Chinatown’s Popular Lei Stand Bar Reopens in Waikīkī

Photo: Katrina Valcourt

W hen The Lei Stand opened in late 2022, it was not easy to get in. Reservations at the hip, speakeasy-style bar often filled up well in advance, which meant it was not somewhere you just wandered into for pau hana or a night of Chinatown bar hopping.

In summer 2024, much to the surprise of fans, it ceased normal operations. But The Lei Stand continued to host special events and pop-ups at other locations, the most notable of which is now its permanent new home: Romer House Waikīkī.

Photo: Katrina Valcourt

Walk into the hotel and the bar is on the left behind a curtain. On the right is a rack of merch and lei for purchase from Island-Boy.

Uncle China. Photo: Katrina Valcourt

The new spot retains its signature elements: an arched entryway reminiscent of airport lei stands, neon signs declaring “The Best Lei in Town” and “I got Lei’d in Waikīkī.” Its popular cocktails are back, many with what we call “Waikīkī prices”: Clifton’s Curse, a mai tai, went from $17 to $21. But Coconut Wireless, a less-tropical drink and my previous favorite, actually dropped a dollar to $18. Still, it’s been dethroned for my new pick of the night, a debut concoction called Uncle China ($18), a spin on an Old Fashioned with Banhez Mezcal and tequila instead of whiskey.

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Kalapana Rise. Photo: Katrina Valcourt

A new mocktail called the Kalapana Rise ($14) features nonalcoholic tequila, guava, pineapple, orange and calamansi, which sounds like it could be too syrupy sweet but is tempered with a splash of soda water. Shot/beer combos have also been refreshed, along with a selection of local, domestic and imported beers, plus wine.

Photo: Katrina Valcourt

Some of the food comes from the hotel’s restaurant, 855-Aloha, such as the Godzilla and Geisha rolls (a new menu is launching next month, so this may change). But I’m a smash burger girlie, so I order the one exclusively made for The Lei Stand and Romer House’s upstairs pool deck, The Backyard. A double stack of medium-cooked patties atop a layer of slightly spicy coleslaw drips with melty American cheese on a buttery brioche bun and hits the spot. At $25 you might expect it to come with a much-needed side, but Hurricane Fries, with furikake, shichimi and Parmigiano Reggiano, are $12 more. Other small bites include house-made Chex Mix ($8), edamame hummus ($16) and taro chips with “crack” dip ($14).

Coconut Wireless and Hurricane Fries. Photo: Katrina Valcourt

The bar officially opened May 1. Though smaller than its former location, I like it more—less rowdy and more intimate, even as most seats were taken. And one of the best reasons for locals to go? Three hours of complimentary valet parking.

Open Sunday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., 415 Nāhua St., Waikīkī, (808) 922-1616, getleid.co, @theleistand

Katrina Valcourt is the executive editor of HONOLULU Magazine.