WHEN THE SUN SETS ON O‘AHU, THE NIGHT HEATS UP
O‘AHU – Several hundred
restaurants and nightspots on O‘ahu can cause one of the biggest vacation
dilemmas for visitors: “Where do we go
tonight?” As the sun sets on O‘ahu, the
night heats up and revelers begin planning their evening’s festivities. O‘ahu’s nightlife scene can best be described
as a non-stop mix of entertainment and parties ... all under one twinkling
night sky.
To enjoy the soothing sounds of
Hawaiian music, to dance the night away at a dance club, or to sing at a
karaoke bar, there’s something for everyone.
For a little drama, the Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, the Honolulu Symphony and
a number of Broadway-style productions may fit the bill. But no matter what age, fun and excitement
won’t be hard to find among the spectrum of technicolor venues.
Bars
The Brew
Moon Restaurant & Microbrewery is the only microbrewery in Hawai‘i that
makes its own light beer, “Moonlight,” on site.
Guests can enjoy the Microbrewery’s patented “Rocket Root Beer” while
watching the brewing and fermenting process through large picture windows. The restaurant features fresh fish, seafood,
vegetables and a medley of pasta dishes and desserts. With daily entertainment and happy hour
deals at both its Ward and Waikīkī
locations, Brew Moon is a locals’ favorite.
Address: 1200
Ala Moana Boulevard (Ward) / 1958 Kalākaua Avenue (Waikīkī)
Phone: (808) 593-0088 (Ward) /
(808) 955-9045 (Waikīkī)
Winner
of the Honolulu Advertiser’s ‘Ilima Award for “Favorite Spot for ‘Pau
Hāna’ Drinks and Pūpū” for years running, Ryan’s Grill is
the casual yet sophisticated spot to be at any day of the week. Ryan’s attracts an eclectic crowd with its
wide selection of micro/macro brews on tap, and an
unsurpassed
selection of tequilas and single malt scotches visitors won’t find elsewhere in
Honolulu.
Address: 1200
Ala Moana Boulevard
Phone: (808) 591-9132
Finding
an Irish pub in a tropical paradise might seem difficult, but the locals have
discovered Murphy’s Bar & Grill is where everyone feels a bit
Irish. A historical landmark established
in 1896, restaurateur Don Murphy combines a tropical atmosphere with Irish
tradition. Sports fans know that this is
the place to cheer on favorite teams for televised games.
Address: 2
Merchant Street
Phone: (808)
531-0422
With over 110 specialty beers from around the
world, specialty cocktails and innovative, gourmet pizzas, Bar 35 is
quickly becoming one of O‘ahu’s hot pau hana spots. On First Fridays, an art celebration held in
downtown Honolulu on the first
Friday of every month, Bar 35’s fully stocked indoor bar and outdoor beer
garden are packed with young professionals.
Address: 35 N. Hotel Street
Phone:
(808) 537-3535
Located adjacent to Bar 35 are thirtyninehotel
and Next Door. Thirtyninehotel is
an art gallery during the day and a club at night that features some of
Hawai‘i’s best jazz musicians. Newly
renovated, thirtyninehotel boasts a mod indoor bar and swanky outdoor deck
complete with wooden loungers and large umbrellas. Next door to Bar 35 and thirtyninehotel is Next
Door, a multimedia venue that houses the annual Cinema Paradise Independent
Film Festival and hosts local and nationally renowned DJs spinning dance and
hip-hop music.
Thirtyninehotel
Address: 39 N. Hotel Street
Next Door
Address: 43 N. Hotel Street
Phone:
(808) 548-6398
The
California-based Yard House restaurant chain recently opened its first
Hawai‘i location on the Waikīkī Beach Walk. With 130 beers on tap and an equally diverse
menu, Yard House is proving to be a popular hangout for locals and visitors
alike. Those who are daring enough can
try one of its many beers out of its signature half-yard glasses.
Address: Waikīkī
Beach Walk, 226 Lewers Street
Phone: (808) 923-9273
Angles
Waikīkī, one of
Hawai‘i’s most popular gay bars, features the “Men of Angles” all-male revue on
Sunday and Thursday nights. On other
nights, enjoy free pupus, nightly drink specials, pool tournaments, dancing,
and a best chest/best buns contest. Set
sail every Sunday on Angles’ gay catamaran cruise.
Address: 2256
Kūhiō Avenue, 2nd Floor
Phone: (808) 926-9766
Hawaiian/Local Music
Located in
Aloha Tower Marketplace, Chai’s Island Bistro features fine dining in a
relaxing local atmosphere with top local entertainers performing seven days a
week. The sweet sounds of some of
Hawai‘i’s most popular entertainers can be heard, complementing the creative
and innovative menu of Chef Chai Chaowasaree.
Address: One Aloha Tower Drive
Phone: (808) 585-0011
Describing
Duke’s Waikīkī as beachfront is almost too simplistic. With a no-shoes-required policy, sand, sun
and tropical winds are popular company to guests walking in right out of the
ocean. Guests can enjoy its lively bar
scene from early afternoon into the evening.
Local bands play Hawaiian music nightly.
Address: 2335
Kalākaua Avenue, Suite 116
Phone: (808) 922-2268
With
views of ships arriving and departing Honolulu Harbor,
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant provides great scenery with good beer,
food and music. Patrons can choose to dine in
its
restaurant with indoor, outdoor or harborside bar seating. Local bands play a variety of music
nightly.
Phone: (808) 599-4877
Hula
performances and Hawaiian music are elegantly presented by 2 former Miss
Hawai‘i’s, Kanoelehua Miller and Debbie Nakanelua, at House Without A Key,
Halekulani’s popular gathering spot for guests and locals alike. One of the favored traditions of the original
Halekulani – sunset cocktails and Hawaiian music under the century-old Kiawe
tree – has been preserved here.
Address: 2199
Kalia Road
Set on
the docks of Koko Marina in Hawai‘i Kai, Kona Brewing Company’s Oahu
location serves up its award-winning beers and delicious gourmet pizzas, pupus,
sandwiches, salads, and desserts. From
Wednesday to Sunday, relax to live, local music as you enjoy Kona Brewing
Company’s handcrafted draft beers that can only be found in Hawai‘i.
Address: 7192 Kalaniana‘ole Highway
Phone: (808) 394-5662
Shopping
followed by drinks - the perfect combination at Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Mai Tai Bar. This lanai bar is the perfect retreat to
relax after shopping. Sit back and relax
in plush tropical furniture while enjoying the sweet sounds of live island
music.
Address: 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard
Phone:
(808) 947-2900
The
most popular drink in Hawai‘i is the Mai Tai, and what better place to enjoy it
than where it originated. The Mai Tai
Bar is located beachside at The Royal Hawaiian, the legendary “Pink Palace
of the Pacific.” Hawaiian music is
played nightly from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Address: 2259
Kalākaua Avenue
Nightclubs
On
Saturday nights, turn to the Monkey Bar, an outdoor poolside and indoor
nightlife experience. The poolside bar overlooks Waikīkī Beach
and offers extraordinary views of the stars at night. Located at Ciao Mein in
the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī.
Address:
2424 Kalākaua Avenue
Phone:
(808) 957-0303
Indigo
restaurant serves up more than just award-winning Eurasian cuisine. The popular downtown Honolulu hangout’s Opium Den & Champagne
Bar and Green Room lounge offer nightly drink and food specials. Live jazz music is played on Tuesday and
Thursday nights, and DJs spin reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and techno on
Wednesday and Saturday.
Address: 1121 Nu‘uanu Avenue
Ala Moana Center’s Ho‘okipa Terrace is home to Pearl, an
upscale nightclub that features a runway/stage area for live entertainment and
those willing to show off their dance moves.
Its signature cocktail menu, designed by Vegas-mixologist Francesco
Lafranconi, and food menu designed by renowned, local chef Donato Loperfido,
make it a great place to drink and dine as well. Open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Pearl remains lively
until closing.
Address: Ho‘okipa Terrace, Ala Moana
Center
Phone: (808) 944-8000
After
25 years, Hula’s Beach Bar & Disco is in a new location across from
the Honolulu Zoo, but still houses one of the most popular dance floors on the
island. This landmark gay nightclub
plays music for all persuasions.
Address: 134
Kapahulu Avenue
Phone: (808) 923-0669
A
moderate dress code and a minimum entrance age of 23 keeps Ocean Club
packed with professionals in their late 20s and 30s. This high-energy nightclub plays music of all
types and is one of the island’s hottest nightclubs. Patrons can people-watch inside or catch
their breath relaxing at the outside tables.
Address: 500
Ala Moana Boulevard
Phone: (808) 526-9888
The Pipeline Café is a warehouse-turned-nightclub, perfect for
surfing enthusiasts. The casual club is
open to those 18-and-older and features two floors of fun; the main floor for
dancing, and a sports bar on the second floor with pool tables, dart boards,
VIP karaoke room, and a giant TV. Enjoy
theme nights such as Foreplay Fridaze, and nightly drink specials at this
surfer’s oasis.
Address: 805
Pohukaina Street
Return
to the ‘80s at Rumours Night Club at the Ala Moana Hotel. Playing your favorite tunes several nights a
week, Rumours offers a perfect alternative to the disco scene. A state-of-the-art electronic disco system
and a cage are just a few of the features.
Address: 410
Atkinson Drive
Phone: (808) 955-4811
Skyline
at the Cobalt Lounge, overlooking Waikiki
from 30 floors up, is the Hanohano Room’s upscale, blue-themed nightclub.
Located in the Sheraton Waikīkī.
Address:
2255 Kalākaua Avenue
Phone:
(808) 922-4422
Club-goers
who are not yet of legal drinking age can still enjoy Waikīkī’s
energetic nightlife at Lu Lu’s Surf Club. The popular Waikīkī
eatery turns into a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights for those
18-and-older.
Address: 2589
Kalākaua Avenue
Phone: (808) 926-5222
Located
on the second floor of the Waikīkī
Trade Center
is Fashion 45. Themed club nights
are often held at this spacious nightspot that features three fully stocked
bars, two dancefloors, two DJs, and a glass-walled VIP lounge.
Address: 2255
Kūhiō Avenue
Phone: (808) 922-4599
The Lotus Soundbar in Waikīkī draws-in DJs from all over the world to
spin everything from house and progressive to hip-hop. The two-storied club includes a dance floor,
two lounge areas and two fully stocked bars.
Address:
2301 Kūhiō Avenue
Phone:
(808) 924-1688
W Honolulu Diamond Head’s popular Friday night Wonderlounge
provides a lively night of drinks and dancing in a modern lounge atmosphere,
complete with the W’s signature “bed in the bar.” For the quieter crowd, try Saturday night at
the Wonderlounge.
Address: 2885 Kalakaua Avenue
Phone:
(808) 922-1700
Shows
Led by
former Cirque du Soleil performers, Cirque Hawai‘i is an award-winning
theatrical show that features talented dancers and acrobats performing
jaw-dropping acrobatic stunts, high-flying aerials and beautifully choreographed
dances.
Address: 325
Seaside Avenue
Phone: (808) 922-0017
More
than the traditional luau dance performance, “Creation - A Polynesian
Journey” incorporates special effects and illusions in its
storytelling. The story explains how the
islands of the South Pacific were created and shows the birth of the first man
and woman from the earth as told by ancient legends. Guests will enjoy stories about a Polynesian
voyage of love, battles of Fijian and New Zealand warriors and the coming of
Hawai‘i’s statehood.
Address: 120 Ka‘iulani Avenue
Phone: (808) 922-5811
Danny
Couch, whose popular song “These Islands” was chosen as the
theme song for the 1998 Miss Universe Pageant, has returned to
Waikīkī to perform at the Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani Hotel. Listen to Couch’s soothing voice as he sings
his award-winning compositions as well as some great American classics.
Address:
Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani Hotel, 120 Ka‘iulani Avenue
Phone: (808) 931-4660
John
Hirokawa, internationally acclaimed Hawai‘i illusionist, stars in Magic of
Polynesia, a spellbinding stage production that features
Waikīkī’s largest cast of Polynesian dancers, spectacular magic
illusions, music and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Shows are daily in the ‘Ohana Waikīkī
Beachcomber Hotel.
Address: 2300
Kalākaua Avenue
Phone: (808) 971-4321
Don
Ho’s talented family members honor and celebrate the popular entertainer’s life
and legacy of aloha in the ‘Ohana Ho Show. The ‘Ohana Ho Show is
heart-warming family entertainment with a cast of young Hawaii talent performing everything from
familiar Hawaiian music to romantic ballads, country and pop.
Address: 2300
Kalākaua Avenue
Phone: (808) 923-3981/ (877) 693-6646 for
reservations
Society
of Seven has headlined at the Outrigger Waikīkī Main
Showroom for more than 30 years and has the distinction of being the
longest-running nightclub act in Waikīkī. This dazzling group performs Broadway and Las
Vegas-style numbers, dishing out steamy hot music and tropical humor.
Address: 2335
Kalākaua Avenue
Phone: (808) 923-4450
The
soon-to-be completed renovation of the Royal
Hawaiian Shopping
Center will house Waikīkī Nei, a Cirque du
Soleil-inspired show that will tell the history of Hawaii through dance and acrobatics. Each evening, the large venue that hosts
Waikīkī Nei will be converted into a Vegas-style club equipped with
spectacular sound and lighting, performers suspended from the ceiling, and a
catwalk. Scheduled to open in Summer 2007.
Address: Royal
Hawaiian Shopping
Center, 2201
Kalakaua Avenue
Lū‘au
Experience
the only luau featuring a live dolphin night show at Sea Life Park’s Sea Life Lū‘au. The authentic Hawaiian lū‘au also
includes a royal procession, imu presentation, all-you-can-eat Hawaiian buffet,
and spectacular Polynesian revue with a fire dancer.
Address: 41-202 Kalaniana‘ole Highway #7,
Waimānalo
Phone: (866) 365-7446
Paradise Cove
Lū‘au offers an authentic Hawaiian luau set on 12 beachfront
acres on the west side of the island.
Before the Polynesian revue and Dance of Fire show begins, visitors are
invited to walk through a small thatched village, try their luck at Hawaiian
games and participate in craft demonstrations.
Phone: (808) 842-5911
Waikīkī has only one beachfront luau,
and guests won’t be disappointed with The Royal Lū‘au. Located on the grassy, ocean lawn of The
Royal Hawaiian, the dinner show is offered on Mondays. Guests will enjoy spectacular dance, song and
food. The big finale includes a
breathtaking fire knife dance performance.
Address: 2259
Kalākaua Avenue
Phone: (808) 923-7311
At the Polynesian
Cultural Center, not only will guests be able to visit the Polynesian
villages, they’ll also experience an authentic Hawaiian lū‘au including a
sneak peak at some Polynesian entertainment that will follow at the “Horizons”
night show. A full day of island fun
awaits guests at the Polynesian
Cultural Center.
Address: 55-370
Kamehameha Highway
Phone: (800) 367-7060
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