WILFRED’S LOUNGE—-FINALLY!

When Wilfred’s Lounge in Napa, CA first opened in the fall of 2021, of course I wanted to go. But I had moved to Washington state just days before. I made several trips back to California over the next year…but never got there. In that time, I’ve had several friends and acquaintances visit the place. (One was even kind enough to send me a mug, postcards, and a T-shirt!) It seemed that everyone (and their dog, seemingly) had been, but I still had not gotten to experience the place for myself.

After making it through the holiday season in Washington, I fled back to California to wait out the rest of the winter in the sun and relative warmth offered by the Golden State in January and February. And this time, I made sure a stop at Wilfred’s was on my itinerary.

Living on a (non-tropical) island in Washington, miles from any immersive Polynesian Pop cocktail lounges, can be brutal for any tikiphile. But last February 2nd, just like the groundhog coming out to check the weather, I crawled out of my long winter’s tiki drought…and found a bright spot on the tiki horizon. Literally.

Wilfred’s was built along the Napa River in downtown Napa. Being near the water for a tropically-themed restaurant and bar makes sense, in a way. But the river also gives way to something usually unheard of and shunned in most tiki bars—windows! With bright midday sun shining in, you’d think the atmosphere would be ruined. Actually, I thought it sort of freshened it up a bit. In fact, truth be told, I rather thought the windows suited Wilfred’s nicely.

From what I understand, a family uncle (Wilfred) back in Hawaii was well known for his amazing hospitality. His sister, Flora, left the islands and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1929. Flora’s descendants, who have already memorialized the family matriarch with a winery (The Flora Springs Winery) in the region, have now returned to honor this legendary uncle with Wilfred’s Lounge.

Despite being named for the uncle, the light airiness of the main dining area seems as if it were designed more with Flora in mind. I don’t know if it is the material used on the cushions, the choice of furniture for the seating, or just the openness of the space, but the dining room—although still very tiki—seems to have a clean, fresh, family-friendly quality to it that ladies (like Flora) might approve of. I’m not saying it was good or bad. It was just…different and unexpected from the usual dark and completely enclosed tiki places.

But first things first. We were seated at our table (I was with my frequent traveling companion, Erich.) and looked over the menu. Hmm. There was a lot to chose from.

I started off with a Maximum Aloha, a drink that had come highly recommended by Kevin “The Ultimate Mai Tai” Crossman when I’d met him a week early at The Kon-Tiki Room in Oakland (which, yes…was technically my first taste of tiki this spring. But it was only a teaser sampler! Ha!). Oh my stars! That was good. There was this amazing coconut-banana whipped topping floating on this wondrous concoction of rums and juices with two large dried banana chips (which I caught myself using to dip into the cream…several times). Erich opted for something called On Island Thyme. While interesting, the mixture of thyme, rum, tequila, pineapple syrup and other goodies, wasn’t quite what he was expecting. (But that didn’t stop him from drinking it.)

For lunch, we started with some coconut shrimp, followed by the Uha Moa Sandwich (grilled chicken thigh) for Erich and Pineapple Fried Rice with chicken for me.

It’s no secret that I seek out tiki establishments during non-peak hours, if possible. A Thursday afternoon at 1 pm in February? There weren’t many people around…which was great for me. I could snoop around and fully check the place out, which I did while waiting for the food to arrive.

The bar is at the opposite end of the building from the dining room in its own wing. It is a beautiful bar. I especially liked the A-frame, hut-like bits of thatch in front of the shelving.

There’s also a nifty “window” (aka a cleverly disguised TV) looking out on a peaceful beach scene.

Between the bar and the dining room is a long counter welcoming you to Wilfred’s. It’s also where all of the lounge’s merch is on display.

At the end of a small alcove where the restrooms are located, there is this large porthole. Looking through it, you realize you are down several fathoms, where mermaids and pirate ghosts dwell.

Right near the restrooms is a mysterious-looking stairway leading up… somewhere. Large ropes hang from above and rock-like walls lead the way forward.

When I reached the top, I spied a very cool sitting area. A treehouse? No! On further inspection, it was the hull of an old ship. Shiver me timbers! It appears to have been a pirate ship, with the skeleton of one of the ship’s mates still standing guard over a small bar. (Eagle-eyed visitors may also spot a map of Tom Sawyer Island from Disneyland on a wall near the upstairs bathroom.)

The ship opens onto an upper terrace with fantastic views of the river below. The area has a sleek, modern, tiki-light feel (There’s a ship’s wheel and a small moai, but that’s about it.) — that Aunt Flora would probably approve of.

Back downstairs, lunch had arrived and…oh my stars! It was also time for another cocktail. This time, Erich went with a Pink Palace, a delicious blend of gin, Curaçao, orgeat, pineapple, lemon, lime, and bitters. It hit the spot for him. I chose to go with the bar’s quasi-signature drink, Batten Down The Hatches, which you can get in the bar’s signature mug (one of several offered)…which is, of course, how I ordered it. All hands on deck…or mug. This fascinating fluid creation is a combination of rums, pineapple, fassionola, spice, lime and Absinthe. There’s a strict limit of two per customer.

Our lunch time guzzling and gulping was made all of the merrier by our waitress, Isabella. I don’t know how, but we somehow clicked and got to talking. She has had a most unique life and she really took care of us on our visit.

As we were leaving, I got a closer look at he Wilfred’s logo tiki in the front. I also took a gander at the tiki to the right. It was carved by Woody Miller, who’d done most of the interior at The Kon-Tiki Room in Oakland.

There was a very limited edition (only 100 made) mug of the tiki that he’d done…and Erich surprised me with it (Oh my stars! WOW!!!) as we were leaving. THANK YOU!

I really liked Wilfred’s Lounge and hope to return. With the various seating areas, varied food and cocktail menu, there really seems to be something for everyone there.

I didn’t need a groundhog to tell me about what the rest of winter holds in store. I didn’t care. But I did see my shadow at Wilfred’s — and that means my tiki winter is over for another tiki season.

Cheers!

Wilfred’s Lounge
967 1st Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 690-9957
wilfredslounge.com