Wonderful cocktails but incredibly poor service. I literally never complain or say anything. Im the farthest thing from a Karen in my life. I also was a bartender, so I understand the stress and workflow. I will say there is only 24 seats in the establishment and they had 4 bartenders who could not handle this. The gentleman who was overseeing the service was a young guy with long dark hair who literally stood at the bar flirting with two uninterested women while the service well bartender was going down in flames. It was so uncomfortable as this person literally never made eye contact or assisted at any juncture. We waited 40 minutes literally for a cocktail. read more

An unexpected gem in Hilo with great craft cocktails and tapas! Hidden beneath the chocolate shop with fun ambiance and Hawai'i island twists on classic prohibition era speakeasy characteristics. Excellent bartender. read more

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Very cool hole in the wall bar/restaurant. We went here on out last night in Hilo. Wanted a small bit to eat and a few cocktails. I got the make your own charcuterie board, my husband got the deviled eggs and the burrata cheese with tapenade. My mother in law got the hummus. All so good. The drinks were also amazing. read more

The Hidden Nene - This was the Birds of Paradise drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Fantastic little speak easy! Service and ambiance is phenomenal & the people there including thee owner are amazing! Drinks are perfect and their drafts from local breweries are on spot!! Cheers to your new adventures! read more

The Hidden Nene - Hidden Nene - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Cute bar. We only stay for one drink but it's a fun experience. I think I'd go for longer if the menu had more variety.

Food was very fun! Service was great!! Ambiance was uniquely different for down town Hilo!!! I'll be back!!!! read more

Had high hopes for this place, based on the reviews I read, but there was nothing here that I could recommend. Walked in, the lone bartender told us to seat ourselves, which is no problem. Instead of swinging by and dropping off menus, she decided to go and make a round of drinks for another group, so we had to wait about 10 minutes for water and menus. By the time she came over with those, we had already looked at the menu online and ordered a round of drinks and an appetizer. When the drinks came, my fiance's drink had a VERY obvious lipstick stain on the glass. The drink was golden in color and the stain was bright red, so I'm not sure how that was missed. My fiance took it back to the bar and bartender apologized and said she would re-make the drink. I would think that at that point, she would finish up whatever drink she was making and then re-make ours, but that was not the case. The bartended ended up making 2 other rounds before she got around to re-making ours. By that time, I was basically done with my drink, and we were still waiting on our appetizer. At this point it's been about 20 minutes since we placed our order for our lone app (deviled eggs), and it turns out that the bartender never even put our order in. Ultimately, we downed both drinks as fast as we could and left. All in all, we were in there for about 50 minutes, and all we had to show for it were 2 subpar drinks. The couple seated next to us weren't impressed either, and they told us to check out another bar down the road, saying "it's like this place, but also NOT like this place, if you know what I mean" Now onto the actual cocktails: I had the Smoking Bear. It was ok, but nothing to write home about. They top it with rosemary that they light on fire, and it's pretty annoying to have to drink around the little charred/burnt bits that fall off the sprig. Fiance had the Seedy Underbelly. I would've liked this one had they not gone overboard with sesame. The sesame oil on top is unnecessary, and it overpowers every other scent when you go to drink it. tl;dr I guess there aren't many options when it comes to craft cocktails on the island, but if you're at all used to any craft cocktail bar on the mainland, or on Oahu, you can skip this place. You're not missing out on much. read more

As the name implies, this is a hidden gem in quaint Hilo town. My girlfriend and I enjoyed fanciful libations at this speakeasy at noon! Yes, you are reading this right. Not midnight! But lunch-time! We actually waited anxiously to get in for their Happy Hour. We aren't big drinkers, but just wanted to chill and enjoy the vibe. We got recommendations from Tasha and the cocktails were spot-on! This is on my A-list for anytime-and-everytime I'm in Hilo. The Hidden Nene is a hidden jewel! read more

Chris and Annabelle were awesome, highly recommend, the best craft cocktails and bites .

A must visit if you're in town. Beautiful decorations and great cocktails. The Tarta de Lima is a really refreshing take on key lime pie. Not too tart. Just right. read more

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Sweet spot in downtown Hilo if you're looking for a "grown up" cocktail and the devilled eggs and charcuterie plate are tasty. Nice atmosphere. Cozy spot, especially if it's raining out which isn't uncommon in Hilo. Bar or booth seating are both comfortable. read more

This bar was such a fun place for drinks and food! The decor is inviting and perfect for a speakeasy vibe. The service is fantastic. Chris makes amazing and delicious cocktails (the Tarta de Lima aka key lime cocktail is one of the best drinks ever consumed). Crystal made the most scrumptious deviled eggs. We will definitely return! read more

Unbelievable cocktails and service! Chris and Crystal were attentive and knowledgeable. Can't recommend enough!!

Hidden gem with classic prohibition era speakeasy vibes and ambiance, Hawaii island approachability and warmth, an expertly crafted and utterly delicious cocktail menu (including many truly awesome NA options - no afterthought mocktails here) and incredible staff and service. Will absolutely be back. read more

Best in Hilo by far!!!! Great people! Great atmosphere! AMAZING cocktail creations! Ask for the bartenders to create their own drink read more

The Hidden Nene - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Super cool speak easy vibe. Small place so it's super chill. Top notch drinks and apps. Boss happy hour to take advantage of specials. It's a real joy watching them make your drink. You don't get service like that just anywhere. read more

Great staff, great happy hour, and superb tasting apps and drinks! Easy to find location and will definetly be back read more

The Hidden Nene - Goat cheese and honey appetizer! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Basically what you'd expect with a speakeasy. Fun, expensive boozy drinks, a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere. Our charcuterie was delicious. Fun for a special night out read more

Delightful speakeasy in Hilo town. Great drinks, great food, great ambiance. Perfect spot to take friends. Will visit again.

Very small, cute interior and speakeasy vibe. Really friendly service that helped recommend drinks. Cocktails were creative and very unique! Mostly delicious!! read more

Austin is the bomb!! I don't even need to tell him what to make.. he just makes me what he thinks I'll like, and they are always amazing!! The space is so cozy and perfect, the bar is stocked! All the other staff are great too! read more

Always in search of the best cocktail bars when we travel, we sought The Hidden Nene based on reviews. it absolutely did not disappoin! Chris (the mustached bartender) guided toward defined cocktails on menu, but also riffed based on.'what we typically like'... all were perfect and perfectly balanced.! Small plates were great too... we enjoyed the prosciutto canapés and the deviled eggs.. so good! read more

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Great drinks, a really fun atmosphere, and a lot of smiling faces. I was worried about how slow the service would be based on past reviews, but we went on a bustling Thursday night during happy hour. 4 people working, bar full, and we got two rounds of drinks and one of their shareable plates within an hour and a half (could've done more, this was more our pace). Couldn't recommend it more! read more

If you're looking for a more upscale bar in Hilo with great drinks and great service, this is the place. I got the Advice and loved it. Any fiance got the Shouya a good time and it came with real poke on a skewer cooking from fire on a burning lemon. I won't spoil the experience for you... just trust me if you like creative cocktails. read more

This place is GREAT!! Everything has been well thought out. The ambiance is so welcoming and comfortable. Hilo has never had anything like this and it is a delight. And no karaoke or TVs! Conversation is encouraged. The service is very attentive and friendly. It may take a while to get your drinks, but that is okay since they are so well crafted. Congratulations to Char and her staff. read more

Sooooo good. Came here on a Tuesday night around 8:00 PM and was sat right away. The staff were very kind and helpful :) the Tarta De Lima drink was SO yummy and the portion was perfect. Shoutout to the male server with long hair in a bun (I'm so sorry I didn't catch your name) but he was so awesome! Such a cute, fun, small intimate vibe and there was a small jazz band playing Holiday music to enjoy! read more

The Hidden Nene - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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I generally don't write reviews. Unless a place sucks so bad that it's noteworthy and I want to kill them with unkind words. OR, it's so excellent that I'm compelled to think and write. The Hidden Nēnē compels me to think and write. It's a small basement space so it can be pretty packed if busy. If you're fortunate you'll find a spot at the bar if you're solo. There you will find TOTAL PRO bartenders and a liquor selection that will do the trick. They have a number of interesting craft garnishes and bar tricks that will satisfy those seeking novelty and interest. Their tapas are generous and satisfying. The vibe is metropolitan. How this exists is a quandary. CHERISH it. read more

I had been told to check this place out, a little tricky to find, but I did. It was the middle of the afternoon so it was not crowded at all. Had a drink, "Smoky Bear" , very tasty. Had the "Conserva" for lunch, also delicious and the serving was big enough for two. Find it! read more

Very intimate setting and a great place to get a drink for an evening night cap. I love the ambiance

Drinks are great, atmosphere is wonderful! Service is super hit or miss. Everyone is super nice, but it tends to be very slow and I feel like I spend more time waiting to order or pay than I do actually enjoying any drinks read more

Cool little spot with amazing service. Nicole was wonderful! Drinks are so creative and fun. It's like a little show. Definitely will be back. read more

Loved the speak easy vibe set by the descent into the basement and the classy 1920s decor. The drinks were innovative & fun and the mozzarella dish we tried was delish. It's a small gathering place. Parked on the street since the lot next to it is not technically theirs. Loved it. I will def go again. read more

Local bartender recommended to check this out. Definitely a hidden speakeasy in Hilo. Opened 9 months ago. Some of the best things in a small package. Pleasant ambiance, awesome bartenders (Maggie & Aulii), and libations were delicious. This made my list to revisit. Put this spot on your to do list while in the area. Enjoy! read more

The Hidden Nene - The Savoy OF and Smoky the Bear - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

I had a tarta de Lima and it tasted like key lime pie! I didn't check but I heard the coin they sell works as a gift card. read more

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The amount of decor and the crafted cocktails were off the charts. But I wish we got to enjoy it more but sadly due to a busy night with one mixologist and one host/waitress we waited for a drink to arrive 25minutes after my partners second drink had come. Not what we hoped for but wish you the best. read more

The Hidden Nene - Bloodline & Harvest Sour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Stopped in for cocktails before dinner at Cafe Pesto. Small bar with unique cocktails and a good beer list. Really good vibe for folks that like speakeasy-style basement bars. The happy hour prices are really amazing. Staff was very friendly and attentive. They were a bit backed up with orders so our drinks took a little while. We probably snagged the last two chairs at the bar around 5:30 on a Thursday, so definitely a popular place. We got the Smokey the Bear and Tarta de Lima. Both were quite good. Highly recommend if you are in Hilo. Probably the best bar in town! read more

My other half and I have brought out of town friends here and enjoyed the clandestine corner seating and unique cocktails served with fanfare. Last Friday was our 1st time sitting at the bar and ordering from the N/A line of drinks. The non-mocktail mocktail that our congenial mixologist Austin created and served was delightful. Austin was knowledgeable about drinks and enlightened us about the N/A options. The charcutier board and the goat cheese app topped with pistachios was an ample bounty. The salami was sliced thicker than I prefer, but the cheeses and other meats were spot on in flavor and presentation. When hubs and I came up for air from our bubble of conversing and laughing, we chatted with the bar staff who were all very lovely, warm and accommodating. We will certainly add The Hidden Nene to our date night rotation of favorite places. Mahalo nui Austin and team for setting the mood for a fun start to our weekend. read more

Austin was a great bartender. Fast service and made great suggestions throughout the night!

Best bar in Hilo but keep it on the DL because seating is limited. Great ambience, drinks, service.

What an amazing place. Amazing staff, such fun to interact with. Great cocktail program too! read more

The Hidden Nene - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii