The lost Inferno — Restaurant in San Clemente

I hope this the right place for the review if not I’m sorry but you have to know either way. We just had the WORST experience at Inferno Tiki Bar in San Clemente where Taka-O used to be!!! We’ve been wanting to go & support local cuz we love Roger and have so many great memories there. The hostess could not have been more condescending and rude and asked if we had one of 2 reservations, per their QR codes at the door. I said we just wanted to grab a drink, check it out & support local AND their Instagram says “walk-ins welcome” and she snickered and said “IF we have room for you, but we are really popular right now, all the papers are writing about us, we don’t have room for you on a Saturday afternoon” She was so unnessesarily rude to us, and so clearly NOT from SC, it was unsettling! We let her know that we were just here to check it out and support them and she did not care - I don’t think we have ever had that experience in my home town ever. We will not be giving them...

Hostess was kind and amazing! Ambiance was spectacular for being such a small spot. Not sure why they dont offer the limited sushi menu from upstairs but EAT before you go. They allow only 90 min and service was soooooo s l o w. No napkins. The drinks were GOOD and worth the price, I even had a non-alcoholic opt too. But you could get down a smaller beverage quickly while chatting and with no food offered, you're sitting there with an empty glass. You'd think they'd want to sell you as many drinks and rack up the tips in that 90 minutes but didnt seem any sense of urgency in the service at all. So go fed and order your 1st 2 drinks back to back if you're thirsty!!!! We drove from 40 miles away and we love San Clemente but I wouldnt go again; but I'm glad we gave it a try. We've been to several other speakeasy or tiki themed places and will...

Tiki is my thing, and this is easily one of, if not THE best tiki spots I've ever been to. Drinks are delicious, decor is top notch, and the staff is in a class of their own. Maya killed it as hostess managing waits while still getting my buddy and I in smoothly despite having no reservation. Bryce ensured we never waited to order, gave fantastic recommendations and reviews, and was a joy to talk to (kicked my buddy's ass in a game of slide too). Ryan kept the perfectly mixed drinks coming all evening, quite a feat given thier house drink complexity.

Goonies theam is a nice twist meshing perfectly with the tiki vibe.

Absolute 12/10 experience and a place I would recommend to anyone.

No food seved but outside food welcome. Venu is smaller so reservations are a must for...