Best Bars 2010: Bars For Any Occasion

Sometimes life calls for a drink. Whether it’s to celebrate a promotion, drown your sorrows after a job loss, go out with the girls, watch the Hawaii Bowl or whatever, we found the 24 best bars for 24 different occasions. Cheers!

You Need Some Therapy

Do patrons pour their hearts out? “More than you might think,” says Murphy’s Bar & Grill bartender Jonathan Schwalbenitz. “It runs the gamut. Boyfriend or girlfriend problems, work issues, even life and death matters, like long-term care. People just want to ease their burdens.” Being a part-time psychologist isn’t just part of the job for professionals such as Schwalbenitz. In his 19 years at Murphy’s, it’s been one of his most rewarding experiences as he’s gotten to know his customers better. Need to bend a bartender’s ear? A neighborhood pub such as Murphy’s is the ideal place, and Schwalbenitz recommends stopping by before or after the lunch or dinner rush. And don’t worry; your secrets wouldn’t be the first the bartender’s heard. “We’re not priests or doctors, but our trade relies on confidentiality.” Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., 2 Merchant St., 531-0422, murphyshawaii.com.

The Kids Moved Out

Junior just moved in with  his college buddies and your daughter is gainfully employed and on her own. It’s time to kick back and celebrate your freedom! Head over to Brasserie Du Vin, a little slice of Paris on Bethel Street. You deserve a bottle of bubbly, and Du Vin carries 17 varieties from Italy, Spain and Champagne, France. Pair with escargot in garlic herb butter and baked Brie with pecans and dried cranberries ($6 and $8 during the 4 to 6 p.m. happy hour) and reward yourself for your 18 (or 20 or 25) years of unconditional love and sacrifice. Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., 1115 Bethel St., 545-1115, brasserieduvin.com.

First Date

You finally asked out that special someone and they said yes. Whew. The hard part is over. For an intimate and memorable night, take your date to Genius Lounge Sake Bar & Grill. Lovebirds can enjoy a bottle of one of the lounge’s 50 varieties of sake, and nibble on crispy pork katsu ($12) and fiery kimchee fried rice ($11), while getting to know each other seated on the lānai, with its twinkling lights and mosaic tabletops.  An added bonus—get there between 6 and 8 p.m. and enjoy half-price drinks, including $2.50 sangrias. Your wallet and your date will be happy. Daily 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., 346 Lewers St., 626-5362. geniusloungehawaii.com.

Girls’ Night Out

When girls decide to get together for a night out, it usually means they are going to dress to the nines and dance all night. Ginza, which opened earlier this year, provides a perfect venue. Dance on one of its two large dance floors to the Top 40 music pumping through its speakers, while the nightclub’s design transports you to Japan’s high-end fashion district with lit-up cityscapes on the walls around the room. Best of all, ladies’ cover charges are normally free every night, while the men pay at least $15.  Friday, 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m., Saturday, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., 1240 Kona St.

Looking for Love

“What’s the best bar for  singles?” we asked our online readers; 100 responses later, the answer was clear, Bar 35 is the best bar if you’re not romantically involved, but steal over to this Chinatown hotspot, and that just might change. Bar 35 boasts more than 150 types of beers and has daily happy-hour specials—with tasty cocktails, such as the Geisha for $3—as well as handmade flatbread pizza ($12) and Eurofries ($6) with your choice of eight dipping sauces. Weekly DJ lineups will get the rhythmically inclined moving, giving you a chance to talk to the intriguing character you’ve been eyeing across the room. Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., 35 N. Hotel St., 537-3535, bar35hawaii.com.  

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Celebrating 25 Years

Relive that blissful first year of marriage together over drinks at Lewers Lounge. Polished and elegant, the lounge is the perfect place to celebrate the day you said, “I do.” Listen to live classic and jazz piano tunes while sipping a ($12). Request your wedding song and fall in love all over again. Nightly from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., 2199 Kalia Road, 923-2311, halekulani.com. 

It’s Time to Say Aloha

Someone near and dear to you leaving the Islands? Send them off with a sunset memory from House Without a Key, the Halekūlani’s storied outdoor bar. The view of Diamond Head and the ocean, Hawaiian music by the Sunset Serenaders, hula by Kanoe Miller, a couple rounds of the appropriately named Halekulani Sunset (guava, pineapple and rum, $10)—who knows? Your guest of honor might decide to stay. Daily 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., entertainment 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., 2199 Kalia Road, 923-2311, halekulani.com.

Got into Mensa

Quick—who was the 22nd and the 24th president of the United States? What year did The Smurfs air in the U.S.? Trivia contestants rack their brains to answer questions such as these during the Stump Trivia Tuesdays at The Manifest, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Groups of up to six—often with colorful team names—write down their answers on a variety of topics. The winners get a free round of drinks and their photos posted on Manifest’s website. Added bonus: The bar sells hotdogs for $4 (or $7 with a beer) or you can bring your own brain food. 32 N. Hotel St., 523-7575, manifesthawaii.com. 

Came Out of the Closet

Wang Chung’s bills itself as the friendliest bar in Waikiki, and we think owner Dan Chang just may be right. “It doesn’t matter who comes in—gay, straight, transgender—everyone has a great time,” he says. “The positive energy is infectious.” Chang has been known to personally welcome everyone who enters this intimate, karaoke bar. On a recent visit, the whole bar belted out Lady Gaga songs, celebrated patron Glenn’s birthday with a mini coconut cake and had Bud, the bartender, serve up rounds of lychee martinis ($7) created with housemade, lychee-infused vodka. Daily 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., 2410 Koa Ave., 921-9176, wangchungs.com. 

Pau Work

Comfy rattan couches? Check. Casual outdoor atmosphere? Check. Live music? Impressive pau hana specials? Check. Our online survey participants found that the Mai Tai Bar in Ala Moana Center has all of the above, making for a great place to pau hana. Whether you want to root for the Warriors, listen to Kapena or just enjoy a cold draft and calamari ($5) during the daily 4 to 7 p.m. happy hours, Mai Tai’s can’t be beat. It’s no wonder the bar was also voted Bronze for Best Bar in the 2010 Hale Aina Awards. Daily from 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 947-2900, maitaibar.com. 

Closing the Deal

When it comes to successful business, it’s not about hiding tricks up your Gordon Gekko sleeve. It’s about appearing straightforward and effortless—which sums up both the ambience and drink menu at Nobu’s The Lounge. There’s a reason local PR agencies and financial advisers court their clients at this Waikiki locale. The lounge’s cocktails infuse any business meeting with that same quietly confident charm. Start with its signature Hokusektsu sakes to nail the fine-line balance of seriousness and cool. To end, ask resident mixologist David Newman for his specially constructed “Handshake Cocktail” ($12), a Grand Marnier Centenaire cognac and sour honey fusion dusted with gold-flake honey caviar. Knowing to order this unlisted drink is part of what seals the deal. Daily 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2233 Helumoa Road, 237-6999, noburestaurants.com/waikiki.

Boys’ Night Out

Sometimes guys just need a dose of beers and friendly competition in the shape of an 8-ball. Find that chill environment within the new Kalihi sports bar The Remedy. It offers the usual formula—TVs, dartboards, pool tables, private karaoke room, conversational bartenders. Enjoy $4 drafts during Remedy’s happy hours from opening to 8 p.m. in addition to dollar-off pūpū that’s standard bar food fare, but in surprising quantity. We recommend the Cheesy Garlic Bread ($6) and mountainous Monte Cristo Nachos ($9). Monday through Friday,
3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., 746 Kohou St. 

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Celebrating Yakudoshi

Depending on your attitude, any birthday can make you anxious. However, some birthdays are worse than others. For local Japanese, the yakudoshi signifies a critical year—41 for men, 32 for women—as it is believed to bring about bad luck; finding a bar to ward off all disastrous superstitions is equally critical. With a private room that comfortably accommodates up to 65, Uncle Bo’s makes throwing this get-together easy. The bar features more than 25 pūpū, such as the Boca-Rota ($14) and Ahi Tornado Roll ($14). Relive memories with an audio/visual projector and screen to remember the good times while creating new ones. Daily 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. 559 Kapahulu Ave., 735-8311, unclebosrestaurant.com.

Accompanying Your Out-of-Town Guests

The Beach Bar at the 109-year-old Moana Surfrider is a perfect place to step back in time with visiting family and friends and enjoy a sunset toast or an after-dinner soirée—without the crowds. This is a casual bar where you can relax, listen to live contemporary Island music and enjoy the evening under the Moana’s large banyan trees. Sip on a classic Moana mai tai ($10.75), snack on cocktail shrimp ($16) or lava wings ($15) and watch the ocean from your front-row spot on Waikiki Beach. Daily 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., 2365 Kalakaua Ave., 922-3111.

Fleeing Your Out-of-Town Guests

Out-of-town guests overstaying their welcome? Sometimes you have to create your own breathing room. Take the visitors to Ala Moana Center for some vacation shopping, and, when they’re not looking, sneak up the elevator to the dark and secluded bar at Morton’s the Steakhouse. They’ll never find you. With Morton’s generous happy hours (which last from opening till 6:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. till closing, Sunday through Friday), you can afford to make the most of your alone time. Martinis for $7, glasses of wine for $6 and discounts on tasty pūpū, such as petite filet mignon sandwiches. Sunday through Thursday, 4:45 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4:45 to 11 p.m., 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 949-1300, mortons.com.

You’ve Been Promoted

What better way to celebrate a promotion than to treat your friends and family to a night out at Side Street Inn on Da Strip. It also has award-winning food, which has recently been featured on The Food Network, as well in the pages of HONOLULU in October’s dining column. Share family-size helpings of its signature fried rice ($12), ahi sashimi ($21) or pan-fried pork chops ($22). With a friendly, attentive staff and a crew of regular customers, this isn’t a bar where you just eat, drink and run. Plan to settle in for a long night of toasting your bump up the ladder. Daily 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., 614 Kapahulu Ave., 739-3939, sidestreetinn.com.

It’s a Beautiful Night

The moon is full and the clouds have scattered. What better place to take in the night sky and enjoy the Waikiki cityscape than at Waiolu in Trump Tower. And with a sophisticated cocktail to boot. We recommend the Golden Green Goby ($14), made with Ty Ku liqueur, Skyy citrus, homemade lemongrass ginger tea and fresh honeydew and cucumber. It’s what food and beverage manager Christina Maffei terms “liquid artistry.” With a drink in hand, plant yourself on one of the plush linen couches on Waiolu’s lanai and prepare to have your stress melt away. Daily 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 223 Saratoga Road, 683-7777, trumpwaikikihotel.com. 

You’ve Gained Five Pounds

People don’t visit SoHo Mixed Media Bar to stand around at the bar. With two rooms of music and two large dance floors, it’s hard to stand still—especially during its Acid Wash ’80s night. Music isn’t all that SoHo has to offer. While it’s primarily a concert and event venue, SoHo occasionally hosts neon dance parties, foam parties, blow-up-bull riding fun, block parties outside its doors and watersliding—we’ve even seen a few adult-size bouncy houses. After dancing, swimming, riding and jumping, those extra five pounds around the waist will easily disappear. Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., 80 S. Pauahi St., sohohi.com.

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Becoming a Retiree

Nestled under diamond head  at the edge of Waikīkī, The Elks Lodge is a prominent beachfront bar that lets you soak in stunning ocean views, and your golden years. With a staff that considers you family and a members-only policy, you’re always in for a warm welcome. Upon sponsorship from a current Elks member, a charitable $1,100 initiation fee and an annual sum of $275, your membership allows you to invite the entire ‘ohana for a truly multigenerational experience. Overhearing one bar patron say to another, “I just retired,” as we collected the check, came as no surprise. Open daily at 11 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 2933 Kalākaua Ave., 923-5722, elks616.org. 

Up to No Good

Harbor Pub isn’t shady, but this hidden gem of a bar is discreet, with a layout  and décor that makes you feel like you’re on a boat, which is perfect for those of you who might be up to no good—whatever that may entail. Tucked under the Ilikai Marina facing the Ala Wai Harbor, the pub attracts regulars, locals and tourists alike. It’s open for breakfast, but is busiest during the daily happy hour, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on. Satiate your appetite with a cold one and the hand-tossed Harbor Combo pizza. Daily 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., 1777 Ala Moana Blvd. 941-0985.

Volunteered to be Designated Driver

It’s a noble gesture, of course, but being the designated driver of the evening can be a thankless task. Next time, reward yourself by steering your tipsy friends to Thirtyninehotel, which, in addition to its gourmet lineup of cocktails, also serves up some of Honolulu’s tastiest virgin drinks. Sample a Rosé, which boasts lavender sour, a splash of pomegranate and European rose essence, and you won’t even miss the booze. Then there’s the Tropico, which replicates the tropical flavors of a piña colada, sans rum, and the Stormy Sky, which melds blackberries and ginger to delicious effect. Add in local art installations and new menu items such as hush puppies ($6), poi gnocchi ($5) and lamb popsicles ($11), and you’ve got a spot that’ll make everyone happy, sober or not. Tuesday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., 39 N. Hotel St., Honolulu. 599-2552, thirtyninehotel.com.

Your Cable Went Out

you may remember theVenue as rRed Elephant, custom built for live music with state of the art acoustics and sound systems. New owner David Stewart kept those qualities, and remodeled earlier this year, adding lounge-y seating and a full bar. Order your drinks there, or from the neighboring bambuTwo Cafe and Martini Lounge, as you enjoy art house movies on Mondays, Hawaiian music on Thursdays, or anything else from the wide range of experiences theVenue hosts. Slam poetry? Stand-up comedy? Dance performances? Goth beauty pageants? Yes, all those and more. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., 1144 Bethel Street, 528-1144. theVenue: Hours vary by performance, 1146 Bethel St., bambutwo.com.

Been Laid Off

you need a drink. And a dark corner in which to lick your wounds and plot your next move. You need to go to The Hideaway. With a jukebox, a pool table, a colorful cast of regulars and an ashtray next to the men’s toilet, Waikīkī’s favorite tiny dive bar has everything you need to sink into the woodwork for a while. Most importantly, it’s got cheap booze. Prices get even lower between 6 and 7 p.m. every day, when domestic beers and well drinks are just a buck apiece. (If you want to get a full hour of dollar drinking in, though, be sure to follow the clock on the Hideaway’s wall, instead of your own watch. Bar time runs 17 minutes early.) Daily from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., 1913 Dudoit Lane, 949-9885. 

Watching the Big Game

Fans unite at Kanpai Bar & Grill.  Watching a UH football home game during a recent visit, it was easy to see why. Literally. Kanpai is home to 11 flat-screens, and there’s not a bad seat in the house, be it crowded around bar stools, in an indoor booth or on the casual, open-air patio. Kanpai opens at 7 a.m. during football season, but also attracts the late-night set. Put your money on a couple of seasoned winners: the tender Braised Short Rib Loco Moco ($8) or a generous-size Kim Chee Ribeye Steak ($17); they’re enough to feed your favorite team’s entire second string. Daily 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., 404 Ward Ave., 593-9202.          
 

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