24 Best Cocktail Bars near Kailua

“Great speakeasy, with an intimate Jazzy romantic, candlelit dinner. We were given a secret code and hour before our reservation. This secret code, was so we could enter. The food was great! We started with the diver sea scallops. So ono! The drinks are awesome! Rainbow Wings and Spotted Cat!, For dinner we had the French Laundry (highly recommended),, and Lobster risotto (mouth watering) We topped off the night with a creme brulee! Service was phenomenal and they have live Jazz every night.“

“Really awesome place we came here to eat and had some awesome drinks .we met the executive chef Luis Axalan he was very nice explaining the concept and he was very helpful explaining the food items . We also tried the Chef’s Special salmon crostini was the best we ever had. The pork Bao buns is to die for!!!! 10/10 for all the food . The drinks were very good also . We will definitely come back . Kailua peeps come down and check them out ..“

“Everything!! Atmosphere is great wonderful staff & you get to make a lot of good memories there . I know I did in the past 3 years….“

“Had a couple beers. They were very good.“

“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!!“

“Dropped in on this random bar I walked by in Waikiki and was greeted by a very nice young lady. I think her name was Katie. She was very welcoming and smiley. Javi and Clay behind the bar were some cool guys and made me feel like I was kicking it with the bros. Great vibes, great service, and a great time 🤙🏾“

“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!“

“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.“

“🍸 The best cocktail bar I visited in Hawaii! 🍸
The drinks here were ridiculously good — easily the best cocktails I had during my time in Hawaii. You can tell the bartenders know their craft. On top of that, the location and ambiance were spot on — cozy, stylish, and perfect for a night out. If you appreciate a proper cocktail, this place is a must.“

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

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

“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. 😉🤙✌️“

“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.“

“Excellent Mai Tai right on Waikiki beach.“

“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 bartenders are very attentive and have great personalities. I was so happy we found this place and I am looking forward to coming back as soon as possible. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking to have a good time.“

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

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

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

“The staff are very friendly. Our waitress Dede was excellent. The sunset view is breathtaking. If you are in Waikiki stop by this bar and grill you will not be disappointed.“