More than any place I’ve ever thrown down, Honolulu’s happy is 3-5, with a very few places having the happy hour a 3-6 experience. There are also some drink special for the early morning brunch crowd. If I’m forced to be honest, it’s not much of a happy hour place. In general the deals are not all that great. I have yet to find a ½ off appetizers that are common on the mainland. It’s also not really much of a bar scene kind of place. Yes, they have very nice pool bars, and a few eclectic local hole in the wall tiki style places, but the bar scene is not a dominant force like it is in many mainland cities and tourist destinations. Most of the hotel bars are nice, especially the ones on the beach
Get you happy hour on early
Hawaii in general is an early to bed early to rise kind of place. The bars, streets, and party scene tend to wind down really early. The Islands tend to also wake up very early. The time zone placements means the sunrise is right about 6:00 am. The glorious weather get the people going early. By the time midnight rolls around, it’s a full blow sad sausage fest around Waikiki.
Some of our Favorite Honolulu Bars
Dukes Bar and Grill
The most famous bar and grill on Oahu. It’s located next door to the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. It also has the more fancy version of itself right upstairs, the Hula Grill is similar to Dukes, but just sit down and fancy without the bar. They are both outstanding, but crowded. Dukes has an all you can eat Lunch Brunch for just over 30 with Poke bowls and other goodies. You can also get a Coors Light for under $10
Tikis
Pool to bar in the Fin Hotel It is right on the water and has ample seating overlooking Waikiki beach. Get a cool souvenir beer mug and get discounts on you next big beer purchase.
Lulas
This is a pseudo dive bar. It tries to be a more upscale establishment but fails at that goal. While pursuing this goal, it pulls off being a really nice dive bar.
The Karaoke Bar on top of the International Market Place.
I’m not sure what the name of this bar is, but it’s a rockin place late night. There were more than a few locals in here getting their rock star on.