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Oceanic VIP Music Hall

4.9 (11 reviews)
ModerateMusic Venues

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Me & Tiffany!!!  She is the magic behind getting us here!
Kuuipo D.

Oh my God! First of all, can I just first off give a BIG MAHALO to Tiffany of Star 101.9! The work she does behind the scenes organizing the concerts in the Music Hall is top notch! Next, can I just thank Star 101.9 for giving my daughter and me the experience of a LIFETIME! The chance to hear Young the Giant perform acoustically in a small cozy environment was just unbelievable!!! And to top it off, we received autographed posters and a photo (done by a professional photographer) with the band. I was literally in heaven! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Now that I got that off my chest, let me give you the details for the Oceanic VIP Music Hall. This lounge is located in Dole Cannery. We parked over at the large structure across the street above the Dole Cannery Theaters. I was told previously that parking would be validated. I was here to attend a private concert sponsored by Star 101.9, so each vendor may have different policies on validation. We were escorted up to the 4th floor. After walking thru what seemed to be a maze, we arrived at out destination - the Oceanic VIP Music Hall. When we first walked in, I was impressed how cozy the room was. There were couches, bar tables, and cozy chairs to sit for the concert. There was even bottled water and food to enjoy. I couldn't believe it! My daughter & I were lucky enough to sit right in front, so we had an unobstructed view of Young the Giant. Woohooo!!! When Young the Giant came out and started their set, the sound was PHENOMENAL! I'm not even kidding. The VIP Hall is just a wonderful place for music. The design, the atmosphere, and the intimacy are all just right. I was so lucky to experience this and hope to come back soon! 16

HiRiz Performance
Kat D.

Imagine sitting on comfy couches & cushy ottomans in a spacious living room complete with a music stage setup fronting a lit up wall. It's exactly like that at Oceanic VIP Music Hall, but add in a band playing their songs to just 30 people in the room. Real up close & personal, don't you think? I've been lucky enough to score tickets twice in high school via Star 101.9's email list when it was still called Road Runner Music Hall. I got to take selfies with the lead singer of Boys Like Girls whose name I don't recall, but the band was popular back when "emo" was the trend in school. I was most star stuck as Hoobastank serenaded the crowd with their acoustic sounds. It's just a whole other level when you're right there in the moment, just cozying it up on a couch listening to live music. When Emi sent out an Elite-only email mentioning first come, first serve tickets available for Yelpers to watch a local band perform at Oceanic VIP Music Hall I jumped on the opportunity to walk the halls once more. Parking was available at Dole Cannery Theatre with free validated tickets courtesy of the Hall. We met up by the elevators of the Castle & Cook Building across from the theatre where the employees assisted us up the elevator & through a maze of a hallway lined with autographed posters. We were warmly greeted by the employees & directed to free pupus at the bar. Part reggae, part rock & putting their own twist on covers from Prince to Imagine Dragons, local "rock steady" band HiRiz put on an energetic performance complete with intermittent band trivia, fancy vocal effects (I'm not talking about auto-tune) & solid guitar riffs. No need for hardcore headbanging here; the lead singer had a floor fan ready to blow his wild mane out like a rock star. At the end of the night there was a meet & greet where photo ops, band CDs & free autographed posters were available. If you ever get the opportunity to experience an intimate music performance here don't hesitate to go!

Emi H.

So you're probably wondering? Where the heck is this place and why have I never heard of it? Well friends and friends of friends, I am going to give you the lowdown on the very best concert venue in Honolulu. Why is it the best? Because it only fits about 30 people and you have either know someone to get in or you have to win your way in via the radio station. Located in the Clear Channel radio station offices at the Dole Cannery, the Road Runner Music Hall is a venue where artists play for small select audiences when they come into town. It's a pre-concert venue where artists usually do acoustic sets. If you're a music lover (like me!) you too love acoustic versions of your favorite songs. I just like to hear what an artist sounds like acoustic because that's like seeing someone naked. There are no studio bells and whistles to hide the flaws and imperfections and either I'll love you more or throw away your music afterwards. I hate when people are plastic artists because if you're going to be on the Billboard 100 and I'm going to legally download your music off of iTunes then you'd sure as hell had better be able to play in my living room naked! Okay you can wear clothes but please I'm expecting you to rock it! Technology is awesome for artists because there are so many layering features to soften and create interesting textures. Technology sucks because now they can make Ashley Simpson into a megastar! Girl, that was Saturday Night LIVE! Did you forget the LIVE?! Back to the venue, I've heard a few people at the Roadrunner Music Hall, Plain White Tees, Bruno Mars and a few others that aren't really worth mentioning but it's very cool because it's so tiny and unlike a massive venue, you really get an up close and personal experience. My girlfriend got to meet John Legend and I asked her if she licked his face. She said no, but that she regrets it every single day of her life. I shook my head and said "But you could have given him the green light!!!" Make friends with radio people (thanks brother!), make friends with corporate sponsors (thanks Leena!), make friends with Road Runner marketing people (don't know any of them but you are on my list), win tickets on the radio (hey Hudson & Scotty!). Whatever you do, when your fave artist comes to Honolulu and is in the Road Runner Music Hall, make sure you're sitting right in front of them on the black Inspirations couch!

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Ah the Road Runner Music Hall, they renamed it, it's now called the Oceanic VIP Music Hall!

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Hawaii Theatre Center - The stage awaits the arrival of the performers....

Hawaii Theatre Center

4.3(259 reviews)
0.7 miDowntown
$$
100 years in business
Not-for-profit

OVERALL SATISTFACTION: 10 of 10. 5 of 5 stars, Na ka…read moreoi...simply da bes! Keeping in mind that 1. I love live music, theater and big screen films. And 2. I haven't resided in the islands since the mid-90s. With that said, I have been here for several shows and I purposely flown in for some and other were just the lowest of consolation prizes for having to fly away from loved ones due to my job taking me to another "twist my arm" experience = Stay on Oahu. I joke of course, but in earnest, growing up with the lights of Broadway and hundreds of concert venues nearby, I take my theater experiences very seriously and the Hawaii Theater meets any and every want/need one could dream of. For me it exceeds most. Please allow me to define... MY EXPERIENCES: I have been to a Christmas show, on my birthday, featuring Amy Hanaiali'i and, the much beloved and missed, Willie K (R.I.P.), which included a wonderful meet and greet. On another visit to HNL I just happened to be around for a Beach Boys show and was fortunate enough to get a ticket for it. And most recently, I flew in for a showing of The Princess Bride which featured a meet and greet of Cary Elwes. AT THE TOP: The President of the Hawaii Theater, Gregory Dunn is super humble, very polite and amazingly professional in every aspect. Best of all, he gets involved in the pre-show activities be it guiding folks to where they need to be or ensuring we understand the process of a meet and greet. Ya gotta love when there is no job below those in charge. He sets an example that many could benefit from if their eyes are truly open. SECURITY: If you have been to downtown Honolulu, you know it hasn't been a place that gets touted around the globe for it's cleanliness or safety. HPD has had their hands full over the years. Stores may have closed and some issues still exist, but overall I feel that the area has been improving greatly and adding to the return of a safer feeling neighborhood is the Hawaii Theater's security team. Yes, they are the most amazing group of people that one could want to see at an event. These guys are the, literally, the muscle that keeps things in order and flowing, from bag checks to ensuring reentry folks have wristbands. They operate like a finely tuned engine. As a concert goer that has been to well over 500 shows globally, I recognize these folks as the best. I will even go as far as to say that actually recognize some of them since my last visit a couole years back, which means that the team is sticking together. With that stated, not once have I had any safety concerns with these guys on duty... and still downtown can be questionable at times. STAFF OF THE THEATER: From the box office staff to those assigned to scan your tickets and give out VIP wristbands, these folks know how to keep the lines moving. Once inside there are strategically placed individuals, as one would expect. Folks there to give you direction to restrooms or concessions and then you have the ushers, those folks who are much more than a uniformed someone with a flashlight who is unfamiliar with the venue layout. These folks are amazing, they will get you to your seat in a timely, professional manner. Last but not least, are the bartenders... the fashionable, handlebar mustachioed bartender I met a few shows back was here again... and I always find him to be a terrific conversationalist (when time allots), incredibly professional and truly represents the venue as best as any one could. Put all these compliments together under one roof and you get one of the best theater experiences you could hope to ever find. You should come to downtown and find out for yourself... and you'll be a repeat offender, like me, (END NOTE: I fly in from the mainland for touring shows I could easily opt to catch on the mainland, and for a cheaper overall hit to the wallet. The Hawaii Theater, as defined above, is truly the deciding factor).

Walking into the Hawai'i Theatre, you're instantly transported into another era. An era of soft…read moreelegance and timeless artistry. From the moment you pass through the doors, you're surrounded by a blend of old-world elegance and Hawaiian warmth. Built in 1922, the theatre has hosted everything from silent films and Broadway plays to concerts and Hula performances. Today it seats about 1,400 guests, offering an intimate experience where every seat feels close to the stage. The acoustics are excellent, the seats are comfortable, and the staff and volunteers are friendly, welcoming, and genuinely helpful. There's also a small bar and lounge with high-tops, perfect for enjoying a drink and conversation before the show. Inside the theater, you see tall, fluted Corinthian-style columns that are richly detailed. The curved arch overhead is decorated with mosaic-style tiles in warm tones,and I absolutely LOVE the lush deep red velvet curtains that frame the stage. They add so much warmth and elegance. Having attended many shows throughout the years, I've always been mesmerized by the mural above the stage and decided to do some Googling while waiting for the show to begin. I learned it's Lionel Walden's Glorification of the Drama. The painting depicts a grand procession of mythic figures -- a golden-robed muse in her chariot, attendants, musicians, a lion handler -- all celebrating the power of theater. The central figure, often interpreted as the Personification of Drama, leads the way. Knowing that part of the mural was once lost to water damage and later painstakingly restored makes it even more meaningful. Parking is easy at the municipal garage on Bethel Street, just a block away. The short walk is now well-lit, a welcome improvement from years past when it was dark and sketchy. Entertaining audiences for over 100 years, the Hawaii Theater is a recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Attending a show here, you're not just watching a performance, you're also living and breathing a beautiful piece of Hawaii's historic culture.

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Hawaii Theatre Center - How's my sippy cup!

How's my sippy cup!

Hawaii Theatre Center - Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Hawaii Theatre Center - Look how beautiful this theatre is!!

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Look how beautiful this theatre is!!

The Dragon Upstairs

The Dragon Upstairs

3.9(136 reviews)
0.6 miDowntown
$$

Dragon Upstairs in Honolulu's Chinatown district, located above the street along Nuuanu Avenue in…read moreone of the city's most active nightlife corridors. Chinatown has become a hub for music venues, cocktail bars, and late-night entertainment, and Dragon Upstairs stands out as one of the neighborhood's more distinctive underground clubs. The atmosphere is energetic and slightly gritty in a way that feels intentional. The venue has the character of an old-school nightlife space, with dim lighting, a dance floor, and music that drives the energy of the room. Because it is located upstairs and somewhat hidden from the street, the club carries a sense of discovery that adds to the experience. Music and live performances are the heart of the venue. DJs and occasional live acts create a constantly shifting soundtrack that ranges from electronic and dance music to other genres depending on the night. The dance floor tends to fill quickly, especially on weekends, giving the club a lively and immersive atmosphere. The bar serves a straightforward lineup of drinks designed to keep the energy moving rather than slow the pace of the night. The focus remains on the music, dancing, and social environment rather than an elaborate cocktail program. Service during the visit felt efficient given the fast-paced nightlife setting. Staff kept the bar moving while maintaining a friendly and approachable attitude. From a global travel perspective, Dragon Upstairs reminded me of underground clubs I have encountered in cities like Berlin, Tokyo, and Los Angeles where music culture and nightlife creativity define the experience.

Oh my grinches... On…read morethis holiday scene it seems like it's everywhere and is no different here at The Dragon Upstairs a cozy spot on Nuuanu Ave as the holiday decor stars right as you enter and is so wonderful as it continues throughout the bar, it's not that big with just five bar top seats and about five table seats but don't get me wrong it is quite spacious with lots of instagramable spots like their topsy upside down tree, lights, table decor and Christmas music playing keeping the vibe festive. The staff was quite busy as a crowd came in thirsty for drinks but was very friendly and as I checked out their seasonal drink menu decided on a Elf shot which is a cute a slightly sweet drink that just reminded me of a calpico. Fun place right in downtown and with lots of free street parking after 6pm it's really a plus along with the cool air conditioning going you can still keep your cool even as the drinks kick in. Thank you!

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The Dragon Upstairs - Elf Shot

Elf Shot

The Dragon Upstairs - Yes it's upstairs

Yes it's upstairs

The Dragon Upstairs

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Oceanic VIP Music Hall - musicvenues - Updated May 2026

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