24 Best Cocktail Bars in Honolulu

“Bar Leather Apron is a special place. A truly superlative bar experience with a knowledgeable staff. It is the crown jewel in the Hawaii bar scene, and one of the best bars in the country. Sadly, the reservation system they currently use just doesn't work. Looked every day for 2 months and showed every seat booked. Showed up and fortunately they save some seats for walk-ins. However the way it's currently presented i would not have even stopped in if I had not been very close by. I very much wish they would change this and be responsive to email / calls to sort out the walk in situation. I feel like as it currently exists the bar is losing a lot of business and many potential devoted customers are missing out.“

“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.“

“Podmore is thee spot if you’re looking for a place that’s equal parts stunning and delicious. The vibe? Totally aesthetic—like, the interior design alone is a reason to visit. But let’s talk food. The brioche French toast? Insanely fluffy and so flavorful it didn’t even need syrup. I mean, who does that? The smoked salmon and spiced egg were a solid hit, and I love that you can mix and match to kind of create your own meal. Super cool touch. Now, the chicken and waffles? That sauce was something else—totally unique. And don’t even get me started on the cranberry mimosa. I asked for it a bit tart, and the bartenders nailed it. They’re seriously pros. Oh, and the presentation? Always on point. This is one of my go-to spots when I want to show off to friends from the mainland. They always leave obsessed, of course. Overall, Podmore just gets it—amazing vibes, stellar food, and top-notch service. A total win.

Parking: Parking on the side of the place but we always Uber here or park at a friends and walk over. Parking garages nearby $4 after 4pm“

“Very good food.“

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

“We had a great experience here. Atmosphere feels more like a mainland Chicago or New York eatery than the traditional local place which we welcomed for a change. Amazing food and very nice service (shout out to Jenya (? might be wrong spelling). Didn’t feel rushed at all which I loved. We will definitely be back.“

“Livestock Tavern is a hidden gem that truly shines when it comes to appetizers. The moment you step inside, you’re enveloped by a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly suited for an evening out with friends or a casual dinner date. The menu boasts an impressive selection of small plates that are sure to please any palate.

One standout appetizer is the crispy Brussels sprouts, which are expertly tossed in a tangy chili aioli that adds just the right amount of heat. The flavor profile is both savory and slightly sweet, making them completely addictive. Another must-try is the pork belly sliders, featuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat topped with a zesty slaw that balances the richness beautifully.

For those looking for a lighter option, the charcuterie board is a fantastic choice, displaying a variety of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and house-made pickles that invite you to explore different flavors and textures.

The attentive staff at Livestock Tavern further enhances your dining experience, offering knowledgeable recommendations and ensuring your glass is never empty. If you’re in the mood for delicious appetizers and a vibrant atmosphere, Livestock Tavern is definitely worth a visit!“

“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%.“

“Phenomenal view. Incredible food. Wonderful service- Justin really made it the full dining experience. Everything we ordered was great- The salmon was delicious and the sauce it was in was so tasty and unique! The filet with crab was melt in your mouth. I would definitely come back and I highly recommend!“

“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“

“We went for Sunday Brunch and it was fantastic. I had the Veggie Benedict and my husband had the Corned Beef Benedict. Both we delicious. Only complaint was the eggs weren't cooked completely and had runny whites. They brew their own beer in house and have sone of the best beers I've had in Hawaii. Maybe anywhere!“

“Excellent across the board if you’re looking for craft cocktails in a speakeasy setting. It’s a well thought out, warm, and appropriately dark space. The bartender knew what he was doing and the cocktails were great. The inside has limited seating but there’s an area outside that is a bit more flexible to accommodate more people. The entrance isn’t easy to find, but that’s an intentional part of the experience… don’t give up, it’s there. The marker on the map is on the right building but not the right spot. Room 8.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes.“

“The service was slower than expected. The “manager” was using the register and also making drinks. No big deal, except he used his hands to grab the fruit garnish for my drink and touched all over the rim of my glass.
Wouldn’t go back on purpose.“

“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.“

“The food was creative and delicious! Service was wonderful.“

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

“Excellent Mai Tai right on Waikiki beach.“

“Outside table for one at lunch time. Korean barbecue chicken sandwich. Excellent, delicious and messie to eat. I would order again.“

“The Imposters are worth staying out late to hear! Great music, drinks, service!“