Most of Honolulu's
nightlife
is concentrated in
Waikiki, where
fun-seeking tourists set
the tone. On the whole,
the available
entertainment is on the
bland side. Hawaii tends
to be off the circuit
for touring musicians,
so if you enjoy live
music you'll probably
have to settle for
little-known local
performers (rising stars
of contemporary Hawaiian
music tend to prefer to
keep their credibility
by not playing in
Waikiki too often). Look
out also for special
events at downtown's
beautifully restored
Hawaii Theater, 1130
Bethel St (tel
808/528-0506). As for
bars, Chinatown has the most
raucous in town, but
they're way too
hair-raising for most
tastes.
Chai's Island
Bistro Aloha Tower
Marketplace, 101 Ala
Moana Blvd tel
808/585-0011. Sumptuous
and very expensive Thai
restaurant, where the
very finest Hawaiian
musicians perform for
diners nightly 7-8.30pm.
Duke's Canoe Club
Outrigger Waikiki on
the Beach , 2335
Kalakaua Ave tel
808/923-0711. Smooth
Hawaiian sounds wash
over this oceanfront
Waikiki cocktail bar
nightly from 4pm to 6pm
and 10pm to midnight -
including big-name
"Concerts on the
Beach" Fri-Sun
4-6pm. No cover charge.
Hula's Bar and Lei
Stand Waikiki
Grand Hotel , 134
Kapahulu Ave tel
808/923-0669. Waikiki's
most popular gay venue
occupies a suite of
ocean-view rooms across
from the Honolulu Zoo.
As well as a
state-of-the-art dance
bar equipped with giant
video screens, there's
also a more casual
lounge area. Daily
10am-2am.
La Mariana Sailing
Club 50 Sand Island
Access Rd tel
808/848-2800. Waterfront
restaurant with a
wonderful 1950s feel,
hidden away amid
Honolulu's docks, and
featuring live Hawaiian
music at weekends. Daily
11am-11pm.
Wave Waikiki
1877 Kalakua Ave tel
808/941-0424. In so far
as Waikiki has an
alternative rock scene,
this is it, with a bar
upstairs and dance floor
down below, and DJs
rather than live bands
most nights. Daily
9pm-4am.
World Café
Nimitz Business Center,
1130 N Nimitz Highway
tel 808/599-4450.
Three-level club not far
west of Chinatown that
boasts Hawaii's largest
dance floor. Hip hop,
house and trance music
predominate, and as one
of the few clubs to
admit under-21s it tends
to be crammed with
hyped-up youngsters.
Daily 9pm until late.
