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Oahu is the best of all the Islands for nightlife. The locals call it pau hana, but you might call it happy hour (the literal translation of the Hawaiian phrase is "done with work"). On weeknights, it's likely that you'll find the working crowd, still in their business-casual attire, downing chilled beers even before the sun goes down. Those who don't have to wake up in the early morning should change into a fresh outfit and start the evening closer to 10 pm.
On the weekends, it's typical to have dinner at a restaurant before hitting the clubs around 9:30. Some bar-hoppers start as early as 7, but partygoers typically don't patronize more than two establishments a night. That's because getting from one Oahu nightspot to the next usually requires transportation. Happily, cab services are plentiful, and rideshares like Uber and Lyft give Honolulu a San Francisco feel.
You can find a bar in just about any area on Oahu. Most of the clubs, however, are in Waikiki, near Ala Moana, and in Chinatown, near downtown Honolulu. The drinking age is 21 on Oahu and throughout Hawaii. Many bars will admit younger people but will not serve them alcohol. By law, all establishments that serve alcoholic beverages must close by 2 am, although you might get lucky and stumble into a secret all-night party. The only exceptions are those with a cabaret license, which can stay open until 4 am. Some places have a cover charge of $5–$10, but with many establishments, getting there early means you don't have to pay.
One of the newer breweries to debut on Oahu, the modern, two-story brewhouse has its manufacturing area, a gift shop, a bar and more casual dining area downstairs, and an upscale mezzanine with exclusive cocktails. With 20 of its beers on tap (half of them IPAs), plus guest collaborations, cocktails, and mocktails, there's something for everyone. The food menu is just as extensive, including at Sunday brunch.
The craft beers produced by this Maui-based company are Island favorites, and a visit to this sprawling, indoor-outdoor brewpub adjacent to the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel's lobby means you don't have to island-hop to sample its offerings at the source. Ask about limited-release drafts to imbibe the brand’s hidden gems, or order a flight of freshly brewed beers. Maui Brewing strives to source local ingredients for its beer and its food, and the menu here includes a poke bowl made with locally caught tuna, a kale salad that incorporates Waianae-based Naked Cow Dairy feta, and a Brewmaster pizza featuring Honolulu-based Kukui sausage.
Grab a seat in either the industrial indoor taproom or the outdoor beer garden where dogs are welcome (and have their own menu). With more than a dozen beers on draft—including the Hop Lei IPA, Froot Loops, and Aloha Blonde—as well as wine, cocktails, and mocktails, you're likely to find something to your taste. For food, there's pizza and other standard pub fare plus a brunch menu. Get cocktails and more upscale offerings in the upstairs HI Brau Room, which has its own speakeasy-style entrance. A newer Aloha Beer location is in Waikiki.
Oahu's brewing scene has erupted in Kakaako’s industrial neighborhood, and one brewpub led the charge: Honolulu Beerworks. In a converted warehouse, owners Geoff and Charmayne Seideman and their crew brew 10 core beers—Kewalo's Cream Beer and South Shore Stout among them—in addition to limited releases with often spicy names. When you need some ono grinds (delicious food) with your local brew, they've got munchies, flatbreads, panini, and mac and cheese. Cocktails are also available. It’s a regular spot for many locals, particularly on the weekends. You might just make new friends sitting at one of the bar's long picnic tables, made from reclaimed wood.
Finding a brewery in Kalihi isn't what you'd expect from such a modest neighborhood, but this no-frills, hole-in-the-wall spot (formerly Broken Boundary Brewery) is home to a growing menu of "old school" beers (the Hi Fi is an ode to the original West Coast IPAs of the 2000s) that aficionados will appreciate. It's also a good place for a quick bite—sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and quesadillas are on the food menu—and a drink before or after a trip to the Bishop Museum or while picking up some food souvenirs at Diamond Bakery next door.
This massive Kona Brewing Co. restaurant and bar on the docks of Koko Marina has long been a hot spot. In addition to serving the company's signature brews with lunch and dinner, this authentic pub offers live music most nights. It's a lively spot, especially on weekends.
Lanikai Brewing Company's taproom features its island-centric beer, including seasonal varieties that incorporate unusual ingredients like Surinam cherry, mushrooms, and white tea. It also serves Valentina's wood-fired pizza and sometimes has a food truck out front. In addition to beer, there are spirits from the brewery's distillery line, house-made sangria, Paradise Ciders, and other sips from which to choose. Kids are welcome, and board games are available for playing.
This company not only brews its own quality craft beer but also serves delicious food. This is its second location—the original is in Waikiki at 1945 Kalakaua Avenue—and it always offers nine beers on tap, including the Skinny Jeans IPA and the Hana Hou Hefe, to which orange peel and strawberry puree are added before fermentation. You can also buy six-packs at the bar to go. Barbecue sauces accompanying some of the smoked meat selections are made with Waikiki Brewing beer. Stop by for brunch on the weekends.
