We were sad to report back in February, that celebrated tiki guru Martin Cate was leaving Forbidden Island, the tiki bar on Alameda that his expertise made into a national tiki cocktail destination.Turns out that the luau was just about to begin.
Cate just—minutes ago!—announced that he will be opening a new tiki bar, Smuggler's Cove, this November in San Francisco. With the recent news that tiki mecca The Tonga Room may be closing, this is great news. Given Cate's reputation in the industry, his hand with home-made tiki drinks, and his unparalleled knowledge of the history and culture of the drinks, Smuggler's Cove will probably be, it's no stretch to say, the greatest tiki bar on earth.
A brief description from the release: ". . . while Martin is serious about the drinks, he knows that people are looking for a memorable and fun experience as well. Smuggler's Cove will be more than just a tiki bar, but it will feature the kind of dramatic, mysterious, and escapist atmosphere that makes a tiki bar so special—and makes rum taste better! Smuggler's Cove will include waterfalls, vintage nautical décor and rum memorabilia, and relics from some of San Francisco's most famous historic watering holes."
Cate wouldn't disclose the location, but he did write in to say, "click around the website—maybe you can find a clue here and there …"