Best Happy Hour in Honolulu: 9 Kakaako Spots Locals Love (2026)

By Nate•Last updated: February 7, 2026•10 min read

Happy hour at Pitch Sports Bar — our #1 pick for the best happy hour in Honolulu.

Want to know where locals actually go for happy hour in Honolulu? Not Waikiki.

While tourists fight for overpriced mai tais in Waikiki, locals head to Kakaako for the real deals — $25 beer buckets, $3 sushi hand rolls, half-off appetizers, and drinks that actually taste like alcohol. Kakaako has the best happy hour in Honolulu, and it's only a 10-minute drive from Waikiki.

I hit pau hana at Pitch Sports Bar in Kakaako regularly — it's my go-to spot and I've reviewed it in full below. For the other spots, I combined research from fellow locals, published reviews, and Honolulu food writers to build the most complete Kakaako happy hour guide out there. I'll be visiting and adding firsthand reviews for each one over the coming months.

Nearby Bonus Picks

These two spots aren't technically in Kakaako, but they're a short drive away and well worth it if you're in the area.

Kakaako vs Waikiki happy hour comparison
	Kakaako	Waikiki
Beer bucket	$25	$35–40
Sushi hand rolls	$3–7 at HH	$8–12
Cocktails	$2 off at HH	$12–16
Parking	Free first hour	$5–15+
Crowd	Locals + some tourists	Mostly tourists
Food quality	Restaurant-quality	Bar food
Walkability	Bar-hop on foot	Spread out

Complete list of Kakaako happy hour restaurants with hours and deals
#	Restaurant	Happy Hour	Best Deal
1	Pitch Sports Bar	2:30–6:30 PM daily	$25 beer buckets, $3 sushi hand rolls
2	Merriman's Honolulu	3–5:30 PM daily	Full-size portions at HH prices
3	Moku Kitchen	2–5:30 PM daily + late night	50% off small plates, $12 pizzas
4	Bevy	5–7 PM Tue–Sat	Craft cocktails, shareable bites
5	Off The Wall	3–5 PM Mon–Fri	15% off self-serve beer & wine wall
6	Highway Inn	3–6 PM Mon–Fri	$2 off bar drinks, discounted pupus
7	Brewseum	Tue–Sat evenings	House-brewed craft beers, WWII museum
8	Livestock Tavern ★	4–6 PM daily (unverified)	Award-winning cocktails, bar bites
9	Tane Vegan Izakaya ★	Mon–Sat evenings	Plant-based izakaya small plates

8. Livestock Tavern — Best Cocktails (Chinatown, 10 min from Kakaako)

Location: 49 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817 (Chinatown)

Dinner: Mon–Sun 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Brunch: Sat–Sun 10 AM – 2 PM

Livestock Tavern is widely considered the spot for the best cocktails in Honolulu. Honolulu Magazine has said the cocktails here are "even better than the food" — and the food is excellent. The bar team has won awards, and the menu leans farm-to-table American with a Hawaii twist. The signature Livestock Old Fashioned with barrel-select whiskey and maple syrup is a must-try.

What to Expect:

Award-winning craft cocktail program with rotating seasonal drinks
Extensive bourbon and whiskey selection
Bar bites crafted with the same care as the dinner menu
Known for prime rib and the Tavern Burger

Best for: Cocktail enthusiasts, date night, impressing someone. If you only care about cocktail quality, locals say Livestock wins.

Note: Livestock is in Chinatown, about a 10-minute drive from SALT/Kakaako. Their website does not prominently list happy hour details — call (808) 537-2577 to confirm current happy hour offerings before visiting.

Parking: Street parking (free after 6 PM) or municipal lots nearby.

9. Tane Vegan Izakaya — Best Vegan (Moiliili, 10 min from Kakaako)

Location: 2065 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96826 (Moiliili)

Hours: Mon–Thu 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM, Fri–Sat 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed Sundays)

Tane is Honolulu's premier fully plant-based Japanese restaurant, and reviewers say it's genuinely outstanding even if you're not vegan. Founded by Chef Kin Lui (who also co-founded Michelin-recommended Tataki and Shizen in San Francisco), Tane serves izakaya-style small plates and creative sushi rolls that have earned a devoted following. They've since expanded to three California locations.

What to Expect:

Creative vegan sushi rolls — smoked beet "tuna," king oyster mushroom nigiri
Izakaya small plates: gyoza, karaage, agedashi tofu, street corn
Rich vegan ramen with Sun noodles and smoky tofu chashu
Gluten-conscious menu with many GF options
Sake, beer, wine, and cocktails available

Best for: Vegans, vegetarians, and anyone who wants to try something new. Also great for mixed groups where someone doesn't eat meat. Reservations recommended — it fills up fast.

Note: Tane is in Moiliili (near UH Manoa), about a 10-minute drive from Kakaako. Closed Sundays. Call (808) 888-7678 for reservations.

→ View Tane Vegan Izakaya on Food Map

Frequently Asked Questions About Honolulu Happy Hours

What is the best happy hour in Honolulu?

Pitch Sports Bar in Kakaako offers the best overall happy hour in Honolulu — a 4-hour window (2:30–6:30 PM daily), $25 beer buckets, $3 sushi hand rolls, a dog-friendly patio, and free parking at SALT.

What time is happy hour in Honolulu?

Most Honolulu happy hours run from 3–6 PM. The earliest start is 2 PM at Moku Kitchen. The longest window is Pitch Sports Bar at 2:30–6:30 PM (4 hours). Moku Kitchen also has a late-night happy hour during the last hour before close.

Is Kakaako better than Waikiki for happy hour?

Yes. Kakaako offers better prices ($25 beer buckets vs $35–40 in Waikiki), better food quality, free parking, and a more local atmosphere. Waikiki is better if you want beachfront ocean views with your drinks.

What is the best happy hour near Waikiki?

Kakaako is only a 10–15 minute drive from Waikiki and has significantly better happy hour deals. Top picks are Pitch Sports Bar for beer buckets and sushi, Moku Kitchen for 50% off small plates, and Merriman's for restaurant-quality food at happy hour prices.

What is pau hana in Hawaii?

Pau hana literally means 'finished work' in Hawaiian. It's Hawaii's version of happy hour — the beloved after-work tradition of meeting friends for drinks and pupus (appetizers). In Kakaako, pau hana typically runs from 2–6 PM.

Where is the best place for pau hana in Kakaako?

SALT at Our Kakaako is the best complex for pau hana. It has Pitch Sports Bar, Moku Kitchen, and Bevy all within walking distance, plus free first-hour parking. You can do a full happy hour crawl without moving your car.

Is there free parking for happy hour in Kakaako?

Yes. SALT at Our Kakaako offers free parking for the first hour and $1/hour after that. There's also free street parking on surrounding blocks after 6 PM on weekends. This is a huge advantage over Waikiki where parking runs $5–15+.

What are the cheapest drinks in Honolulu?

During happy hour in Kakaako: $2 off all bar drinks at Highway Inn, $2 off drafts and wines at Moku Kitchen, $25 beer buckets (5 beers) at Pitch Sports Bar, and $3 sushi hand rolls at Pitch.

Are Kakaako happy hours available on weekends?

Most Kakaako happy hours run daily including weekends. Exceptions are Highway Inn (Monday–Friday only), Off The Wall (Monday–Friday only), and Bevy (Tuesday–Saturday only). Pitch and Moku Kitchen offer daily happy hours.

Is Kakaako safe at night?

Yes. The SALT, Ward Village, and South Shore Market areas of Kakaako are well-lit, busy, and safe for happy hour and evening dining. These areas are popular with locals and families.

What is the best dog-friendly happy hour in Honolulu?

Pitch Sports Bar at SALT Kakaako has a dog-friendly patio and a 4-hour happy hour. Moku Kitchen's outdoor seating area is also dog-friendly. Both are great options for pau hana with your pup.

Best Happy Hour in Honolulu: 9 Kakaako Spots Locals Love (2026)

Why Kakaako Has the Best Happy Hour in Honolulu

Quick Reference: All 9 Happy Hours

1. Pitch Sports Bar — Best Happy Hour in Honolulu

2. Merriman's Honolulu — Best Value Happy Hour (Same Portions as Dinner!)

3. Moku Kitchen — Best Happy Hour in Kakaako for Groups

4. Bevy — Best Cocktail Bar Happy Hour in Kakaako

5. Off The Wall Craft Beer & Wine — Best Self-Pour Experience in Honolulu

6. Highway Inn — Best Local Hawaiian Food Happy Hour

7. Brewseum — Best Happy Hour for History Buffs