For full-time residents of Waikīkī Beach in Honolulu, the work week looks a lot like it does on the mainland—emails, meetings, commutes, rinse, repeat. The difference? When the clock hits pau hana (the end of the workday), “going for a drink” can mean ocean breezes, rooftop sunsets, and plates of pupus you’ll still be thinking about tomorrow.
If you want to beat the weekday blues like a local, this guide rounds up the best happy hours in Waikiki—from breezy beachfront lounges to no-frills dives where the vibes are as strong as the pours.
One quick note before we dive in: happy hour specials change often (seasonal menus, holidays, events), so treat the times below as a starting point and double-check before you go.
What Are the Best Happy Hours in Waikiki?
Here are the top picks—sorted to help you choose your vibe:
Best for views + “vacation energy”
- RumFire (Sheraton Waikiki) – Happy hour nightly 4:30–5:30 PM and 8:30–9:30 PM.
- Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Waikiki + The W Lanai – Steakhouse happy hour 3–6 PM daily; W Lanai terrace menu 3–10 PM daily. (Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Hawaii)
- Monkeypod Kitchen Waikiki – Happy hour 3:30–5:00 PM daily (except select holidays). (Monkeypod Kitchen)
- Búho Cocina y Cantina (rooftop) – Happy hour 5:00–6:30 PM (rooftop golden-hour vibes).
Best for foodies (sushi, pizzas, “I came hungry” energy)
- Doraku Sushi Waikiki (Royal Hawaiian Center) – Happy hour Mon–Fri 4–6 PM. (Royal Hawaiian Center)
- Giovanni Pastrami (Waikiki Beach Walk) – Happy hour weekdays 3–6 PM. (Giovanni Pastrami)
- P.F. Chang’s (Royal Hawaiian Center) – Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–6 PM. (Royal Hawaiian Center)
- Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki (Beachcomber) – Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–5 PM + late-night Sun–Thu 9–10:30 PM. (Maui Brewing Co. Restaurants)
Best for cheap-and-cheerful (divey, sporty, unapologetically casual)
- Rivals Waikiki – Happy hour Mon–Fri 12–7 PM.
- Honolulu Tavern – Happy hour listed daily 3–7 PM (plus rotating nightly specials). (Total Happy Hour)
- Irish Rose Saloon – Happy hour noon–7 PM daily, open late with live music vibes.
Best “mainland familiar” (reliable chains, solid deals)
- Yard House (Waikiki Beach Walk) – Happy hour Mon–Fri 2–5:30 PM + late night Sun–Wed 10:30 PM–close. (yardhouse.com)
- Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu – Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–6 PM at the Wave Bar. (Hard Rock Cafe)
- Cheeseburger in Paradise (Waikiki) – Happy hour 2–5 PM daily, plus late-night happy hour Sun–Fri 9 PM–close. (cheeseburgernation.com)
Newer standout that locals keep talking about
- Piko Kitchen + Bar (Waikiki Market) – Happy hour 2–6 PM daily. (Piko)
Go for the Experience: Happy Hours With “Only-in-Waikiki” Vibes
RumFire (Sheraton Waikiki): sunset sips with oceanfront polish
If you want the kind of setting where your drink comes with a postcard view, RumFire delivers. Their happy hour runs nightly 4:30–5:30 PM and 8:30–9:30 PM, making it easy to slide in for a pre-dinner cocktail or a late-night toast.
Best for: date night, visitors who want the “wow” factor, anyone chasing that golden-hour glow.
Wolfgang’s + The W Lanai: premium steakhouse energy, more approachable prices
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Waikiki keeps its traditional happy hour 3–6 PM daily, but the real scene-stealer is The W Lanai—an open-air terrace concept with its own menu window 3–10 PM daily. (Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Hawaii)
Best for: a “treat yourself” stop that still feels like a deal, especially if you want Waikiki atmosphere without the nightclub volume.
Monkeypod Kitchen Waikiki: craft cocktails + a daily happy hour sweet spot
Monkeypod’s happy hour 3:30–5 PM daily is beloved for a reason: it’s consistent, it’s tasty, and it feels like a reward for showing up before the dinner rush. (Monkeypod Kitchen)
Best for: cocktail lovers, early-evening meetups, “one drink that becomes two” nights.
Búho Cocina y Cantina: rooftop golden hour
When Waikiki is glowing and the breeze is doing its thing, Búho is exactly where you want to be. Their happy hour is typically 5–6:30 PM, and it’s a favorite for rooftop bites and tequila-forward fun.
Bonus tip: If you’re in town on a Tuesday, Búho is also known for Taco Tuesday energy—worth timing your trip around.
For the Foodies: Waikiki Happy Hours That Actually Feed You
Doraku Sushi Waikiki (Royal Hawaiian Center): happy hour sushi done right
Doraku is one of those places where happy hour feels like a “how is this real?” moment—especially if you love sushi and Japanese izakaya-style plates. Their listed happy hour is Monday–Friday, 4–6 PM. (Royal Hawaiian Center)
Best for: post-shopping refuel, pre-dinner snack that turns into dinner.
Giovanni Pastrami: sports bar comfort food + weekday happy hour
Giovanni Pastrami’s happy hour runs weekdays 3–6 PM, and it’s a reliably fun stop if your group can’t decide between “beer” and “food.” (Giovanni Pastrami)
Best for: groups, game watchers, and anyone craving pizza/pupus without a dress code.
P.F. Chang’s (Waikiki): predictable, convenient, and legitimately decent deals
If your crew wants something familiar, P.F. Chang’s in Waikiki offers a weekday happy hour window Mon–Fri 3–6 PM, plus classic small plates and drink specials. (Royal Hawaiian Center)
Best for: easy planning, mixed groups, “we just want a sure thing.”
Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki: craft beer heaven + two deal windows
Maui Brewing Co.’s Waikiki location has a weekday happy hour Mon–Fri 3–5 PM and a late-night happy hour Sun–Thu 9–10:30 PM. (Maui Brewing Co. Restaurants)
Best for: beer lovers, late-night snackers, and anyone who wants live-music energy nearby.
Piko Kitchen + Bar: the “why didn’t we find this sooner?” happy hour
Piko’s happy hour runs 2–6 PM daily, and it’s become a standout for value in the heart of Waikiki. (Piko)
Best for: budget-friendly bites, casual hangs, and pre-dinner “let’s just start here” plans.
For the Bar Aficionado: Dives, Sports Bars, and Local Vibes
Rivals Waikiki: long happy hour + game-day energy
Rivals is a classic “pull up a stool” Waikiki sports bar, with a notably long happy hour window listed Mon–Fri 12–7 PM.
Best for: daytime sports, cheap-and-cheerful meetups, and anyone who likes their happy hour loud and lively.
Honolulu Tavern: simple, affordable, and proudly no-frills
Honolulu Tavern is the kind of place you end up loving because it doesn’t try too hard. Happy hour is commonly listed daily 3–7 PM, plus rotating specials depending on the night. (Total Happy Hour)
Best for: low-key nights, “one quick drink” that turns into a story.
Irish Rose Saloon: live music energy + long happy hour
Irish Rose is a Waikiki institution for late nights, darts, and live music vibes—plus a happy hour listed noon to 7 PM daily.
Best for: night owls, groups, and anyone who wants Waikiki nightlife without the velvet rope.
Looking for Something More Familiar? Waikiki Chain Happy Hours That Still Hit
Yard House (Waikiki Beach Walk): big menu, big beer list, dependable deals
Yard House runs happy hour Mon–Fri 2–5:30 PM, plus a late-night happy hour Sun–Wed 10:30 PM–close. (yardhouse.com)
Best for: groups, indecisive eaters, and anyone who wants lots of options.
Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu: a solid weekday window at the Wave Bar
Hard Rock’s weekday happy hour is Mon–Fri 3–6 PM at the Wave Bar. (Hard Rock Cafe)
Best for: live-music atmosphere, visitors who want a sure bet.
Cheeseburger in Paradise (Waikiki): classic Waikiki casual with two happy hours
Cheeseburger in Paradise offers 2–5 PM daily, plus Sun–Fri 9 PM–close late-night happy hour. (cheeseburgernation.com)
Quick update: The old Cheeseburger Beachwalk spot appears listed as closed on Yelp, so the Waikiki location is the safer target. (Yelp)
A Few More Favorites (and “Quick Updates”)
- Aloha Table – This one’s in a relocation period, but the restaurant has announced that signature dishes are being served at sister spot Heavenly Waikiki, which lists a happy hour 2–6 PM. (waikiki.alohatable.com)
- The Edge of Waikiki – Still an iconic poolside view at the Sheraton, but it’s commonly listed as not currently offering a dedicated happy hour, so go for the vibe and check specials onsite.
- King’s Pub – A longtime mention in older “cheap Waikiki drinks” lists, but it’s now widely listed as closed, so it’s best removed from any updated happy hour plan. (Yelp)
Mini Waikiki Happy Hour Game Plan (Easy “Do This, Then That”)
If you want a simple, low-stress route:
- Start at Piko (2–6 PM) for early deals. (Piko)
- Move to Doraku (4–6 PM weekdays) for sushi hour. (Royal Hawaiian Center)
- Finish at RumFire for a view-based toast (catch either window).
Related Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best happy hour in Waikiki for sunset vibes?
For rooftop or oceanfront energy, Búho (rooftop) and RumFire (oceanfront) are standout picks.
What’s the best happy hour in Waikiki for food?
If “happy hour” means “I want a real meal,” start with Doraku (weekday sushi happy hour) or Giovanni Pastrami (weekday pizza/pupus). (Royal Hawaiian Center)
Where should I stay in Waikiki if I want to be close to happy hour spots?
If bar-hopping is high on your list, staying near the Royal Hawaiian Center / Waikiki Beach Walk area keeps you walking-distance to a ton of the places above (Doraku, P.F. Chang’s, Yard House, Giovanni Pastrami, and more). (Royal Hawaiian Center)
