The Bamboo Club

The Space

Walk into The Bamboo Club and you’re stepping into what feels like a neighborhood bar that time-traveled from 1962 Honolulu. The design work by Bamboo Ben Bassham achieves something tricky: it looks like it’s been here for decades. The horseshoe-shaped bar anchors the room, wrapped in bamboo and lit by tiki torches and warm Edison bulbs. Tiki hut booths line the walls, each one a semi-private alcove where you can disappear into conversation and cocktails.

The murals by Big Toe and Ken Ruzic add layers of tropical imagery without overwhelming the space. During December’s annual Tinsel Club transformation, the bar gets draped in “6,000 tons of tinsel” and holiday-themed cocktails, proving tiki culture can bend toward seasons and still feel authentic.

The outdoor patio offers relief when the indoor crowd gets thick. It’s less decorated but catches the Southern California breeze, and on quieter nights it’s the better choice for conversation.

The Drinks

The cocktail menu runs around 45 drinks split between classics and house creations. A proper Mai Tai here costs $14-16 and arrives strong enough to justify the price. The Painkiller delivers the traditional rum-pineapple-coconut combination without shortcuts. Navy Grog shows up with the right citrus bite.

The original drinks lean into the bar’s flexibility with tiki. The Bye Bye Birdie takes a piña colada base and adds vodka and macadamia liqueur. The River Dragon uses baijiu infused with Sichuan peppercorn and Thai chili, combined with white rum, lime, passion fruit, and Aperol. Some experiments work better than others, but the bartenders mix with skill.

Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3-6pm with $5 well drinks and a $10 burger-and-fries combo that undercuts most tiki bar pricing.

The Food

The Thai tea-brined fried chicken sandwich has become the signature dish for good reason. The chicken gets buttermilk-brined with Thai tea, breaded, and fried to order. It arrives with house pickles, spicy mayo, and coconut chili slaw on a brioche bun. The brine adds a subtle sweetness that works with the crispy coating.

The Spam Musubi gets elevated treatment with tempura batter, crispy shallots, and cilantro. The loco moco follows Hawaiian tradition: beef patty, gravy, fried egg over rice with chives and crispy garlic. The spaghetti squash Pad Thai offers a lighter vegan option that still delivers on flavor.

Weekend brunch brings mimosas and breakfast plates, though the bar really hits its stride during dinner and late-night service.

The Music Scene

After 8pm, The Bamboo Club shifts from dinner crowd to music venue. Mai-Tai Monday features DJ sets of exotica, Latin, surf, and lounge. Funk nights bring vinyl collectors and dancers. The monthly Shangri-La Record Hop ($5 cover) draws visiting DJs from across Southern California.

The third Thursday hosts Tiki Ha Ha, a monthly comedy night. The first Saturday brings tiki vendor markets with local artisans setting up from noon to 5pm. Rum tastings and special events fill out the calendar.

The music programming explains why younger Long Beach crowds pack the place on weekends. This isn’t a retirement home for tiki purists. It’s a working bar that uses tiki as a foundation rather than a museum piece.

What to Know

The space gets crowded Friday and Saturday nights. Arrive before 8pm for easier seating. The patio stays quieter if you want conversation over ambiance. Street parking is available on Anaheim and side streets.

Service moves at a relaxed pace matching the tropical vibe. Don’t come here rushed. The bartenders know their cocktails but won’t hustle you through your evening.