Live music, Waikīkī to Chinatown
STOP 1 OF 8
House Without a Key
Waikīkī & Diamond Head
Slack-key guitar and hula under the kiawe tree. Arrive by 5.
1–2 hours · Cocktails about $20+
EThe editors · 2 Honolulu after dark lists — switch
Live music, Waikīkī to Chinatown
Hawaiian music at sunset on the beach, then jazz and late bars in town.
8 placesHalf a dayRead the guide ↓
- 1. House Without a KeySlack-key guitar and hula under the kiawe tree. Arrive by 5.Waikīkī & Diamond HeadFood & drink1–2 hoursCocktails about $20+
2. Kani Ka Pila GrilleHawaiian musicians by the pool at the Outrigger Reef, most nights.Waikīkī & Diamond HeadFood & drink1–2 hoursMains about $25–40
3. Mai Tai Bar at the Royal HawaiianMusic from 6 p.m. on the sand at the pink palace.Waikīkī & Diamond HeadFood & drink1 hourCocktails about $20+
4. Duke’s WaikīkīThe busiest beach bar, with bands from late afternoon.Waikīkī & Diamond HeadFood & drink1–2 hoursMains about $30–50
5. Lewers Lounge at the HalekūlaniA dark jazz lounge inside the Halekūlani for after dinner.Waikīkī & Diamond HeadFood & drink1–2 hoursCocktails about $20+
6. Blue Note HawaiiThe big-name jazz club; book a show.Waikīkī & Diamond HeadFood & drink2 hoursTickets vary by show; food and drink minimum
7. Hawaiʻi TheatreA 1922 theatre with concerts and hula; check what’s on.HonoluluFrom outside2–3 hours for a showTickets vary
8. Dragon UpstairsJazz, open mic and karaoke up a flight of stairs in Chinatown.HonoluluFood & drink1–2 hoursDrinks; some nights have a cover
The guide
How to do it: Live music, Waikīkī to Chinatown
Hawaiian music is everywhere in Waikīkī at sunset, and much of it is free with a drink. Later, Chinatown takes over, with jazz, DJs and karaoke a few blocks apart.
This is the order a local would do it in: sunset on the beach, dinner, then a jazz set or a show.
- The order to do it in
- House Without a Key or the Mai Tai Bar for sunset, dinner at Duke’s or Kani Ka Pila, then Lewers Lounge or a booked Blue Note show. Or take a ride to Chinatown for the Hawaii Theatre and Dragon Upstairs.
- When to go
- Music runs every night in Waikīkī; Chinatown is busiest Thursday to Saturday.
- Getting there
- Walk in Waikīkī; take a cab or ride share to Chinatown and back.
- What it costs
- Cocktails about $15–25; Blue Note tickets vary by show.
Worth knowing
- Sunset seats at House Without a Key are first come, first served.
- Chinatown is lively but rough in places late at night; stick to Hotel and Nuʻuanu.
Started from the pins on HONOLULU Magazine’s best places for live music. Places, notes and the guide checked and written by us; prices and opening times change, so check before you go.