Hideout’s New Bar Menu Is All About the Details

The restaurant at The Laylow in Waikīkī isn’t short on booze, either.

May 30, 2018

Natalie Schack,

Photo: Courtesy of Hideout at The Laylow

Few spots hit the pau hana jackpot quite the same way as Hideout at The Laylow. With a rooftop vibe, sexy mid-century furniture and a palazzo bar countertop, the ambience is 10/10. But, while we could spend many Instagrammable hours talking story in its polka-dot-tiled dining room or lounging about in its sand pit (it’s a thing), we’ll still need something to catch the attention of our taste buds.

So when we got word that Hideout mixologists had whipped up a whole new bar menu just in time for summer swilling, we headed straight there. One could do worse than spend her Thursday afternoon sampling the goods at one of Waikīkī’s easiest-on-the-eyes watering holes, after all, and we had a duty: trying out four of the new menu’s cocktail offerings so we could give you the dish.

What got us gaga over these new drinks? The attention to detail and creative visual touches. Like Hideout’s last roster of drinks, this menu features cocktails with playful glassware (remember those handmade tiki mugs by L.A.-based ceramicist Linda Hsiao?) and show-stealing garnishes that turn a thirst quencher into a mini experience. Here’s our take on the four sips we sampled:

Laylow Mai Tai ($15)

Photos: Natalie Schack

You’d be hard-pressed to show me a mai tai I don’t like, and this one is no exception. The Laylow approaches this classic with local rums from Old Lahaina: silver and, for a very gentle, slight float, dark. You’ll find some usual suspects—almond-based orgeat and lime—alongside fresher-faced liliko‘i and pineapple, making for a light, refreshing, juice-filled sip.

First Date ($15)

A post shared by The Laylow (@laylowwaikiki) on Feb 14, 2018 at 2:57pm PST

Did you know Hideout creates limited themed holiday cocktails? Us either, but you can bet we’ll check them out next time one rolls around. After all, the tradition begat this Valentine’s Day cocktail, so popular that the team kept it for the new menu. It’s a coral pink and includes an eyebrow-raising blend of Campari, tequila and St. Germain. The result is surprisingly balanced, with Campari’s aggressiveness playing an accessible, toned-down role next to St. Germain’s alluring elderflower sweetness.

Purrfect Timing ($17)

Japanese Kikori Whiskey, known for its gorgeous bottle design, now makes a yuzu liqueur called Yuzuri, and we’re here for it. We’re also here for extra accoutrements (that’s “extra” as in the Internet-lingo “extra,” folks), so getting our drink in a neko-shaped vessel (complete with raised waving paw) melted our boozy little hearts. Also notable: Local liquor Pau vodka gives this one its punch.

Butterfly Effect ($17)

A post shared by Hideout at the Laylow (@hideoutwaikiki) on Apr 2, 2018 at 12:51pm PDT

Speaking of on-point extra details, the highlight of the night’s theatrics is the Butterfly Effect. It’s garnished with a rice-paper butterfly (technically edible, yes, but plain rice paper is nothing to write home about. If you’re feeling peckish, we suggest the chocolate bread pudding instead) but, more importantly, the drink changes color. Lillet, gin, Luxardo and the deep indigo of butterfly pea flower syrup make for a delicate muted violet. Add the mini corked bottle of citrus and it lightens to a mystical murky shade of blush—or should we say millennial pink? Because if this shouldn’t be renamed the Millennial Aviation (a Lost-Generation-era cocktail), then, guys, I seriously don’t even know anymore.

2299 Kūhiō Ave., (808) 628-3060, hideoutwaikiki.com

Bring the family down to the Best of Honolulu Festival July 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Honolulu Hale civic grounds. Eat at ‘ono food booths, shop local designers in the marketplace, bring the family to the keiki zone for face painting, balloon animals, rides, games and more. For more information visit honolulumagazine.com/bestofhonolulu.