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    PEWA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Pewa

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    With co-workers
    Carolyn H.

    I came here with coworkers to celebrate Professional Assistants' Day. The cocktails and appetizers were delicious. We were lucky to sit on the sofas since we had six of us, so it was also very cozy. PEWA is located where the Lei Stand was downtown. The one negative for me was that it got very warm. It may have been more comfortable outside since there is no air conditioning. But it was fun to try a new place and a great place to go after work!

    Yuzu Citrus Glaze Chicken Wings
    Tasha K.

    PEWA by Pono Potions has the BEST cocktail lounge atmosphere for pau hana or dinner with your date, family, or friends. I would highly recommend PEWA to anyone looking for somewhere special that's different from other bars or restaurants on island. We got a few of their cocktails, all of which were beautiful and yummy. The Red Palaka and Crown Flower were both photogenic and delicious, but probably our favorites. The Yuzu Citrus Glaze Chicken Wings was crispy and a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and citrusy. The Mediterranean Board was a nice appetizer that would be great for girl dinner with your friends. Vibe: The one thing that stood out most was their outstanding staff. Every server was so friendly, attentive, and fun, which made the dining experience unforgettable. Normally I prefer dining inside even if a restaurant has an outdoor space, but PEWA's outdoor space is breathtaking, cozy, and unique. They also have a small, separate room with a bar in the back of their restaurant, which can be used for hosting a party. They also have two nice single-stall bathrooms. Parking: There's plenty of paid parking lots throughout downtown, but we found metered street parking right in front of the restaurant.

    Drink Menu
    Jenna R.

    Food: 4/5 Drinks: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 I love Pono Potions! I recently stopped in at Po'ai (a couple blocks from Pewa) and immediately loved the vibes so I knew I was going to love Pewa. Pewa is located directly across the Hawaii Theater and is a couple doors down from Fighting Eel. We parked in an uncovered paid lot called Liberty Lot which is next to Mark's Garage. I initially missed the entrance because there is no hanging sign yet but found their labeled door. Upon entering it just feels very cool and reminded me of historic Hawaii: koa wood, signs, aloha shirt entrance. I felt intimidated since it was empty but that quickly went away when I was greeted by someone. There's indoor and outdoor seating but we opted to sit outside. It's a covered area toward the back but the tables were a bit small for what my friend and I ordered. We ordered the smoked salmon board which looked amazing and enough to share between the 2 of us. I was hungry so I ordered the cheeseburger, which was mid but I loved that the fries were skinny and tasted great. For cocktails, we enjoyed the Just Vanilla espresso martini, Crown Flower crafted cocktail, and Hunneh Girl Marg. I got the Punch Monkey but personally I wasn't expecting it to be rum heavy but it was. I am not sure if this place is a dog friendly, but a lady brought her dog and sat next to us outside. Overall, I really enjoyed this place. I want to come again and try different cocktails and different food items. I think their cocktails are good because they use syrup that they make in-house, which is the same syrups they use in the drinks they make at Po'ai. I love the ambiance here and the service is also amazing. Everyone is so friendly and fast and they check on you frequently.

    Lunch menu
    Casey H.

    Located at the old Lei Stand in Chinatown, Pewa still gives the relaxed, trendy vibes to enjoy a coffee, cocktail, lunch, or dinner. Our server was super nice and attentive, giving us a great experience. The lunch menu is very good for whatever occasion you're there for -- whether it's a quick stop or just lounging around. The group I was with had the Mediterranean and Smoked Salmon Boards. Although boards like this are pretty standard, Pewa's boards offer a slight twist to them. For the Smoked Salmon board, the pickled onions were done differently offering almost like a crack seed type of twist and they have a whipped goat cheese instead of cream cheese -- giving you a lighter, easily spreadable offering. The Ribeye Sando comes with shoestring fries and is perfectly balanced in seasoning and portions. We also got to try the cocktails, which feature Pono Potions syrups. The espresso martinis were delicious, while the Waialua Ginger spritz was very refreshing. Overall, this is a great brunch spot and I'll be going back again.

    Marissa K.

    I went here last night for a drink. This used to be the old Lei Stand bar in Chinatown. This bar has a cool vibe showcasing Hawaiian vintage stuffs and Aloha shirts. They have food here and drinks. During the day they serve coffee and brunch. I tried their espresso martini that has a hint of banana bread flavor. This place was popping last night. Good vibes great bar.

    Brunch menu

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    14 days ago

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    15 days ago

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    29 days ago

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    9 days ago

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    14 days ago

    Warm, relaxing vibe. I was there in the morning. Friendly service and great coffee and cheesecake!

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    15 days ago

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    Ask the Community - Pewa

    Review Highlights - Pewa

    PEWA by Pono Potions has the BEST cocktail lounge atmosphere for pau hana or dinner with your date, family, or friends.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Bar Leather Apron - Japan old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron

    4.5(474 reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown
    $$

    Legendary cocktail experience. My partner and I frequent a lot of top 50 bars across the world and…read moreBar 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 :)

    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

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    Japan

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge

    4.5(48 reviews)
    1.5 miAla 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.

    Some places you find, others you have to earn, and 430 Parkway is one you'd miss if you weren't…read morelooking for it. Tucked on the second floor of a Piikoi Parkway building, it feels like stepping back in time, a true bespoke bar with vintage art, moody lighting, and comfy couches that make it perfect for couples or a night out with friends. We sat at the bar, which was a highlight, Michael and Tony were welcoming, easy to talk story with, and clearly know their craft. I went with the Barreled Old Man, a smooth, layered mix of bourbon, rye, and brandy that just worked, while my wife's Sesame Veil brought a nutty, balanced flavor that stood out. For round two, the Espressing My Love was a great take on an espresso martini, and Michael built my wife a custom drink off her favorite flavors and nailed it again. We paired it with the smoked mozzarella and salami grilled cheese and Ho Farms tomato soup, and this is where it really hit. The sandwich came out hot and crisp, and when you took a bite the cheese pulled away just right, that perfect melt, with the salami adding a savory kick. The tomato soup was fresh, bright, and made for dipping you didn't want to stop. We were welcomed with a table that had our name on it, a small touch that goes a long way. Prices are on point for the quality and experience you're getting. It's a bit of a hidden, hip spot, not for a quick drink but for when you want to sit, relax, and enjoy it. Parking is tight, but you can park at Ala Moana and walk over, and it's worth it. Next time we're coming back for Grandma's Old Fashioned and the pork belly bao buns. This isn't a bar you stumble into, it's one you come back to.

    Photos
    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - SPRING COCKTAIL MENU

    SPRING COCKTAIL MENU

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - Crab Dynamite - Our Fave!

    Crab Dynamite - Our Fave!

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - Bird on a Wire

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    Bird on a Wire

    RM 38 - Snack

    RM 38

    4.8(71 reviews)
    2.9 miWaikiki
    $$

    RM 38 Bar feels like stepping into a "Crazy Rich Asian" hidden gem moody lighting, stylish…read moreinteriors, and a tucked-away vibe that makes it feel special from the moment you walk in. The atmosphere is intimate and elevated, perfect for a date night or a chill evening out. It has that "secret spot" energy in Honolulu where everything feels a bit more exclusive without being intimidating. The cocktails are a standout. There are so many options on the menu, from classic drinks to creative house specials, and everything feels thoughtfully made. It's one of those places where you actually slow down just to decide what to try next. The food adds an unexpected twist Asian-inspired dishes like fried frog legs with sweet and sour sauce. It was something new and surprising, but the crispy texture and tangy flavor made it a fun and memorable experience. Overall, RM 38 Bar is a true hidden gem: great cocktails, adventurous bites, and a vibe that feels stylish, fun, and a little bit luxurious all at once.

    Had such a great experience at R38. This speakeasy has such a cool atmosphere. The vibe feels…read moreintimate and trendy and it's the perfect spot for drinks and small bites. Definitely make a reservation because it gets busy fast, especially later in the night. The food was surprisingly affordable for the quality and everything we tried was delicious. We got the chicken karaage, beef takoyaki, and the taro chips with mascarpone and all of it was amazing. The chicken karaage was flavorful, the beef takoyaki was tasty, and the taro chips with mascarpone were nicely paired with the drinks. Drinks, food, atmosphere, and service were all on point. One of my favorite spots I visited and I'd absolutely come back again.

    Photos
    RM 38 - Lounge area

    Lounge area

    RM 38 - Ahi

    Ahi

    RM 38 - Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

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    Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

    Pewa - coffee - Updated May 2026

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