LBLE, which stands for Lobby Bar Libations Extraordinaire, is at the back of the open area as you enter the Hilton Waikiki Beach hotel. It’s an offshoot from the Mac 24/7 coffee shop/restaurant a few steps away in the basement, offering the same food and beverages in a lounge setting. LBLE’s main attraction is that you can enjoy a decent happy hour while listening to a top-shelf lineup of local musicians.
The experience
The Hilton Waikiki Beach is a business class hotel, so it has a more corporate feel — slick, shiny, but quiet — rather than beachy or gaudy vibe you would see at a resort hotel like the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
I’m sure there have been some, but in the many times I’ve been in that lobby, I’ve never seen anyone carrying in a surfboard.
LBLE Lounge
Hilton Waikiki Beach hotel, 2500 Kuhio Ave. 921-5564, hiltonwaikikibeach.com
Happy Hour:
5-7 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. daily
>> Beer: $3-$6
>> Well drinks, $5
>> Mai Tai, Blue Hawaii, Lychee Martini and Guava-Licious cocktails, $6
>> Premium cocktails, $7
>> Kendall Jackson wine, $6
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It’s typical to see flight attendants and pilots at the front desk, located at the back of the airy lobby. The nearby LBLE seems to be a popular meeting spot — people gather, then head out afterward to Waikiki’s more lively night scene.
That’s not to say LBLE doesn’t offer some entertainment of its own.
A few low chairs, couches and tables surround a little stage.
There’s live music every day starting at 6 p.m. — singer-songwriter Yoza was there the day I visited — so the ambiance is pleasant.
The bar opens onto a small, carefully landscaped garden. Surrounded as it is by the high-rises, it’s a surprisingly tranquil spot.
The bar faces a tall, open shelf with bottles of liquor on the wall and a flat-screen TV, tuned to sports.
The food
The food comes from Mac 24/7, which I have found to be uniformly good. A few options are highlighted on LBLE menus, found in the wallets on the table, but you can also request the Mac 24/7 menu.
In the mood for a light snack on a blazing hot day, I ordered Pan-Asian Chicken Wings, $10, and the Charred Edamame, $7, and they did not disappoint. The wings were nice and crispy, served with sweet dipping sauce, and the edamame had a pleasant smoked flavor along with the black sea salt.
Neither was overly greasy, but together this was a rather messy snack. I found myself thinking that sitting at the bar might be preferable if you’re ordering this indulgent food — it’s not easy to eat finger food in lounge chairs.
I’ve had several items on the Mac 24/7 menu, from the mini ahi poke tacos ($12.50) to burgers and steaks, and they’ve all been excellent.
It would be nice to see some happy hour specials on the food, but the regular prices are reasonable.
The drinks
There is a good selection of beer here, with well drinks and tropical favorite cocktails available at happy hour prices. It’s a nice occasion to play tourist and have a Mai Tai, Blue Hawaii, Lychee Martini or a Guava-Licious — are $6.
I had the Guava-Licious Cocktail, made with Three Olives Citrus Vodka, grapefruit juice and guava, and it went down smooth.
For something more substantial, there is 22-ounce draft beer at $6, or you can go light at $3 for a 12-ounce draft. Kendall Jackson wines are $6 and well drinks are $5, or $7 for premium liquors.
The verdict
LBLE is a quiet, relaxing spot to gather oneself for a drink, a snack and a bit of live music. It’s a place to have the fine offerings of Mac 24/7 but in an airy, yet cool setting, as opposed to the more confined space of Mac 24/7.
The live music and the lounge seating give it a different kind of atmosphere.
Even though the hotel’s front desk is just a few steps away, you don’t experience any of that hustle and bustle. It’s far enough from the desk, and there’s a low barrier to set things off. It is one of those places where you would arrange to meet a friend for a drink and to catch up.