Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian

The Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian sits on the beachfront lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 2259 Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. The hotel, opened in 1927 and known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, gives the bar one of the most photographed backdrops in Waikiki: pink Spanish-Moorish walls, coconut palms and the surf directly beyond the open-air tables. The crowd is largely hotel guests and visitors from the neighbouring resorts, with some locals stopping in for a sunset drink. The mood is easygoing and sociable, and the dress code is beach-resort casual; cover-ups are expected over swimwear. The bar is open to adults and families during the day and early evening. Music is typically live Hawaiian-style entertainment on many evenings rather than a club-style programme, with ukulele, guitar and vocals providing a background to conversation. As the name suggests, the drinks list is built around the mai tai, which the Royal Hawaiian has long been associated with, along with other rum cocktails, tropical drinks, local beer and wine. Light bites and shareable plates are available. Hours run roughly from late morning to about 11:00 PM daily, but they can vary seasonally. Prices are resort level, with cocktails commonly around US$18 to US$25. No cover charge is applied, and reservations are generally not required for the bar, though sunset hours attract waits for the best tables. Weekends and holiday periods are busiest; weekday afternoons are calmer. Because the bar is outdoors, weather can affect seating. Visitors should confirm opening hours and music nights on the hotel website before going.