Honolulu is the capital and largest city of Hawaii, on the south shore of Oahu, known for Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay and a food scene built on Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese influences.
Honolulu nightlife centers on Waikiki for oceanfront live Hawaiian music, Chinatown for craft cocktails and small bars, and Kakaako for breweries. Bars close earlier than on the mainland; many Waikiki venues wind down by 11:00 PM, and Honolulu liquor law allows bars to serve until 2:00 AM.
Waikiki has House Without a Key, the Mai Tai Bar, Duke's and Blue Note Hawaii; Chinatown has Manifest, Tchin Tchin! Bar and Fete; Downtown has Bar Leather Apron; Kakaako has Honolulu Beerworks, Aloha Beer Company and Bevy.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Waikiki hotel bars peak at sunset (about 6:00-8:00 PM). Chinatown bars peak 9:00 PM-1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday, and the busiest nights are First Friday of each month.
- Average drink
- Cocktails $14-22 (US$14-22), craft beer $8-11 (US$8-11), mai tais at hotels $16-24 (US$16-24), wine by the glass $12-18 (US$12-18).
- Dress code
- Most bars are casual aloha attire. House Without a Key, Lewers Lounge and Bar Leather Apron prefer collared shirts or resort casual; beachwear is discouraged after dark.
- Cover charge
- Hours, covers and show schedules change often and several Honolulu bars have closed in recent years; check each venue's website or phone before going. Moani Waikiki closed in 2026.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Waikiki
Beachfront hotel bars with nightly Hawaiian music, hula and sunset cocktails along Kalakaua Avenue and Kalia Road.
Best for: Live Hawaiian music and sunset drinks
Chinatown (Hotel Street and Nuuanu Avenue)
Small cocktail bars, wine bars and dive bars in a historic district; busiest on First Friday art nights.
Best for: Craft cocktails and bar hopping
Kakaako
Breweries and cocktail bars in warehouse-style spaces between Ala Moana and downtown.
Best for: Craft beer
Kapahulu
Neighborhood bars and late-night food near Waikiki's Diamond Head end.
Best for: Late-night eats and casual drinks
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
House Without a Key
Known for: Oceanfront cocktails under a century-old kiawe tree with nightly live Hawaiian music and hula
Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian
Known for: Beachfront mai tais at the Pink Palace of the Pacific, with live Hawaiian music most evenings
Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Lewers Lounge
Known for: Upscale cocktail lounge with live jazz and piano in the Halekulani
Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Duke's Waikiki Barefoot Bar
Known for: Open-air beach bar named for Duke Kahanamoku with live Hawaiian music at sunset
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hula's Bar & Lei Stand
Known for: Open-air bar above Kapahulu Avenue with views of Diamond Head, popular with locals and the LGBTQ+ community
134 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
RumFire Waikiki
Known for: Oceanfront bar with firepits and rum cocktails beside Waikiki Beach
Sheraton Waikiki, 2255 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Bar Leather Apron
Known for: Reservation-friendly craft cocktail bar led by bartender Justin Park, known for classic and seasonal drinks
745 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813
Manifest
Known for: Chinatown bar and bistro with small plates, wine and cocktails and occasional live music
32 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817
The Pint + Jigger
Known for: Gastropub with a craft beer list and cocktails
1936 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826
Tchin Tchin! Bar
Known for: Cocktail and wine bar in Chinatown with small plates
39 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Bevy
Known for: Neighborhood cocktail bar in Kakaako with a short drinks list and bar bites
661 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Fete
Known for: Restaurant and cocktail bar at the Chinatown gateway with local-ingredient dishes and live music some nights
2 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Honolulu Beerworks
Cover: No cover
Hours: Daily about noon-10:00 PM (confirm on website before going)
Aloha Beer Company
Cover: No cover
Hours: Daily about 11:00 AM-10:00 PM (confirm on website before going)
Waikiki Brewing Company
Cover: No cover
Hours: Daily about 11:00 AM-late (confirm on website before going)
Blue Note Hawaii
Cover: Ticketed shows from about $20-80 (US$20-80)
Hours: Show nights; doors about 6:00 PM (confirm on website before going)
Kani Ka Pila Grille
Cover: No cover
Hours: Daily; live Hawaiian music about 5:00 PM-9:00 PM (confirm on website before going)
Mahina & Sun's
Cover: No cover
Hours: Daily; dinner service and live music about 5:00 PM-10:00 PM (confirm on website before going)
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Bring a valid government photo ID; the legal drinking age is 21 and passports are accepted from foreign visitors.
Use rideshare or TheBus after dark; Chinatown streets are poorly lit late at night, and there are no open-container allowances on Hawaii streets or beaches.
Reserve House Without a Key, Lewers Lounge and Bar Leather Apron ahead; weekend sunset seats fill early.
Drinking alcohol on beaches and in public parks is prohibited in Honolulu.