Kowloon Chinese Restaurant to Open Tiki Bar at Revere Beach

The iconic eatery plans to bring a tropical vibe to the historic Massachusetts shoreline.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Kowloon, a legendary Chinese restaurant in Saugus, Massachusetts, has received licenses to establish a new tiki bar location at Revere Beach. The Kowloon Tiki Bar will feature 175 seats, 115 inside and 60 outside, and will offer DJs, live music, dancing, and the restaurant's signature food and drinks. The new beachfront venue is slated to open this summer.

Why it matters

The addition of the Kowloon Tiki Bar is expected to bring a lively, tropical atmosphere and increased economic activity to Revere Beach, which is America's first public shoreline. However, the location's proximity to residential units has raised some concerns about potential noise issues that the city will be monitoring closely.

The details

The Kowloon Tiki Bar will be located at 21 Revere Beach Blvd. and will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The restaurant's manager, John Carlino, has promised that the establishment will maintain a family-friendly atmosphere and will not turn into a rowdy nightclub. The Kowloon's expansion to Revere Beach comes as the owners, the Wang family, plan to downsize the main Saugus location from 1,200 seats to about 350, with the property featuring two new residential buildings with restaurant spaces on the first floor.

  • The Kowloon Tiki Bar is slated to open this summer.
  • The Kowloon celebrated its 75th anniversary in August 2025.

The players

Kowloon

A legendary Chinese restaurant in Saugus, Massachusetts, that is expanding to open a new tiki bar location at Revere Beach.

John Carlino

The manager of the Kowloon Tiki Bar who presented the plans to the Revere Licensing Commission.

Robert Selevitch

The chairman of the Revere Licensing Commission, who expressed concerns about potential noise issues from the new tiki bar location.

Jim Mercurio

A Revere City Councilor whose district includes Revere Beach, and who strongly supports the Kowloon Tiki Bar as a "positive addition" to the area.

Glenn Malley

A Revere police lieutenant who warned the Kowloon Tiki Bar's manager to expect a large influx of customers when the venue first opens.

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What they’re saying

“It's going to be a family restaurant, lounge, a main bar area for families, good food and great drinks.”

— John Carlino, Manager, Kowloon Tiki Bar (bostonherald.com)

“This is a tiki bar, and it's going to be an authentic tiki bar. It's like you're in Hawaii and South Beach, very nice vibe, fun for families. We want families down there in the daytime.”

— John Carlino, Manager, Kowloon Tiki Bar (bostonherald.com)

“If there is a situation where we are starting to get a lot of neighbor complaints, we'll probably be revisiting some of these things that you have put in place.”

— Robert Selevitch, Chairman, Revere Licensing Commission (bostonherald.com)

“I know a lot of people are excited about Kowloon coming to Revere Beach.”

— Robert Selevitch, Chairman, Revere Licensing Commission (bostonherald.com)

“When something's new, you're going to be mobbed for the first couple of months, so it's a good idea to have some control down there.”

— Glenn Malley, Lieutenant, Revere Police (bostonherald.com)

What’s next

The Revere Licensing Commission will continue to monitor the Kowloon Tiki Bar's operations and address any noise complaints from nearby residents.

The takeaway

The addition of the Kowloon Tiki Bar at Revere Beach represents an exciting new chapter for the iconic Chinese restaurant, as it seeks to bring a tropical, family-friendly atmosphere to the historic Massachusetts shoreline. However, the city will need to strike a careful balance between supporting the new business and addressing any potential quality-of-life concerns from nearby residents.