Nightlife · Honolulu · United States
Honolulu nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Honolulu, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: mar1865, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Honolulu nightlife ranges from sunset Hawaiian music at beach bars to cocktail bars in Chinatown and craft breweries in Kakaʻako. Things start early, with sunset as the main event, and most bars close by 2am. The main areas are Waikīkī, Chinatown, Kakaʻako and Kaimukī.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Waikīkī
- Local drink
- Kona coffee
Where to go out
Waikīkī
Beachfront bars with live Hawaiian music at sunset, plus clubs and late bars along Kalākaua and Kūhiō avenues.
Chinatown
The city's best cocktail bars and small music venues along Hotel Street and Nuʻuanu Avenue.
Kakaʻako
Breweries, food halls and bars in converted warehouses.
Kaimukī
Wine bars and late-opening restaurants on Waiʻalae Avenue, with a local crowd.
Nightlife tips
- Sunset is the main event: arrive at beach bars early to get a table facing the water.
- Use a taxi or ride-hailing back from Chinatown late at night.
- Photo ID is checked at bars and clubs, whatever your age.
Evening sights
Neighbourhood · Chinatown
Chinatown
Buy a fresh lei on Maunakea Street for a fraction of the hotel price, then walk to Foster Botanical Garden nearby.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- History
- Shopping
- After dark
Experience · Waikīkī
Sunset catamaran sail
Sit on the bow nets if you don't mind getting splashed; it is the best seat on the boat.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
What to drink
- Kona coffee — Coffee grown on the volcanic slopes of the Big Island's Kona district, smooth and low in acidity; look for '100% Kona' on the label rather than 'Kona blend'.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. August has the warmest evenings, with lows around 24°C (75°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 18:10 | 19°C (66°F) | 8 |
| April | About 18:51 | 21°C (70°F) | 7 |
| July | About 19:17 | 24°C (75°F) | 6 |
| October | About 18:07 | 23°C (73°F) | 7 |
Getting home late
- Bus — Pay with a HOLO card, which caps your daily fares at the price of a day pass.
- Walking — Waikīkī, Kapiʻolani Park and Ala Moana are linked by beachfront paths, and Diamond Head's trailhead is about 30–40 minutes' walk from the eastern end of Waikīkī.
- Ride-hailing — Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available in Honolulu and useful for the airport and evenings out.
Late-night bites
- Spam musubi — Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and ABC Stores in Waikīkī, and local delis and musubi shops.
- Garlic shrimp — Shrimp trucks around Kahuku and Haleʻiwa on the North Shore, such as Giovanni's.
- Manapua — Chinatown bakeries and dim sum restaurants, plus convenience stores across the island.
Staying safe at night
Ocean conditions are the main risk: strong currents, shorebreak and high surf, especially on north-facing shores in winter, cause many visitor injuries, so swim at lifeguarded beaches and follow the flags. Car break-ins at trailheads and beach parks are common, so leave nothing in the car. Sun exposure is intense year-round.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance, ocean rescue)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, beach, families and nightlife
Waikīkī
A strip of hotels about 3 km long between the Ala Wai Canal and the sea, Waikīkī has most of Honolulu's accommodation, from the Moana Surfrider of 1901 and the pink Royal Hawaiian to simpler hotels a few blocks back. Kalākaua Avenue runs along the beach with shops and restaurants, Kapiʻolani Park and Diamond Head close the eastern end, and the water is gentle enough for beginner surfers.
- Good
- Beach, restaurants and tours on the doorstep; Huge range of hotels; Walkable and lively in the evening
- Watch out
- Crowded and commercial; Resort and parking fees add up
- Nearby
- Diamond Head, Kapiʻolani Park, Kūhiō Beach, Honolulu Zoo
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Honolulu?
Waikīkī, Chinatown and Kakaʻako. Beachfront bars with live Hawaiian music at sunset, plus clubs and late bars along Kalākaua and Kūhiō avenues.
+Which area of Honolulu is best for nightlife?
Waikīkī: Beachfront hotels, surf lessons and Kalākaua Avenue under Diamond Head.