Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    EP Bar

    4.6 (152 reviews)
    Closed • 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    EP Bar Photos

    Business Info

    EP BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    DJ
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - EP Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ringo
    Michael C.

    Drinks. That's what you're here for isn't it? It is why you've searched for EP bar, looked over various reviews, and randomly found yourself reading thru the first few lines of this review. Well, welcome Dear Reader, and I hope what I'm about to share peaks your interest to visit EP Bar. I had my 2nd visit to EP Bar earlier this month with friends for some after dinner drinks. We did make a res, but there were some walk-ins while we there, so it's probably recommended but not necessary. We perused the menu, and our 1st round consisted of: Ringo Star Strawberry Fields Forever Pho Us By Us Hail Mary Any guesses on the drink I chose? It's related to the Beatles. If you guessed Ringo Star.....take another guess. The Strawberry Fields Forever was very refreshing. Recommended. My partner ordered the Hail Mary, which (sadly) wasn't to his liking, and he happily "helped" me finish my drink before ordering his own in the next round. I chose the Ringo Star as my next drink, and I'd say if you're a fan of Mr. Star and/or apples, this drink is right up your orchard. Recommended. SERVICE The service is friendly, mixed with a splash of polite, and served with patience and knowledge. BOTTOM LINE A great place for drinks. Casual ambiance/vibe and relaxed atmosphere. Recommended.

    Karai Vida, Pop Lock & Drop
    Tatiana A.

    I love coming here, the cocktails are amazing and I love the vibe. Dimly lit and they're playing vinyls from their huge collection all night long. All of the staff is super cool as well. I'm a mezcal girlyyy so I loved their Karai Vida, it was right up my alley. Smoky, spicy, and it comes with a lil snack, chef's kiss. If you like sweet, I definitely recommend the Strawberry Fields Forever (not pictured). I got to try my friend's and it was sooo good, not too sweet either but what you'd expect from a strawberry cocktail. Nice spot for a date night drink after getting dinner somewhere in Chinatown, if you want to sit at the bar I highly recommend making a reservation!

    Bar seating
    Emmanuel C.

    Fifteen minutes west of Waikiki, you'll find yourself in a completely different Hawaii. Honolulu's Chinatown feels worlds away from the beachfront resorts and postcard-perfect sunsets. The neighborhood is vibrant, gritty, and alive--a mix of Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Native Hawaiian influences layered over historic buildings, glowing neon signs, art galleries, and hidden cocktail dens. It reminded me a bit of New Orleans: worn facades with stories to tell, creative energy around every corner, and the sense that the best experiences are often tucked behind an unassuming door. Which makes it the perfect home for EP Bar. "EP" stands for Extend Play, a fitting name for a place built around music. Long before listening bars became fashionable in Los Angeles, New York, and London, there were the jazz kissa of Japan--small cafés where people gathered not to drink or dance, but to listen. Records spun through carefully tuned sound systems while patrons sat immersed in the music. The music wasn't background noise. It was the main event. Walking into EP Bar, you can feel traces of that tradition. The room is intimate and inviting. Reservations are highly recommended because the place fills up quickly on weekend nights. Once inside, the atmosphere hits a sweet spot. The music is loud enough to create a mood and provide privacy for conversation, yet never so overpowering that it dominates the room. Loud enough to muffle the secrets being shared between old friends. Loud enough to drown out the office gossip that somehow followed everyone from the coffee machine into happy hour. The soundtrack isn't just playing--it's setting the tone. As an Old Fashioned guy, my choice was easy. I ordered a Oaxaca OF, which swaps traditional whiskey for mezcal. Smoky, balanced, and memorable, it felt like the kind of drink that rewards slow sipping between tracks. Another member of our group went with the Pho Us By Us. To nobody's surprise except perhaps her own, it tasted a little salty. Considering the ingredients--Green Chile Vodka, Sake, Pho Spice, Lemon, and Soda--it was probably the most honest cocktail description I've ever seen. The drink tasted exactly like its name suggested. That's part of the fun here. The menu doesn't hide behind clever marketing. Drinks like Thai Me Down and Candy Rain practically dare you to order them. Not every note landed perfectly. Service was a little off-beat during our visit. But like any live performance, sometimes the rhythm isn't flawless. Thankfully, the vibes, decor, music, and overall experience more than carried the set. What I appreciated most was that EP Bar doesn't feel like a gimmick. It feels like a genuine continuation of a tradition that began decades ago in Japan's listening cafés, traveled across oceans, and found a home in Honolulu's Chinatown. It's a place where music matters, conversation flows, and the pace of the evening slows down just enough to appreciate both. The place slaps for what it is--and for what it isn't. In a world increasingly filled with distractions, EP Bar invites you to do something refreshingly simple: sit down, have a great drink, listen to great music, and be present. I'll definitely be back. After all, every good record deserves another spin, and I'm curious to see how the needle lands next time.

    Menu
    Kasey D.

    A rad Japanese listening bar in China Town with an unassuming looking storefront. You walk in and it doesn't seem like much, but you are guided to the back room where all the magic happens. A beautiful bar with vinyl galore. A DJ spinning records at the far end and a couple bartenders ready to curate anything on or off the menu. The drinks were superb. The ambiance was just what I was searching for. Loved that the DJ was doing a mix of 90s-early 00s hip-hop. Loved every second and sip here. Will absolutely be back next time we're on the island.

    Strawberry fields
    Angela L.

    This is my favorite bar!! The menu is super reliable and everything is good. My favorites are the Sticky Fingaz and the Thai Me Down. They both have a very nice fragrance and with multiple layers of notes that make for a drink that evolves as you drink it. Service is always awesome and the vibes are always right. Sometimes they have a record dj (not sure about their schedule) and they spin some cool stuff. Does get a little loud in there (not a negative, just something to keep in mind) and there's no food menu.

    Ringo star, Thai me down
    Linda T.

    My friend insisted we come to this bar in Chinatown and I am blown away by the drinks! The Thai Me Down and Sticky Fingaz were very good, perfect balance of flavor even as the ice melted. We also got the kurogoma manhattan which had a mochi ball inside so that was a fun detail. Loved the interior decor too. Only downside is the uncomfortable hard stools and price but definitely would come again!

    The Ringo
    Stephanie L.

    My new favorite cocktail bar in town! We were lucky to be able to walk in and sit at the bar. I had the Sticky Fingaz and the Ringo. I loved how clean tasting and refreshing the Sticky Fingaz was! The Ringo had a nice burst of citrus in every sip. Overall, a great place to hang out with friends and take out of town guests!

    Menu
    Roya J.

    It's a full bar so they can make most things. I found the drink menu on the smaller side, but everything we ordered was balanced and well made. It's quant with a record store vibes, making it intimate and nice for smaller groups.

    Birthday Cheers :)
    Jolene L.

    After a lovely evening of dinner and cake, Birthday Boy decided on one more stop before calling it a night. With much Birthday Luck, our group of eight was able to get seated at two tables situated together. Great ambience...not too noisy, fun all around! They have an excellent cocktail menu. There's a refreshing beverage for everyone's palate. My personal favorite was the umai Highball, made with vodka, ume, lemon, and soda poured over a long Highball cube...rimmed with a nice balance of pucker LOL DJ read the audience and to our pleasant surprise, he was spinning old school R&B and classic hip hop music. He certainly knew how to keep us celebrating there longer :) Tipped our server and the DJ well, we all exited safely. Using a ride share app, our Birthday Boy's entire crew got home responsibly :) Cheers!

    hail mary, umai highball, ringo
    Kira C.

    Shocked I haven't written a review about EP Bar yet. I would like to proudly say I used to come once every other week. EP Bar is located in Downtown near the Hawaii Theater with craft specialty cocktails that are creative, tasty, and overall so fun! Definitely inspired by the vinyl highball bars in Japan. This is a great place to either end your night after dinner or your first place for a night of fun. They don't offer food here, so plan to have dinner elsewhere. Here and there they would host a few food popups such as Tsukimaki with handrolls and Menya with ramen. Services is always friend and welcoming and are part of the reason why I always come back. A few of my favorite cocktails are the umai highball and the spicy senpai. The pho cocktail is something I also definitely recommend because its so different, but delicious. Immaculate vibes, amazing music, tasty cocktails. What more could a girl ask for??

    Jenna R.

    This bar is a hidden gem located in Chinatown. I found parking at a lot nearby and used the QR code to pay for parking. On first glance, I thought it was extremely dark but I actually liked the intimate feel to it. My friend and I tried several different drinks: the Strawberry Fields Forever, HighBall, Basa Boyz Paloma, and Pho Us By Us. I'd say the pho cocktail was the main attraction for us. We would shockingly recommend it! Our bartender initially recommended it and we're glad he did. It tasted exactly like pho but cold. It's so hard to explain but it was good! The other notable favorite was the Strawberry Fields Forever. My friend and I like our cocktails on the sweeter side and this one was good and up to our standards. My friend made reservations, which I would highly recommend doing before showing up. I would definitely come here again after a night out to dinner as this place does not serve food strictly cocktails and alcoholic beverages. We were told they have occasional chef pop ups where food is served and to check their IG for these updates!

    Michelle D.

    My friends and I were looking for a chill spot with good drinks and solid vibes, so we decided to give EP Bar a try--and it did not disappoint. The cocktails were beautifully crafted, and I absolutely loved the dark, moody atmosphere. It has this sultry, intimate feel that makes it perfect for unwinding after a long day at work. Inside, the vibe was super laid-back--no overwhelming crowd, just good energy. Outside, the area can feel a little sketchy at night, so just be aware of your surroundings. That said, once you're inside, it's a vibe. Would definitely come back for another "drinky drink drink" moment !

    Left: sticky fingaz  Right: Basa Boyz Paloma
    Kim T.

    Some friends suggested this place to us so we knew we had to check it out! I suggest making a reservation because the place isn't big and it definitely gets packed! I loved the music they were playing. The seating was mostly at the bar or high top tables so I wouldn't suggest big groups. We didn't end up staying that long because there was a private party about to start. I ordered the sticky fingaz and my boyfriend got the basa boys Paloma. I tend to like sweeter drinks and loved this one! The Paloma was refreshing as well. Would love to come back here and hangout longer next time we are in town.

    See all

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tosha T.
    69
    28
    50

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Delilah M.
    704
    47
    21

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nancy H.
    410
    1499
    3619

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 4
    Photo of Ronnie J.
    164
    27
    40

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sheena B.
    27
    52
    54

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Blaze S.
    5
    73
    103

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Great environment fantastic music, we will return to this spot if we can get back in!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Toma T.
    1832
    16
    6

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Such a fun vibe with great cocktails, music, and ambiance. Friendly and welcoming staff.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Becca H.
    163
    29
    5

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M L.
    143
    50
    51

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Noel H.
    341
    39
    61

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg D.
    2046
    1010
    451

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark M.
    197
    12
    16

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 4

    EP Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - EP Bar

    Are reservations required?

    Aloha Brittany, Reservations aren’t required, but highly recommended. We are a small establishment and would hate to turn you away if we are full at the moment. Thank you… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Deck.

    Deck.

    4.1(2.8k reviews)
    3.8 mi•Waikiki
    •$$
    Happy hour specials
    Locally sourced ingredients

    The first breakfast we had on our vacation was at Deck. located at the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel in…read moreWaikiki. We were seated immediately at a table that afforded us an excellent view of Diamond Head. The unhindered breeze gave the place a relaxed island vibe. Service was top notch with friendly and mindful servers who made sure we were comfortable and answered any questions we had concerning the menu items. We decided on the Diamond Head breakfast with the Portuguese sausage and the Tokyo style pancakes. The Diamond Head Breakfast was the standard two eggs, meat and potatoes. But the Tokyo style pancakes were excellent! They were fluffy with ricotta cheese incorporated in the pancakes. This is our first experience with this type of pancake and it was delish! It was well worth the visit!

    We visited Deck for brunch around 10:30 AM with a party of 8 and had a reservation. Our server was…read morefriendly, although they were pretty busy with other tables, so we didn't get checked on as often throughout the meal. It wasn't a huge deal for us, though. The food was good! We tried the truffle fries, calamari, haupia French toast, kim chee fried rice, and braised short rib loco moco. Everything was tasty, but if I had to pick one dish to order again, it would definitely be the kim chee fried rice, as the portion was huge & tasted yummy. We also shared a few bottles of mimosas, and the iced mocha was delicious and perfectly chocolatey. One thing to keep in mind is that it can get pretty warm, especially during the summer. They have a large covered area and can cover portions of the restaurant that are getting direct sun, but if you're visiting during the daytime, I'd definitely recommend bringing a portable fan. You could also call ahead and request a table that isn't directly in the sun. Overall, we had a great brunch experience and would definitely come back again!

    Photos
    Deck.
    Deck.
    Deck.

    See all

    Bar Leather Apron - Japan old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron

    4.5(476 reviews)
    0.3 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    Date night? Hanging with friends? Pau hana with colleagues? Just want your own moment but you also…read moreenjoy history and well made drinks and pupus? This is your stop. Plan for reservations well in advance because you're going to want to sit at the bar. That's where the storytelling is center stage. From the outside, you'd easily miss it. But once you step inside, you realize you're stepping into an experience. Every drink comes with a unique story and the bartender is not simply a storyteller but an artist as well.

    Months before my trip to Oahu, I tried to book a reservation to Bar Leather Apron but was unable to…read moredo 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.

    Photos
    Bar Leather Apron - View from our seat

    View from our seat

    Bar Leather Apron - Matcha old fashioned

    Matcha old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron - Japan

    See all

    Japan

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - The bar

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge

    4.5(52 reviews)
    1.6 mi•Ala Moana

    I went here for my birthday and didn't realize I should've made a reservation for a larger group,…read moreespecially since it was my first time. Thankfully, Michael and his team were able to accommodate us, which I really appreciated. From the moment we walked in, the place had a great vibe, the interior is beautiful. Throughout the night, the staff and Michael (the owner) were incredibly welcoming, funny and attentive. The cocktails were amazing. I had the expressing my love all night and even though the place was busy and there was a bit of a wait for food, it was honestly worth it. We had the crab dynamite, the ahi brioche, and the prosciutto and burrata. SO GOOD! My friends and I had such a great time and will definitely be back.

    I've been waiting for this cocktail spot to iron out its flaws and become as good as it should be…read more Sadly, I don't think it will happen. That's a shame because it has the potential to be very good. When you start with a cocktail concept that is deliberately kept low key with no signage, and a drink menu that rotates and evolves, you have a pretty good floor to start. Having a cozy place to settle in and being able to enjoy food from Chris Kajioka should give 430 Pkwy a high ceiling. If you like an espresso martini try something a little different. Their Espressing My Love batches espresso with Averna, black walnut bitters, and a unique monkeypod syrup. Unfortunately, there is no espresso machine so you cannot get fresh drawn espresso to make a Carajillo the way Cafe Miro use to. The ahi brioche is a carry over from all Chris Kajioka places. The grilled cheese is excellent. Hotdogs are kicked up - it used to be a black truffled miso chicken sausage but the current one is a little different. The problem is the food preparation totally undermines the whole place. Without a separate kitchen you have frying being done just a few feet away from where cocktails are made. If you sit on the right side of the bar you will quickly understand why this doesn't work. I would come here more frequently if i didn't have to smell like cooking oil afterwards. Fix that problem and this place would rock.

    Photos
    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge
    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - SPRING COCKTAIL MENU

    SPRING COCKTAIL MENU

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - Bird on a Wire

    See all

    Bird on a Wire

    Wild Orange - Char Sui Bao (not our favorite)

    Wild Orange

    4.6(189 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    •$$

    My husband and I went here on a whim after finding this place online and we are so glad we did!…read more The speakeasy is inside the Hawaiian Brian's club, but hidden behind a door that looks like a vintage vending machine. The ambiance inside is a unique blend of Japanese and urban with musical tracks from artists like Nujabes to match. Fern and Elsa served us and were friendly and so welcoming, answering questions and the menu and making great cocktail recommendations. We thoroughly enjoyed our drinks (several of which are named after famous anime characters) which were a unique blend of Japanese inspired botanicals, and a couple of side dishes. The ube sake shot was dangerously delicious and the mushroom boa were savory and tasty. This was the most unique place we vision our trip and we hope to visit again on our next Hawaiian vacation. If you are in the Ala Moana area, definitely stop by!

    Firstly, the vibes are IMMACULATE. 20/10…read more Wild Orange is a speakeasy hidden behind an old-school Aloha Maid vending machine. Apparently you're normally supposed to put a coin in to open the secret door, but it's broken right now, so the whole vending machine just swings right open. Slightly less secret, but still very cool. Inside is where this place really shines. Moody lighting, a giant orange tree in the middle of the room, Japanese hip hop playing in the background (I want to steal this entire playlist), and extremely cool and friendly servers and bartenders. I've been to a few other attempted "speakeasies" in Honolulu, but most are basically just dark bars with a fun door or code word. Wild Orange actually has the VIBES to make the whole concept work. Definitely worth coming just to hang out and chill. They have a full bar and an extensive specialty cocktail menu. Tried the Purple Dragon, made with ube liqueur and coconut cream. Very sweet--a little TOO sweet for my taste--but tasty and pretty. Probably should have listened to the menu and kept it as a shot, but I wanted something I could sip on for a while and chill. The Umeshu Highball was also very pretty and tasty. My friend who works as a sake distributor was impressed with their selection of good sake, so of course we had to order a bottle. Our server brought it out in an ice bucket, kept it off to the side, and completely served it for us throughout. Very classy. The food menu is fun and creative, but unfortunately not really for me because it's entirely vegan. Most times, but ESPECIALLY when I'm drinking, I want MEAT. Tried the Wild Musubi, a vegan Spam musubi. I'm not actually sure what the "meat" was. Possibly fried tofu? Whatever it was, it was definitely a passable alternative, but would have been 100x better if it were just plain old Spam. It also falls victim to what I find is a common problem with vegan attempts at Japanese food: anything teriyaki ends up being way too treacly sweet without actual meat or seafood to ground it in reality. Also tried the Char Siu Tofu Bao, fried tofu in a red Chinese-style char siu sauce on fluffy white buns. Again, fun and certainly not bad, but these would be 1000x better with actual pork. If Wild Orange had this exact same creative food menu but carnivore edition, this place would probably be 7/5 stars for me. That being said, I know being vegan will actually be a huge draw for some people, and I appreciate that the food is creative rather than just the usual sad vegan afterthoughts. Parking is pretty easy by Honolulu standards. It's inside Hawaiian Brian's, so there's a large shared parking lot. That being said, you might still have trouble finding a spot during peak gym hours since you're competing with all the 24 Hour Fitness customers. All in all, I LOVE this place. Definitely a fun stop--first, middle, only, or nightcap--on a chill night out. Will absolutely be adding Wild Orange into the rotation of places to bring out-of-town guests when I want to impress them with something cool and different. The vegan menu probably means it'll be a couple-times-a-year place for me rather than a regular haunt. But for drinks, service, atmosphere, and pure VIBES? 20/10.

    Photos
    Wild Orange - The space is eclectic with fun vintage furniture

    The space is eclectic with fun vintage furniture

    Wild Orange - Dumplings

    Dumplings

    Wild Orange - Hoisin Mushroom Bao

    See all

    Hoisin Mushroom Bao

    RM 38

    RM 38

    4.8(83 reviews)
    3.0 mi•Waikiki
    •$$

    What we thought was a pawn shop turned out to be... a speakeasy?!…read more What a lovely surprise. A gem of a find! I will never forget this experience. I was just skipping around town exploring wanting to check-in to as many places as I could like the responsible Yelp elite that I am and then I find this amazing hole on the wall speakeasy. The lovely gentleman in the front welcomed us in to take a look around and I asked him if I could take photos for yelp and he told me that if I was going to write a review, I had to join them. So of course, I took the invite and decided to stay for a little while. We sat at a nice area. A perfect little place. I just want to take a snapshot and keep it in my memory so I can emulate it and turn it into my home study. I could stay here forever. The vibes were on point. The server recommended drinks that he thought we would like, and we loved both of them. I don't remember what the drinks were called, but mine had a blueberry taste to it, and my friend had a mock tail, but some sort of Yuzu to it. We also shared a $15 charcuterie graze. 10 out of 10 would recommend being curious and opening doors to finding out that there's a speakeasy randomly in an area you never thought would be there. What an amazing experience.

    This spot is the place to be in Waikiki! Definitely make a reservation because this place fills up…read morefast, especially later into the night. What surprised me most was how good the food was for the price. Usually spots with this kind of atmosphere rely on the drinks to carry the experience, but every dish actually delivered. The chicken karaage was crispy and packed with flavor, the beef takoyaki disappeared almost instantly, and the taro chips with mascarpone were such a unique combination. Between the cocktails, food, service, and atmosphere, everything just worked.

    Photos
    RM 38 - Lounge area

    Lounge area

    RM 38 - Ahi

    Ahi

    RM 38 - Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

    See all

    Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

    Chao - Crab Pasta

    Chao

    4.4(445 reviews)
    0.5 mi•Punchbowl
    •$$

    Caleb our server was kind and exceptional. His recommendation for the Ginger Chicken Rice was spot…read moreon. The food and service improves with every dining experience. Be sure to arrive with enough time to find parking. Vehicles come in and out pretty quickly, but you may have to wait a bit to find a stall if your timing is off.

    I've now been to Chao five times and still keep coming back. I came shortly after they opened and…read moreloved it so much I came back the following week and have had business meetings and family dinners here. It's to the point that at least one of the servers has recognized me and welcomes me back. Each time, we have enjoyed every thing that we've ordered. Frankly, my only trouble with this restaurant is finding parking. I plan to get there early so I can have a few laps around to find a spot. Their apps are always tasty. I've loved their hamachi crudo, the calamari, the Spanish octopus and the street corn. My go to app is the maitake mushrooms. For lunch, I'm a big fan of their banh mi's as I've eaten both the brisket and lemongrass. The bread is nice and crispy and everything is oh so good. For dinner, my wife loved the soft shell crab pasta and I've really enjoyed the crispy pork belly. I'm going to come back to try the Picanha this next time! I normally take pictures but for whatever reason, I didn't these past times probably because I was too busy stuffing my face. Guess I have to come again and retry!

    Photos
    Chao - Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

    Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

    Chao - Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

    Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

    Chao - Ube Dream

    See all

    Ube Dream

    EP Bar - whiskeybars - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...