Top pick1
8 Fat Fat 8 Bar & Grille
Makiki·Chinese
Best local dive bar near Ala Moana: $1-off happy hour daily, karaoke, pool, darts, and the famous deep-fried Fat Fat special chicken. Free on-site parking.
View details
From beachfront tiki vibes in Waikiki to no-frills dive bars in Makiki, Oahu's bar scene covers a lot of ground. We pulled together this curated guide from 194 qualifying bars and nightlife spots across the island — leading with our editors' hand-picked recommendations, followed by the area's best-rated spots. Anywhere our editors have personally been carries the NateEatsHawaii badge, so you know which picks come from first-hand visits.
The ranking
See every spot on a live map
Filter, get directions, and find what's open right now.
Our editors' picks span the whole spectrum. 8 Fat Fat 8 Bar & Grille in Makiki is our go-to for a cheap everyday happy hour near Ala Moana, with $1 off beers and cocktails from 3–6pm daily. Duke's Waikiki delivers the classic beachfront experience — live music every night at the Barefoot Bar right on the sand. And Pitch Sports Bar at SALT Kakaako is our pick for game day, with $3 happy hour sushi rolls, NFL Sunday Ticket, and a dog-friendly patio.
Beyond our badge-carrying picks, the list rounds out with spots that visitors consistently rate highly — from stylish sports bars in Ala Moana to izakayas and upscale lounges. Whether you want craft beer, cocktails with a view, or a late-night bite, there's something here for every kind of night out.
FAQ
Our editors recommend 8 Fat Fat 8 Bar & Grille in Makiki for a laid-back dive bar happy hour, Duke's Waikiki for beachfront live music, and Pitch Sports Bar in Kakaako for game day. All of our hand-picked spots carry the NateEatsHawaii badge on this list.
8 Fat Fat 8 Bar & Grille in Makiki is our editors' pick for an everyday budget happy hour, with $1 off beers and cocktails from 3–6pm plus daily drink specials. Pitch Sports Bar in Kakaako is another editor favorite with $3 happy hour sushi rolls.
Yes — this guide is curated by our Honolulu-based editorial team and refreshed regularly. Spots our editors have personally visited are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge, and the rest are ranked by real visitor ratings on the site.
Bars & Nightlife
Oahu
The experiences I actually send visitors on.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationCircle the island
Best single day on Oahu if you've got wheels-envy: turtles, the North Shore shrimp trucks, the lookouts — all in one guided loop.
Free cancellationHonolulu tasting walk
If you like eating your way through a neighborhood, this off-the-beaten-path Honolulu tasting walk hits spots you'd never find solo. Come hungry.
Free cancellationOahu luau night
The eating doesn't stop at dinner — a real luau is the one Waikiki night out worth booking ahead. Kalua pig, fire knife, the whole thing.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationWaikiki sunset sail
After happy hour, get on the water. A sunset cocktail sail off Waikiki is the move — drinks aboard, Diamond Head glowing behind you.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationDiamond Head + breakfast
Earn the breakfast plate: hike Diamond Head first, then eat. Shuttle + reservation ticket included, so the morning's sorted before you refuel in Waikiki.
