable.

Came here after my work holiday party at bowlero. There's a large patio in the back where they accommodated all of us, around 50ish people. The tiki drinks are great. I got the one with 5 skulls and had a great time. Also got a variety of the apps. Fun hole in the wall for alameda.

Rum. Drinks. Tasty. And. Delicious. in. A. Tiki. Hut. Perfect.For. Date. Night! Make sure to eat before, they are strong and mighty!

We've been going to forbidden island on an occasional basis for years. We've been to dozens of tiki bars around the globe and feel very strongly that this one truly feels authentic (versus overproduced or decorated properly but full of douchey clientelle, like many others). This month I planned a private event there for my wife's birthday and it was truly magical. The owner and all his staff wen t out of their way to ensure that every detail was executed without a hitch.This is what ne of the VERY few tiki spots that should be considered a cultural monument and protected at all costs. If you haven't been here yet, hurry up and fix that. Reservations aren't hard to get and the reservation-free patio is also very nice.

My friends and I stopped by Forbidden Island on a Wednesday evening to celebrate a birthday. Around 7:30 p.m., the bar was pretty quiet, which was expected for a midweek night. The menu here can feel a bit overwhelming at first--there are so many drink options, and you won't find the usual classics like Old Fashioneds or Negronis. I ended up trying the "Red Sky Swizzle," a refreshing mix of citrus, homemade orgeat, California Poppy amaro, and a striking red "sky" of Peychaud's bitters. You place your order at the bar, but the staff brings your drinks to your table when they're ready. Since it wasn't busy, our drinks came out quickly. The servers were attentive throughout the evening and checked in on us regularly, in case we needed to place another order for food or drinks.For food, I had a chance to try out the furikake waffle fries. The fries were delicious -- crispy, full of flavor, and loaded with a generous amount of seasoning. Definitely worth ordering.The cozy, laid-back atmosphere was perfect for hanging out, though I could see it getting pretty loud on busier nights--not ideal if you're looking for an intimate date spot.If you're a fan of tiki drinks, Forbidden Island is a must-visit. And if you're after something extra strong, definitely try a cocktail with 151 rum floated on top.