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.

Everything was perfect except for the smell. Not sure what had happened but it smelled musty…read more The service and the food were great!

Okay, the concept of Yours Truly is everything. So many cool little details that make it a great…read moreexperience. First off, it's just right below the AC Hotel Honolulu, which already gives it that hidden gem feel. There are two areas: the main bar and a speakeasy. Both have access to the full drink menu. My favorite part? The cocktails served in animal shaped glasses, so freaking cute. The turtle one was my favorite The main bar has more of a classy, elegant vibe, while the speakeasy leans tropical, almost tiki-style. Also, no bartenders or servers in that back area but you actually order by marking your drink on a letter and putting it on a mailbox that goes directly to the bartenders... How cool is that? Big shoutout to the bartenders, you guys were amazing!! Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're in Honolulu

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.

Such a fun hidden gem in Waikiki!…read more Tucked inside the White Sands Hotel, Green Lady has that true speakeasy feel. Look for "Room 8" to your left--finding the entrance is part of the fun! Once inside, you're greeted with a clean, intimate space, low lighting, and moody vibes. There are only a handful of seats in the indoor bar, so it feels cozy and exclusive rather than like your typical crowded Waikiki bar. The mixologists are fantastic at their craft. Every cocktail we tried was creative, flavorful, and deliciously strong--definitely drinks you want to sip and enjoy! If you love hidden bars, creative cocktails, and a chill, intimate atmosphere, definitely add Green Lady to your Honolulu list.

Fun speakeasy inside a hotel. I came alone a sat at the bar and the bartender (I believe her name…read moreis Hailey) was so wonderful! I ordered a 'bartender's choice' and she nailed it! The place is relatively small and intimate, drinks are yummy, price is typical specialty cocktail price. There are street parkings, but I walked there, it's within walking distance if you stay around Waikiki. 100% recommend!

This bar did not disappoint. It not only had great drinks, but the vibes were high. The best way to…read moredescribe my experience is: imagine entering the 36 Chambers, and the first thing they hand you is a double fish of highballs We had such a great time with the drinks, the vibes, and the friendly staff that after our initial visit, we brought another friend group two days later. The drinks are crafted with care, and all of them were hits. I would highly recommend either the Cantaloop or the Sticky Fingaz. Bangers left and right. A perfect bar for a millennial who enjoys a great DJ set alongside even better drinks.

Cocktail tastes to new heights! First time here and I really…read moreloved the vibes coming in. Entire vinyl wall full of great music and area you can play and listen to music. The cocktails that are served are also extra delicious. They all sound super funky, but I challenge you to try them all. It was a mixed bags of flavors that cater to a lot of different taste buds. There would be one I really like, but my friend wouldn't like it. Then she would like the next one, and I wouldn't like it. It wasn't an overall standard, it was how the drink mixed with the persons taste buds. That was something I enjoyed. I could sit at this bar for ages and just have the bartenders make me what ever they want. Also the bartenders listen to options and keys that you like. I let one of them know I like a mezcal smoky, but give me something different then the usual. He gave this amazing mix that I honestly couldn't describe, but I for sure loved it. Can't wait to take more of my friends and try all the cocktails again!

Not sure why this joint isn't on Yelp, but happy I get to introduce it. It's a speakeasy above the…read morekaka'ako Aloha Beer that's open only Fridays and Saturdays. They serve a selection of the popular beers from downstairs as well as craft cocktails. The cocktails are mostly classics such as painkiller, old fashioned, paper plane, with some of their own like the aloha. What sets this place apart is how well each drink is made. It's order at the bar and find your own seating type of place so don't be shy and make friends in the lounge seating enclaves. Be friendly with an aloha spirit like the bar staff so no worries sista/brah. Love the dark and gothic ambiance, but not sure what to think of the fairy tail looking reindeer over the stage/fire except that I found it funny once told it wasn't real. There's valet or self parking next to the place and the fee is reduced with validation. If you're really overzealous you can visit Aloha Beer until 11 pm and come up here til midnight. Only recommendation I'd have is to improve the ice. They use regular ice versus large cubes or balls. Regular ice melts too fast, especially on the island.

This space is both a private room above Aloha Beer and is also used as a "speakeasy" on Friday and…read moreSaturday nights. Great service, unique cocktails and a fun atmosphere.

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.

We had a party of 8 on Labor Day weekend and our server, Sinclair, was amazing! (Make sure to make…read morereservations if you have a big party)I love this bar with so many top notch whiskey selections and the happy hour for $10: wine glass is great. (430pm-630pm) I love the vibe here and the late 90s R&B playing in the background was amazing. We ordered the burgers, sliders, fish and chips and they were all tasty. No complaints there but I did wish they had a happy hour food menu like they used to. Our server, Sinclair, was so accommodating, attentive and super friendly. She was on top of it and I appreciated that because they looked so short staff. She took good care of us! We played shuffle board in the back room and had a blast. This place has good vibes and I highly recommend it. One of the best bars in Honolulu with high end well drinks.

Sips on sips on sips…read more This is such a great spot to grab a drink. The interior is nice, sinks are out in the hallway so no need to wait for the bathroom to open up just to wash your hands, and the bites are good. Located inside the Ala Moana Hotel, this spot must be a hit with both the hotel guests and people coming from the mall.

Service was amazing. We brought our 8 year son to celebrate mom's birthday. Although he would have…read moreeaten his on entree, they offered to cook him a plain buttermilk chicken and rice which he loved! We enjoyed ourselves and savored every dish. We had the prie fixed menu. The scallop dish was my favorite, and the "baked potato" was my wife's. The dessert brought a smile to all of us and they were nice enough to include a serving for our son. Definitely would recommend eating here!

The 7 course meal was disappointing. How does bacon baked potatoes and sour cream belong on a…read morecourse meal dinner?! The entire menu was so basic, pork buns? Fried chicken? The meal was heavy salty and greasy. We gave it a chance but soon realize we should've just done ala carte. Maybe ala carte would have been less disappointing. The yellowtail crudo was very good, other than that, I do not recommend. We even added a foie gras to elevate but it was just not it. Service and ambiance was great. This was suppose to be our anniversary dinner! We should've known when it was so empty!