Hawaii’s 10 Most Authentic Dive Bars Where Locals Have Been Drinking for Decades
Born and raised on Oahu’s North Shore, I’ve spent over 30 years exploring every hidden corner of these islands. While tourists line up for $20 Mai Tais in Waikiki, I’m usually perched on a worn barstool where the bartender knows my story and the locals talk story.
These sacred spaces – where the beer is cold, the floors are sticky, and the memories are real – preserve Hawaii’s soul when luxury resorts threaten to sanitize it. Follow me through 10 authentic dive bars where the true heartbeat of the islands pounds strongest after dark.
Arnold’s Beach Bar
Hidden down a Waikiki alley, Arnold’s feels like a tiki fever dream that’s been sweating rum since the 1960s. Neon palm lights cast a glow over faces both sunburned and weathered. The free popcorn machine rattles constantly, helping soak up their famously potent drinks.
What Makes It Special: Arnold’s serves what the New York Times reportedly called the best Mai Tai in Hawaii. But locals know to fear the AMF cocktail (stands for “Adios Mother…” well, you can guess the rest)—it’s knocked out more tourists than jetlag.
The sticky floors capture decades of spilled drinks while the ceiling fans push around air that smells like salt, sunscreen, and secrets. The jukebox wheezes out Don Ho and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole between rounds.
Pro Tip: Look for Garrett behind the bar—he’s known for taking extra care of customers who ask for the “special” Mai Tai mix. And grab some of their free popcorn with the special popcorn salt and butter they prepare just for the bar.
Location: 339 Saratoga Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Phone: (808) 924-6887
Suzie Wong’s Hideaway
True to its name, finding Suzie’s requires detective work—it’s tucked away in an alley that most tourists walk past without a second glance. This pink-and-green wonderland is part dive bar, part time machine, decorated with old Hawaiiana that tells stories of bygone island days.
What Makes It Special: The pool table sits perfectly to the side, allowing games without bumping into drinkers. Open walls let the Oahu breeze flow through while you sip surprisingly affordable drinks under the glow of colorful lights.
One night I watched a group of elderly women who’d clearly known each other forever sing karaoke with voices so beautiful the whole bar went silent. When they finished “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” even the toughest-looking bikers were wiping their eyes.
Pro Tip: Check in on Yelp for drink specials that tourists never hear about. And try the $3 PBR served in huge frosted goblets—they’re Instagram-worthy in a gloriously unpretentious way.
Location: 208 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Smith’s Union Bar
This isn’t just a bar—it’s a time capsule. Smith’s has been pouring drinks since 1935, making it Honolulu’s oldest bar. Legend has it that USS Arizona sailors drank here the night before Pearl Harbor was attacked. Now celebrating its 90th anniversary, the bar has barely changed—and that’s exactly how locals want it.
What Makes It Special: Smith’s feels like drinking in Hawaii’s history book. Military folks from Pearl Harbor have made this their sanctuary for decades. The walls could tell stories that would make your Mai Tai curdle.
I once spent an afternoon here with a retired Navy officer who pointed to his initials carved into the bar top in 1968. “Best dive on the island,” he told me while ordering another round. “Some things should never change.”
Pro Tip: Make friends with Mal the bartender. Her big dog serves as the bar’s “homeless-detector” and will bark if someone suspicious tries entering. It’s the most authentic security system in Honolulu.
Location: 19 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817
8 Fat Fat 8
With a name as delightfully quirky as the place itself, 8 Fat Fat 8 surprises first-timers who expect just another dive but discover killer food hiding in a karaoke bar. This neighborhood joint packs in students, workers, and curious foodies looking for authentic local grindz.
What Makes It Special: While most dive bars serve food that’s merely edible, 8 Fat Fat 8 delivers spectacular plates that locals rave about. The fried chicken is “wonderful”, and their fresh salmon belly “melted in your mouth”. Even their ahi poke gets high marks for freshness.
The karaoke machine roars nightly while regulars challenge newcomers to darts and pool in the back. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it’s completely addictive.
Pro Tip: Don’t judge this book by its cover—I walked past it “a million times thinking it was just a bar with karaoke and pool tables” until a friend insisted we try the food. Now it’s my go-to for late-night munchies and surprisingly good organic chicken.
Location: 1411 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96814 | Phone: (808) 946-0727
Kemo’o Farms Bar and Grill
Far from tourist paths in Wahiawa, Kemo’o Farms offers something rare—lakeside seating at a genuine dive bar. The view of Lake Wilson provides a serene backdrop to seriously unpretentious drinking and eating with zero tourist nonsense.
What Makes It Special: You can substitute jalapeño poppers for fries with any order—a move I’ve never seen allowed anywhere else on the island. Their Reuben sandwich is “surprisingly good”, and the onion rings come with a kickin’ spicy sauce worth the trip alone.
When ordering, throw in an “Eh, like try someting diffren today” to sound like you belong. It’s pidgin for wanting to experiment with your order.
Pro Tip: Prices are reasonable (about $75 for dinner and a couple of beers each), but bring bug spray if you’re sitting outside—the mosquitoes can be hungry, though one reviewer noted “they weren’t biting me”.
Location: 1718 Wilikina Dr, Wahiawa, HI 96786 | Phone: (808) 621-8488
Anna O’Brien’s
In the University District since 1969, Anna’s hosts an eclectic mix of college students, bikers, and poets who all somehow get along under one roof. The ceiling is famously decorated with bras left by daring patrons, and the bathrooms tell stories through decades of graffiti.
What Makes It Special: Anna’s hosts regular comedy nights upstairs that locals describe as “a mixed bag but overall we had a great laugh”. The drinks are “very cheap” and staff are “super attentive, friendly and fast”, creating the perfect storm of affordability and atmosphere.
Dogs are welcome inside, and you might find patrons smoking indoors too (at least historically)—making it feel like a throwback to a different era of bar culture.
Pro Tip: If comedy isn’t your thing, come for the live bands that play everything from punk to Hawaiian folk. Even my 62-year-old father, who “seemed less than impressed when we arrived,” ended up having a great time despite his initial hesitation.
Location: 2440 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96826 | Phone: (808) 946-5192
Hank’s Cafe
In Chinatown, Hank’s stands as a beacon for folks who want drinks without pretension. The walls feature vintage Hawaiian photos, and the jukebox plays nothing recorded after 1999. It’s where construction workers and lawyers find common ground over well-priced beer.
What Makes It Special: Despite its divey appearance, regulars insist “I don’t know if I would even call it a dive bar. It has character to be sure, but dive bar? Nah”. Live music often includes Beatles hits and once featured “an old bearded man who sounded a lot like Johnny Cash”.
Pro Tip: Ask bartender Dave for a “pineapple upside down cake” drink or his unnamed shot that one reviewer called “delicious”. Also check out the wall of Sailor Moon stickers in the back—it’ll “totally trip you out”.
Local Insight: Parking in Chinatown is brutal, so rideshare or walk from downtown if possible. The hunt for parking is worth it though—drinks are poured strong and priced right.
Location: 28 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Anyplace Cocktail Lounge
Like the TARDIS from Doctor Who, Anyplace is “bigger on the inside than you would think from the outside”. This old-school lounge serves serious food alongside serious drinks, creating a homey atmosphere where local families gather for everything from UH football games to karaoke nights.
What Makes It Special: The menu features Hawaiian-style bar food done right. Their kalbi (Korean short ribs) offers “sweet soy goodness,” while “Obachan’s fried chicken” provides “incredibly crisp skin, juicy interior with the home cooked taste”. Even the fried rice gets praise for its “old school bacon fat laden” preparation.
Pro Tip: Don’t expect to find parking in their lot—it’s notoriously small. But the tight quarters just add to the community feeling inside, where everyone eventually becomes neighbors.
The smell of frying kalbi and sizzling chicken mingles with the sound of ice being scooped into glasses and occasional cheers when UH scores. It’s Hawaii distilled into one room.
Location: 1018 McCully St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Kahale’s Maui’s Local Dive Bar
Walking into Kahale’s feels like stumbling into a family reunion where everyone’s slightly buzzed. Dollar bills plaster the ceiling, each signed by sailors, surfers, and regulars who’ve made this spot legendary since 1994. The happy hour runs from 10 AM to 5 PM – the longest on the island – making afternoon drinking practically responsible.
What Makes It Special: Located in Kihei’s “BARmuda Triangle,” Kahale’s proudly claims the title of Maui’s oldest dive bar. The live music turns the tiny dance floor into a sweaty mess of locals and brave tourists, especially when bands play classic rock hits from the 70s.
The air conditioning blasts so cold your beer stays frosty without ice, living up to their motto: “The only thing colder than the A/C is the Beer!”
Pro Tip: Don’t try taking your drink into the bathroom – they have what locals call a “bathroom bouncer” who enforces this rule strictly. And if you’re coming from Lahaina, grab an Uber ($40 each way) rather than risking the drive back after those ice-cold “adult beverages”.
Location: 36 Keala Pl, Kīhei, HI 96753 | Phone: (808) 879-1661 | Website: kahales.com
Where to Stay Nearby
If you’re planning a dive bar crawl (please drink responsibly!), these nearby accommodations put you within stumbling distance:
- Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel – Upscale but reasonably priced, walking distance to Arnold’s and Suzie Wong’s (Booking.com)
- Bamboo Waikiki Hotel – Mid-range hotel with kitchenettes for cooking hangover breakfasts (Vrbo)
- ‘Alohilani Resort – Treat yourself to luxury between dive bar adventures (Expedia)
The Bottom Line
Hawaii’s dive bars offer what no resort ever could—authenticity, character, and stories you’ll tell for years. These spots have survived tourism booms, economic busts, and changing trends because they deliver what both locals and visitors secretly crave: genuine connection over honest drinks.
As we say in Hawaii, “A’ole pilikia” (no problem)—leave your worries at the door and let these dive bars show you the islands’ true spirit. Just remember to tip your bartender generously, respect the locals, and never, ever order a Blue Hawaii unless you want eyes rolled so hard they’ll see Diamond Head.
