The Hula Hula Room

What You’re Walking Into

Step through the doors of a Torrance strip mall and land in a different time zone. The Hula Hula Room transformed what was once the Zebra Room dive bar into a cozy tropical hideaway, complete with thatched roof over the bar, wicker panels, tropical wallpaper, and bamboo touches throughout. Colored lights and neon accents glow against dark walls lined with lauhala matting. Retro Hawaiian music plays at conversation-friendly levels. The space is narrow but feels intentionally intimate rather than cramped.

The crowd reflects the neighborhood: locals meeting friends after work, couples on dates, tiki bar enthusiasts making the South Bay rounds. Age range spans from twentysomethings to retirees. Saturday nights get busy, but weekday happy hours offer plenty of breathing room and easy bar seating.

The Drinks

Bartenders here take cocktails seriously. The menu includes tiki standards done right: Mai Tai made with quality rum, Navy Grog, Zombie, and Painkiller. The Three Dots & a Dash gets an interesting twist with Kuleana Hawaiian Agricole rum instead of the traditional Martinique version. House creations show creativity without sacrificing balance. The bright blue Pali Highway Sunset looks tropical and tastes it. The Diablo arrives with chili pepper devil horns. The Dole Whip captures that theme park favorite in cocktail form.

Seasonal menus rotate regularly. Fall brings drinks like Sunset Harvest and Sweater Weather. Fresh flower garnishes appear on most drinks. The bar stocks house-made ingredients, and bartenders will walk you through options if you’re deciding. For designated drivers or those taking a break from alcohol, Hawaii or Bust offers a non-alcoholic blue Hawaiian alternative.

Happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday, 4-6pm, with $3 off selected menu items. Prices feel reasonable for craft cocktails with this level of attention.

The Scene

The Hula Hula Room keeps things relaxed. Bartenders are friendly without hovering. Service moves quickly even when the bar fills up. The atmosphere stays casual. Dress code is nonexistent. You’ll see everything from post-work business casual to board shorts and flip-flops. Some regulars warn it gets cold inside, so bringing a light jacket makes sense if you tend to run chilly in air conditioning.

No food comes from the kitchen because there is no kitchen. The bar operates strictly as a cocktail spot. But the BYOF policy means you can grab takeout from neighboring restaurants in the plaza and bring it in. Indian food from a few doors down pairs well with tropical drinks, according to locals who’ve figured out the system.

The Owner’s Portfolio

Patrick Mescall and his business partner Brian Eldridge run multiple South Bay establishments, including Eat at Joe’s, Torrance Tavern, The Bounty Room, and the newer Tiki Kai on the Hermosa Beach pier. The Hula Hula Room represents their entry into the tiki bar category in Torrance. They brought in quality bartenders and built out the space with attention to atmosphere without going overboard on kitsch.

Making the Most of It

Arrive during happy hour on a weekday for the best combination of drink deals and available seating. Weekends get packed, so arriving early or calling ahead for reservations helps. The bar takes reservations, though walk-ins usually work except on busy Saturday nights.

Parking fills the strip mall lot shared with other businesses. Spots are typically available, but you might need to park toward the back. The location works well as a pre-dinner or post-dinner stop since other dining options sit nearby.