Kon Tiki Restaurant & Lounge

Interesting place. Although the drinks are largely rum based, (which don’t agree with me) there are other good ones available, as well as beer. Food is good, typically fare. The atmosphere is dark– all the time. That can be a bit unnerving in the daytime. Parking is ok, prices fine — and I love the HUGE multi-​person drinks.

This place is not that bad. The food is ok and nothing worth mentioning but the drinks are alright. The scorpion bowl will definitely leave you in a daze if you try taking one down with a friend that doesn’t drink his share. It’s almost always full and the drinks sometimes take a while to get to you because of this, but the servers are pretty chill.
Best thing that happened at this place for me was getting inebriated, texting an old friend after some time of not talking, sparking a relationship, and now we’re engaged. Thanks KonTiki!

Hadn’t visited here in years, but an out of town friend insisted on meeting people at this bar, which she remembered from some time ago. We always have a good time at Kon Tiki. The drinks are really strong and not at all expensive for what they are. The atmosphere is conducive to relaxing and having a good time. It’s always dark and there are silly things to look at stuck on the walls and ceiling. The waitresses are friendly. Everything on the food menu is fried. I have to say, while they looked pretty normal, the french fries here were the best I’d had in a long time. Every single one of them was crispy, even though we ordered a large and it took a long time to eat them.
I drank a «barrel of rum,» and while it was only one drink, I might as well have had 3, considering how strong it was. I’m not much of a drinker but my friend was also reeling after 2 drinks (she had a beer before she came).
If you like the idea of tiki bars and want to drink a large, ridiculous drink in a hilarious faux-​polynesian atmosphere, I think this is the only tiki bar in Tucson.
I also note that it really seems to be a place to pick up plus-​size ladies with hair, nails, makeup, and clothes on point. No idea why, but you also see a lot of very beautifully done bigger girls here, so if that’s your thing, this is your bar.

This is a spot not to far from the AFB. Buddies would go to drink and have some appetizers. It is a great place to try out some signature cocktails. The scorpion is by far the most popular. The atmosphere is very much the quintessential Tiki Bar. They have drink maximums on a few of the drinks that come with very long straws. The novelty is great. It is definitely a place to take a few friends that want to try out a few huge signature drinks for sure!

Came in with a group of four on Sunday around 1130 in the morning. My husband and I were showing two of his out-​of-​town friends some local Tucson landmarks, and this made their list. We came in and it was pretty dead (which I expected). There was only one bartender there in charge of everything (is no one worried about her working alone???).
She was nice enough, and after we stood around for about 5 minutes at the sign that said «wait to be seated» she told us to sit anywhere we wanted. We sat, and she brought us 4 food menus but only 1 drink menu. I ended up having to get up and go swipe drink menus off of other tables so we could all look at the drink selections. Not a huge complaint, but it was of note.
Our two friends ordered the Scorpion for two. My husband ordered a single Scorpion. The drink seems «ok» and I think the allure isn’t so much the drink (rum based) but the fact that if you order it for two is comes in a huge bowl of a glass. I ordered the non-​alcoholic coconut water punch — personally, I think it was far better than the alcoholic drink I had a sip of.
I also ordered some crab puffs. They were really good. Nice sauce. I didn’t really care for the fried wantons they put the puffs on, because they sprinkle sugar on them. They’d be a lot better if they actually didn’t put the sugar. I’m not sure why they do that.
Overall, a good experience. I really like the décor.

I came into the bar which is completely dead and order a Michilada, not bad but nothing special. The bartender handed me my drink, told me my total, and walked away. She never came back over to check on me, but did manage to chit chat with a gentleman for 30 mins. Poor service from the bartender, but noticed the waitresses were very attentive and friendly to their tables.

There’s no way to even begin this story… the bouncer, is that what he is? We have no idea. But we came in after hitting the loft for a movie, ready for drinks, some chow. Okay, our waitress told us over and over that she was new. Fine. We get it. But we sat and sat, she couldn’t answer our questions about drinks. Here’s the main issue… we had to finally walk up to the register (after we waited 25 minutes for her to bring us the check) to pay the tab and the bouncer (turns out he’s the main problem), had to find our waitress.
When he did everyone abandoned her at the register and we had to help her figure out how to help us check out including how to give her the tip! And we fully tipped her out!
While this was happening my husband took the «bouncer» aside and said your waitress needs some help. He was totally calm, he did not even have a drink while we were there.
The «bouncer» responded by saying, «don’t disrespect my girls.» My husband said, I’m not disrespecting anyone and from there the «bouncer» said, «You want to throw down?» Seriously! My husband took the guy aside, didn’t make a scene, said that the waitress needed some help and the response was, «I’m going to kick your ass! «because you disrespected my girls. Were we at a brothel or a bar? The «bouncers» final words were, go tell Lou! You’ll never be welcome here again! Well, Lou, if you’re the man, all I have to say is that you have the wrong man representing.

I was very disappointed with this restaurant. Huge variety of drinks… which were actually good but the food was meh. Quality of the food was sub par and was cold by the time it was brought to our table. willl not be returning

While the history and atmosphere of this Tucson landmark is fascinating, the service and food are mediocre.

I took a group of 35 for a Sunday Happy Hour meetup.
What a great visual place. So different. The staff was fun and friendly.
We were treated very well and the management appreciated such a large group. We had so much fun laughing and visiting. We were both inside and on the patio.
We all want to go back again.
It is amazing how many restaurants will treat a large group poorly. It creates such a negative impression and really hurts their business in the future.
I can highly recommend Kon Tiki for your group.

First time here Terrible service from bartender didn’t seem happy was frustrated when we didn’t know what we wanted (we didn’t even have a menu in hand). The bouncer was very friendly talkative and upbeat I feel like he should’ve been behind the bar instead.
ordered my first ever michilada didn’t enjoy but I don’t like tomato juice so that’s a given second try ordered a piña colada… it was so sour my tounge still hurts from it and there was no flavor of pineapple or coconut in there just sour mix and cream … disgusting ! Not only that, we basically got booted at 1 although it says it closes at one before 1259 hit the bartender said «did you guys want anymore drinks I forgot to tell you guys last call»
hah this place is a joke none of us are ever going to back

The service was much improved this trip. The music was lacklustre as always. I get that you need to have modern music to attract the crowd at night that pays your rent and bills, but there needs to at least be some scheduled point in the day or or a certain day you can bank on Hawaiian Polynesian style music. Maybe a retro hour or day that tiki enthusiasts like us can relive the past. Something relaxing and loungy. I think this would earn you a 5 star rating. It would from me. But aside from that, thanks for still existing and being an awesome tiki bar.

After recently moving to Tucson, the wife and I wanted to find a nice non-​chain restaurant to have dinner at. We decided on Kon Tiki, since it was local and well established. We had driven past it several times and were very curious. Going to Kon Tiki was the best idea we’ve had yet in Tucson!
We went on a Friday night, around 7pm, and the place was very busy, but plenty of tables were available. We asked to be seated in a secluded area, which they gladly accommodated. The bar was packed, with most of the patrons being an older crowd.
The atmosphere at Kon Tiki is amazing. The Hawaiian vibe and décor is very relaxing. We were seated in the back of the restaurant, under a thatch canopy. Our server, Rachel, was super friendly and very attentive, and we will request her the next time we go back.
Their drink menu is spectacular, but it was very hard to choose a drink, because everything sounded delicious. The prices were awesome, with most drinks being $ 5, unless you get something unusually large (the Scorpion, which was highly recommended) or one of the drinks in their beautiful souvenir glasses ($ 18, with $ 9 same-​visit refills at 16oz). We settled on «A Drink of the Gods» which were amazing, and very potent.
We started our meal with Monkey on a Stick, which are sirloin kebabs served on some of the best egg noodle crackers we’ve ever had, and with a side of their island teriyaki sauce which was perfect. Really, we could’ve made a whole meal of that, we will be back for more.
We both decided on the Wiki Wiki Steak, which is an 8oz sirloin steak, marinated in their previously mentioned island teriyaki sauce, topped with a grilled piece of pineapple. I had mine made into a combo with half a serving of Shrimp Hawaiian, which were cocunut-​breaded fried shrimp (huge). We both got the seasoned fries to go with it. We spent the rest of the night raving about this meal, it really made our rare night out very special! The steak was cooked to perfection, the teriyaki sauce is a reason to go back, alone, and the drinks would’ve been amazing even at a higher price.
Tucson is very lucky to have an establishment like Kon Tiki. We would recommend it to anyone, and this is where we will take all of our out-​of-​town visitors. They will be seeing much more of us in the future!

Kon-​tiki is actually a great place. Besides the waitress Rachael, attitude and service sub-​par, I really liked this restaurant a lot. I love the scorpion bowl. A very strong drink that will make you forget about a hard week.
The food menu is pretty small. However? The drink menu is pretty stacked. Kon-​Tiki has very good food & drink. If you’re ever on Broadway Blvd. stop in and check it out.

I’m really shocked this place is still open, so many great places have closed around town. It’s smelly and dirty in there. My husband and I went an evening for drinks with friends and was truly disappointed. I guess its lasted because the drinks are cheap.

Been here several times with friends. Drinks are good. Food is barely average. Service is always slow, but friendly. Décor is a dark and dingy tiki hut. Prices are good. It’s one of those places you know isn’t great but it’s cheap, easy, and close to your house (well, at least my house).

The only good thing about this place is the cheap, over-​poured drinks. Although none of the drinks in the menu say what’s in them! Each drink has a cheesy description but not a word of what liquor. So if you don’t mind moody waitresses in a dirty bar, come by and take advantage of their mysterious drinks menu.

Imagine this. You read the website, and get excited because their drinks look awesome. You then go out in 108 degree Tucson Summer heat and enter a dimly lit dive bar with 4 people in it.
Was told to sit anywhere and our menus would be given to us. This took 10 minutes to get menus. The tables had a drink and appetizer menu so when we got dinner menus we were ready to order.
Ordered a scorpion Bowl for 2, which was more than enough alcohol for my fiancé and I. Ordered their crab ragoon (forgot their official name for it). This took 20 minutes to reach our table.
Fiancé ordered a salad, I ordered a club sandwich. This took 30 more minutes.
Check took 10 minutes.
The food which was good. The drink which was good. All meant nothing due to the slow service, when there was only a handful of people dining at 5PM on a Sunday.

My wife and I live in Phoenix but anytime we’re down in Tucson we make sure we stop here. It’s like paradise in the desert… We always get great service and amazing food. Delicious and strong cocktails… They have an old-​school style of service always make you feel comfortable… Not to mention awesome tiki mugs that you can purchase and bring home. We have added many to our collection

This bar is a classic Tiki dive and looks shopworn, which would be no problem if the drinks were good, but they were not. My friend ordered the Barrel of Rum and i ordered the Navy Grog, they were identical in taste. Fruity and blah. My friend ordered the Mai Tai and it tasted the same! No pineapple juice! We didn’t eat but the food passing by looked fried and unappetizing. The owner needs to visit Hula’s in Scottsdale and stop taking flavor cues from AM PM mini mart!