Honolulu Nightlife

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Honolulu's nightlife scene is as hot as its noontime temperatures. There is the tourist scene, which is sometimes also enjoyed by locals. But, being a large city and the cultural center of the state of Hawaii, the nightlife menu in Honolulu goes well beyond tiki bars populated by sunburned, tropical-shirt-and-flip-flop-wearing tourists. There are raucous dance clubs and classy lounges, as well as plenty of welcoming local bars.

Here is the best after-sun fun in Honolulu:

Budget

Anna Bannana's (2440 S Beretania Street) is laid-back, even by Hawaiian standards. This unpretentious bar is a favorite hang-out spot for college kids and locals. Most of the bands who take the stage to play blues-tinged rock are from Honolulu. Anna's has been around for a while, and is something of an institution amongst University of Hawaii students.

Moose McGillycuddy's (310 Lewers Street) has been a Waikiki hotspot for nearly 25 years. This eating and drinking emporium is a tourist favorite. It features bikini contests, daily specials, live music, and tasty meals from breakfast-time until last call.

Value

Mai Tai Bar (Ala Moana Shopping Center) is one of the most popular nightlife spots amongst locals. This unique venue has live music during happy hours and on weekend afternoons. There is also live music later in the evenings. The generous happy hour specials run until 11p.m. on weeknights.

Pipeline Café (805 Pohukaina Street) is a popular hangout for Honolulu's young partiers. The reasonably priced drinks, laid-back dance floor and energetic crowd make this one of Honolulu's most exciting nightspots.

Lotus Soundbar (2301 Kuhio Ave) is a rather glitzy nightclub with three different rooms catering to people with different musical tastes. This is one of Honolulu's hottest weekend spots, though the best time to hear the talented house DJs spinning is during the week. The overall diversity in the three areas of this club makes it a good hangout spot and a worthwhile venue for spending an entire evening.

Splurge

Lu Lu's Surf Club (2586 Kalakua Ave), like other venues in the area, is both a restaurant and bar. Its doors open at 7 a.m. and the action keeps going until sometime the following morning. Lu Lu's is known for its breakfasts (especially the waffles).

The Green Room at Indigo (1121 Nuanu Ave) hosts one of the most upscale scenes on Oahu. Located inside the hip Indigo restaurant, this bar draws Honolulu's "beautiful people" with its martinis, live music and lively-yet-sophisticated party atmosphere.