9 Best Nightlife in Maui, Hawaii

This place redefines the luau by crossing it with Islands-style fine dining in an intimate beach setting. Each course of this succulent sit-down meal represents the Pacific Island cultures—Hawaiian, Samoan, Maori, Tahitian—featured onstage. Wine, spirits, and cocktail options are copious and go beyond the usual tropical concoctions. Lahaina's gorgeous sunset serves as the backdrop to the show, which forgoes gimmicks and pageantry for an authentic expression of Polynesian chants and dances. Lele, by the way, is the traditional name for Lahaina.

Considered the best luau on Maui, it's certainly the most traditional. Sitting either at a table or on a lauhala (mat made of leaves), you can dine on Hawaiian cuisine such as pork laulau (wrapped with taro sprouts in ti leaves), ahi poke (raw yellowfin tuna salad), lomi lomi salmon (traditional Hawaiian diced side dish), and haupia (coconut pudding). At sunset, the historical journey touches on the arrival of the Polynesians, the influence of missionaries and, later, the advent of tourism. Talented performers will charm you with beautiful music, powerful chanting, and a variety of hula styles, from kahiko, the ancient way of communicating with the gods, to auana, the modern hula. You won't see fire dancers here, as they aren't considered traditional. This luau sells out regularly, so make reservations before your trip to Maui.

When ambience weighs heavy on the priority list, this spot at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, might just be the ticket. Live performances range from jazz to island rhythms on Tuesday through Saturday nights (6--9 pm), and the menu includes locally inspired cocktails and a fresh sushi station from 5--9 pm. Step onto the lanai for that plumeria-tinged tropical air and gaze at the deep blue of the Pacific.

You'll find an extensive menu of specialty cocktails, domestic and imported beers, premium spirits, and signature appetizers, including a fresh sushi station, open daily from 5--9 pm. The best sunsets can be viewed from here and, from December to April, enjoy whale-watching while having lunch. As the sun sets, relax and enjoy live entertainment Tuesday to Saturday from 6--9 pm.

You could easily miss this casual 1950s-style diner while strolling through Lahaina. Tucked in the second floor of the Wharf Cinema Center, its semi-outdoor area plays host to rockin' local music Thursday through Sunday nights. The entertainment lineup covers reggae, light rock, contemporary Hawaiian, and traditional island rhythms. It doesn't hurt that the kitchen dishes out specialty burgers, fish that's fresh from the harbor, and delicious house-made sauces from the owner's family recipes.

This lively spot in the middle of Front Street is great for food, drinks, and sports by day, and a variety of activities at night. Happy hour runs from 2--5 pm and the bar stays open until 1 am, which is considered pretty late for Maui. A rotating calendar of nightly activities includes live band karaoke, open dance floor, live music, silent discos, and trivia nights on Sundays.

By Kaanapali Beach, this luau shines in every category—convenient parking, well-made food, and a nicely paced program that touches on Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Fijian, Tongan, and Maori cultures. Some guests get tickled by the onstage audience hula tutorial. The finale features three fire-knife dancers. You'll feast on delicious Hawaiian delicacies like teriyaki steak, oven-roasted mahimahi (dolphinfish), and Pacific ahi poke (pickled raw yellowfin tuna, tossed with herbs and seasonings). The dessert spread consists of chocolate and coconut indulgences. An open bar offers beer, seltzer, wine, and standard tropical mixes.

Sansei has stayed a favorite among locals and visitors for years. The atmosphere is always spirited, and if you're more prone to doing the entertaining yourself, you can indulge in some mai tai–induced karaoke on Friday and Saturday night (10 pm–1 am) and get 50% off fresh sushi and appetizers at the same time.

A casual sports-bar crowd gravitates here for pau hana (after-work get-together) and a game of pool. The bottle shop offers more than 30 beers and there are at least six on tap. There's no cover, the many televisions throughout the bar play all the sports packages, and the drinks are strong and afforable.

The oceanfront Aloha Pavilion at the Westin provides a picturesque setting for this Polynesian feast. Seating is family style, and on a first-come basis, although premium tickets get reserved seating and slightly better views. A buffet of traditional dishes such as kalua pork and ahi poke (pickled raw yellowfin tuna salad) precede the dessert spread. The performance showcases stories of the demi-god Maui, traditional costumes, hula kahiko, and a pulse-raising fire-knife dance finale.