24 Best Cocktail Bars near Kailua

“Amazing food, service, and entertainment with a saxophone player. Our French Laundry Steak was cooked to perfection. The mashed potatoes were delicious. We also had the bruschetta as a starter and loved it. Drinks were strong and perfectly concocted. Also enjoyed the tiramisu for dessert in which they wrote happy birthday on! A great place for a fancy date night or celebration dinner.“

“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 ..“

“Delicious food and drinks, friendly waitstaff. Will return if we're back on The Big Island someday.“

“Just Amazing. The service is top, the drinks they mix is out of this world. First time here, but will be coming back here again 200% the way smell of the drink is put together is just amazing. This place knows what they are doing. Bret was amazing and gave amazing recommendations. Will be back 100%“

“Mia at Surf Bar Waikiki is incredible! She makes the best crafted cocktails, perfectly balanced, creative, and consistently delicious. You can really tell she knows her craft and takes pride in every drink she makes. On top of that, her energy and friendliness make the whole experience even better. If you’re sitting at the bar, Mia is the one you want making your cocktails. Highly recommend!“

“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!!“

“Really incredible time, sit in the booth right when you get in if you want to watch people try to figure out where the door handle is, it’s hilarious AND heartwarming.

But in all seriousness the cocktails are unbelievable, and the service is excellent! Worth the price.“

“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“

“Excellent Mai Tai right on Waikiki beach.“

“Enjoyed our dining experience but surprised when the bill did not show there would be an extra charge for using a credit card. Only saw that on the paper receipt after our waitress ran our card into handheld machine by our table. She never said anything prior to my husband signing for the final charge.“

“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!“

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

“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 beer prices finally went up!
$3.50 for domestic beer
$4.00 for imported beer

3 Mama's @ this bar, the karaoke girl can sing! Friday & Saturday is a good time to have a beer and eat pupu and just listen to karaoke.

pupu“

“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.“

“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.“

“My wife & I came to Hawaii for our honeymoon in June of 2022, and Mai Tai's was our spot.. the atmosphere & the service was truly amazing. We came everyday we were on the Island. I absolutely recommend coming to Mai Tai's if your ever on the island, you will not be disappointed. 🤙✌️“

“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. 😉🤙✌️“

“Very good food.“

“This is, hands down, the best restaurant in Hawaii. My wife and I first came here two years ago right after I proposed—it also happened to be her birthday—and we’ve made it our annual tradition to return for her birthday ever since.

​It never disappoints. The Ahi Cigar is a mandatory starter, and the Grilled Romaine is a total sleeper hit—a very pleasant surprise. If you’re a fan of rich flavors, the Bone Marrow is absolutely delicious. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but it’s the consistent quality and memories that keep us coming back every year“

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