Waikiki happy hour isn't just about cheap drinks โ it's about where you drink them. Beachfront sunsets at Duke's, 36th floor panoramas at Signature Prime, rooftop fire pits at Tommy Bahama, or $4 oysters 19 stories above the Pacific at Sky Waikiki.
I've spent years tracking down the best happy hour in Waikiki โ the spots with real deals, incredible views, and vibes that make you forget you're in the most touristy place in Hawaii. Here are the 7 Waikiki bars and restaurants actually worth your time.
Every spot below was personally visited and paid for by me. I don't accept payment for placement. My review policy
Quick Reference: All 7 Happy Hours at a Glance
| Spot | Happy Hour | Best Deal | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke's Waikiki | 3-6 PM + 9-11 PM | $6-8 drafts, live music | Beachfront |
| Hula Grill Waikiki | 2-4:30 PM | Earliest HH + live music | Beach views |
| Sky Waikiki | 4-5 PM | $4 oysters, $5 Modelo | 19th floor rooftop |
| Signature Prime Steak | 4:30-6:30 PM | 50% off food menu | 36th floor views |
| Tommy Bahama | 3-5 PM | Fire pits, live music 5-8 PM | Rooftop + sand |
| Mai Tai's at Ala Moana | 3-7 PM + 8-11 PM | $10 mai tais, 1/2 off pupus | Local favorite |
| Mai Tai Bar at Royal Hawaiian | No happy hour | โ | Iconic beachfront |
Things to do while you're in Hawaii
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1. Duke's Waikiki โ Best Beachfront Happy Hour
๐ 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort)
๐ (808) 922-2268
๐ dukeswaikiki.com
๐น Happy Hour: 3-6 PM + 9-11 PM daily
๐ต Live music: 4-6 PM nightly at the Barefoot Bar
There's a reason Duke's calls itself "the happiest spot on the beach" โ because it literally is. Sitting at the Barefoot Bar with sand between your toes, watching surfers catch waves while live Hawaiian music plays? This is the Waikiki beach bar experience postcards promise.
What makes Duke's special:
TWO happy hours โ afternoon AND late night (9-11 PM)
Live local music daily from 4-6 PM at the Barefoot Bar
Literally on Waikiki Beach โ feet in the sand
Discounted mai tais, draft beers ($6-8), and appetizers
What to order: The Duke's Mai Tai is a Waikiki classic. Pair it with their coconut shrimp or fish tacos.
Live Hawaiian music at Duke's Barefoot Bar with the sunset and ocean right behind the stage โ this is peak Waikiki vibes
โ Why it's worth it: You're drinking ON Waikiki Beach with live music. The view alone is worth the trip. Best happy hour in Waikiki for beachfront vibes.
2. Hula Grill Waikiki โ Best Early Happy Hour
๐ 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (above Duke's, Outrigger Waikiki)
๐ (808) 923-4852
๐น Happy Hour: 2-4:30 PM daily
๐ต Live music during happy hour
Hula Grill sits one floor above Duke's, giving you elevated beach views without the sand-level crowds. They have the earliest happy hour in Waikiki โ starting at 2 PM when most places don't open until 3.
What makes Hula Grill special:
Starts at 2 PM โ earliest happy hour in Waikiki
Same stunning beach views as Duke's, less crowded
Live music during happy hour
Peter Merriman restaurant (Hawaii Regional Cuisine legend)
What to order: Their Hula Grill Mai Tai and any fresh fish dish. The tomahawk steak is a showstopper if you're celebrating.
โ Why it's worth it: Beat the crowds with a 2 PM start time and enjoy the same Waikiki Beach views from a quieter perch.
3. Sky Waikiki โ Best Rooftop Bar & Oyster Deal
๐น Happy Hour: 4-5 PM daily
๐ฆช $4 Oysters ยท $5 Modelo ยท $10 Bubbly
Nineteen stories above Waikiki with 360-degree views of Diamond Head, the beach, and the city lights. Sky Waikiki is the best rooftop bar in Waikiki. The happy hour is short (just one hour) but the combination of $4 oysters and those views? Unbeatable.
Happy Hour Deals:
$4
Oysters
$5
Modelo
$10
Bubbly
What to order: Load up on $4 oysters and grab the $10 bubbly. You're 19 floors up โ live a little.
Coconut Girl cocktails ($16), spicy poke nachos, truffle fries, and lobster chowder
โ Why it's worth it: Best panoramic sunset views in Waikiki, and those $4 oysters are a steal. Best rooftop happy hour in Honolulu.
4. Signature Prime Steak & Seafood โ Best Upscale Happy Hour
๐ 410 Atkinson Dr, 36th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96814 (Ala Moana Hotel)
๐ (808) 949-3636
๐น Happy Hour: 4:30-6:30 PM (food) / 4:30-7 PM (drinks)
๐ฅ 50% OFF food menu ยท Walk-in only ยท Lounge only
This is the hidden gem of happy hour in Honolulu. A 36th floor steakhouse with 50% off the food menu? Most tourists have no idea this exists. The views stretch from Diamond Head to the Waianae Mountains โ 300 degrees of pure Hawaii panorama.
Best 50% Off Deals:
| Item | Regular | Happy Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Cheeseburger | $24 | $12 |
| Ahi Tartare | $23.95 | $11.95 |
| Steak Tartare | $23.95 | $11.95 |
| Steak Sliders | $17 | $8.50 |
| Sizzling Steak on Hot Stone | $24.95 | $19.95 |
| Beers (Asahi, Stella, Kona) | $8.50 | $6.95 |
What to order: The ahi tartare and steak sliders at half price are a steal. Get the sizzling steak on hot stone if you want to impress.
Pro tip: Go on Friday for the Hilton fireworks show โ you'll see them perfectly from the 36th floor.
โ Why it's worth it: 50% off steakhouse food with the highest views in Honolulu. Best value happy hour in the Waikiki area.
5. Tommy Bahama Waikiki โ Best Rooftop Vibe
๐น Happy Hour: 3-5 PM daily (bar only)
๐ต Live Music: 5-8 PM daily ยท Validated parking: $7 flat for 4 hours
Tommy Bahama's three-story Waikiki location is an experience. The rooftop has actual sand on the floor, fire pits, and lounge seating with views of the Waikiki skyline. It feels like a beach club floating above the city โ one of the best Waikiki bars for atmosphere.
What makes Tommy Bahama special:
Rooftop with real sand and fire pits
Three floors โ restaurant, bar, and rooftop
Live music every night from 5-8 PM
Farm-to-table island cuisine
Validated parking ($7 flat for 4 hours) โ park here and walk to other Waikiki bars
What to order: Their coconut shrimp is legendary. Pair it with a Tommy Bahama Mai Tai.
โ Why it's worth it: The rooftop vibe with sand and fire pits is unlike anything else in Waikiki. Stay for the live music.
6. Mai Tai's at Ala Moana โ Best Late Night Happy Hour
๐ 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, 4th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96814 (Ala Moana Center)
๐ (808) 941-4400
๐ maitaishawaii.com
๐น Pau Hana Happy Hour: 3-7 PM daily
๐ Hana Hou (Late Night): 8-11 PM Sun-Thu
Mai Tai's has TWO happy hours โ and the late night one (8-11 PM) is perfect when you want cheap drinks in Waikiki after dinner without paying full price. Plus, 1/2 off the entire pupus menu is one of the best food deals in Honolulu.
Pau Hana (3-7 PM)
$10 specialty mai tais (Original, Mahina Tai, Slushie)
$5 domestic beers (Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite)
$7 craft beers (Kona Big Wave, Longboard)
1/2 off entire pupus menu
Hana Hou Late Night (8-11 PM Sun-Thu)
$10 mai tais and specialty cocktails
$2 off select beers
$8 wines by the glass
What to order: The Original Mai Tai is solid โ Bacardi Gold, orange curacao, orgeat, topped with Whaler's Dark Rum. Pair it with half-off pupus.
โ Why it's worth it: TWO happy hours, 1/2 off food, and a more local crowd than Waikiki Beach bars. This is where Honolulu residents actually drink.
7. Mai Tai Bar at Royal Hawaiian โ Most Iconic Waikiki Bar
๐ 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (The Royal Hawaiian Hotel)
๐ (808) 923-7311
๐ royal-hawaiian.com
โ ๏ธ No Happy Hour โ but worth it anyway
๐ต Live music: 6-10 PM nightly
No happy hour here, but I'm including it because this is where the mai tai came to Hawaii. In 1953, "Trader Vic" Bergeron introduced his famous cocktail at the Royal Hawaiian โ and they've been serving the original recipe ever since. This is the most iconic Waikiki beach bar.
Why you should still go:
Birthplace of the Hawaiian mai tai (since 1953)
Iconic "Pink Palace of the Pacific" setting
Beachfront location with Diamond Head views
Live music every evening 6-10 PM
The Royal Mai Tai recipe hasn't changed in 70+ years
What to order: The Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai (~$18). It's not cheap, but it's the original. Also try the Pink Snowball dessert โ it's their signature.
โ Why it's worth it: History. This is the most iconic bar in Hawaii. Every visitor should have at least one mai tai here.
๐น Waikiki Happy Hour Crawl: The Perfect Route
Want to hit multiple spots in one evening? Here's the optimal happy hour crawl by start time โ all spots are within walking distance:
Hula Grill Waikiki
Start early with the earliest happy hour in Waikiki. Beach views from the 2nd floor.
Duke's Waikiki
Walk downstairs to Duke's Barefoot Bar. Live music starts at 4 PM.
Tommy Bahama
Or walk 5 min to Tommy Bahama for rooftop fire pits. Validates parking ($7/4hrs).
Sky Waikiki
Head to the 19th floor for $4 oysters. Only 1 hour โ don't miss it!
Signature Prime Steak
Take a short ride to the 36th floor for 50% off steakhouse food.
Mai Tai's Ala Moana
Late night happy hour kicks in. $10 mai tais and half-off pupus.
Duke's Waikiki (again)
End the night back at Duke's for their 9-11 PM late night happy hour.
Happy Hour Tips for Waikiki
1. Arrive early
Popular Waikiki bars fill up fast, especially Duke's and Sky Waikiki. Get there 15 minutes before happy hour starts for the best seats.
2. Friday sunset is chaos
Every tourist hits happy hour on Friday evening. Go Thursday or come early to avoid crowds.
3. Chase the late night
Duke's (9-11 PM) and Mai Tai's (8-11 PM) have late night happy hour in Waikiki when most places have ended.
4. Go high for views
Signature Prime (36th floor) and Sky Waikiki (19th floor) have the best sunset panoramas in Honolulu.
5. Parking hack
Tommy Bahama validates parking ($7 flat for 4 hours) โ park there and walk to other Waikiki happy hour spots.
Want Even Better Deals? Head to Kakaako
The best happy hours in Honolulu aren't in Waikiki โ they're in Kakaako, just 10 minutes away. Better prices, better food, more local crowd.
๐บ Pitch Sports Bar โ $25 beer buckets, full sushi bar, 4-hour happy hour
๐ฝ๏ธ Moku Kitchen โ 50% off small plates
๐ฆช Redfish Poke โ $2 oysters
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is happy hour in Waikiki?
Most Waikiki happy hours run from 3-6 PM. Hula Grill starts earliest at 2 PM. Duke's Waikiki and Mai Tai's at Ala Moana have late-night happy hours from 9-11 PM and 8-11 PM respectively.
What is the best happy hour in Waikiki?
Duke's Waikiki offers the best beachfront happy hour (3-6 PM and 9-11 PM) with live music and $6-8 draft beers. For views, Signature Prime Steak on the 36th floor has 50% off food. Sky Waikiki has $4 oysters on the 19th floor.
Where can I get cheap oysters in Waikiki?
Sky Waikiki has $4 oysters during happy hour (4-5 PM daily) with panoramic 19th floor views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. It's the cheapest oyster deal in the Waikiki area.
Is there a late night happy hour in Waikiki?
Yes. Duke's Waikiki has happy hour from 9-11 PM nightly. Mai Tai's at Ala Moana has late-night happy hour from 8-11 PM Sunday through Thursday. These are the only two late-night happy hours in the Waikiki area.
What is the best rooftop bar in Waikiki?
Sky Waikiki on the 19th floor offers the best panoramic views with $4 oysters during happy hour. Tommy Bahama has a unique rooftop with sand and fire pits. Signature Prime Steak on the 36th floor has the highest views in Honolulu.
Where is the best mai tai in Waikiki?
Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel serves the original mai tai recipe from 1953 (~$18). For a deal, Mai Tai's at Ala Moana has $10 mai tais during happy hour (3-7 PM and 8-11 PM).
Is there free parking for happy hour in Waikiki?
Parking in Waikiki is tricky. Tommy Bahama validates parking ($7 flat for 4 hours) which is the best deal โ park there and walk to other bars. Street parking on side streets is sometimes free after 6 PM. Duke's and Hula Grill are at the Outrigger which has paid valet.
Can I do a happy hour crawl in Waikiki?
Yes! Start at Hula Grill at 2 PM, then Duke's or Tommy Bahama at 3 PM, Sky Waikiki at 4 PM, Signature Prime Steak at 4:30 PM, then finish at Duke's or Mai Tai's for late night happy hour. All are within walking distance.
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Final Verdict: Best Happy Hour in Waikiki 2026
The best Waikiki happy hour depends on what you're after:
Best beachfront
Duke's Waikiki
Best views
Signature Prime Steak (36th floor)
Best deal
Sky Waikiki ($4 oysters)
Best rooftop vibe
Tommy Bahama
Best late night
Mai Tai's Ala Moana
Most iconic
Mai Tai Bar at Royal Hawaiian
Earliest start
Hula Grill Waikiki (2 PM)
Best overall value
Signature Prime (50% off)
But for the best overall happy hour in Honolulu?
Take a 10-minute Uber to Kakaako โ better deals, better food, and no tourist crowds.
See Kakaako Happy Hour Guide โ
Written by Nate
Honolulu-based food and lifestyle creator. I personally visit every venue covered on Nate Eats Hawaii. The 'Nate Recommends' badge is editorial only โ it cannot be purchased, sponsored, or earned through any commercial relationship. Sponsored content is clearly labeled. Pricing, hours, and details are confirmed directly with each business at time of publication.
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Prices, hours, and happy hour deals as of April 2026. Happy hour menus can change โ check with the restaurant for the most current info.