honolulu nightlife

Honolulu NightlifeHonolulu is the perfect place for fun things to do with friends. Running the gamut from flip-flop-friendly beachfront bars to pulsing dance clubs to classy cocktail lounges, Honolulu’s countless nighttime entertainment options satisfy just about any whim. Picking up a local calendar at the beginning of your trip or chatting with your hotel concierge is a good way to find out what’s going on after dark on any given day, but do read on for a sampling of what the city has to offer.

Waikīkī, with its abundance of drink-dispensing hotels, local restaurants and stand-alone establishments, is the destination to shake things up when the sun goes down. If a quintessentially Hawaiian nightlife experience is on your wish list, make your way to Duke’s at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort (2335 Kalākaua Ave., Suite 116). Complemented by rustling palms and glowing tiki torches, the casual open-air restaurant/bar is almost always packed with patrons—and for good reason. The views of the ocean and Diamond Head State Monument are stunning, and the live Hawaiian music can’t be beat; phone (808) 922-2268.

If you’re looking—and willing to pay—for a more upscale, intimate Waikīkī nightspot on your vacation, head to Halekulani hotel’s chic, dimly lit Lewers Lounge (2199 Kalia Rd.). The plush seating and dark wood paneling and flooring help create the perfect ambience for sipping fabulous cocktails and soaking up live jazz tunes. A dress code is enforced, so you’ll have to leave the shorts and flip-flops behind; phone (844) 288-8022.

You’ll also have to dress to impress and fork over some mad cash if you want to party at Addiction Nightclub in The Modern Honolulu by Diamond Resorts (1775 Ala Moana Blvd.). Open Thursday through Saturday, this sleek, colorful, high-energy club has velvet ropes, VIP tables, an amazing overhead light fixture, and DJs who keep the house and hip-hop beats going until the wee hours of the morning; phone (808) 943-5800. Include it in your list of things to do this weekend.

Diverse droves of night owls flock to Chinatown, where barhopping is a breeze thanks to the cluster of establishments along Hotel Street. At trendy, upbeat Bar 35 (35 N. Hotel St.), beer connoisseurs and amateurs alike can belly up to the red bar or sink into a comfy couch and take their pick of 200-plus concoctions from 20 different countries. Happy hour at this happening hangout runs from 4 until 9 Tuesday through Friday and is exceptionally “happy” during themed events and DJ and band performances; phone (808) 537-3535.

Just a hop, skip and jump away from Bar 35 is The Manifest (32 N. Hotel St.), a bookstore-turned-bar hailed for its impressive selection of whiskeys. The high ceilings, exposed brick walls, concrete floors and bar top, recycled furniture and interesting artwork give the place an artsy, industrial feel that’s far more San Franciscan than it is Hawaiian. During late-night hours, The Manifest typically trades its laid-back vibe for a club-like one.

Why not add a delightful dose of art and culture to your evening out? During First Friday Honolulu Art Walk, held the first Friday of every month, a number of Chinatown watering holes, eateries, galleries and boutiques feature special activities, entertainment and art exhibits.