Oahu Nightlife
June 2nd, 2009 by Ted Felber, under Vacations. No Comments
If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, you know it’s a magical place no matter what island you go to. Each is special in its own way, with its own way of life. However, Oahu has its own special magic, with an urban vibe in the bigger cities and a slow, country life in the more rural areas. Even so, the nightlife itself is something to behold, varied, exciting, and never ending once the sun sets.
Honolulu Beachfront Bars
In Waikiki, beachfront bars there give you an endless opportunity to see incomparable sunsets from a particularly unique perspective. House without a Key, at Majestic Halekulani Hotel, is frozen in time since its inclusion in 1925 Charlie Chan novel. Crowds still gather here for cocktails at sunset, while hula dancers who have been previously crowned “Miss Hawaii” dance gracefully for your amusement.
Another favorite nightspot, Duke’s Canoe Club at the Waikiki Outrigger Club, has music by popular Hawaiian musicians of contemporary mode even as you sip your favorite cocktail along with other vacationing comrades.
Onward to the Aloha Tower where diners tap to live musicians playing rhythm and blues at the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant by the waterfront. Contemporary Hawaiian rock musicians play on weekends. Otherwise, from Monday-Wednesday, you can get between $1-$5 off your drinks and martinis during happy hours while noshing on delectable yet cheap pupus of egg rolls, tapas or mini-pizzas.
Exceptional Dining and Outstanding Music
When you dine at Chai’s Island Bistro, you will understand why it is one of the hottest spots in the Oahu nightlife. Where else can you get exceptional East-West cuisine and a stellar lineup of Hawaiian musicians such as the Makaha Sons, Cazimero Brothers and Nathan Aweau of Hapa? On weekend nights, it doubles up as a disco till the early morning hours.
After dark in Oahu is as hot as the sun is during the day. Pipeline, a warehouse turned disco, can fit in 1,500 clubbers aged 18 and over, many of them surfers from around the world. Crowds try their hand at darts, pool and dance when not listening to big local and national names such as Black Eyed Peas, Evanescence and Ziggy Marley perform at concerts.
Jazz in Oahu
The Oahu nightlife caters to all tastes. Lovers of jazz should watch out for nightly jazz at Duc’s Bistro except on Thursdays when Hawaiian singer Mihana Souza brings her own rendition of island music to the mike, and Lewers Lounge at the Halekulani for contemporary jazz and cocktails made from scratch with fresh juice and exotic tropical flavors such as lychee and guava.
If you’d like to dance all night after lying on the beach all day, visit Anna Bannanas. This favorite Oahu hangout boasts inexpensive drinks and specials. Here, regulars dance to rock and reggae, or you can hang at Lulu’s Surf Club. Waikiki Beach and Diamondhead give priceless views along with a distinctive surf atmosphere. Just steps away from the beach, the food and drinks flow from 7 a.m. until 4 a.m.
Not to be compared with Los Angeles or New York, Oahu’s nightlife is a bit more casual and laid-back. However, don’t think you won’t have just as much fun. And with that glorious Pacific sunset to greet you, this incomparable tropical paradise always keeps the night young.
