16 Best Bars in Hawaii, USA

Winner of a James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar in 2023, this cocktail bar is oddly situated in the mezzanine of an office building and seats only six at the bar, along with a few other tables. You'll need some luck to snag reservations (or close watching of the Resy app) to enjoy bespoke cocktails that utilize only the finest liquors and ingredients. Owners Tom Park and Justin Park (no relation) have cultivated a reputation for their E Hoo Pau Mai Tai made with an eight-year-old, raisin-infused El Dorado rum and another 12-year-old El Dorado rum, as well as coconut water syrup, spiced orgeat, ohia blossom honey, lime, vanilla, and absinthe—all served with a kiawe wood–smoke presentation.

Nothing says "Kona casual" like this toes-in-the-sand establishment right on the water, next door to their famous flagship restaurant. Jazz, island, and classic-rock bands perform here nightly, and it's tradition to dance in the sand at least once before leaving the island. Try a signature tropical cocktail such as the Big Bamboocha Mai Tai crafted with Kuleana Hui Hui, Kuleana Nanea, and Lemon Hart 151 rums, plus appetizers such as poke bowls, kalua (earth oven--baked) pork nachos, or Kona fish tacos. Happy hour is one of the best in town as is the location. All beers—draft or bottles—are $5. Fish tacos and sliders are only $6.

Set back from the main entrance of the Halekulani Hotel and decked out with dramatic drapes and cozy banquettes, Lewers Lounge is a great place for cocktails, both classic and contemporary. Standouts include Chocolate Dreams (made with Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka) and the Lost Passion (tequila, Cointreau, and fresh juices topped with champagne). Enjoy your libation with great nightly live jazz and tempting desserts, such as the hotel's famous coconut cake.

This lofty resort's lobby lounge is perfect when you want live Hawaiian music, a bit of hula, and freshly prepared sushi or other quick bites all in one sitting. The artisanal cocktails are well done and highlight locally distilled spirits and locally harvested or foraged ingredients. The atmosphere is casual chic, the setting is contemporary, and the views—of the Pacific, west Maui, and neighboring Lanai—are classic. Food is served 5–10 pm; cocktails 4–11 pm.

West-oriented views (particularly stellar at sunset), creative cocktails incorporating fresh fruit and herbs from neighboring farms, house-made syrups and spirits, and live entertainment most nights draw locals and visitors to this classy, surf-themed lobby bar at Turtle Bay Resort. It’s also the only nightlife choice on the North Shore east of Haleiwa, and night crawlers should know that the bar usually stops serving by 10 pm.

This place gives the classic tiki bar an elegant twist, with meticulously crafted cocktails that highlight both traditional and innovative seasonal drinks. Ingredients might include persimmons, Kula strawberries, basil, watermelon, passion fruit, macadamia-nut orgeat, or calamansi. A daily happy hour offers discounts on some of the tiki classics. Nonalcoholic cocktails are available, as are snacks and pupus.

Toward the back of Foodland Farms (located off Piikoi Street on the Ala Moana Center's first level), this small cocktail bar has an extensive menu of whiskey and other spirits. Both the drinks and the small plates use locally sourced ingredients. As a bonus, once you've enjoyed a drink and a snack, you can pick up some groceries in the main store on your way out.

Inspired by listening bars in Tokyo, this dimly lit, hip little spot serves some equally trendy cocktails. Sip a highball or house cocktail while a DJ spins vinyl nearby (no requests, please). Conversation is not banned, but a mellow mix of chatter and soaking up the sounds goes down best. Close to Hawaii Theatre, the bar is also a great place for a drink before or after a performance or show. Reservations are a good idea. 

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Iao Valley and offering stunning views, this bar is known for offering tasty snacks and colorful craft cocktails, including signature daiquiris. The use of locally sourced ingredients in the drinks enhances the esterification of fruity flavors, making them even more enjoyable. It's a great place to unwind, with wooden furniture complementing the warm, inviting atmosphere, and colorful floral wallpaper adding a touch of charm.

A younger crowd makes this a lively spot on Friday and Saturday evenings, when live music can go until 9 pm. When the dining room clears out, there's a bit of a scene in the tropical lounge. Themed happy hours include Taco Tuesday and Burger & Beer Wednesday, when vegetarians can swap local grass-fed beef for a Kauai-made taro patty. Try the Poipu Piña to sip from a pineapple.

Come here to feel Hawaii hip. Named after the iconic lei sellers in Chinatown, this bar is part speakeasy, with a sign out front and an entryway that allude to those lei shops. You can buy lei here, and the bright white inner courtyard has two lei walls to enhance that vibe. The rest of the space, though, is a purple-hued, neon-tropical lounge that slays. On the menu are upscale cocktails and small plates, and there's plenty of great people-watching.

The contemporary lounge in the Fairmont Orchid has a large terrace and an impressive water view. Serving signature sushi and classic rolls, the Luana is a favorite of locals too. Bartenders are skilled at mixology, and service is impeccable. The crowd is mellow, so it's a nice place for an early evening cocktail or after-dinner liqueur. Happy hour is from 4 to 5 with all drinks discounted; live music begins at sunset and continues until 9.

With exposed red brick, big skylights, and rotating exhibitions of work by local photographers and painters, The Manifest has the vibe of an artist’s loft. It's a café by day and a cocktail bar and night club by night, so it serves a good cup of joe as well as quality cocktails.

Good eats are paired with cool tunes in this breezy tropical tavern that's favored by locals. DJs and other acts are featured from 4 to 6 pm most evenings, and DJs get the dance floor shaking again starting at 9 pm. Happy hour specials run from 11 am to 6 pm.

A 24-foot koa-wood bar anchors this sophisticated nightspot with a spectacular ocean view. Sushi, sashimi, spirits, and live music make for a memorable date night or celebration with friends (get a sitter for the kids). It's known for craft cocktails, an extensive wine and sake list, tasting flights, sustainable seafood, and "tiramisushi"—the familiar Italian mocha dessert served sushi style. Put on your smart resort attire when you go.

This speakeasy-style bar is smack-dab in the middle of Kihei's nightlife scene, and it stands out for its lineup of specialty cocktails and incredibly friendly staff. It's the size of a living room, but mixology is given more consideration here than at other venues.