Luna’s Tequila Bar Opens With Street Tacos at ‘Alohilani Resort in Waikīkī
This hidden bar serves up four types of street tacos and has 47 tequilas and mezcals on the shelf.
Photo: Julie Stanley
Luna’s Tequila Bar, Waikīkī’s newest tequila and taco joint, is hidden in the ground-level halls of the ‘Alohilani Resort away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets.
Nine tables dot the intimate space with terra cotta-painted walls donning Día de los Muertos decor. The colorful fiesta fans make it feel like you’ve walked into your abuelita’s cantina if she owned one.
Photo: Julie Stanley
Inspired by Mexican street food, the minimalist menu has four unique and flavorful tacos plus traditional molcajete guacamole. Tacos are made with yellow corn tortillas and your choice of barbacoa, mole jidori chicken, tofu, or cochinita pibil. Available individually ($5) or as a trio plate ($12), you can mix and match to try them all.
Photo: Julie Stanley
Of the selection, barbacoa and cochinita pibil are my favorites. The barbacoa has slow-braised beef short rib, onion, cilantro and salsa verde. The shredded beef is tender, juicy and perfectly seasoned. Minimal toppings deliver a traditional street taco’s familiar flavors with delicious simplicity. The cochinita pibil, cooked as well as its beef counterpart, has a little more flair with garnishes of achiote paste and pineapple salsa which complement the salty pork with sweetness and spice.
If you spring for the guacamole (small $9 or large $17), you won’t regret it. Made tableside in a traditional molcajete—a stone bowl used for grinding food—it consists of avocado, lime juice, cilantro, green chilis, onions and salt. This zesty appetizer delivers not only on flavor but a visual experience for the table as well.
Photo: Julie Stanley
When it comes to tequila, Luna’s no slouch. This bar crafts seven tequila-based signature cocktails ranging from $13 to $15 and boasts a selection of 47 tequilas and mezcals organized by blanco, reposado, añejo and mezcal. If choosing from their extensive list seems overwhelming, try one of the three tequila flights. The Celebrity Flight ($18) consists of your choice of three tequila brands owned by celebrities. The Reposado Favorites flight ($24) features El Telquileno, El Tesoro and Siete Leguas. Lastly, the Lowlands vs. Highlands flight ($24) consists of four blanco tequilas from Avión, Don Julio, Lunazul and Casa Noble.
Happy hour, or “Sarah’s Tequila Hour” as they call it, lists $3 tacos and $10 signature cocktails. Luna’s validates for ‘Alohilani’s parking structure and valet services for the first three hours.
Whether you stop by for some happy hour tacos or stay all night to sip tequila, Luna’s has the perfect vibe with bites and sips to match.
Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., happy hour daily from 5 to 6 p.m., 2490 Kalākaua Ave., alohilaniresort.com, @alohilaniresort
