A Unique Tiki Lounge In Northern California, Forbidden Island Is The Perfect Spot To Grab A Drink On A Hot Day
By Lysa Allman-Baldwin|Published June 15, 2022
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Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Author
For over 25 years Lysa Allman-Baldwin has fed her wanderlust for “everything the world has to offer” by passionately writing travel and feature articles for numerous global print and online publications. A Digital Nomad, Lysa is also a professional speaker, workshop facilitator, and author.
Aloha! No, we’re not talking about Hawaii, but close (sort of). We’re actually referring to the truly Polynesian vibe and outstanding tropical-themed cocktails at Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge in Alameda, California. Is anyone else ready for a slice of paradise in NorCal?
Opened in 2006, Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge is Alameda’s first and only tiki bar.
The enterprise is not just a bar, but rather a pioneer in the exotic cocktail realm and boasts over 150 different types of rum from around the world, including several rare, hard-to-find varieties. They also have a special premium rum program, reportedly one of the oldest rum programs in the country.
The way the proprietors bill themselves, as “a retro-oasis in the desert of your busy modern day,” is apropos.
Everywhere you look the building exudes a tropical Polynesian vibe that sucks you right in. From the straw "thatched roof" over the bar, to netted glowing lights, fun and funky statuary, and oodles of classic photos, Forbidden Island is anything but uninviting.
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Their highly trained mixologists can swirl up any kind of tropical concoction you can imagine.
If you prefer to start or stay with a classic, options include two kinds of Mai Tais, Zombies, Hurricanes, and of course the ubiquitous Painkiller! Your designated driver friends will find several creative and tasty non-alcoholic options as well.
This Ohana Night special ("Ohana" is the Hawaiian word for family) is the perfect summer libation: Aged Demerara, Jamaican overproof, passion fruit, orange, lemon, and grenadine. Aloha!
In addition to the vast number of global rums offered at Forbidden Island, they also create their own special rum (and sometimes other spirits) lines.
These beautiful imaginative bottle labels are from their Artist Series. Full or empty, they’d make a great decorative piece for your bar at home!
In addition to the exciting inside seating ambiance, Forbidden Island has a great outdoor patio, perfect for those warm Northern California days and evenings.
