The Reef Bar

in Palm Springs, a historic tiki hotel that opened in 1964. After many years with the bar in flux, as of February 2017 it is under the management of Rory Snyder, perhaps best known as the organizer of the annual Tiki Caliente event at the Caliente Tropics. The bar has large windows and a patio overlooking the hotel's swimming pool, and rather than fight the light, Snyder aims to differentiate from the other tiki bars in town and create a space that blends the mid-century history of Palm Springs with the classic tiki elements on the grounds. A menu of tropical drinks and food is available.

The bar at the Caliente Tropics has changed names, theming, and management many times over the years. Originally, the bar was the Congo Room restaurant, a steakhouse�today that name is applied to the restaurant at the front of the hotel. After the Congo Room years, the bar adopted its most-used Reef Bar name, and there was also a brief period in the late-'00s when it was Hawaiian Bill's

history

Hawaiian Bill's

Palm Springs, CA

Bar & Restaurant

Comments

Menehune

Menehune has visited The Reef Bar.

May 23, 2019, 10:23 PM

My wife and I went andcwhile the decor was nice it didn't bowl me over. I was hoping for some good drinks but the Mai Tai was below par and the Hemmingway Daiquiri was the worst drinknI have ever had. I could barely get it down. It was only because the waitress was so nice that we did not say anything. I then had the Painkilller and they redeemed themselves a little but tgat was because the other drinks were so bad. Sorry to say we won't be back.

Kapu Dru

Kapu Dru has visited The Reef Bar.

April 26, 2019, 8:58 PM

I have visited three tiki bars in Palm Springs, including a very famous one who�s name I won�t mention. This is by far my favorite. Cool vibe, lots of tikis, bartenders that really know all of the nuances of the drinks and each rum, and a tv playing endless loops of Magnum PI or Blue Hawaii (but no volume, just good background music playing). This place is very friendly, welcoming, and unpretentious. I love this place! And bartender Brandon (I think that�s his name.... looks like Captain Obvious) is one of the best in the business. Be sure to check this one out.

WanderingWill

WanderingWill has visited The Reef Bar.

December 31, 2018, 7:18 PM

Limited space on the night we went, but really nice seating outside. It�s nice to see the theming taken outdoors and encompassing the pool. The tiki drinks on the list were limited, but well made classics and originals. Off the beaten track, so you have a bit more room. Have to knock a point off for a TV at the bar playing sports, but other than that, it was a nicely immersive experience.

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