Yes, you can have an umbrella drink at sunset. But in the multicultural metropolis of Honolulu and Waikiki, there's so much more to it than that. Sip a glass of wine and listen to jazz at Formaggio, join the beach-and-beer gang at Duke's Canoe Club, or head to Zanzabar, where DJs spin hip-hop and techno. Sample the sake at an izakaya or listen to a performance by a Hawaiian musician. Snack on pupu, and begin your journey toward that unforgettable tropical sunrise.
Fodor’s “Best Nightspots”
Duke’s Canoe Club
Making the most of its oceanfront spot on Waikiki Beach, Duke's presents "Concerts on the Beach" every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with contemporary Hawaiian musicians like Henry Kapono. National musicians like Jimmy Buffett have also performed here. At Duke's Barefoot Bar, solo Hawaiian musicians take the stage nightly, and it's not unusual for surfers to leave their boards outside to step in for a casual drink after a long day on the waves.
Address: Outrigger Waikiki, 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/922–2268
Mai Tai Bar
The bartenders sure know how to make one killer mai tai – just one could do the trick. This is, after all, the establishment that came up with the famous drink in the first place. The pink, umbrella-covered tables at the outdoor bar are front-row seating for Waikiki sunsets and an unobstructed view of Diamond Head. Contemporary Hawaiian music is usually on stage, and the staff is extremely friendly.
Address: 2259 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/923–7311
The Ocean Club
The Ocean Club has withstood the test of time while other local nightclubs have failed. The indoor venue plays mostly Top 40 and hip-hop music. Tuesday is "Ladies' Night" featuring $2 drinks. Thursday is "Paddler's Night" so wear aloha print attire and avoid the cover charge. The last Saturday of every month is the "Piranha Room," where the club is decorated according to various themes, go-go dancers mesmerize, and the place is packed. There is half-price pupu until 8 PM. All nights are 23 and over except Thursday; dress code – no beach or athletic wear – is strictly enforced.
Address: Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Kakaako, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/531–8444
Other bars and dance clubs:
Anna Bannana's
Address: 2440 S. Beretania St., Moiliili, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/946–5190
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: Generations of Hawaii college students have spent more than an evening or two at this legendary two-story, smoky dive near the University of Hawaii campus. A living-room atmosphere makes it a comfortable place to hang out. Here, the music is fresh, loud, and sometimes experimental. Live music happens Friday and Saturday, starting at 9 PM. There's also open mike night for amateurs on Monday.
Chai's Island Bistro
Address: Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr., Downtown Honolulu, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/585–0011
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: Chai's welcomes some of Hawaii's top entertainers, such as the Brothers Cazimero (on Wednesday evening), Hapa, and Jake Shimabukuro. Chai's is the perfect place if you're looking to enjoy the signature sounds of Hawaii while dining on Pacific Rim cuisine.
Dave and Buster's
Address: Ward Entertainment Complex, 1030 Auahi St., Ala Moana, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/589–2215
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: Located in the Ward Centers, this restaurant features a stocked bar and lots of amusements ranging from classic billiards to shuffleboard and the latest in video arcade games. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday a DJ spins hip-hop music on the rooftop Sunset Bar starting at 10 PM.
Don Ho's Grill
Address: Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr., Downtown Honolulu, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/528–0807
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: This popular waterfront restaurant in the Aloha Tower Marketplace houses the Tiny Bubbles Bar, famous for its "suck 'em up" mai tai, a Don Ho classic. The dinner hour features Hawaiian musicians like Jerry Santos and Robert Cazimero. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the famous Ho, who frequents the restaurant. On the weekend, live bands play reggae music from 10 PM to 2 AM.
Formaggio Wine and Cheese Bar
Address: Market City Shopping Center, 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., lower level, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/739–7719
Category: Bars
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: Only people in the know, know where Formaggio is. There's no flashy signage for this establishment on the outskirts of Waikiki – only the word "Formaggio" painted on the door. This tinted door cloaks a dimly-lighted bar, where young professionals and baby boomers enjoy live jazz nightly. There are more than 40 wines by the glass or taste and a Mediterranean menu with everything from pizzas to paninis.
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
Address: Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr., Downtown Honolulu, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/599–4877
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: This outside bar flanks Honolulu Harbor. Live bands serenade patrons with everything from funk to jazz to rock and roll. Those who feel inspired have been known to strut their stuff in front of the stage, while their friends enjoy a pitcher of the restaurant's own brew from the sidelines.
Little Vino
Address: Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Kakaako, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/524–8466
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: Step inside this small wine bar, and you'd think you have just arrived in Italy. The walls are painted to look like a rustic countryside with beautiful vineyards. Relax on one of the leather couches or at a table and enjoy wines hand-selected by the restaurant's master sommelier and Italian tapas (small plates) if you're hungry.
Mai Tai Bar at Ala Moana Center
Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Ala Moana, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/947–2900
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: After a long day of shopping, the Mai Tai Bar on the third floor of Ala Moana Center is a perfect spot to relax. There's live entertainment and two nightly happy hours: one for food items and another strictly for specialty drinks. There's never a cover charge and no dress code, but to avoid waiting in line, get there before 9 PM.
Moose McGillycuddy's Pub and Cafe
Address: 310 Lewers St., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/923–0751
Category: Bars
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: Loud bands play for the beach-and-beer gang in a blue-jeans-and-T-shirt setting. Bikini contests are the thrill on Sunday nights; live bands play late '80s and '90s music the rest of the week.
Nashville Waikiki
Address: Ohana Waikiki West Hotel, 2330 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/926–7911
Category: Dance Clubs
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: Country music in the tropics? You bet! Put on your paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) duds and mosey on out to the giant dance floor. There are pool tables, dartboards, line dancing, and free dance lessons (Wednesday at 6:30 PM) to boot. Look for wall-to-wall crowds on the weekend.
Newjass Quartet at 39 Hotel
Address: 39 N. Hotel St., Downtown Honolulu, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/599–2552
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: In a darkened downtown-loft setting, a collective of young, talented local jazz musicians get down with modern and eclectic set lists. It gets cool from 10 PM to 1:30 AM on Tuesdays. Cover is $3 before 10 PM and $5 afterward.
Opium Den & Champagne Bar at Indigo's
Address: Indigo Euroasian Cuisine, 1121 Nuuanu Ave., Downtown Honolulu, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/521–2900
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: This bar at the edge of Chinatown resembles a joint right out of a film noir. Jazz plays early in the evening on Tuesday; late-night DJs spin trance, Top 40, funk, disco, and rock on weekends. In addition to champagne, happy hour features sake martinis and complimentary pupu buffet.
Pipeline Cafe and Sports Bar
Address: 805 Pohukaina St., Kakaako, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/589–1999
Category: Bars
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: This is two stories of fun with pool, darts, and more. The upstairs sports bar has TVs galore and a skybox view of the dancing below. Music includes both live acts and seasoned DJs.
Rumours
Address: Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson St., Ala Moana, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/955–4811
Category: Dance Clubs
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: The after-work crowd loves this spot, which has dance videos, disco, and throbbing lights. On Saturday "Little Chill" nights, the club plays oldies from the '70s, '80s, and '90s and serves free pupu.
Scruples Beach Club
Address: 2310 Kuhio Ave., at Nahua St., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/923–9530
Category: Dance Clubs
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: After the sun goes down, the beach party moves from the sand to this discotheque right off Waikiki's strip. Dance to the latest alternative, house, and Top 40 music with a clientele that is as diverse as all Hawaii. Casual attire is welcome.
Shore Bird Oceanside Bar and Grill
Address: Outrigger Reef on the Beach hotel, 2169 Kalia Rd., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/922–2887
Category: Bars
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: This Waikiki beachfront bar spills right out onto the sand. Local bands play nightly until 1 AM.
Venus Nightclub
Address: 1349 Kapiolani Blvd., Ala Moana, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/951–8671
Category: Dance Clubs
Location: Honolulu
Fodor's Review: This high-energy social bar, with leather couches ideal for a night of people-watching, features hip-hop, trance, and reggae with guest DJs five nights a week. Attention, ladies: there's a male dance revue Saturday evenings.
Wave Waikiki
Address: 1877 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/941–0424
Category: Dance Clubs
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: This venue has stood the test of time, anchoring the Waikiki entertainment scene for more than two decades. Dance to live rock and roll until 1:30 AM and recorded music after that. It can be a rough scene (the place has seen more than its fair share of drunken fisticuffs), but the bands are tops. Late nights, the music here definitely goes "underground."
Wonder Lounge
Address: 2885 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/922–1700
Category: Dance Clubs
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: The Diamond Head Grill restaurant is also an after-hours nightclub, full of hip, young professionals who enjoy martinis and the chance to do some not-so-serious networking. Look for a younger group on Saturday. Enjoy some fantastic (though pricey) eats until midnight, and keep dancing until 2 AM.
Zanzabar
Address: Waikiki Trade Center, 2255 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 808/924–3939
Category: Dance Clubs
Location: Waikiki
Fodor's Review: Traverse a winding staircase and make an entrance at Zanzabar where DJs spin top hits, from hip-hop to soul and techno to trance. It's easy to find a drink at this high-energy nightspot with its three bars. Not exactly sure how to get your groove on? Zanzabar offers free Latin dance lessons every Tuesday at 8 PM. Most nights are 21 and over, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday allow 18 and over in for $15