Strong Water

The Wreckage

Walking into Strong Water means stepping into an elaborate fiction. The dark wood interior, burgundy upholstery, and candlelit corners recreate the cabin of a ship that supposedly sank in 1884. The founders tied the space’s actual square footage—1,884—into the backstory. Hidden rooms branch off from the main bar. Grottoes reveal themselves as your eyes adjust to the dim lighting. Tropical music loops overhead. The theatrical commitment runs deep enough that drinks come with origin stories and some arrive alongside short films.

The space seats around 50 people across the main bar, dining tables, and a hidden back room accessible through a concealed door. Tiki artifacts from prominent artists line the walls. Every design choice feeds the shipwreck narrative, from seahorse door handles to nautical brass fixtures.

The Drinks

Rum drives the beverage program here. The menu lists over 50 varieties, from agricole to overproof to aged expressions. Signature cocktails reference tiki classics—Mai Tais, Zombies, Painkillers—but Chang and Adamson reinterpret rather than replicate. The Zombie King of Balacombé layers pimento dram, coconut rum, dark rum, and demerara rum with lime, pineapple, cinnamon, black walnut, and Angostura. It comes in a collectible mug (available for purchase) and packs enough punch that the menu limits orders to two per person.

Some drinks arrive with smoke. Others get set ablaze. The Tales from the Black Lagoon comes in a creature-shaped mug and includes a theatrical element. Cocktails run $17-21, with souvenir mug versions priced around $95. The bartenders know their craft and can guide you through the extensive menu if the 15-page list feels overwhelming.

The Food

The kitchen blends Polynesian and Asian influences. The Strong Water Moco Bowl features Korean-marinated steak over pineapple fried rice with beef marrow gravy, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and an over-easy egg. The Hawaiian Shrimp Scampi Pasta consistently earns mentions from guests. The Loco Moco Burger stacks a wagyu patty, spam bacon, fried egg, tempura onion ring, and bone marrow gravy on a Hawaiian bun. Lumpia, Thai wings, and kimchi spam fried rice round out the small plates.

Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from noon until close. The patio offers outdoor seating where the full menu and cocktails are available.

The Recognition

The James Beard Foundation nominated Strong Water for Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program in both 2024 and 2025—rare recognition for a tiki bar and a testament to the depth of the rum program. The bar also won LA Times’ Best Cocktail Bar in Orange County and has been featured on PBS SoCal’s “Lost LA” series about Southern California’s tiki bar history.

Practical Notes

Reservations book out weeks in advance, especially for weekends. Indoor seating requires a reservation and guests must be 21 or older. Tables are held for two hours maximum. Monday offers first-come, first-served seating at the bar without reservations.

The outdoor patio accepts walk-ins and welcomes pets. Groups of 7-12 can book for private events.