The next time someone tries to tell you it’s impossible to find a quality drink in Waikiki, go ahead and laugh.
The notion that Waikiki continues to serve visitors lame, artificially flavored cocktails made with cheap liquor or the same mainstream brews sold elsewhere in the United States is quite laughable.
True, you can still find a crappy mai tai and the standard macro beer trifecta of Bud Light, Coors Light and Heineken at more than a few bars and restaurants in Waikiki. But recent additions to the tourist town offerings aim to elevate your drinking experience.
Of the eight bars mentioned here, Waikiki Brewing Co. is the oldest, having celebrated its second anniversary last weekend. So if the blog post you found online or that snarky travel article you came across wasn’t written recently, you’re not getting the complete story.
Follow this list and you’ll find plenty of reasons to give Waikiki another try.
100 Sails Restaurant and Bar
Hawaii Prince Hotel, 100 Holomoana St.; 944-4494; 808ne.ws/100sails. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays).
>> Good for: Drinks with a view. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide an expansive view of Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and the Pacific Ocean beyond.
>> Must try: In the Secret Rendezvous ($12), Giffard banana liqueur and a pomegranate reduction help smooth out the alcohol bite of Evan Williams Black Label whiskey and Broadbent Rainwater madeira. I usually take my bourbon neat, but this drink makes me reconsider.
>> Don’t forget about: During happy hour — 2:30 to 5:30 and 8 to 10 p.m. daily — $5 gets you three 5-ounce beer samples plus a trio of small bites. Enjoy the view and save a few bucks.
Waikiki Brewing Co.
1945 Kalakaua Ave.; 946-6590; waikikibrewing.com. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (until midnight Fridays and Saturdays).
>> Good for: Beer, obviously, with eight standard craft offerings, including the draft version of the Hana Hou Hefe sold in stores. But they make some pretty tasty beer cocktails, too!
>> Must try: The Hana Hou Shandy ($8) takes fresh muddled oranges and strawberries with simple syrup and lemon juice and adds some of that locally made Hefeweizen to create a refreshing drink.
>> Don’t forget about: The Jalapeno Amber Michelada ($7) is like an amped-up Bloody Mary, with Waikiki Brewing’s Jalapeno Amber Ale adding quite the kick — but it also pairs well with the food here. It’s fantastic with the prime rib French dip ($18).
Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki
Holiday Inn Resort Waikiki Beachcomber, 2300 Kalakaua Ave.; 843-2739; mauibrewingco.com/waikiki. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
>> Good for: Beer, beer and more beer! Oahu fans of MBC have been waiting for years to have access to the limited draft offerings once only available on Maui. Now a dozen are available in Waikiki.
>> Must try: MBC Waikiki’s Hemingway Daiquiri ($10) uses locally produced Kohana Kea agricole rum as its base with a touch of maraschino liqueur and fresh grapefruit juice. The rum really shines in this classic cocktail.
>> Don’t forget about: Growler fills ($18 for 64 ounces of beer) and crowlers ($11 for a 32-ounce can filled on-site) are available if you’re looking for something tasty to take home.
Mahina & Sun’s
Surfjack Waikiki, 412 Lewers St.; 924-5810; surfjack.com/eat-shop. Open 6:30 a.m. to midnight daily.
>> Good for: Daytime drinking by the pool, since Mahina & Sun’s also services that area of Surfjack Waikiki.
>> Must try: The Mr. Pink ($14) is perfect for that Instagram-worthy selfie by the pool. It looks sweeter than it tastes — which is a good thing — with a mix of Uncle Val’s gin, lillet, yellow chartreuse, dry curacao, lemon, rosewater and egg white foam.
>> Don’t forget about: The Market Special ($14) offers bartenders the opportunity to play around and create something original using fresh ingredients. The drink changes daily, so be sure to ask about it.
Yauatcha Waikiki
International Market Place; 739-9318; yauatcha.com/waikiki. Open 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (until 11:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays).
>> Good for: Bringing out-of-town visitors to Waikiki for the latest and greatest, with a cocktail menu that has a decidedly international feel.
>> Must try: The Nashi Momo ($13.80) is a mix of vodka with the flavors of peach, pear, lemon, coconut and guava that is served at other restaurants owned by Yauatcha’s owner, Hakkasan Group.
>> Don’t forget about: The Buddha’s Palm ($18.80), which arrives with smoke in the glass and also contains Makers 46 bourbon, falernum, yuzu juice and marmalade, and even white balsamic vinegar. This one is a spectacle in a glass!
Stripsteak Waikiki
International Market Place; 800-3094; 808ne.ws/stripsteakhnl. Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (until 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays).
>> Good for: Bar-hopping when visiting all the additions to the International Market Place, while holding its own as a destination for innovative cocktails.
>> Must try: The Black Tai ($15) scored high marks when Stripsteak opened in August, turning a Waikiki classic on its head with the addition of black sesame orgeat and charcoal for color. But the Golden Gun ($14 single serving, $26 for two to share, $49 for four servings), which mixes Maui’s Pau vodka with rum, absinthe, Champagne, pineapple, turmeric and lemon, was a hands-down favorite during a follow-up visit.
>> Don’t forget about: Stripsteak’s “Island Rum Experience” ($28 each, $49 to sample all three) matches local Kohana rum with either banana, pineapple or kiawe, smoking the secondary ingredient to quickly infuse the flavors into the rum.
TR Fire Grill
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach Hotel, 2330 Kuhio Ave.; 921-2330; trfiregrill.com. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
>> Good for: Surprising the cynical local or visitor who doesn’t expect much from Waikiki.
>> Must try: Drawing upon the “Fire Grill” part of its name, TR Fire Grill offers a number of cocktails that use liquor infused with grilled pineapple. The best example is a Maui Daiquiri ($12), which infuses Old Lahaina rum with grilled pineapple and adds just a hint of sweet and sour from a little fresh-pressed lime and simple syrup.
>> Don’t forget about: The Tropical Heat ($12) uses pineapple-infused Pau vodka as its base, with added layers of flavor via passion fruit liqueur and falernum. Hellfire shrub bitters ratchet up the spice level, but the drink is well balanced and doesn’t overpower the palate.
Kuhio Beach Grill
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort, 2552 Kalakaua Ave.; 921-5171; 808ne.ws/kuhiobeachgrill. Open 5 to 10 p.m. daily.
>> Good for: The casual whiskey fan looking to gain experience tasting a variety of brands.
>> Must try: One of the 30 permanent selections on the whiskey menu, although a representative for the restaurant said up to 50 bottles will be available as the choices are rotated. It’s a good opportunity to try a whiskey like Stagg Jr., Eagle Rare, Hibiki, Yamazaki or Green Spot (bottles that aren’t always easy to find in stores).
>> Don’t forget about: The Kuhio Beach Grill “secret stash” of whiskey, the existence of which employees will neither confirm nor deny. But if you’re a liquor nerd and take the time to chat up your bartender, there’s a chance you‘ll get a taste from a bottle that’s been hidden in storage at the Waikiki Beach Marriott for decades and was forgotten about — until now.
Jason Genegabus has written about the local bar and drink scenes since 2001. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram (@honolulupulse) or email jason@staradvertiser.com.
