Legendary cocktail experience. My partner and I frequent a lot of top 50 bars across the world and Bar Leather Apron operates at that level. The drinks are well balanced and have a lot of Japanese flavor influence (i.e shisho, matcha, yuzu). Presentation and breakdown of each drink component was exceptional; it is clear that the mixologists understand the nuances of their ingredients and the techniques they employ. Special shout out to Scotty for taking care of us tonight. Excited to come back again :) read more

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Months before my trip to Oahu, I tried to book a reservation to Bar Leather Apron but was unable to do so because the reservations were immediately scooped up right as they were released. To my surprise, on a Sunday evening after having dinner nearby at Maze, my wife and I walked over to Bar Leather Apron and we were able to get seated right away! In fact, around 7:30 p.m. when we stopped by, there was actually a ton of seating available in the bar. Who would've guessed. If you're in the same boat as me and are unable to find a reservation for your upcoming visit, I would encourage you to stop by and try a walk-in. The first page of the menu lists a wide variety of whiskey based cocktails. Most -- if not all, of the cocktails are pre-fixed with BLA (Bar Leather Apron), and represent a collaboration with the named distillery. If you're fan of whiskey, you'll definitely have a difficult time picking only one. I ultimately ordered their "Take Warning" -- 2021 BLA Knob Creek BLA Single Barrel, Cynar, Carpano Antica, Mezcal, Bergamot Salt. Drinks here are not cheap -- averaging $20 to $25 per drink. Although my drink was very spirit forward, it still felt very well balanced. I appreciated the hint of smokiness from the mezcal that rounded out the end of a sip. Service here quick and friendly. When we received the check, a cute small chocolate snack was brought over as well, borrowed from the menu at Maze. Overall, I can see why Bar Leather Apron has earned so many accolades in its field. Definitely worth a stop by if you enjoy the art of mixology. read more

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We were able to get a table for three as a walk-in around 8:30pm, which felt lucky. They validate parking for the office building, though we did street parking. The space is intimate and cozy, a totally different atmosphere from the typical Honolulu bar scene. The drinks are unique and Japanese-inspired. We ordered the mai tai, which was strong and you can really taste the absinthe. The matcha gin was a lighter take on an Old Fashioned. The Boomerang was probably the most complex, with layers of sour, sweet, and salty that kept evolving. Where the experience fell short for me was how they handled a small accident at our table. My mom accidentally spilled her drink after only having about 20% of it. While they quickly cleaned it up, they took the remaining drink without offering to replace it or even asking if we wanted to keep what was left. Given the price point and the level of bar this is, that felt disappointing. It wasn't fully spilled, and it would've been nice if they had shown a bit more hospitality in that moment. Aside from that, it's a great spot for creative cocktails and a more refined, low-key night out in Honolulu. read more

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Wasn't able to snag a res so I came a little before they opened as a walk-in. The location is a little weird, in a business building, but wasn't too hard to find if you know where to go lol. There were maybe 3 parties before me, but I was able to be seated right away after they seated all the reservations. The vibe is dark and moody, which I liked. I asked for recommendations based on my tastes and they gave me really good drinks. Don't remember the names, but they tasted great. Alcohol was top notch. I would definitely come back to try more drinks. read more

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Surprised my boyfriend with a reservation to Bar Leather Apron for his birthday & he's still talking about it 2 weeks later. The service is amazing & the drinks are delicious & so unique. I would make reservations early to sit at the bar because it's truly an unforgettable experience. We read more

Bar Leather Apron - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

While visiting Honolulu, we knew we wanted to try to go to BLA, since they are a James Beard award winning cocktail lounge. There were no open reservations when I had checked a few weeks prior to us flying in, so we thought we'd try to walk in around when they opened. Luckily for us, there had been a cancellation and we were able to be seated at the bar. The bar itself is situated in an office building on the 1st floor, and when you walk in, it's dimly lit with lots of wood accents and leather seats. The bar only seats 6 people, with the lounge area holding maybe 5-6 additional people. The menu is a few pages long, with classic cocktails, speciality cocktails and highballs along with zero proof options as well. We chatted with one of the bartenders and one of the co-owners, Justin for a while. He guided us through the menu and we ordered a few drinks between us. I ordered the Flowers for You which was light, fruity and a little bit tangy and the La Altena which was smoky and had a bit of heat to it from the chiles. My partner ordered the Mai Tai and the Amaretto Sour, with his favorite being the Sour. The Mai Tai is not your typical Mai Tai due to the complexity of the ingredients, so be prepared for a unique flavor profile. All of the drinks were delicious and the service was unmatched. Be prepared to take your time here as the preparation of each drink is deliberate and is part of the experience. Would absolutely come here again the next time we are in Hawaii! read more

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Having lived on the island for a few years, I've been wanting to try this place for quite a while. Through a friend with connections, got in on a Friday around 5:30PM. Front staff was friendly, got seated within a few minutes. Interior is dark, but well appointed. Quite a cozy place with extremely limited seating. Maybe space at the bar for 8 folks, and separate seating for maybe only 10 more people, I will say the bar staff was quite pleasant if almost overly so. Prices for their "bespoke" drinks weren't really that bad. Drinks ranged from about $20 to 25 apiece. Absolutely minimal food options if you want snack while drinking. Place has an odd, Hawaiian/Asian flavor, which doesn't quite work for the older, mainland crowd (me). Although, I really can't say anything negative about the place, it's was just a little too "beta" for me. The bartenders were younger, very dedicated and well-versed on their "presentation'. After some odd little Japanese influenced pseudo whiskey sour drink served in a shallow glass, I asked the bartender for something a bit more "substantial". She seemed a little butt-hurt. I just told her give me a whiskey. I ended up with a tumbler engrossed by a block of ice, garnished by a 3 inch slab of orange peel, and probably less than a shot of some whiskey. She said it was their signature drink. Okay, I know it's not their fault, but next time I'll head a few blocks over to the Irish pubs and grab a few Guinness. Parting shot: Not a bad place, but not for a "boomer" who prefers beer. read more

Bar Leather Apron - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Bar Leather Apron is AMAZING! First of all it is a small place (~6 bar seats, 14 lounge area seats) so getting a reservation is pretty tough but key. If you're a party of only two you might get seated at the bar (don't quote me on this) if space permits otherwise you'll be seated in the comfortable lounge. Our reservation was mid-evening on a Thursday and we were a pair of the lucky ones seated at the bar. Do not get me wrong...sitting in the lounge is not a downgrade, you just don't get the full experience of the presentation. Scotty (not sure if he's the only bartender) went over the selection of cocktails they had listed and provided us recommendations when we had narrowed it down to a couple options. Each drink is a presentation that drinks very well. Scotty lines up the different spirits/ingredients going into the cocktail and explains the flavor profile they are trying to achieve. This is not a bar that is noisy and rushes to get out drinks asap. This is a place where the drinks are carefully crafted and presented to each. To some this may be overkill but we loved the care put into making the drink and the conversation we had with Scotty about each spirits profile and how it's all going to work together in the cocktail. We had two drinks each, all excellent tasting! We also had their brioche roll with pepperoni butter that was also very good. We will be back for more drinks and to enjoy the atmosphere. read more

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Came here because we saw it has been on North America's 50 Best Bars and were definitely not disappointed! Be advised if you want to get the full experience at the bar, get a reservation over a month in advance; they open on the first of the month for the subsequent month (ie reservations for all of July open June 1). We didn't realize this and looked for reservations on June 1 afternoon for July 3, and the entire month was already booked out! But we added ourselves to the wait list and lucked out, received an email 1-2 weeks before our trip that a spot opened up and booked it immediately. So glad we did! Now to the drinks! I ended up getting the Mai Tai (GORGEOUS and delicious! I understand why they won awards for it) followed by the Flowers For You. I loved them both. My bf got the Matcha Old Fashioned and Sagano Smoke and he also loved them. Our drinks were made right in front of us by Justin with such artistry, it was beautiful. And the bar itself had such a great vibe, we loved the lighting and the cozy atmosphere. Overall the whole experience was divine. My bf has been to A LOT of the top 50 cocktail bars and he said BLA is definitely deserving of the praise. Highly recommend getting a reservation here if you can! read more

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We had an absolutely lovely time at Bar Leather Apron. We were walk ins and we were sat almost immediately. There were 4 of us in a private room and it was very intimate and lovely. Our waiter was wonderful, very nice and funny. The drinks were amazing, we didn't drink anything bad. I don't usually enjoy whiskey, but I enjoyed all of the old fashioned's my friends got. All of the drinks also had a generous pour. I appreciated the creativity behind each drink as well. The smoked fish dip with ikura on top was also so yummy. I only wish they had more food on their menu, but I understand they need to focus on the drinks to make them as delicious as they are. read more

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Love this place! It's a very upscale bar with boujee drinks & adequate prices for the service you get! Honestly, the way they craft their drinks & the experience makes it worth it to me! I came here 10 years ago and I'm so grateful to be able to come back & enjoy this bar again! Make sure you have a reservation, we happened to get lucky that they let us in cause they had availability. This bar is a high end bar, so expect the prices to be the same. Loved it! read more

It has been one of my hardest reservations to get in a while. The counter has limited seating, and although they do allow walk-ins, they come without the show, so try your best to get the resy. The staff's knowledge is that of professionals. I struck up a bourbon conversation with our bartender, which taught me so much about their process of making barrel selections. The drinks are good, and their presentation is creative and modern. Some bars of a similar type come off as banal and predictable, but not here. It's one of a kind in Oahu, and it adds a flare to your night if you can get a seat. read more

Bar Leather Apron - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I am sure most who love to dine out have experienced fine dining at some point in their life, however, have you experienced a fine cocktail bar experience? Bar Leather Apron delves into the deeper end. If you appreciate (fine) cocktails and spirits, one should experience this place. Reservations are hard to book as the calendar opens on the 1st of each month at 7:00am for that month only and books very quickly. There are only 6 seats at the bar and a few lounge tables and group seating. I recommend a seat at the bar! Their approach to cocktail creations is an entirely new experience, from the ambiance, presentation, service and setting, it is understandable they were awarded a James Beard Award. This is not your average bar. Definitely the total opposite of a dive bar! There are no "well" drinks here. All of the cocktails are served with high end spirits. For example, I noticed the tequila served in their cocktails are El Tesoro and the whiskey-based cocktails are served with Japanese whisky brand Suntory, Yamazaki. Anyone who knows, these are not "wells" and an average bottle at the store (if you can even find them) will run you starting $100 and up. I glanced at the glass case behind the bar seating and immediately noticed they have a lot of 'high end" or top shelf spirits you can't find anywhere locally. Every cocktail has a story behind how they were created, as narrated by our bartender. Some of the cocktails we learned are served special "batches" casked and distilled particularly for those drinks only. Aside from cocktails, they serve flights and spirits. They do have a few food menu items, however, the experience here are the drinks. The bar is finished in Koa wood and perfectly lit in spots where they would serve the drinks. Every drink served is a photo op because of the perfect lighting and darkness or the background. In a 2-hour seating, we each only had 2 drinks. It is a nice, quiet place to chill, with some light jazz in the background. This is a far cry from the noise of a typical bar. Restrooms are in the lobby, and the card key is located by the entrance door. There is ample parking in Topa Towers. I am not sure about parking rates so if you drive and park, you'll need to check since we walked over from our office. There is also street metered parking close by on Bishop Street as well which is free after 6:00pm read more

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Bar Leather Apron is easily one of my favorite bars in the entire country. The craftsmanship that goes into each cocktail is on another level -- the bartenders don't just make your drink, they walk you through it, explaining every ingredient and technique as they go. It's like getting a personal masterclass in mixology while sipping some of the best drinks you'll ever have. The staff are friendly, sociable, and clearly passionate about what they do, creating a welcoming and elevated atmosphere at the same time. Pro tip: sit at the bar if you can -- that's where the real magic happens. An absolute must-visit if you're in Honolulu and appreciate a world-class cocktail experience. read more

DISCLAIMER Not for the solo traveler. Reservations require parties of two - understandable given the space, unforgivable given what you're locked out of. Worse: walk-in roulette for an experience you'd have happily booked weeks ahead. My advice: reserve for two and prepare to play waiting-room hero or fund a very expensive self-date. SERVICE Life as a standby patron runs on anticipation easily mistaken for abandonment. I finished a 200-page novel between being seated and closing out; two drinks. Rounds crawled, partly a credit to the boozy-bordering-on-astringent cocktails pumping the brakes, partly to service that somehow slowed as the bar emptied. (See sister reviews re: odd cleaning rituals.) I closed my tab with my second order less from satiation than quiet desperation; a prelude to the despair crescendoing amid a hiss of dead air and Admirals Club ambiance. DRINKS Strip away some of its mystique and the menu sings one note. Many signature cocktails blur together; pressed for guidance, my server offered: "depends how much you like Laphroaig." Alas, the road to enlightenment is a lonely one. My more adventurous order - a "twist" on the Negroni that tasted like pine pitch - felt more like the dark shooting back. FINAL WORD I don't suppose any of this will stop me from returning (with reservation) for the classic experience. ...but then, perhaps that's just a lingering sense of intrigue that could forgivable be mistaken for incredulity in time. read more

My friend and I were lucky enough to get seats as a walk-in on a weds night as there were no reservations available when we checked earlier in the week. It's a little hard to find tucked away in what looks like an office building but that also added to the intimate feel of the bar. We ordered the el umami, rocking chair, sansho tonic and boomerang. As we received our drinks, we were surprised with a light snack (rice crackers I believe?) and a chocolate at the end which was such a nice treat! Each drink was described in detail and the care put into the ingredients is evident. My fav out of the 4 was the el umami and the sansho tonic as a close second. All drinks were very well balanced. Definitely recommend scoring a reservation if you can! read more

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O.M.G. Cocktails and an extensive whiskey list. What's not to love. I scored a reservation (or rather EL scored a reservation), and it was delightful. The bartender was very attentive without being overbearing, and the cocktails were creative but still well balanced. It's very intimate, with a bar and a few tables, but you really want to sit at the bar for the full experience. read more

This was one of my favorite bars that I've tried in Honolulu. Justin Park was such an awesome bartender/owner and paired each step of the mixing process with a masterful knowledge of each ingredient to help patrons better appreciate the different components of each cocktail as they are being crafted. Justin elevated the cocktail making experience with a flair for entertainment spectacle! The food was phenomenal and was just the right portions for an evening round of drinks! read more

Bar Leather Apron - Cheese and salami with Salmon dip! Such a great combination! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Bar Leather Apron is one of my favorite places to go to in Oahu. The drinks are phenomenal. We each got two drinks and I'm so happy we did. They're high quality and each is done with care. One of them was smoked and the presentation of that one was amazing. Ambiance is very lowkey and relaxed. I love the vibes here. It feels like you can take your time and relax against the couch to really enjoy your drinks. We also got a light food board here to help with the alcohol. It was good - not amazing, but it did the job. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. You may not get in unless you have them. It's not a huge place. read more

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Bar Leather Apron continues to impress - even on my 4th visit. This was our group's first time sitting in one of their booths instead of the bar, however, and it still felt like a full experience--comfortable, intimate, and with the same care and attention to service. We came as a group of four and split eight cocktails (don't judge us): * Amaretto Sour * Espresso Martini (Kopeika) * Sansho Tonic * Choco Fresa * El Tesoro * Imperial * El Umami * Fruity & Floral The unanimous top 2 of the night? Sansho Tonic and Amaretto Sour. Both were perfectly balanced and incredibly nuanced--standouts that prove why this place has such a strong rep in the craft cocktail world. Big thanks to Justin Park aka @meanshaka for the warm hospitality again. Whether you're seated at the bar or tucked into a booth, BLA always delivers. Extra info: I suggest taking uber here if you're close by, otherwise you'll be forced to park a few blocks away in downtown. Finding this bar isn't easy, either, but if you find either front or back entrance of the building (use Google Maps), you'll should be able to ask the people working in the building where to find BLA. You also need a reservation for the bar, which can be made though Opentable. Reservations open on the 1st of the Month prior (for example, book a reservation on July 1st for sometime in the month of August). read more

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This place has been on our list to visit once we arrived in Hawaii. We've been trying to get reservations here and being that this bar is one of the top 50 bars in the nation, it's pretty hard to get reservations. We couldn't get reservations online so we decided to take our chance and walk in. The bar is tucked inside the Topa Financial Center in downtown. Walking inside the center, I wouldn't even have thought a bar would've been in here. Pretty cool how it's tucked away. We got there a few minutes after they opened and the gentleman was able to let us sit at the bar. We were extremely lucky since there was a cancellation last minute. I can see why this place can get packed. It's very intimate and not a lot of seating. Justin took care of us and the drinks were amazing!!! His drinks and presentation is definitely a work of art. It was hard not to try the whole menu! Matcha old fashioned 10/10 Leather soul 10/10 Japan 10/10 Espresso martini 10/10 (has pandan in it) I'm not kidding when I say that all the drinks blew our mind. Each drink had its own unique twist and flavor. We loved all of it! Our top two had to be the leather soul definitely. The flavor was so rich and I never knew I would like a drink with tobacco in it. The second one we enjoyed is the matcha old fashioned. Never had an old fashioned with matcha before and I never would've thought it be good, but damn... that drink was so good. Every time we visit the family in Hawaii, this place is a MUST visit for us. We enjoyed the experience and the drinks. The service was top tier and I'm so glad we tried this bar finally! Thank you Justin! read more

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ok... YOU HAVE TO GO IF YOU CAN! Bar Leather Apron is a James Beard Award-winning cocktail bar in Honolulu that 100% lives up to the hype! Every drink here is an experience. They're balanced, creative, and always delicious They have a 2 cocktail minimum, but trust me, you'll want more. The bartenders are not only friendly but also super knowledgeable. They display the elements of your drink in front of you and then walk you through the flavors, so it feels both fun and educational. The space is cozy and intimate, but know that reservations are tough to get! (they recently switched from Resy to OpenTable, so keep an eye out or you might get lucky with a walk-in). I've never had a bad cocktail here. Definitely worth it! read more

This place is utterly amazing! We were lucky to get added to a reservation last minute and now I'm waiting to see when I can make my own reservation. Staff is awesome: friendly, knowledgeable, skilled cocktail artisans. The space is small and dark which makes for an intimate setting for amazing drinks. Certainly a memorable experience that few other bars could rival. It's amazing how reasonably priced the drinks are considering so many of the ingredients are made in house and the ice is hand sculpted. I'm not a whiskey girl so I really enjoyed the flowers for you, boomerang, and their take on the gin and tonic of. All fresh, fragrant, and so easy to drink. It's easy to see why their Mai tai was named world's best! It really was one of the best drinks I've ever had. Fun presentation that slayed the taste buds. We didn't eat much but the milk bread was really tasty and the chocolates they give at the end are really a nice finish to the evening. While they do take walk ins, consider calling ahead to see if they have the man power to serve. I'll be back! read more

Bar Leather Apron - Chocolates - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Very interesting list of cocktails that you won't find anywhere else. A lot of Japanese ingredients. If you're into craft cocktails, this is the place to be if you're able to get a reservation or score a seat with walk-in. Drinks were overall good with quality alcohol and ingredients. I wish the appetizers were closer to perfection given the price they charged but still decent enough although we didn't finish everything so definitely they could be better. Amazing price with the entry level Kaluga hybrid caviar (1oz) upgrade for just $65. Worth the upgrade. However, the menu said it's imperial golden osetra (which generally is more expensive than kaluga hybrid) so that was a little misleading on the menu. I enjoyed the kaluga hybrid at least. I tried 3 drinks - Imperial, La Altena and Fruity and Floral. The Suntory whisky in Imperial was smooth! I could also taste the shiso in the drink, but the whole drink was a little too sweet for me. I think I'd prefer to just drink the whisky by itself lol. La Altena was definitely on the spicy side haha. Smooth tequila as well, but I didn't enjoy the drink as much as I was hoping to. I kind wish I ordered their Mai tai instead for my 2nd drink but I don't think I could handle a 3rd alcoholic drink lol so I went for their zero proof fruity and floral. The egg white and hojicha gave it a good umami flavor, and the frozen apple tasted like dipping dots! That was a very interesting drink and I gotta say it's ironically my favorite one out of the three... Highly recommend the smoked salmon dip! I wish the bread was a little fresher. The onion and scallion dip was good too, but again, the chips could be made better - they're too thick, over fried and over seasoned. None of us could finish it. The cheese and salami had some good options in there. I liked the figs, the cashews, salami and cheese. The pickled cucumber was a little too sweet for me. The Kaluga hybrid caviar had a good briny taste and buttery finish, but didn't have much of a pop, but it's excellent for the price point. Still wish it was the golden imperial osetra as stated on the menu. The service was excellent! Everyone was very nice and attentive. They care. It's amazing to see Jason do his magic in front of us. I don't see a point to come here unless you can sit at the bar for the full experience. That's part of your drink and the price you pay! read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for over a long time now and FINALLY got a chance a chance to go!! Luckily it was early on a Wednesday night and we were able to walk in without reservations. But with only two guys working they limited the seating. Located in the a tiny intimate space with a bar and some tables I heard that the best seats are at the bar with front row seats so you can see the bartenders do their thing. We were seated on a table where we couldn't see but it's ok because we were engaged in conversation all night. Love that we all got different things and got to try each other's drinks. Everything was crafted with excellent care and beautifully and articulately presented with a short narrative about each drink. The starred ones were my faves. Round 1: ***E ho'o pau mai tai-12 year rum, spices: orgeat, fig lime, absinthe, keawe wood smoke. My friend said this was the world's best mai tai. I always wonder how anyone can make that claim unless they have literally travelled the world and tasted every maitai. They might not be wrong though, because this award winning drink was one of the best maitais I've ever had!!! Not too sweet, much more complex than your typical beach drink, and full of wonderful flavors! Masterfully made! **Kisetsu Sour/ lilikoi - changes seasonally - Nikka Coffey gin, mason pepper, yuzu, bergamot, lilikoi, lemon, tonic . This drink changes with the "seasons". Beautiful, refreshing and too easy to drink! Espresso martini- haku vodka, pandan, cynar, sesame, cold brew, whole egg. They smoke the espresso beans in front of you. My friend liked his drink more than I did. Round 2: Red Shiso smash- (not on the menu)-Toki, red shiso, lemon, yuzu, wasabon sugar, soda. Good but not my favorite. ***El Umami- tequila, mezcal, bergamot, strawberry, tomato, bergamot- lovely in looks and taste! A little sweet, a little smoky. Roma Norte- mezcal, chile verde, grapefruit, honey, black pepper, frozen apple. Super cool presentation. Good if you like smoky. ***Smoked salmon- bourbon smoked salmon, wasabi, dill oil, smoked trout roe. Soooo good! Great for sharing. Excellent servers knew we'd need more bread. Complimentary: Rice ball snacks Dessert: Ganache with yuzu- a perfect ending! Service by the guy in the leather apron and hat (sorry didn't catch his name ) was top notch. We were very well attended to. Love that they fill chilled water without having to be asked through the evening. I can see why people love this place and why it's James Beard worthy! Drinks nowadays are pricey everywhere. Theirs come with creativity, care, craftsmanship and class which give them more value than those at most other bars. read more

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Hidden away place with great soothing atmosphere. I would have never visited this place, but a friend knew the owner and we had time to burn. The service was excellent and the guy was super knowledgeable. Not really my thing, but a unique experience nonetheless. A definite recommend read more

I have been dying to visit Bar Leather Apron (BLA) for quite sometime now. Luckily, I was able to visit this amazing establishment and I had a memorable evening. Know before you go- reservations are highly recommended and can be difficult to get. They do accept a limited number of walk-ins. FYI: Bar leather apron is located towards the Fort Street Mall tower. Bar leather apron is a cozy and intimate bar offering limited bar seating as well as a small lounge area with several tables. For the best experience, I highly recommend sitting at the bar during your visit. It promises a truly delightful bar experience. I had such a great time savoring their specialty cocktails as a big fan of old-fashioned drinks and whiskey. It's hard to choose a favorite when I enjoyed the Matcha, Imperial, and Japan signature cocktail so much. The bartenders were a delight - they were so friendly and informative. I loved how they explained the ingredients and how everything came together to perfectly complement the whiskey. My visit to Bar Leather Apron was truly memorable and enjoyable. Wonderful cocktails and great service. I'm a fan! Can't wait to return soon for another memorable evening read more

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World class cocktails. World class service. You need to book months in advanced or if you're lucky you can score a walk in

The Mai Tai was so yummy, the service was great of course. It's a whole educational experience and you can tell the bartenders love their craft. read more

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I would definitely come back here for a nice evening cocktail. Note that you can either walk in or reserve seats on their website. However, the venue can only fit up to 16 seats. Yes, the venue is small yet a hidden gem. The reserved seating is right at the bar where the staff kindly pushes your seat in when you sit down. The ambiance is casual and not too loud with classic jazz music and covers but with jazz style. The venue is quite dim too but it's a nice touch to represent the drinks at the bar with the stage lighting. It's a nice little show where the mixologists present the ingredients and explain where these ingredients are originated from that will be mixed into your drink. I like how not only they present the ingredients but they also explain how they mix it (ex: fatwashing, dry washing, etc.). Lots of knowledge is explained for every drink and i feel like it's best that you see and hear it for yourself. The drinks overall, fantastic with a nice class-A buzz for the end of the night hehe. read more

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Was expecting more for a place that takes months to make reservations. Tip is you can probably get a walk in seat if you just waited in line. We saw two get seated just for the drinks, although they didn't get the "whole experience" we prob would've preferred it that way. read more

Bar Leather Apron - Would not suggest the strawberry drink. Can't think of the name atm. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I really debated whether or not to write a review or just leave it alone, but I went over two weeks ago and just had the most disappointing experience. While planning the trip (for a milestone birthday), I came across this place and found out it is HARD to get in; as in on October 1st the reservations for the month of November open up - and they go FAST. I love craft cocktails, so I set an alarm for 7:00 am HST and made sure I was at my computer ready to get a slot on my actual birthday. I'm not exaggerating at all - the clock switched, I clicked a time, and literally only 3 slots were available, but I got a time on my actual birthday. Within 4 minutes the entire month was booked. I mistakenly thought, "this is going to be great, I got an impossible spot, we're going to be able to go when we get to Oahu and have some amazing cocktails." Well we went (and yes it's a bit difficult to find), we had our reservation confirmed (I even put on there we came to celebrate a birthday, but the hostess didnt care I guess because nothing was said), and we got seated and situated (at a side table looking out into an empty building hallway, not the bar seating my reservation specified, but anyway). Multiple people came up to our table at different times to talk about the drinks, set down water and whatnot, bring our order, etc. At one point while I was deciding which drink to get, I made the comment to one of them we're here for my birthday, and she replied "Oh well you can get whatever you want!" Okay, yeah, so can everyone else? What is that supposed to mean? On our third drink, the bartender brought them out, and I knew I recognized him from some Instagram posts, so I got his attention to come back and told him I just wanted to say that it's really hard to get in here but I was glad I was able to get a spot for my birthday and it was really cool to see him here" etc. - he literally shrugged and said, "eh I'm here every day." Okayyyyy, so no appreciation at all. Also, while I enjoy a variety of spirits, and I don't mind a smoky flavor every now and then, everything on the menu at the time seemed to be quite smoky with little variety. There was nothing special about this place, we didn't consider any of our drinks to be spectacular and unique, and there was no special - even in the slightest sense of it - recognition for birthdays (I know people lie about this to get free stuff, but a driver's license can be used to confirm it (and yeah I know there a fake ones of those too), and while I don't expect free things, there seems to be no point to make a note of any special occasion here - I've had plenty of other places do small gestures for birthdays that are very appreciated). How did THEY acknowledge my birthday? - by writing "Happy Birthday!" on the BILL - yeah, some ink writing on an almost $200 bill. Classy. I really can't find the right word to describe it; it's like they assume everyone has been there before, as if people can just walk in without having to literally plan around being able to get in, as if the people that go are a part of some regular elite group that can go whenever they want - I don't get it. My milestone birthday will be remembered by a completely disappointing experience. read more

Bar Leather Apron - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I have been wanting to try this place for a while but with the reservation system opening on the first of the month for the next month availability, it takes quick fingers to pick up good reservations at 7 am. Luckily my coworker got Saturday reservation for the 4 of us at the bar top at 5. My husband and I got dropped off a bit early. I guess the 5 pm reservation is the first and they don't open until 5. The entrance is in the fort street tower up a small set of stairs above the eatery Burgers on Bishop. We were seated at 5 and they only had the bar too open that night, which seats 8. Drinks were all perfectly crafted with each ingredient contributing it's own part to the overall flavor. I asked if something could be left out because I wasn't a fan but was told that it helps offset the sweetness which I understand. It's good to know the profile of the each drink is made with that much thought. I especially liked the drinks with Shiso or yuzu (like the red Shiso smash, imperial, yuzu sour). The food choices were a nice addition seeing as we had 3 drinks each with no dinner. My most favorite item was one of their free bar snacks: the wonton chips fried in coconut oil. The elevation of something so simple like the won ton chips you get at Costco was chefs kiss. It was sweet and salty and so local. The perfect bar snack! I would recommend this place if you are able to get in!! Plus the service is so special and unique. On the bar you get a special experience with the bartender/mixologist. There is truly a passion and art to the drinks served and a treat to be able to experience it. read more

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Go here if you can get a reservation. Best bar I've ever been to, think of a 3 star Michelin restaurant but a 6 seat bar. Extreme attention to detail, highest level of ingredients and outstanding impeccable customer service! Go! read more

Congrats on your recent James Beard Award and Hale 'Aina Award for Best Bar. Very well-deserving. Hands down my absolute favorite bar on the whole island of Oahu. As someone who really enjoys the intricate and creative craft that comes with mixology and cocktails, I really appreciated the presentation and details of each drink. This place is bound to impress you! Very classy and intimate lounge. I've been keeping Bar Leather Apron as my dirty little secret since it's so difficult to get a reservation, but since they recently got more attention, I've decided to finally post my review. I've been here about 4-5 times if I'm lucky to snag a reservation. It's possible to get a walk-ins, but no promises. Just try your luck. I highly recommend getting bar seating (6 spots) if you can. It is where you get to watch the magic happen! We've had the pleasure of meeting all the bartenders by now: Justin (owner), Scotty, and Jason. They are all polite, professional, and down to earth. Gentlemen status. Dressed snazzy with their leather aprons too! Service is excellent. Most drinks range from $16-$28. Ive pretty much ordered all the drinks by now to find my favorites. I especially loved: *E Hoo Pau Mai Tai *Amaretto Sour *Yuzu Sour *Red Shisho Smash *Kisetsu Tonic They give complimentary small bar snacks and chocolate at the end. You can also order off their small Food menu. I will be back again and again! read more

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Legitimately had better food than I have had at some Michelin Star restaurants. The dip is AMAZING. I would be here all the time if I lived in Hawaii. I started with the Boomerang and then had the In the Soul. The creamed luau was my fa Legitimately had better food than I have had at some Michelin Star restaurants. The dip is AMAZING. I would be here all the time if I lived in Hawaii. I started with the Boomerang and then had the In the Soul. The creamed luau was my fav! read more

Bar Leather Apron - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Have been here 4 times now and have always had a relaxing and enjoyable time. Professional and friendly service from Scotty, Jason and Justin. A true hidden gem in a downtown business plaza. Very comfortable chairs and well made cocktails. As a large person, 2 cocktail drinks over the course of 2 hours is sufficient for a feeling of a warm glow, not drunk and not quite buzzed, but as the Germans might say, glückliche or merriment and happiness. You can taste the alcohol, but not in a bad way. It is well balanced and mixed in. Only complaint is reservations are hard to come by, but that is just because they are so popular! Plan well ahead. I particularly enjoy the cocktails with Japanese gin or whiskey when mixed with Yuzu and other fruit. Very unique and not as commonly found at other establishments read more

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Had this new place on my list for a while. I am a bourbon fan and the service was attentive but something wasn't hitting just right with the menu drinks, for me or my buddy for the evening. We enjoyed our snacks and the presentation was lovely. I wish there was a pairing or recommendation for best drinks/food together. Singularly, my manhattan was fire though. Obviously wish the view was a little better. I do feel like once you're inside it's a whole different atmosphere but we hated our view of the empty office building over the railing. I will definitely go back to try this place a little earlier in the evening to see if my taste buds were off. read more

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I mean, there's a reason it's a James Beard award winner. Bar Leather Apron is some of the best cocktails you will have bar none. The service is impeccable with so much attention to detail. The vibe is swanky and upscale as far as it goes on the island. You really cannot order wrong, but we absolutely loved our Matcha old-fashioned, and the E Ho'o Pau Mai Tai. If you're lucky enough to get in, it is a must do while in Honolulu. read more

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I cannot even put into words how awesome this experience was. All I can say it, make your reservations now and make it as many times as you are allowed to go during your trip. I had probably the best espresso martini that I have ever tasted when we went here and I've been trying to chase that taste ever since nothing had come close and I'm so sad. The place is small but very intimate. The bartenders are knowledgeable and very friendly. I honestly can't wait to go back the next chance I get. Every drink is unique and I would def recommend trying them all, plus book a seat at the bar, you won't regret it! read more

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