Brian Nagele
Hawaii is the very definition of tropical paradise, and Honolulu is Hawaii’s capital city. You can thus get stunning nature and rich culture in one destination when you visit Honolulu.
After spending the day swimming and sunbathing on Waikiki beach, you can continue to enjoy spectacular views over sunset cocktails on one of Honolulu’s many rooftop bars.
Whether you’re looking for a fancy resort bar or a local tiki hut, you’ll find the best rooftop bars in Honolulu on the diverse list of restaurants, hotels, and bars I’ve compiled below.
Buho Cocina y Cantina
2250 Kalakaua Ave #525, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-922-2846
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Buho Cocina y Cantina is a high-end rooftop Mexican food restaurant in the heart of Waikiki with spectacular ocean views.
Thrillist, Hawaii Happy Hours, and Oahu Nightlife have all praised Buho Cocina y Cantina for its colorful and sophisticated take on Mexican cuisine in a stunning and lively atmosphere.
The authentic menu has options for adults and kids.
I can’t go to a Mexican restaurant without ordering a margarita and guacamole, but I was also delighted by their fresh shrimp ceviche with pineapple and avocado.
Dave & Buster’s
1030 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: 808-589-2215
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While you may be familiar with Dave & Buster’s as an all-encompassing adult and child playground, sports bar, and grill, I guarantee you’ve never seen a Dave & Buster’s with a more picturesque rooftop than the one in Honolulu.
Overlooking Victoria Park in Ala Moana, Dave & Buster’s offers American food, craft cocktails, massive TVs, a bowling alley, and a game room.
When in Hawaii, I had to try some local favorites, so I opted for Dave & Buster’s authentic take on the Loco Moco, called Mucho Loco Moco, featuring a burger patty topped with a fried egg, grilled onions, and peppercorn gravy over rice.
SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar
2270 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-979-7590
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Located a block from Royal Moana Beach in Waikiki, SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar is a rooftop bar and seafood restaurant towering 19 floors above Honolulu’s most iconic neighborhood.
SKY is a high-end seafood restaurant, offering the freshest seafood accompanied by an impressive champagne and craft cocktail list.
Their raw bar has a combination of Japanese and California-style cuisine. I loved the salted scallion Hamachi Poke with Japanese Hamachi, green onion, scallion Negi, and homemade poke sauce.
The Tchin Tchin! Bar
39 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 808-528-1888
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Named for the sound of two wine glasses toasting, The Tchin Tchin! Bar is a classy yet inviting wine and cocktail bar and globally inspired bistro in a romantic rooftop setting in Chinatown’s art district.
Their expansive wine list, spirit, beer, and cocktail menu feature artisanal drinks from around the globe. The cozy atmosphere is a wonderful setting for happy hour get-togethers.
You can get the best quality classic cocktails, but I recommend trying one of their novel creations.
I enjoyed the Birthday Girl whiskey cocktail with Japanese Suntory Toki, apricot fig jam, vermouth, and sparkling wine.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
298 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-923-8785
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Located in Waikiki overlooking Fort DeRussy Park, Tommy Bahama is a three-story restaurant, bar, and retail store.
The laid-back atmosphere and beach-chic décor make Tommy Bahama the ultimate tropical oasis for lunch, cocktails, and farm-to-table dinners.
The rooftop has fire pits and cozy modern lounge furniture to enjoy a warm evening of drinks.
Happy Hour is from 2-5 pm daily, offering discounted wines and delicious tropical cocktails with seafood-centric small plates.
I loved their frozen Mai Tai, which I paired with their famous coconut shrimp.
Hideout
2299 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-628-3060
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Winner of Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, Travel and Leisure’s World’s Best Award, and Open Table’s Diner’s Choice Award, Hideout is a modern Hawaiian breakfast and dinner restaurant, espresso, and cocktail bar in the heart of Waikiki.
Hideout is a beloved haunt for authentic Hawaiian cuisine in a relaxing and friendly setting.
Hideout has an incredibly flavorful menu that showcases Hawaiian cuisine beautifully.
I went for dinner and delighted in the Kuhio Bowl with Kalua Pork, garlic shrimp, ahi poke, ocean salad, and white rice with a chili aioli drizzle.
Tikis Grill & Bar
2570 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-923-8454
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Located atop the hip Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, Tikis Grill & Bar is a festive music venue and modern Hawaiian tiki bar, offering tropical drinks and Hawaiian fare accompanied by live music and traditional Hawaiian dance performances.
Tikis Grill and bar has received awards from Honolulu Magazine, The Knot, Open Table, and TripAdvisor. If ever there was a place to get a Hawaiian-style cocktail, Tikis is it.
I recommend the Lychee Martini using local Pau Maui Vodka, lychee juice, house-made ginger juice, and juicy whole lychee for garnish.
Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar
2490 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-922-1233
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Another Waikiki resort rooftop destination, Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar is a fashionable pool deck and cocktail bar, serving Hawaiian cuisine for breakfast and dinner.
Located on the roof of the trendy Alohilani Resort, Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar offers live music day and night, with a tiki-chic atmosphere by day and a lively DJ beach party by night.
The diverse food and drink menu has Hawaiian and American comfort food alike, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
Their menu uses locally sourced ingredients.
My favorite dish was the Maui Surfing Goat Cheese Samosa with Hawaiian goat cheese, Hamakua Alii mushroom, and tarragon emulsion.
DECK. at Queen Kapiolani Hotel
150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-556-2435
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Located in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel between the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Beach Walls, DECK is a family-friendly breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner restaurant and cocktail bar.
The casual, local vibe, tropical cocktails, and decadent American comfort food make DECK a favorite tourist destination.
I recommend going for their family-friendly weekend brunch replete with Hawaiian twists on famous brunch cocktails.
I had a tropical Bellini alongside a Kona blend coffee to accompany a giant Tokyo-style pancake.
Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki
2300 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-843-2739
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Maui Brewing Co. is a local brewery and gastropub out of Maui with a bright and airy rooftop location in Waikiki’s breezy Waikiki Beachcomber family resort.
Maui Brewing Co. features 36 craft beers on tap, Hawaiian-style pub fare, and a family-friendly casual atmosphere.
Their tap menu features multiple brews from their Maui breweries along with a selection of micro-brewed beers from Hawaii and beyond.
My favorite menu item was their guava barbecued pork sliders with house-made guava bbq sauce, slow-roasted Kalua pork, pickles, fried onions, sriracha aioli, and coleslaw.
Final Thoughts
Honolulu’s diverse selection of rooftop bars offers tropical cocktails and a variety of tropically inspired cuisines to enjoy while marveling at Hawaii’s unparalleled natural beauty.
Whether you’re looking for refined Mexican food, a hip beach party, or a family-friendly rooftop brunch, you’ll find it all on my list of the best rooftop bars in Honolulu.
If you’re looking for a bit more private setting, check out these dining rooms around town!
Did we miss one of your favorite rooftop bars? Let us know in the comments below!
Best Rooftop Bars in Honolulu
- Buho Cocina y Cantina
- Dave & Buster’s
- SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar
- The Tchin Tchin! Bar
- Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
- Hideout
- Tikis Grill & Bar
- Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar
- DECK. at Queen Kapiolani Hotel
- Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki
