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The Tonga Room isn't signposted in the hotel, but take the lift down to the basement and you will find a place of such incredible kitch-ness that you'll understand why the hotel may try to downplay its existence. It's a tiki bar, so it's decorated in a 1950s vision of the tropics: pots of leafy plants, palm trees, plastic Easter Island statues, and waiters in Hawaiian shirts. Cocktails are served in hollowed out coconuts and pineapples festooned with umbrellas.

The room is arranged around a rectangular pool. The band plays in a thatched hut in the middle of the pool. The reason it's thatched? Because precisely every half an hour, lightning flashes, thunder rumbles, and it rains into the pool.

Go for the (admittedly expensive) cocktails and the experience: the food isn't great, but even on a weekday evening the punters arrive dressed in full 1950s costume and dance late into the night. And it rains every thirty minutes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24359 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11119 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11119 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7851
As the Frommers website says, Cha Cha Cha is not a meal, it's an experience. Moderately priced. No reservations. Weird people, weird neighborhood, great food and wine (not a full bar).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7851 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7862
Stop at local establishments Tosca (www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7859) for an Irish coffee, Cafe Macaroni (www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7860) for dinner, then catch some live blues at the Saloon (www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7858) - Perfect!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7859 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7859 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7858
The place has an authentic neighborhood feel about it and is a great stop on a walk up Grant from Market to Coit Tower (see www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7862). Warning: Strange things will happen and people will dance!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7858 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7836 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7836 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7813 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7813 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7770 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7770 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7754 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7754 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7726
And by sports, I mean sports. The Kezar is located across the street from Kezar Stadium, the former home of the city's five-time Super Bowl champion 49ers, now converted to a trim 10,000 seat athletics, football and soccer stadium. The atmosphere follows the same vein as the decor: distinctly 49ers-related, and NFL and college action packs the place to watch every game on its 24 TV screens. Similar crowds watch baseball, especially the Boston Red Sox, or ice hockey (an unusual interest of the owner - read more). March madness may bring the biggest crowds of all. If you want your American sport, the Kezar's the place to go.

But it's more than that.

The Kezar abuts the epicentre of the city's legendary Irish community (a community third only to New York and Boston) and there is a distinctly Irish undertone to the place, from the logo exhibiting Kezar Stadium's famous arch with a shamrock placed in it to the Irish bar staff and owner. Gaelic sports are in abundance here, and the bar is equally full for the Six Nations or Republic of Ireland internationals.

But while it's an Irish bar in America, it's not an “Irish” bar. Rather, it's a mishmash of European and American sensibilities. The Premiership and Champions League football attract huge crowds, mixing tourists, American fans, and expatriates. New Zealanders and Australians pack the pub for Tri-Nations rugby (shown live in the wee hours) and even Indians come for cricket. The World Cup saw the start of Kezar's newest demographic - Ukranian soccer fans.

Oh, the food's also top notch for a sports bar. You'll find your fish and chips, meat pies and your Irish fare, including shepherd's pie and the legendary Irish breakfasts munched on by hungry rugby and football fans, as well as American hamburgers and buffalo wings. But the owner's wife - a chef - adds some subtle touches in the form of salmon, penne pasta and excellent salads.

Beer flows freely here, with several varieties of American beers, English ales, and God's own Guinness.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7706 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7706 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7699 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7699 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7695 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7695 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7688 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7688 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7683 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7683 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7643 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7643 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1415 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1415 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7828
Known for its underground appeal, hipsters flock to this club five days a week for it's various musical genres. Especially recommended is Popscene, a Britpop night each Thursday bringing you the best in indie, Britpop, mod and electronica.

We were staying for a week and in that time managed to see Jet (before they were big and who we ended up going out drinking with), The Libertines and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7828