By The Editors By The Editors | May 2, 2022 | Food & Drink, Drink, Cocktails, Food & Drink Feature, Food & Drink,
Here are the best cocktail lounges in O'ahu, no matter what type of drink suits your mood.
Mahina & Sun’s PHOTO BY IJFKE RIDGLEY
Agave & Vine Tequila connoisseurs should take note of this cocktail lounge at The Lanai at Ala Moana Center. With a clever menu of signature drinks made with 100% organic Grand Leyenda tequila, and daily specials like Monday’s all-day happy hour, it’s always worth popping in for a few. Ala Moana Center
Aloha Beer Company With its goal of inspiring awe for life and seeking aloha, you can be sure to find something local here. Try the blonde—it’s straw-colored with a light, crisp malt flavor and a delicate hop finish. Look out for its new location coming soon to Waikiki. 700 Queen St., Honolulu, 544.1605; 220 S. King St., Ste. 101, Honolulu, alohabeer.com
Bar Leather Apron One of the island’s most refined watering holes is actually in the heart of the business district. Among the favorite offerings are the yuzu sour and matcha Old-Fashioned. Topa Financial Center, 745 Fort St., Ste. 127A, Downtown Honolulu, barleatherapron.com
Hideout at The Laylow This hot spot is tucked away in The Laylow Waikiki, featuring ample bar seating and a buzzy vibe. 2299 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki, hideoutwaikiki.com
House Without a Key This is the quintessential island experience, with live hula, some of the island’s best mai tais and unforgettable sunsets. Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Road, Waikiki, halekulani.com
Kani Ka Pila Grille Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort’s hot spot for the best live Hawaiian music serves up signature cocktails, including the Coral Reef prepared with Maui-made Ocean Organic Vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, guava puree, fresh mint and its house sour mix, plus a splash of club soda. 2169 Kālia Road, Honolulu, outrigger.com
Mahina & Sun’s Christian Taibi, the new executive bar czar, brings his 20 years of experience in the New York City hospitality industry to reinvigorate the cocktail program at the popular eatery located inside The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club. 412 Lewers St., Waikiki, mahinaandsuns.com
Mai Tai Bar For a classic Waikiki sunset experience, head to The Royal Hawaiian’s signature outdoor bar, which features daily live music. Not only is the view of Diamond Head and the ocean divine, so are the array of tastefully prepared mai tais. 2259 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, royal-hawaiian.com
The Republik As far as live music venues go in Honolulu, there’s nowhere like this club, which brings in buzzworthy acts from all over. Before the show, slip into the sexy minimalist lounge, The Safehouse, where cocktails are thoughtfully arranged by clean, classic and bold categories. 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Ste. 30, Ala Moana/Kapi‘olani, jointherepublik.com
The Tchin Tchin! Bar While many are enamored by the retro interior at Jesse Cruz and Dusty Grable’s bar, we love the open-air rooftop lanai in the back. It’s the perfect place to assemble in trendy Chinatown when night falls. 39 N. Hotel St., Chinatown, thetchintchinbar.com
The Veranda One of East Honolulu’s poshest spots is at the always wonderful Kahala Hotel & Resort. Enjoy the sea breezes while taking in the jazz piano. 5000 Kahala Ave., Kahala, 739.8760, kahalaresort.com
Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room Billed as “a craft-beer bottle shop with benefits,” this cozy beer cafe is a place for brew aficionados to meet and talk wild yeast, head retention, dryhopping and the like. With over 500 bottled offerings plus 18 rotating taps, beer boredom is virtually impossible at Village. SALT at Our Kaka‘ako, 369.0688, villagebeerhawaii.com
Waikiki Brewing Company One of Hawaii’s largest breweries, this is the place to go for fresh, handmade craft beer. In addition to its lineup of nine core beers ranging from a light, crisp blonde to a robust porter, this brewery also offers seasonal and limited-release suds. 1945 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, 946.6590, waikikibrewing.com
Waterman Bar & Lounge Thanks to this lounge, located at the Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, West O‘ahu can now boast one of the poshest cocktail hours on the island. Order one of the tastefully prepared small plates along with one of the teatime cocktails, like the Hawaiian-style mai tai. 92-1001 Olani St., Ko Olina, 679.3347, fourseasons.com/oahu
Yard House On Waikiki Beach Walk, Yard House boasts one of the best craft beer selections on draft in the islands, in a dark, cool pub atmosphere that beckons passersby as they power shop and sightsee. Delicious burgers, tacos and mac and cheese share space with California rolls and grilled Korean barbecue on this varied menu of gastropub fare, with something to satisfy every palate. 226 Lewers St., Honolulu, 923.9273, yardhouse.com
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