Honolulu Nightlife: From live music and fun DJ sets to handcrafted cocktails and great food, Honolulu has something for everyone. Explore Honolulu's nightlife and immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture, flavors and experiences with our comprehensive guide to the best bars and nightclubs in Honolulu.
Nightlife Honolulu
An exotic destination with beautiful Pacific Ocean scenery and white sand beaches, Hawaii is becoming a popular getaway destination for people from all over the world.
While most of its beach and hiking adventures are limited to daytime, Hawaii's nightlife offers a desirable alternative to a fun, relaxing, and fulfilling trip. Of Hawaii's many cities and islands, Honolulu, the capital, offers travelers the best nights out , with a variety of tiki bars, luau events, live music, and sunset sails on the Pacific Ocean.
The Hawaiian capital serves as the hub of Hawaii's nightlife and never fails to entertain visitors. Drinks, karaoke, dancing and even music, the city of Honolulu offers great nightly entertainment, from live music in small local bars and beach huts to upscale clubs with karaoke nights and jazz musicals.
Honolulu's nightlife offers numerous options, from craft cocktail lounges to trendy nightclubs. An iconic image of Hawaiian nightlife is the tiki bar . Tiki bars can be found on almost every street corner, with their own tropical cocktails and umbrellas to match, and are great places for those looking to unwind in a relaxed atmosphere, listening to local music.
The evening in Honolulu begins with happy hour: here you can immerse yourself in the Hawaiian atmosphere in the various tiki bars, luau events and live music. Happy hour typically runs from 5-7pm. You can also enjoy live music in local bars, beach huts and exclusive clubs.
Honolulu's live music scene is very famous around the world . The city has an attractive live music scene at night: Honolulu's bars and nightclubs offer many types of music, including acoustic and hip-hop. One of the best things about live music in Honolulu is the abundance of talented street performers who are great at keeping you entertained. As a result, the city has a wide variety of venues where you can enjoy live music along with quality food and drink.
If you want to party all night long, head to the trendy Honolulu nightclubs and unleash the party spirit and attend the many parties and shows.
Hawaiian luaus
Attending a Hawaiian luau is a big Oahu attraction in itself. It's a night of nonstop entertainment, with torch lighting, hula dancer performances, Hawaiian rituals, flowing tropical drinks, and of course Hawaiian food. Paradise Cove Luau , Germaine's Luau , and the Polynesian Cultural Center , are the top 3 most popular luaus in Honolulu.
Where to go out at night in Honolulu
Most of Honolulu's nightlife takes place in downtown Waikiki , where there are also the majority of hotels and plenty of cabs to get around.
Waikiki has always been the ultimate rest city on the island and keeps up with Oahu's nightlife. Hawaiian bars, nightclubs and lively entertainment fuel Waikiki's nightlife. Consider joining the fun Waikiki Historic Pub Crawl. Enjoy a beer (anywhere) and learn interesting stories and trivia in one of the unique bars that have left their mark on the city.
The Chinatown neighborhood of Honolulu is also home to a decent nightlife scene , with an elegant, quaint, and lively atmosphere. Most of the nightclubs are located from Bethel to Mauakea Street, between King Street and Beretania Street.
The Red Light District is home to some of Hawaii's premier art galleries, new gourmet restaurants, a Hawaiian flower lei community, and old and new Honolulu bars. Visiting this area of downtown during the day is great, but it's best to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle at night. Even better, enjoy a fun and relaxing Happy Hour for dinner and well into the night.
Clubs and discos in Honolulu
Located in downtown Chinatown, Bar 35 is one of the best nightclubs in Honolulu , a special club where you can listen to live bands, DJ performances and dance. Come between 16.00 and 21.00 for happy hour, where you can enjoy more than 200 types of beer. The club atmosphere is fun and there's enough beer to keep you busy all night, while the DJ brings the dance floor to life.
You can always take a break from the hustle and bustle by stepping out onto the patio and enjoying some quiet time. The bar also offers a unique menu of craft cocktails, as well as many classic cocktails, making it a great choice for a diverse crowd to enjoy the Honolulu nightlife .
District Nightclub is one of the most exciting and popular nightclubs in Honolulu . Good music, a young audience and a friendly atmosphere are some of the notable elements of this special place.
Located minutes from Waikiki and across from the Ala Moana Center , this nightclub features a stage for live entertainment, VIP tables, 4 private karaoke rooms and a club within a club. Learn to dance salsa and watch weekly guest dance performances.
The Republik is the hottest nightclub in Honolulu . With high-class events and concerts and always bustling with people, this club never loses its charm, With a large dance floor and live band performances, The Republik is also considered the premier venue in Honolulu for concerts and events .
The elegant interior features two large chandeliers and a simple black and white style, as well as several bars and a kitchen service that serves a large selection of sliders, burgers, pizza and a large selection of beers.
Located above the Waikiki Business Plaza, Sky Waikiki is one of the upscale clubs that offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring some of the best parties in Honolulu . From the roof terrace you can enjoy beautiful views over the city. This is also the perfect spot for happy hour, dinner, and after-hours all-night rooftop dancing.
Sky Waikiki is definitely one of the newest must-see nightclubs in Waikiki. If you're looking for something different, memorable and immersive, take the lift to the top floor and enter this lively rooftop party venue.
Located in the heart of Honolulu, The Manifest operates as a café by day and a nightclub by night. Known not only for its crazy dancing, but also for its innovative drinks and largest whiskey collection, this nightclub is often cited as the perfect place for a party night in Honolulu .
Located in the heart of Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood, Next Door is an underground art and music haven. They offer a wide variety of music from jazz, electronic music, heavy metal to hip hop. It is a popular concert hall among locals, tourists, amateur musicians, music lovers and professionals.
The red brick walls and warehouse-style architecture also include a fully stocked bar that serves the crowd delicious hand-crafted tropical cocktails. The hall also hosts film screenings, concerts and other private events for visitors.
Nextdoor is more than just a bar, it's an experience that showcases Honolulu's fusion of art and nightlife . This Honolulu club is big enough to host concerts and DJs all night long.
Located in Chinatown, Scarlet is a brand new gay bar and nightclub in Honolulu, with a spacious dance floor and popular with locals for drag shows and top DJs. The club offers a fun atmosphere and is the perfect place to unwind after a tiring week.
Open all night, Play Bar is another popular nightclub in Honolulu. Though small, it features a colorfully lit dance floor. If you want to go clubbing all night, visit this nightclub after hours.
Located inside the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, this Honolulu nightclub offers great views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. The disco also has a small outdoor area where you can enjoy a splendid Hawaiian sunset while sipping a refreshing cocktail.
This upscale and trendy nightclub in Honolulu is popular with locals and tourists alike, primarily for its excellent Pacific European cuisine. Dance on the dance floor or find a quiet table with friends to enjoy the club's occasional live music and daily DJ nights.
Also serving top-notch rum and cocktails, this upscale club is a staple of Honolulu nightlife .
Blue Note is a local jazz nightclub located inside the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. Here you can listen to some of the best jazz in Honolulu, or enjoy stand-up comedy from some of the city's most popular comedians. This club is very fun and less crowded than other clubs, so it's worth a try.
The bars and pubs of Honolulu
The Mai Tai Bar is one of Honolulu's most popular bars . Located on the shores of Waikiki beach, this bar offers breathtaking views. In addition to relaxing music and beautiful scenery, the bar offers handcrafted cocktails and Cobb salads. Also, consider booking a table in advance as the bar can get busy at any time of day.
This is an iconic spot in Honolulu to hear live music, watch the sunset, and enjoy the acclaimed Mai Tai. Enjoy live entertainment provided in the form of music and other events to enjoy the Honolulu nightlife. This place is also one of the few to offer a late night happy hour.
One of Waikiki's most popular rooftop restaurants and bars, Buho Cantina offers breathtaking views of all that Waikiki has to offer. What makes this place so inviting is the trendy bar and lounge area where you can also dance.
This open-air bar and restaurant located at the Aloha Tower Market offers nightly live music and beers from award-winning microbreweries, as well as beautiful ocean views. A solid option for a quiet evening in Honolulu.
At the edge of Kehi Lagoon, La Mariana Sailing Club is undoubtedly one of the best tiki bars in Hawaii. The retro bar will take you back in time with its relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and great Mai Tai. If you want to explore Honolulu's bar scene, you must visit this hidden gem.
If you are looking for a well-appointed upscale bar in Honolulu, Lewers Lounge at the Halekulani Hotel is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a special Mai Tai. This elegant lounge bar features live jazz music and serves appetizers, desserts and cocktails, prepared with local ingredients. The dress code is resort smart, so no shorts, T-shirts, or beachwear.
Simply called Hula's, this Honolulu gay bar has been serving customers for generations. Located in the Waikiki Grand Hotel, it features live entertainment, live music, award-winning cuisine, a dance floor and great cocktails.
The friendly and intimate atmosphere of the bar is combined with the beautiful sea views, making it a meeting place for tourists and locals alike. Order local fare and traditional Hawaiian cocktails as you enjoy the bar's giant video screens and trendy decor. The open-air restaurant by the bar offers beautiful views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach.
This place is often named as one of the best bars in Honolulu. The cocktails are great and the atmosphere is intimate. Get there early as there are only about two dozen seats.
One of the oldest steakhouses in Waikiki, Chart House has a tiki bar vibe with wood carvings on the walls, sailor decor, and large exterior windows overlooking the harbor. They are known for their amazing Mai Tais.
Suzie Wong's Hideaway is a fun Honolulu bar, filled with fun and eclectic signage, memorabilia, TV sports screens, surfboards, and a few novelties for a laugh. If you arrive early enough, you can sit on a horse saddle-shaped bar stool.
Located on the second floor of the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, this popular tiki bar is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset and this is where the party in Waikiki happens. You will be surrounded by life sized tikis.
This popular Outrigger Waikiki beach restaurant and club always hosts a lively crowd, sipping its tropical drinks to keep the fun and action going.
In the heart of Waikiki, Kelly O'Neills has everything you need after a busy day. A great place to have a beer. Relax with friends listening to live music. It is also the most famous Irish pub in Honolulu.
Lava Tube is a tiki bar in Honolulu with a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
Wang Chung's is a small Asian-themed LGBTQ karaoke bar. In addition to a full-service karaoke room, the bar offers a delicious food menu and karaoke nights. Wang Chung's is one of the youngest bars in the city and one of the best places to enjoy the Honolulu nightlife.
