The tiki bar wasn’t invented in Hawaii, but it suits the destination perfectly with its Polynesian sculptures and fruity cocktails.
Folks gather for rum-soaked libations and leisurely conversation in an ageless setting. The experience is enhanced by a heavy dose of kitsch, right down to the umbrellas and back scratchers embellishing each drink.
At the following Hawaii tiki bars, clients in aloha shirts can turn back the clock in exotic surroundings straight out of a 1930s Hollywood movie.
Editor’s Note: This
story was originally published on July 19, 2018. It was updated on Nov. 7, 2024.
Don’s Mai Tai Bar, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island
Holding forth at Royal
Kona Resort, this popular haunt casts a nostalgic spell thanks in part to carved totems, lava-rock walls and tropical flowers. Whether clients belly up to the circular, grass-roof bar or relax at a private table, they enjoy views of Kailua Bay and the sea beyond.
The largest open-air, oceanfront drinkery in Kailua-Kona, Don's Mai Tai Bar showcases legendary island performers on Thursday evenings. What’s more, it offers a variety of mai tais and other fruity drinks. Classic Hawaiian dishes, such as loco moco and pulled pork sliders, can also be found here.
From drinks in tiki glasses to hanging glass balls, La Mariana is the quintessential tiki bar.
Credit: 2018 Mason HigaLa Mariana Sailing Club, Honolulu, Oahu
No place in Hawaii says tiki bar quite like La Mariana, 6 miles northwest of Waikiki. What it lacks in creature comforts — for instance, there’s no air conditioning, and guests can hear jets taking off from Honolulu’s nearby airport — it makes up for in personality.
Originating in 1955, it’s a throwback to a simpler Hawaii, from the koa wood tables and rattan chairs to hanging glass balls and twinkling ceiling lights. While its mai tais pack a punch, aficionados endorse La Mariana’s recipes for the zombie, pina colada and other tropical cocktails. Live music serenades the clientele, which ranges from wide-eyed visitors to seasoned salts.
Tahiti Nui, Hanalei, Kauai
With no traffic lights and a population largely composed of surfers and artists, Hanalei is an ideal address for Tahiti Nui, an easygoing establishment since 1963. Actors George Clooney and Beau Bridges filmed a scene from the movie “The Descendants” at this north Kauai gem, but that’s not the only reason for stopping by.
Bamboo door frames and thatched walls welcome guests into an old-Hawaii mindset. Family photos of the owners watch over the action, which includes sipping lilikoi margaritas, savoring crisped coconut shrimp and listening to live tunes by local luminaries. Check out its Wednesday evening luau, one of Hawaii’s most laidback and authentic.
Tiki’s Grill & Bar, Waikiki, Oahu
While Waikiki continues to update its restaurants and lounges to today’s standards, sometimes visitors want to go retro. This Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel standout fills that need with its old-style tiki statues, glass balls and lava-rock walls.
Set on the second floor of the hotel, Tiki's Grill & Bar provides ocean vistas and a spectacular vantage point for sunset watching. As the live, nightly music revs up, grab a seat on the lanai and order one of its colorful creations such as the mango mojito, which arrives in a souvenir tiki-inspired glass, and the ocean potion, delivered in a real coconut cup.
