If there’s one space that embodies Long Beach’s long-standing flirtation with tiki culture, it’s The Bamboo Club. Full stop. Sure, we’ve had our fair share of tiki spaces in decades past. From underground joints like The Outrigger tucked beneath The Lafayette to the iconic Hawaiian that once held court on Pacific Coast Highway from the ‘50s through the late ‘60s, tiki has always held a special place in Long Beach. But it’s The Bamboo Club that brought it roaring back in full, flaming glory.
It’s a space built with intent and love, designed by none other than Bamboo Ben. He’s the third-generation tiki savant responsible for legendary builds like Zombie Village in San Francisco and TikiCat in Kansas City. And over six years in, it has not only ushered in a new era of tiki respect in Long Beach—from tiki cocktail competitions to other bars like Secret Island to Rum Curious hosting their inaugural summit at Altar Society—owner Jim Ritson (of 4th Street Wine and Ya Sabes fame) is letting the space evolve.
While people rightfully focus on the drinks, the food has always had an underappreciated presence.
Chef Melissa Ortiz opened Bamboo Club with its inaugural menu—and her mark has led the spirit since. Chef Mel—who, despite her all-too-brief stints in Long Beach, cemented herself as one of the city’s most impactful chefs—delivered a menu at Bamboo that was damn near avant garden. But like many things ahead of their time, much of it flew over heads. From a delicate tamagoyaki to dehydrated-then-rehydrated-then-fried shiitakes that bordered on addictive, from one of the best burgers this side of the 10 to a tea-brined chicken sandwich that, rightfully, still lives on the menu—Ortiz wasn’t just throwing things on a plate. She was building a culinary identity for the space before most even realized it needed one.
Despite their future disconnection—Chef Mel’s roaming spirit is beautifully difficult to contain—The Bamboo Club remains connected to its kitchen. And yes, it evolves.
They have a Taco Tuesday, complete with some stellar fried chicken and mushroom tacos that are definitely Bamboo in nature. A charred broccolini plate that is, simply put, everything you want from that kind of dish: umami, citrus, char. Musubi rolls, one of which is fried, provide a texture I never knew was wanted in, let alone wonderfully compatible with musubi.
And then there’s the happy hour (which Jim said he is going to “expand even more”), which includes $5 well drinks and a $10 burger-and-fries combo.
How Bamboo Club expands its cocktail menu goes beyond simply adding drinks.
One of the more playful ways The Bamboo Club will be updating its future permanent menu is by way of their current cocktail competition. Partnering with Amaro Montenegro, seven of the Bamboo bar slingers—including head barman Dustin Rodriguez—have dreamt up tiki concoctions using the popular amaro as a base.
The one with the best sales? It scores a spot on their permanent drink list.
A look into the drinks featured in the amaro cocktail competition.
From milk punches to plays on classic tiki cocktails, here are six limited-time-only concoctions you can order until the end of June.
PUNCH ME I’M DREAMING (Devyn’s play on a Trinidad Sour): Lemon | Orgeat | Montenegro | Rye Whiskey | Angostura bitters | Clarified milk punch
THEE MONTY PYTHON (Dustin’s play on a Cobra Fang): Lime | Orange | Fasionola | Montenegro | Hamilton Demerara 151 | Absinthe | Angostura bitters
DR. PUNK (Maxim’s play on a Dr. Funk): Lime | Grenadine | Mango | Montenegro | The Funk Rum | 9North Carta Blanca | Absinthe | Angostura bitters | Soda water
HEAVEN’S DOOR (Lindsay’s play on a Halekulani): Pineapple | Orange | Lemon | Grenadine | Montenegro | Blackpool Spiced Rum | Angostura bitters
ADMIRAL’S TIPPLE (Stev’s play on a Navy Grog): Orange | Lemon | Don’s mix of grapefruit and cinnamon syrup | Falernum | Macadamia nut liqueur | Montenegro | Planteray OFTD float
DANIEL’S GROG (Daniel’s play on an Ancient Mariner): Lime, grapefruit, honey, Crème de Peche, All Spice, Montenegro, Smith & Cross
SAVANNA’S BANANAS (Savanna’s play on a Tradewinds): Coconut | Lemon | 9North Carta Blanca | Montenegro | Banana liqueur | Cinnamon | Tiki bitters
The Bamboo Club is located at 3522 E. Anaheim St.
