The Fairmont Hotel

Tonga Room
San Francisco

Amapola appeared at the Tonga Room from 1977 to 1983 with her band Amy and The Sounds: Albert Garcia (Drummer/Vocalist), Rose Tecson (Bassist/Vocalist) and Manny Cabase (Keyboardist/Vocalist), Amapola (Vibist/Vocalist)
More photos to come...

Amapola started singing at the Fairmont Hotel with the Paul Versoza Trio in 1976. She alternated singing at the Mabuhay Gardens and the Tonga Room until 1977. That year Amapola returned to the Tonga Room with her own band and continued a long contract until 1982 twice changing bands but remaining the bandleader for all that time. During the disco craze, Amy and The Sounds rocked the Tonga Room and people queued to get into the club to dance to their music. Fridays and Saturdays were SRO affairs. One famous evening, football players from the local University streaked across the Tonga and dived into the pool while Amy and the Sounds sang Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" - arguably the first "Full Monty" decades before the film.

COMING SOON

Amapola pictured here with "Wildman from Mindanao" Bobby Enriquez, Jean Enriquez and friends

Bobby was a regular guest at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room to visit Amy and the Sounds and he starred with Dizzy Gillespie at the Venetian Roiom of the Fairmont during Gillespie's Jazz World Tour. Bobby's piano solo one night draw a long standing ovation.

More about Bobby Enriquez soon.

The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

A visit to San Francisco is not complete without experiencing The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar. Consistently awarded for serving "San Francisco's Best Happy Hour" by San Francisco Magazine, The San Francisco Bay Guardian and most recently, Where Magazine, The Tonga Room offers exceptional Pacific Rim Asian Cuisine. In a tropical setting, including thunder and rain storms, it is the perfect escape after a busy day of meetings or shopping along Union Square. Be sure to try the Mai Tai, voted the city's best by Conde Nast Traveller.

Hours of Operation::

Bar
Cocktails served nightly from 5:00 p.m. - 11:45 p.m., Sunday - Thursday;
5:00 p.m. - 12:45 a.m., Friday and Saturday

Happy Hour:
Monday - Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Happy Hour includes an extensive buffet of Pacific Rim delicacies. With items such as spare ribs, Shanghai noodles, pork buns, potstickers, chicken drummettes, cheese, fresh fruits and crudite, the all-you-can-eat buffet is a "steal" at only $6 per person with a one drink minimum. To complement this feast fit for kings and queens, the tropical restaurant and bar serves tantalizing cocktails at Happy Hour prices. As you marvel at the exciting decor, be sure to hold on to your drink during the surprise thunder and lightning.

Restaurant:
Dinner: 6:00 p.m.-10 p.m., Sunday to Thursday;
6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

Type of Cuisine: Pacific Rim

Music:
Mirage, a popular Top 40 band, plays nightly from 8:00 p.m. to closing. (Cover charge of $3/person after 8:00 p.m.)

Price Range:
Complete dinners from $37. À la carte selections from $14.50. Taxes and service will be added to the price.

Dress Code:
Casual

Reservations:
(415) 772-5278