In this roundup of the best happy hours in Waikiki, I’m sharing 13 can’t-miss spots to elevate your Hawaiian vacations!
From dawn until dusk, Waikiki’s beauty is unmatched, so it’s no wonder the locale is a tourist mecca.
However, vacationing in such an iconic place can be expensive—coffee, lunches, acai bowls, dinners, and drinks add up quickly!
Do yourself (and your wallet) a favor by taking advantage of the best happy hours in Waikiki.
Enjoy delicious appetizers and refreshing mai tais on a budget at Waikiki’s best spots for happy hour.
Are you headed to Hawaii? Book top Waikiki activities below through GetYourGuide:
Best Happy Hours in Waikiki: 13 Can’t-Miss Spots
1. Tiki’s Grill & Bar
Tiki’s Grill & Bar, with its stunning second-floor ocean views of Waikiki Beach, is the best place for happy hour from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Sip your favorite draft beer for only $5.50, and the signature mai tais are just $9.50.
Hungry for small bites? Say aloha to Tiki’s tasty food menu, offering fun twists on Hawaiian favorites like coconut shrimp and quesadillas that cost only six bucks each.
2. Maui Brewing Co.
Craft beer lovers, rejoice! Maui Brewing Co., situated in the Waikiki Beachcomber Outrigger Hotel, is paradise.
It offers an abundant selection of 36 craft beers on tap and unbeatable daily happy hour specials from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy $2-3 off cocktail specials, half-price appetizers, and $10 craft pizzas.
It’s one of the best pre-dinner hangouts for good company and has a great happy hour menu.
3. Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
Tommy Bahama’s is a laid-back spot in Waikiki with many happy hour options where you can let your worries drift away.
Treat your taste buds to island-inspired drinks, like the $9 Bahia Sangria or the fruity Pineapple Paradisio Martini.
Don’t forget to try the tasty half-off appies—the blackened mahi mahi tacos and beef sliders, only $11 each, are my favorites.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant has no shortage of choices, making it an excellent hideout for the afternoon.
4. DECK Waikiki
At the DECK rooftop bar, you can admire great views of Diamond Head while sipping your favorite beverage.
From 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. daily, happy hour offers $7 drafts, $12 mai tais, and small plates beginning at only $7.
Top picks include truffle fries and jumbo chicken wings tossed in a deliciously sweet and spicy glaze.
Overlooking Waikiki Beach, DECK ensures an unforgettable visit.
5. SWIM
Escape the hustle and bustle of Waikiki Beach and take a break at SWIM, the Hyatt Regency’s pool bar, serving one of the best happy hours in Waikiki with cocktail classics.
The poolside bar offers several $6 cocktails during happy hour, plus an array of affordable beers, house wines, and pupus (appetizers) ranging from nachos to Baja fish tacos.
SWIM hosts live music on their pool deck every Wednesday and Thursday, adding to the lively atmosphere.
6. Noi Thai Cuisine
Head to Noi Thai, among Waikiki’s top happy hour spots, for an upscale experience at the Royal Hawaiian Center—President Obama has been spotted there!
The happy hour is more than just drinks, featuring their famed pad Thai for just $10, delectable $7 crab wontons, and fresh rolls with peanut sauce for $5.
To top it off, drinks like Modelo beers start at just $5, while wine is around $7 a glass.
7. SKY Raw & Bar
SKY Waikiki is one of the best rooftop bars on the island of Oahu and offers excellent happy hour deals.
This casual spot is unbeatable, with indoor and outdoor seating, a panoramic city view of downtown Honolulu, and an eclectic selection of cocktails.
Enjoy $2 oysters on the shell, glasses of bubbly for just $8, and beers such as Heineken or Modelo for only $4 in the company of others at this trendy rooftop deck.
SKY is also a popular late-night spot to unwind and dance under the stars.
8. Cheesecake Factory
Okay, hear me out—I usually never go to the Cheesecake Factory on vacation since I can go anytime at home in California, but their happy hour is too good to miss, and it’s perfect if you’re with a big group.
The food and drinks are delicious, and you can enjoy them for a fraction of the price.
Indulge in 14 mouth-watering appetizers and six yummy drink specials starting from just $7.95.
9. Hula Grill Waikiki
After a morning of beach activities like surfing and snorkeling, head to Hula Grill for an afternoon of relaxed island vibes.
From 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. daily, they serve an Early Eats menu with a huge selection perfect for sharing—try the poke tacos, smoked ahi dip, or Crab Mac Nut Wontons.
The $10 Waikiki happy hour cocktails and $5 beers make this the perfect place for a casual oceanfront bite within walking distance of the beach.
10. Morimoto Asia
Experience vibrant sunsets and relaxation at Morimoto Asia, a fabulous Japanese restaurant with one of the best happy hours in Waikiki.
Every day of the week, you can enjoy delectable Japanese dishes with unique flavors from China, Thailand, and Korea.
Sip on draft beers starting at $4 or specialty cocktails, like a Lychee Spritz and Blueberry Sour, for only $6.
Appetizers are also available for just $6, letting you savor an incredible evening of food and drinks.
11. SWELL Restaurant
Okay, SWELL is not the cheapest happy hour in Waikiki, but it’s a great place to enjoy a tasty happy hour.
The menu focuses on sustainability and features locally inspired dishes, such as Kauai Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, Oahu Kampachi Ceviche, and Maui Goat Cheese Samosas.
Sip the $12 Alohilani Guava Mai Tai or $13 Pineapple-Azerac—both are tasty and worth the extra $2 or $3.
12. RumFire
RumFire, located a short stroll from Waikiki’s stunning beachfront, is an oasis with great daily happy hour specials from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Quench your thirst at this Sheraton Waikiki Resort & Spa bar with signature cocktails for just $5 while admiring the breathtaking setting.
Remember the delicious food deals ranging from $5-10. Everyone recommends the Adobo Chicken Wings at this beachside spot!
13. Yard House
Wrapping up this guide to the best happy hours in Waikiki is Yard House.
Despite being a chain restaurant, Yard House Waikiki Beach Walk has unbeatable weekly specials on food and drinks.
Dine on half-price starters and enjoy $2-4 off drinks—great for a midnight snack or an afternoon treat.
Their menu offers many snack bites, such as sashimi, spinach cheese dip, and deep-dish pizzas.
Embrace the aloha spirit and dive into Hawaiian culture at the best happy hours in Waikiki!
If you’re headed to Hawaii, check out my other Honolulu travel guides.
9 Unforgettable Waikiki Restaurants With a View
17 Best Places to Eat in Waikiki
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Waikiki
FAQs
While you can plan a budget Hawaii vacation and travel to Waikiki for a reasonable price, food, lodging, and travel costs can add up.
Happy hour specials differ among restaurants but are generally several hours in the late afternoon.
I suggest Tiki’s Grill & Bar or RumFire.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
