3 Best Performing Arts Venues in Oahu, Hawaii

Music lovers adore this intimate venue, which draws local and national acts—jazz, rock, reggae, pop, and more—throughout the year. Comedy acts take the stage, too. Acoustics are fantastic, and seating is at tables, all with excellent views. The atmosphere is sophisticated, and the food here is excellent, too, with small and large plates offered (there's a $10 per person food or drink minimum). It's worthwhile to find out who's performing while you’re in town so you can purchase tickets in advance, since the more popular acts sell out quickly. This 300-seat room is centrally located at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, so you can grab a drink at Duke’s before or after the show.

Consisting of four ensembles, this group has been around for decades and performs at the Honolulu Museum of Art's Doris Duke Theatre ( 901 S. Beretania St., Honolulu), the Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College ( 45-720 Keaahala Rd., Kaneohe), the University of Hawaii's West Oahu Library ( 1001 Farrington Hwy., Kapolei), and other locations around Oahu. The season runs from fall through spring.

The orchestra is the latest incarnation of the now-defunct Honolulu Symphony, with a mission to bring international talent to Hawaiian audiences of all ages. The orchestra performs at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall and the Waikiki Shell.