The club at the W Hotel sounds like it would fit the bill. It used to just be Friday nights, but I think they have it other nights now, too. There's a $10 cover charge and there's usually a line -- don't know if you bribe your way to the front of it or anything like that.

Unless you're into raves and the like, don't go to W on the weekend. Thursday is great though - good music (pop/jazz/etc) starts about 10, not sure about cover but certainly none if you're there a bit earlier for drinks and excellent pupus (or dinner).

Hey...I bartend here in Honolulu, and know a couple cool spots.

As for the W, it doesn't sound like you want the trendy/nightclubby scene, which is basically what the W is on a Fri night. A top end restaurant by day, they bust out folding tables for their satellite bars and djs for their fri night, which WAS the spot awhile ago, but not so much now. Visualize overcrowding, not enough bathrooms, and, oh..over crowding. Not my favorite, although the girls that you see there are easy on the eye. (thank you wonderbra). Oh, and there is a cover, and a hefty line. I got to slide past both the time i went, so not sure on the cover...the perks of the biz, I guess.

Anyway...as for kick back drinking spots, we got plenty of those.

In waikiki-

Dukes- an icon on Waikiki beach, you can sit outside, near the beach, and sip your drink, or pack into the area around the bar. More action near the bar, but it gets HOT...not much air circulating there, even though it's basically open air. Casual dress is good, you'll even see folks in swimsuits all over. The crowd is mostly tourist based, but there are some locals. If you smoke, you gotta go outside. If you can get to the bar, ask for Jesse or Davey.

Tiki's- Great open air spot up off the sand across from Waikiki Beach. I don't know all the hotel names out there, but most places are easy to find, just ask around. Try the kahlua pork quesadilla (sp?), and ask for Russell's section, as bar seating is usually hard to get. Smoking ok in the outside area. If you do get a seat at the bar, ask for Tod or Vivian. Casual dress, mellow live music.

Lulu's- On the corner of Kalakaua and Kapahulu above starbucks. Tacky-cool interior, with airbrushed sportfish on the walls and blowfish lamps over the bar add to the comfy atmosphere. I love those damn lamps!! This place is becoming a favorite of the restaurant/bar industry folks, so be ready to tip well to be noticed, but they will take care of you. Open 24 hours, they serve booze until 4 am, and start serving again at 6 am. Eat breakfast for two hours, and get back to drinking...agh! The scene around last call is always interesting, and usually a fun time. Casual dress. Smoking ok wherever you want. At the bar, ask for Keone or Sunny.

Deep End- now here's one that is a hidden treasure. My favorite spot to hideaway from the throngs of drunken fools...it's in the hotel that has the TGIFridays on the first floor. Find the elevators, and head to the 5th floor. Pool tables, a few tvs, and friendly lady bartenders who won't take any crap from anyone, so make sure you give them all the respect that you yourself would expect. Not a crowded spot, but a great place to relax and hang out with friends. You can sit out on the deck by the pool and enjoy your drinks, just let your bartender know when you order, cause your drinks have to be in plastic cups. If youre hungry, grab some takeout from TGIF downstairs and bring it up. Smoking ok anywhere. Casual dress. Ask for Jen or Julia at the bar.

Aloha Tower Marketplace- there's a couple good spots here, if you can deal with the parking hassles.

Hit Gordon Biersch for their microbrews, and ask for Rico at the bar. Casual dress, live music in the evening, and smoking ok outside. There is a bar inside and out, so you can pick where you're more comfortable.

Across the way, you can visit Don Ho's. Try the mac-nut crusted pork chops, and try for a seat at the bar. Ask for Matt at the bar. Tip him fat, he just had a baby, and has bills to pay, heh. Casual dress, no smoking.

Down the way, on the corner of the pier opposite Gordon Biersch is kapono's. I used to bartend there, and love the atmosphere, but the owners are typical bar owners...they know everything and nothing all at the same time. Had to get out of there...but aaaaanyway...live music, all outdoors, smoking ok. The food is ok, for bar food, just don't expect "cuisine"...just decent bar munchies. Ask for Johnny, Moses, or Stick at the bar.

All these places are right on the water, and are great to just hang out at. But, upstairs, above Don Ho's is Bikini Cantina, with a nice view, and if you're lucky, cute cocktailers in bikini tops. This place is more along the lines of the dollar beer kind of spots, but still worth a look, for the view of the water. Food is decent, smoking ok, and casual. Ask for Heather at the bar. For the best sunset view, be at Kapono's or Bikini Cantina.

If you catch Moses at the bar at Kapono's, he will undoubtedly be flipping bottles, as he is one of Hawaii's best flair bartenders. If you enjoy his show, then head to...

Jackie's Kitchen- On the 4th floor of Ala Moana Center, this place is owned by Jackie Chan. You know, Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon...THAT Jackie Chan. (hmmm...are there any other famous Jackie Chans? heh, probably not) Moving on. This place has the best flair bartenders in the state. I work here, as the bar manager and as a bartender. Great Asian/Fusion dishes, just make sure you consult with your bartender on the best ones. Everyone of the crew has some serious skill flipping bottles, and we make some great drinks, too. Be there between 4-7 pm daily for our "Rush Hour" (happy hour) specials. We have a great selection of cocktails, with alot of original choices...me and my head bartender are aspiring mixologists, and love creating quality drinks. We use alot of Skyy vodka and their different flavors, and have come up with some winners. Friday nights, we have a promoter who packs the place, so after 10 pm, be ready for a nightclub atmosphere...Ask for Christian (head bartender), Randy, Keone or Cache (pro. "cash" that's me), and make sure you get a seat at the bar, or if there's no stools, ask the hosts for a seat in the bar section. Wait until you see the beer towers. One of a kind here in Hawaii, only way to drink your draft beers. No smoking inside, and not a "bar" atmosphere, since we are a full restaurant. Casual dress.

Mai Tai bar- Around the corner from Jackie's, is another favorite spot of mine. Live music, decent food (try any of the flat bread pizzas, or just grab some food from Jackies or California Pizza Kitchen, they don't mind), cute cocktailers, and great slushy maitais. Have a slushy maitai with a Grand Marnier float...yum! Best times to be there is daytime through early evening. Get there after 5, and you will have a hard time finding a seat...anywhere. It's a popular place. Get there about 3:30, you should be fine. They have little couch setups where 4-5 people hang out comfortably, and it's just a nice chill atmosphere. Just avoid this place late on Thurs-Sat nights, because it...gets...packed!! Too hot, too crowded. But you stop by earlier, and you will enjoy the vibe. Ask for Travis, Jen or Tina at the bar, but as there's only 10-12 stools, it's easier to get a spot on the floor, and relax. Smoking ok, casual dress.

Ok, last one. I know you asked about a hip stylish place, but cmon, this is Hawaii...we don't have much to choose from in the trendy cocktail lounge arena...but there is one kinda like that. It's at the Marriott in Waikiki, called Maharaja Ultra Lounge. It can get packed later at night, since it's open until 4 am, but get there before midnight, and you will get more of the loungy feel. Ask for Moses or Randy at the main bar, or Vinh (pro. "vin") at the side bar by the door. It's only open on Friday nights. No smoking, collared shirt, pants required. $10 cover.

Aw crap...ok...only one(maybe two...three) more!!

Sansei- A sushi joint with a bar backbone, it's one floor up from Maharaja. Sit at the bar, and if you're there after 10 pm, they offer all sushi 50 % off. Call them before you go, I think it's only available Thurs-Sat night, but could be wrong. Darkish, mellow atmosphere, with an attractive bar. Smoking ok on the balcony. Ask for Dwayne on Friday nights. Only mistake they made? Karaoke!!! *barf*

Hit up Ward Center, there's a few cool spots there. Ryan's Grill (try the crab dip), Brew Moon(microbrews), and E&O Trading Co. E&O has the coolest look to it, but I hear it's struggling a bit. Go downstairs before 9 pm to Kakaako Kitchen and get a Hamburger Steak plate...delicious!!

Ok, thats enough from me.

Oh, one thing...if you do use the names I gave you, and have a good time, please remember these folks work hard for the money they make, so don't be shy when you close your tab...hit 'em where it counts...in the tip jar!!

Hope that helps, look forward to meeting you at Jackie's. I work every Friday and Saturday night...stop by, I'll buy you a beer.

Cache

Dear Cache,

You've given me more than I could have hoped for. We'll have to come by and see you at Jackie's. I'm always happy to meet a pro mixologist especially if he's skilled with the Vodka.

Don't worry about the tip jar...like I said, no dollar beers and no budget hipsters. I'm not that old but I'm way too old for travel on the cheap.

SJM

I'll be in Honolulu Sept 20 starting my honeymoon and we'll come by Jackie's for a drink, I'll ask for "cache". Can't wait to see the beer tower, us canadians can pound away the beer!

I am on my way to Honolulu on Sept 12 for 10 days, thanks for the great suggestions. I work as a guide in Charleston and I totally believe in TIP KARMA! ;>

Beer Tower? Now you have me intrigued. Will definitely hit up some of your suggestions.

Thanks Cache.

Glad to hear I could help. That post began as a short one, and before I knew it, my fingers were crying for mercy...heh.

I would love to meet you all, but if you stop by Jackie's, and I'm enjoying a day off, you will enjoy the best service from Christian, Randy, Jared, and Keone, complete with some entertaining flair. If you catch Nadia or Chon (pro. Shawn) they are still new at the bottle flipping, so do your best to catch the boys from the first group for the full flair bartending effect!

And to my friends intrigued by the mention of the beer tower, imagine 96 ounces of ice cold draft beer all for you...can't wait to set that sucker on the bar in front of you...

Until then,

Cache

Wow! That is some kind of a list! My friend is moving home to Kailua soon. When I visit we'll come by for a Mai Tai!

mahalo!

Wow, thanks Cache! I just posted asking about nightclubs and then found this posting. What a jackpot. We'll stop by to say aloha and thanks (2 chicks from SF and Australia, coming to celebrate my 40th in November) See you then!

I can't find Jackie's kitchen on any of the searches... any links that anyone knows of?

It's not even listed in oahu revealed...