Drink.
Honolulu has six gay venues that cater to all tastes, from drag shows and karaoke to underwear parties and hot guys—whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here among the Honolulu gay bars.
Five of these bars are conveniently located in the downtown Waikiki area, with one standout—Scarlet Honolulu—nestled in Chinatown.
Cover charges are the norm in Waikiki, averaging around $20. Remember, in Hawaii, you must be over 21 to enter a bar, and IDs are diligently checked, especially if you still have that twinkly look. Happy hours in these venues are generous, with some lasting up to 8 hours, making it easy to enjoy a night out without breaking the bank.
Honolulu gay bars and vibrant party scenes kicks off late at night, after midnight is when the crowds start to flock to the bars and clubs. Weekends here often start on Thursdays, making the three-day stretch including Friday and Saturday the busiest. During high season, every night is a party night, ensuring there’s never a dull moment in this vibrant city.
There are six gay venues in Honolulu, and they’re spread out from the Chinatown area to the east of Downtown. Bar hopping is quite possible as the five Waikiki ones are all about 8–10 minutes walk from each other.
If you were to visit them all without stopping, you could easily cover them in 30–40 minutes, making it a perfect night out for those looking to explore the full spectrum of Honolulu gay bars and nightlife.
Some of the world’s most well-known cocktails were invented in Hawaii, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any venue, especially Honolulu gay bars, that didn’t offer these on their menu. The top three must-try drinks are the Pina Colada, Mai Tai, and Blue Hawaii, each a perfect reflection of the island’s vibrant cocktail culture.
Filter your night
In Between Waikiki is conveniently located on the main strip of Waikiki, Kalakaua Avenue, north of downtown. It’s all about Karaoke here, and it’s $1 per song. The dessert shots from Sabrina’s Dessert Bar are a must-try, but be warned, they’re designed for those with a sweet tooth.
In Between Waikiki is open weekdays from 2 pm until 2 am, and on weekends, it opens at midday. Happy hour runs until 8 pm daily.
Facilities: Bar, Dancing, Karaoke
Bacchus Waikiki is in the center of Waikiki on Lewers Street. This is the home of the sexy shirtless guy; the dance floor is wall-to-wall flesh as far as the eye can see. It’s vibrant and hip yet considered the friendliest gay bar on the island. Draft beer, specialty cocktails, and bar snacks are available. The word on the street is that the bartenders are very generous pourers. Bacchus Waiki also has trivia nights, drag shows, and underwear parties.
Bacchus Waikiki is open every day from midday until 2 am.
Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show, Go-go show
Tapas Waikiki is located on Seaside Avenue in the center of Honolulu and offers something for every gay visitor. It hosts drag shows, trivia nights, NFL viewings on the big screens, weekend retro dance parties, and the Aloha Bears’ underwear nights and beer busts.
Tapas Waikiki is open daily from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; on Sundays, it opens at 9 a.m. Happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Facilities: Bar, Dancing, Drag Show
Wang Chung’s Karaoke Bar is in downtown Waikiki in the Stay Hotel on Koa Avenue, behind the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. It’s an Asian-themed gay bar where karaoke is the focus. It’s $1 per song or free during ‘power hour.’ Handsome, friendly bartenders serve specialty cocktails and draft beer.
Wang Chung’s Karaoke Bar is open daily from 7 pm to 2 am.
Facilities: Bar, Karaoke
Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand is located at the southern end of Downtown Honolulu, opposite the zoo in the Waikiki Grand Hotel. It has been open since 1974 and is considered one of the longest-operating gay bars in the world. By day, it’s a laid-back bar with a view; at night, it turns into a pumping nightclub. Live music and open mic nights are also regular events.
Hula’s is open daily from midday until 2 a.m., and happy hour is only on weekdays until 6 p.m.
Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Dancing, Music
Scarlet Honolulu is a drag bar located at Hawaii Pacific University in Chinatown. It’s all about drag here with a show at 9 pm. The World Famous Pineapple Stage attracts visitors from across the globe. After the show, the bar becomes a dance bar.
Scarlet Honolulu is open Friday and Saturday nights only. There is a $20 door cover charge, and the bar recommends booking a table via its website.
Facilities: Bar, Dancing, Drag Show
Destinations
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