Discover the Best Happy Hours in Waikiki | Vacation Waikiki

Written by Devin Arnold in Places To Eat & Drink

Waikiki Happy Hour

For full-time residents of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, the work week is about the same as it would be on the mainland. They may live in paradise, but they still clock in, work, then clock out, and when they’re finished they often head to happy hour for a hard-earned drink. If you want to beat the workday blues like a local, we’ve got the happy hours you need to hit.  While individual preferences are likely to vary, the following happy hour specials are considered to be the most highly recommended in Waikiki

WHAT ARE THE BEST HAPPY HOURS IN WAIKIKI? 

  • The Edge of Waikiki
  • Rivals Lounge
  • RumFire Waikiki Beach
  • Doraku Sushi
  • Aloha Table
  • King’s Pub
  • Honolulu Tavern
  • The Harbor Pub & Pizza
  • Cheeseburger Beachwalk
  • Buho Cocina y Cantina

Still not sure where to wet your whistle? Keep reading, and we’ll give you the details on the bars that made the list, as well as recommend a few standouts that barely missed it.

Go for the Experience

The top spots on the list offer more than great deals on drinks and food. They also offer experiences you can’t have anywhere else.

  • Located on campus at the Sheraton Waikiki, The Edge of Waikiki features $8 drinks all day and a happy hour from 10-noon. But the main draw to this pool bar is the infinity pool directly overlooking the ocean. Bring your swimsuit.
  • Not far from the Edge of Waikiki, RumFire Waikiki Beach holds its own happy hour from 3 pm until 5 pm. $5 cocktails highlight the specials amongst a menu that is focused on healthy, shareable portions with a spicy Hawaiian flare, and you can’t beat the beautiful views from the gorgeous oceanfront patio.

But for the Foodies the bars

If you’re more interested in food than beverages, you’re not alone. These are the Waikikihappy hours that are sure to satisfy your inner ‘foodie.’

  • Checkout Doraku Sushi at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center Monday through Friday from 5-7pm for insane deals on some amazing sushi, and Kirin beers at a big discount as well.
  • Burger lovers will be delighted at any Cheeseburger location, but for their best happy hour, you’ll want to try Cheeseburger Beachwalk, where they offer $5 food and drink specials from 3 pm to 5 pm daily, and 5.50 Bloody Marys and Mimosas during breakfast.
  • Try Buho Cocinay Cantina for the best taco Tuesdays in Honolulu ($2 dollar tacos from 5 pm until closing), and a daily happy hour that runs from 2 pm – 6 pm and includes a dozen menu items under $10, including the infamous Ice Cream Burrito.
  • The Harbor Pub and Pizza offer local favorite pizza in a comfortable pub environment. Happy hour is 4-7pm, seven days a week, and food specials set daily.
  • Aloha Table features gorgeous, delicious, traditional Hawaiian cuisine at reasonable prices. Their daily happy hour runs from 4 pm through 6 pm and includes drinks of all kinds in the $2.50 to $4 range, as well as $2 to $5 appetizers.

And for the Bar Aficionado…

Some folks love to drink, but others just love bars. If you’re the type to hit the local dives as much for the ambiance as for the brews, then these are the happy hours for you.  

  • Rivals Lounge is a classic sports bar done in a beautiful Vegas inspired style. From 9 pm until 5 am Monday through Friday, they offer drink specials ranging from $3 to $5, and a few food specials as well.
  • The Honolulu Tavern is a small dive bar with a Tiki vibe that has famously low prices no matter what time of day. The daily specials vary, but you’ll have no problem getting a drink for less than three bucks, and you can even find a $20 for $25 deal on the bar’s Yelp page.
  • King’s Pub is another dive, and their daily power hour from 5-6 pm includes $1 drinks, $2 drinks, and $1 slices of pizza.

A Few More Favorites

Just in case you haven’t had enough to drink yet, we’ve got a few heavy hitting happy hours that didn’t quite make the main list:

  • Loco House, at the Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel, where they hold happy hour twice a day, from 4 pm to 7 pm, and again from 11 pm to 1 am, featuring deals on an already modestly price menu that includes Tapas and a strong drink selection.
  • Irish Rose Saloon is a traditional Irish pub that boasts a 10-hour happy hour and live music seven days a week. The specials change daily, and they’re all great deals.
  • Giovanni Pastrami is a sports bar with a menu that trends toward Italian-American comfort foods. Their Monday through Friday happy hour runs from 3 pm to 6 pm, and another runs every night from 10 pm to close. Their enormous happy hour menu features great deals on a lot of food, and drinks under $7.

Looking for Something More Familiar?

We don’t all travel for the same reasons. While some head to Waikiki to see and try new things, others may only want to relax in tropical weather, play in the water, or browse one of the most luxurious shopping environments in the modern world. For the less adventurous of palate, there’s nothing wrong with turning to a trusted chain from the mainland for a quick drink and a bite.

  • The Yard House is a beloved Americana chain with a variety of beers on tap you have to taste to believe. The Waikiki Beach Walk location holds a happy hour from 2 pm until 5:30 pm Monday through Friday, and a late-night edition that’s Sunday through Wednesday from 10:30 pm to close. The specials include half-priced appetizers and pizza as well as a two-dollar break on most drinks.
  • Hard Rock Café Waikiki’s daily happy hour runs from 3 pm to 7 pm and features $4 draft beers, $5.50 well cocktails, and $6 house wines. If you’ve been to a Hard RockCafé you know what you’re getting: cheap drinks and live music with a rock-themed atmosphere.
  • The Waikiki location of P.F. Chang’s features their signature upscale Chinese-American cuisine and a 7-day happy hour from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. The deals include a suite of $5 appetizers and discounts on dozens of drinks.
  • Wolfgang’s Steakhouse has built their name on seafood, dry-aged steak, and extraordinary wines. From 5-6:30 pm they offer $5 beer and wine, and $7 dollar martinis.

Related Questions:

What’s the Best Place to Shop in Waikiki?

If you’re looking for shopping in Waikiki, you can’t do better than the Ala Moana center. 350+ stores and over 100 dining options make Ala Moana the largest open-air shopping center in the world. For the full details and more recommendations, see our article on Where To Shop In Waikiki.

Where Should I Stay in Waikiki?

If you’re in a member (or family member) of the U.S. military, we highly recommend Hale Koa. But for those who haven’t served, try to book your stay anywhere in the Royal Hawaiian Beach part of town, where you’ll be centrally located to pretty much anything you might want to do during your trip. And you’ll be perfectly situated to check out the bar scene, which is probably the reason you’re reading this in the first place. For specific hotel recommendations, read our article Where Should I Stay In Waikiki.

Recent Posts