The pieces are slowly starting to come together on Hotel Street. First it was thirtyninehotel that opened its doors to Honolulu's sophisticated scenesters, followed by NextDoor.
For beer drinkers, however, the must-visit destination is Bar 35.
When the revitalization of Hotel Street began to pick up steam in 2004, most of the attention went to thirtyninehotel and its weekly lineup of various art-related and musical events.
Kaspy's, which had opened next door at about the same time, stuck with a traditional Hawaiian theme.
Instead of DJs, slam poetry and art installations, the bar offered slack key and an owner who could talk story for hours.
Unfortunately, only thirtyninehotel would receive enough support to remain open. Kaspy's was forced to close within six months of serving its first drink.
Soon after, word got out that one of the partners at Indigo wanted to expand in the neighborhood.
That partner was Dave Stewart, and his new venture turned out to be Bar 35. Unlike Indigo, which attracts a lot of wine and martini fans, Stewart's new watering hole caters to the discriminating beer drinker.
With more than 100 different bottled brands available, you don't have to wait for a beer festival to conduct your own international tasting. And with a happy hour every day from 4 to 8 p.m. that offers all 12-ounce bottles for just $3, you won't have to worry about breaking the bank in order to pay for your trip around the world.
Unlike its predecessor, Bar 35 takes a minimalistic approach when it comes to the room's decor. Gone are the potted plants and other flora that used to fill the bar, as are the plain-looking tables and chairs and an elevated stage that served as Kaspy's performance space.
The vibe now is much more stylish, with leather couches and retro chairs that conjure up memories of furniture from the late '70s and early '80s. Brick walls, a high ceiling with beams exposed and minimal lighting help give this spot a New York jazz lounge feel.
Pick up a menu when you first walk in, and you'll find a partial listing of beers that are available.
Once you've given the menu an initial once-over, don't be afraid to ask the bartender if there's anything else worth trying. A number of bottles on the wall behind the bar aren't listed, and it's a lot easier to ask for a little guidance instead of spending the time to examine every last offering.
Other nice touches include a step under the bar that serves as a footrest for customers, along with hooks to hang a jacket or for ladies to hang their purses. A small enclave at the makai end of the room provides space for a few more couches, with a wall separating the area from the rest of the bar and making it feel a little more private.
Bar 35 is well on its way towards becoming a cornerstone in the effort to turn Hotel Street into a more attractive place to visit. Once people get past the grittiness of the surrounding neighborhood and realize that parking isn't as much of a problem as it seems, you'll see bigger crowds in this part of town after dark.
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