Best Beach Bars in Honolulu

Set right along Waikiki Beach in the Moana Surfrider, this open-air bar offers the best of Hawaii, from balmy temperatures and gentle sea breezes to views of Diamond Head in the distance and terrific people-watching as well. In the evenings, as the sun begins to set, folks gather for live music — both guitar and piano — and for hula dancing in the authentic manner. The combination of delights is a real sensory feast and an experience you won't soon forget. A very mellow place for a drink, unlike many of the wild bars and clubs in the area, the Banyan Court is a classic Waikiki stop.

Part exquisite gourmet restaurant, part exquisite place to enjoy a couple of lovely drinks before the night goes on, Orchids is a solid bet no matter what. Located in the Hilton Waikiki Beach, this bar boasts lovely views of Diamond Head and an abundance of signature flowers, this celebrated restaurant does everything right. Breakfast each day is an event, whether you opt for a Continental, American, or Japanese morning meal. Sunday brunch, however, is an absolute extravaganza known the island over. Its legion of stations features breakfast favorites and adds in pastries, fruit, hot entrees, soups, salads, fresh fish, and desserts aplenty. Live music adds another layer of sensation, and the entire affair is not-to-be-missed.

The second location of this popular bar and restaurant (the other is on the Big Island) makes its home on Oahu. Over a dozen ales and lagers are hand-crafted on the premises, including popular Wailua Wheat, Big Wave Golden Ale, and Longboard Island Lager. Many of the beers make their way into the food as well, including delicious pizzas and entrees like Garden Isle Grilled Chicken with a red ale glaze and beer-braised ribs in a Black Sand Porter sauce. The open-air dining room allows for pleasant breezes and mild temps — in short, the perfect setting in which to knock back a few brews.

Always a good bet for nightlife, Surfer, the Bar is Turtle Bay Resorts new endeavor into nighttime entertainment. Opening at 6 p.m. daily, Surfer is part bar, part restaurant and part night club. Great happy hour cocktails are offers along with the full bar and classic Hawaiian cocktails such as the lava flow and the mai tai - their strongest drink. Live music is offered on a regular basis and karaoke happens every Sunday night. Other forms of entertainment like "Talk Story" on Wednesdays offer guests an inside look at the life of people in the surf industry via live interview. Call ahead of time or check the website for nightly happenings.

Sitting inside of the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore, the Lobby Lounge is open from 6 a.m. to p.m. daily and turns from cafe to bar and lounge at 2 p.m. Enjoy freshly brewed coffees, latt�s, cappuccinos, espresso drinks, smoothies, beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails like the Pupukea lychee and the skinny lilikoi chi chi. Signature dishes include citrus ponzu calamari, grilled Kahuku honey and mango glazed chicken. Find a seat on the comfy couches or exotic wooded tables and look out the full glass wall at a panoramic view of the ocean. They feature live music and hula on weekends.

If you can drag yourself away from the pounding surf of the North Shore, reserve a table at this this newly revamped and renamed upscale restaurant, which prepares local cuisine with fresh ingredients. Aim for a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows for a magnificent view while you dine. Based on the theme of going "locovore," the menu changes often according to what's in season, guaranteeing new pleasures with each visit. They also use as much locally raised and grown food as possible. Innovative entrees include Thai chili-braised fish with cucumber gazpacho, and seared scallops in "faux" polenta (sweet creamed corn). A five-course tasting menu is also available.

Hugely popular thanks to great music and incredible views of Waikiki Beach, this hotel nightclub is a sure bet any night of the year. Yet it's more than just a night club, you can also stop in for a few great cocktails before moving down the road. RumFire serves terrific European-Pacific cuisine, from fresh island fish and a grilled filet mignon to a wealth of flavor-packed tapas. Terrific cocktails and vintage rums add to the appeal, as does the daily happy hour, which often features DJ mixes and live bands. The atmosphere is upscale but friendly, and people often come with a group of friends for the most fun.

In tribute to Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaii's renowned swimmer, surfer, and Olympic athlete, this casual bar and restaurant in the Outrigger Waikiki offers patrons a wealth of island culture. Memorabilia, live Hawaiian music, fruity cocktails, and fresh local seafood are among the attractions that have folks returning again and again. Food is served all day, and the bar scene is constantly hopping, populated by lively barkeeps and folks from all walks of life. Celebrities occasionally make an appearance too, and the ocean side setting just seems to make mingling that much easier. This is a great place to feel the Hawaiian vibes and dance, eat and drink.

Located right on the edge of both the ocean and pool at Turtle Bay Resort, The Point is the place you'll want to hang at to get your night started. With amazingly strong mai tais with a special Turtle Bay mix, an array of local beers on tap, and a huge selection of signature tropical drinks, The Point is the best place on the North Shore for a sunset drink. You can hang out of a couple hours after dark enjoying the big screen TV with sports and chatting with the friendly bartenders. Entertainment at dark varies on different nights of the week, including live music, fire knife dancing, hula dancing and other shows. You can watch surfers catch waves right there and go for a stroll along the waters edge.

Located right on the edge of both the ocean and pool at Turtle Bay Resort, The Point is the place you'll want to hang at to get your night started with cocktails or to wrap up the day with an ocean side dinner. With amazingly strong mai tais with a special Turtle Bay mix, an array of local beers on tap, and a huge selection of signature tropical drinks, The Point is the best place on the North Shore for lunch of dinner by the sea or sunset drink. You can hang out of a couple hours after dark enjoying the big screen TV with sports and chatting with the friendly bartenders. Entertainment at dark varies on different nights of the week, including live music, fire knife dancing, hula dancing and other shows. You can watch surfers catch waves right there and go for a stroll along the water's edge. This is a perfect place to get the night started whether you're staying at the hotel or just passing through the North Shore.