27 Best Cocktail Bars in Honolulu

“I had the unexpected pleasure of enjoying drinks and snacks at Obake. We were early for reservations at Skull and Crown. The hostess recommended Obake, which is their sister bar and restaurant, just around the corner. We were seated at the counter across from chef Christian and watched him craft all the handrolls served during our visit. First, the drinks: we had the Momiji, the Will o' the Whisp, the Fallen Angel, and the Feels like Summer. This isn't your everyday bar. The cocktails took some time to craft, but they did not disappoint . The Momiji was their nod to fall, while the Feels like Summer, well, you get it. While each drink was light and enjoyable, my favorite was the FLS. A nod to the Old Fashioned, but light and bright.

The house pickles and Yukari Fries were perfect sharing plates. We also tried the Hamachi, Summer Toro, Ho Hayn, and Bangsilog rolls. The Summer Toro had strawberries in it that paired beautifully with the spicy Toro. The Ho Hayn was served with a small dish of Hawaiian chili pepper water, either dipped in the water or followed by a chaser sip of the water. The Ho Hayn left me wanting more. The Bangsilog was probably my favorite just because it brought me back to breakfast in my Filipino mother's kitchen. It was all the flavors of my childhood in one roll.

Our server, whose name slips my memory, was a delight. She was attentive and explained the concepts behind the drinks she brought us.

Christian was a joy to watch and a joy to speak with.

Thank you for an enjoyable evening.“

“An Unforgettable Cocktail Experience at Bar Leather Apron

From the moment my wife and I stepped into Bar Leather Apron, we knew we were in for something special. Finding the entrance was a bit of an adventure, as the bar is tucked inside an office building, but the security staff was incredibly helpful in pointing us in the right direction. Once inside, we were warmly welcomed and seated by the hostess, setting the tone for an exceptional evening.

Justin, one of the owners, was behind the bar crafting some of the best cocktails we’ve ever had. Watching him work was an experience in itself—his precision, passion, and knowledge of mixology made every drink a story worth savoring. The awards lining the walls make perfect sense the moment you take your first sip.

We knew Bar Leather Apron focused on cocktails rather than full entrees, but the appetizers alone were enough to satisfy. The pizza butter and charcuterie board were not only delicious but surprisingly filling. As for the drinks, every single one was a masterpiece. I had the El Umami and a Suntory whiskey flight, while Amanda enjoyed Flowers for You and The Rocking Chair—each offering flavors unlike anything we’ve ever tasted.

Beyond the drinks, what made the night truly special was the atmosphere and service. Justin’s enthusiasm and expertise shone through in every cocktail he crafted, and it was clear that he takes immense pride in his work. The entire experience was flawless—intimate, engaging, and unforgettable.

If you’re in Oahu and love expertly crafted cocktails, Bar Leather Apron is an absolute must. We’ll definitely be back.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“This place is small but stylish and beautifully decorated, from the star of a bar design to each and every cozy nook throughout. Now home of the best craft cocktails on Oahu and complimented with well thought out, mouth watering bites. I went with a friend for the grand opening evening and I would never have guessed it was a grand opening. The staff was friendly, seemed very at ease the whole night and the bartender was knowledgeable about the menu. We tried 5 or so different small bites and a couple various cocktails each from the menu and EVERY SINGLE item was delicious and crafted so beautifully we almost didn't want to eat or drink them (almost! 😋) Well done, Podmore!!“

“Very good food.“

“We loved both the food and the wine and the service. The place is gorgeous too. We had a wonderful time.“

“An unforgettable culinary experience! We chose the à la carte menu and were impressed by every single dish. Each plate was beautifully presented and full of unique, bold flavors that showcased local ingredients in creative ways. The smoked ahi cigars and the bone marrow were absolute standouts. The service was warm and professional, and the atmosphere was stylish yet relaxed. Highly recommended for anyone looking for fine dining with a modern twist in Honolulu.“

“Great little spot, wide variety of options from seafood to pasta to steak. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. We had the Risotto (super creamy), the lobster ravioli special (best ever) and the Tavern Burger (perfectly done and an out of this world bun). It was a Monday night and pretty slow inside, but more people need to be coming here, highly recommended.“

“While on vacation in Waikiki I picked up this place based on the Google rating and I was very impressed. The place looked very inviting, cozy, luxurious furnishing and with a good vibe all around. We were greeted when we walked in we were seated right away by a waitress with a big smile on her face. The staff was very friendly, quick service and the cocktails were top notch and very well presented. The live entertaining was excellent to the point that nobody was sitting, everybody was dancing, including myself and my girlfriend. I highly recommend this place when on a date, a boys night out or any other reason you may have, 100%.“

“Great speakeasy hidden bar in Honolulu. During this visit wanted to find a couple of hidden bars. This one was fun and fit the bill as hard to find! Other reviewers have said where it is. I found finding the phone number to make a reservation a challenge! Once connected they texted the reservation link. Once confirmed they texted the instructions. For us we entered through a vending machine. (Based on other reviews I assume they change the “front” of the door occasionally. Cocktails were excellent!“

“This was our first visit. Our service was exceptional. Food was very good. Music was soothing. We will return soon“

“I got there as it opened and sat by the bar. The bartenders were nice and sociable. I ended up having 1 more drink that I was planning because I was having such a good time.

There is an egaging speakeasy vibe to the whole place and the cocktails were delicious! I would come back and recommend friends to visit!“

“The staff were so quick and attentive. Our drinks and food came out so quick, especially for a busy Friday night. The food was amazing, we didn't even have any leftovers to bring home! Definitely recommend for anyone in the area, especially for dinner and drinks around an event at Blaisdell.“

“It was just coincidence in my view but what I ordered was found sold out 10min later or so. It would be the best if I could know that when I place the order by looking at the menu. It might be better to make a digital menu rather than on paper so that updates are quickly reflected to those menu boards at every table?“

“6/2025
Been frequenting this nice,cozy find quite a bit, especially on Wine down Wednesdays. You cannot beat the 50% off most all wine bottle special. It's also not like the carry bad labels either. Their list is simple but elegant as is the atmosphere. Located on the 2nd floor in the middle of Nordstroms, this little secret is a pleasant way to kill some time, watch a quick game on TV, heck out the foot traffic while contemplating that to do list, or enjoy random conversations with regulars and newbies alike. Everyone knows the friendly staff by name and the cocktails are pretty dang good too. It's not the cheapest place in the world to get a cocktail but what place is nowadays and the ambiance provides that added value. Hence, Wednesdays. Give them a try when you're near Foodland or shopping in the area and pamper yourself with an unexpected pleasant break. 😉🤙✌️“

“Great seafood, to s f choices amazing service and listening to John Akapo by the pool is amazing“

“Beautiful meal, very helpful staff , they were very keen to find a table for us without a reservation. Nothing was a problem and the ambiance is very special.“

“I had a fantastic experience using Keanu for family photos and portraits last summer and again last week. He is is reliable, attentive, patient, friendly, professional and responsible. He has a keen eye for capturing that special moment and for making others feel comfortable in their own skin. You can let Keanu work his magic or you can tell him what you are looking for if you have a specific vision in mind. Keanu is great whether you need photos of your products, family portrait, engagement photos, etc. He also works great with kids which is a double bonus in itself. Book him!“

“Good food, I've only been once. You can't go wrong with the catfish sandwich. The fish piece was so big, it hung off both ends of the roll and you could've taken it off and created an entire new sandwich. All for a great price.“

“Excellent Mai Tai right on Waikiki beach.“

“Great atmosphere, really good food, outstanding staff!“

“Friendly folks, cheap drinks, great music at a cool bar. One of my favorite watering holes in Honolulu!“

“My now husband and I had our wedding rehearsal lunch here on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Their restaurant was my first choice and they were so accommodating! We had a private indoor space with an oceanfront lanai to mingle on. Jenni, who is the manager, and her employees went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. The plumeria buffet was delicious, the drinks and souvenir cups were amazing, and the restaurant had such a relaxed ambience with such a beautiful view for pictures on the patio! Jenni and her team were outstanding, and the venue is highly recommended!“

“This was definitely a different Pizza experience... their story is intriguing and hopefully this brand and cuisine comes to the remainder of the states especially Florida... I had their lime drink and it was amazing and their Pizza was delightful. 43 inc highly recommended. In Tampa Florida we have a network called The HUB and it's a place we recommend phenomenal experiences. This would be one.“

“Amazing food and atmosphere every time. I highly recommend this restaurant“

“Staff at Lulu’s couldn’t have been kinder or more helpful if they tried. We went last night as a large party and they were so wonderful! Accommodating all of our needs, including moving our table due to a sensory overload for one of my children. Our server was outstanding, from helping with a suggestion for parking to getting all of our meals and drinks perfectly. Thank you for a wonderful night“