Puka Bar (Reported Closed)

Recommends

pmsiilbc

Joined 8 years ago

Great Ambiance, Strong Drinks, Hip People. OK, you decide to venture to Long Beach, and you want to get off of the beaten track. Well, this is the place to go! The Puka Bar is located on Willow, just off of the 710 Fwy. When you enter, it is like you step back into the 50s. There are tons of rockabilly types and hipsters that hang out here. The decor is "Hip Hawaiian". They have a drink menu that is out of this world. I recommend the Mai Tai. Then, they had a DJ spinning some old 60s and 70s R&B and Rock. It was awesome. Beautiful people everywhere. Give this place a try,... you won't be disappointed!!

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Bikers and hipsters alike flock to this tiki-themed neighborhood bar in Long Beach for the smashtastic tropical drinks.. In Short
This small but comfy lounge is an explosion of tiki from floor to ceiling. The former dive bar comes equipped with bamboo walls and real pufferfish lamps. Hipsters sit next to bikers, sipping tropical cocktails with names like the Witch Doctor--a decadent combo of "jungle juice" and magic potions; and the Land Pirate, a concoction of "secret special sauce" and whiskey. There's a DJ spinning six nights a week starting around 9:30pm, but early patrons hit the jukebox, which plays everything from Sublime to Johnny Cash.

Recommends

zengoddess

Joined 6 years ago

This place is an absolute gem!. I don't normally write these reviews, but after having the time of my life at Puka bar last night, I felt compelled to tell the world about it. This place is hands down one of the coolest little finds in the L.B.C.! A friend of mine had heard about it, and suggested we check it out last night for some evening libations. I had somewhat of a stressful week, and wasn't really expecting much more than a simple little bar with some so-so cocktails...I couldn't have been more wrong. First of all it's on Willow in an area you wouldn't really expect to see a fab place like this...but it works. There's plenty of parking, friendly, cool people and no attitudes, also big plus....the drinks are out of this world!!! As soon as I walked in this place, I was transported to some far off off vacation spot. This is a true Tiki bar with so much attention to detail. Everything from the lit blowfish hanging above you, to the handcrafted Tiki bar, to the bamboo and art on the walls. Byron is definitely a mixmaster/bartender/sensei. He knows the craft, and he takes care of his customers. There are a lot of specialty rum cocktails on the menu....obviously it's a Tiki bar. I'm a vodka drinker for the most part, so I asked Byron to hook me up with a vodka concoction. He made me this Pear martini that knocked my socks off. Happy hour everyday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a fantastic specialty drink list and plenty of great booze. The drinks are reasonably priced, but boy do they pack a wallop! Jukebox with a cool and eclectic selection of everything from Johnny Cash to the Velvet Underground. DJ's everynight starting at 9:30 or so. Check this place out, you will not be disappointed!