What better way to end up our series this Friday than by talking a little about Dining and Nightlife in Waikiki. Every year during what I call the “planning season” I get calls from some of the younger set asking whether Waikiki is a good place for Spring Break. I always respond that, as a 21 year old to drink state, it’s not that wild Mexico type of all out party. On your Seattle to Hawaii vacation, it’s more about a variety of outdoor activities, great food, and fun entertainment to participate in. What sets Waikiki apart from those types of spring break destinations is the shear amount of different dining and nightclub/entertainment options. The variety of dining places range from fast food, luau’s, multiple ethnic options, view centered dining, and high end celebrity chef restaurants. Some of the best options are smaller places tucked into the streets or hotels/condos in such a way that you have to get directions to walk there. When I lived over there, there was a little Chinese restaurant with 3 tables and 6 stools that was behind one of the major hotels on either Koa or Lemon Street. This was a place where after the first time you ate there, enjoyed it and then came back, they treated you like Ohana (family). I am not sure if its still there, but when you live and work in Waikiki, having an Ohana place to eat just makes living in paradise that much better.
My buddy Warren and I are heading to Waikiki on a business trip in April, and as I wrote about back in January, there are a number of bars and restaurants lining Waikiki beach. I tend to want to see the water when I have dinner so my personal favorite is Duke’s at the Outrigger Waikiki. Duke’s is part of TS Restaurants, they have several spots in Hawaii, and these guys really know what they are doing! When I want a good Mai Tai in the traditional style, I head next door to the Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian. Another fan favorite is the Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar at the Outrigger Reef. There are so many places to eat and drink in Waikiki that you could plan a whole vacation around food. You don’t need to travel the world for different styles of food; it’s all represented here in Waikiki, and I’m sure that Warren and I will make sure we experience many of them.
Nightlife in Waikiki takes on a whole different meaning than most major cities. Depending on what your idea of nightlife and entertainment is, you can go see a world class show by a recognized star, attend a luau show, or stop into one of the free hula shows. That’s not all; you can head out to a jazz club, several excellent dance clubs, or even a comedy club or two. It’s hard for me to say which venue you are going to enjoy, but I will tell you that if you get a chance, “The Society Of Seven” show that been around for over 30+ years has been voted “Number 1 show in Waikiki” so many times by Honolulu magazine it seems as if it’s not fair. There is a reason for it, these people are talented, and the variety of things they do in their show is what keeps people returning time after time. I have also been told by a couple of clients that the “Magic of Polynesia” show at the Beachcomber is well worth it. When I go over in April, I will be stopping in to see my old pal Andy Bumatai, a long time stand up comedy fixture in Waikiki. On the comedy show front, I have heard good things about Sharkey’s Comedy Club, and also Comedy Polynesia.
I am looking forward to experiencing all of the quality Dining and Nightlife in Waikiki again. When you are on your Seattle to Hawaii vacation to paradise, you will see why Waikiki is such a popular place to take a vacation, young and old alike. Oahu is truly “the Heart of Hawaii”.
Fergy
