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Tue / Mar 2
Party Earth Review Tropical Polynesian meets London chic at Kona Kai, a hopping Fulham bar where big groups of friends go to drink flaming fruity cocktails and act like luna-tikis on the dance floor every weekend. Although South Sea... ... read full review
515 Fulham Road
London SW6 1HD
District Line: Fulham Broadway
020 7385 9991
Tu–Th 4pm–midnight, F 4pm–1:30am, Sa 4pm–2:30am
Occasionally open Sundays for big sporting events
Fulham, London –
Tropical Polynesian meets London chic at Kona Kai, a hopping Fulham bar where big groups of friends go to drink flaming fruity cocktails and act like luna-tikis on the dance floor every weekend.
Although South Sea-themed joints can be on the divey side, this venue draws a smartly dressed crowd of area professionals and party seekers, with a 21+ door policy that – while not iron-clad – helps keep the youngest London barhoppers at bay.
Palm trees mark the façade, and the décor inside is an explosion of everything tribal and tiki, with tons of bamboo, a thatched ceiling, and wooden doors etched in tribal carvings. Colored lamps hang alongside a Pacific Islander boat, and funky lighting alternates from acid green to moody red to give the bar an exotic, otherworldly feel.
Fairly chill midweek and mostly populated by overworked office mates looking to slurp a few potent drinks during the daily Happy Hour, by Friday, the venue fills up quickly with dolled-up groups of girls laying waste to flaming Tiki Death Punches and packs of celebratory friends in Hawaiian shirts dancing hard to live bands and DJs.
The menu features dishes that seem straight out of a high-seas pirates’ cargo bay – a strange world where things like Thai spring rolls, Camembert fondue, and Mediterranean tasting platters coalesce.
Exotic yet unpretentious, Kona Kai is an ideal spot in Fulham to let one’s hair down…so long as that hair is kept far away from the Death Punch.
Well-to-do Fulham young professionals, girls on a night out, birthday groups and other celebratory gatherings, overworked office mates looking to erase the week, mid-20s to mid-30s.
Live band performs classic covers on Thursdays from 8pm, which can include a range of genres, but is always designed to get people on the dance floor.
DJ spins a mix of mainstream, Top 40, and 80s and 90s hits on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm.
Cocktail master class packages offered anytime Tu–Th and before 7:30pm F–Sa, must book two to three days in advance. Check venue website for details.
Menu of both tiki-inspired grub and other ethnic dishes, including grilled pineapple, prawns, seafood salad, mussels, burgers, and a vegetarian sharing platter.
Groups of 8–10 who book a table from 4–7pm on Fridays receive a complimentary “After Work Grill” food package. Call venue for details and booking.
Venue available for party rental on weeknights.
Reserved tables available.
Happy Hour all night on Tuesdays, Wednesdays 4–9pm, Th–Sa 4–8pm.
Outdoor smoking patio available but closes to drinking at 11pm.
Cocktail classes £20–£40/person (includes at least two cocktails/person and food if desired). Starters £4.50–£8.50, entrées £6.50–£15.
Beer £4–£4.50, wine £4–£6.50/glass or £15–£22.50/bottle, cocktails £7–£9.50+, group cocktails £16–£36.50, shooters 4 for £10.
Smart casual to tropical: suits, blazers, designer button-downs, classy vests, sophisticated dresses, sexy skirts, high heels, as well as purposely dorky big Hawaiian shirts and oversized sunglasses for those really looking to get in on the island theme.
Thursday nights for live music, Friday nights £10 bottles of wine during Happy Hour and complimentary food for groups of 8–10 who book a table before 7pm, or Fridays and Saturdays for dance-inducing Top 40 and old-school tunes that bring out one’s inner 80s and 90s child.
Fiesta Havana (490 Fulham Road) trades the tiki theme for a Cuban one, and promises a dance floor packed with stylish Latino couples who know how to salsa – and also offers classes for those who don’t.
Kona Kai User Reviews