Date night? Hanging with friends? Pau hana with colleagues? Just want your own moment but you also…read moreenjoy history and well made drinks and pupus? This is your stop. Plan for reservations well in advance because you're going to want to sit at the bar. That's where the storytelling is center stage. From the outside, you'd easily miss it. But once you step inside, you realize you're stepping into an experience. Every drink comes with a unique story and the bartender is not simply a storyteller but an artist as well.

Months before my trip to Oahu, I tried to book a reservation to Bar Leather Apron but was unable to…read moredo so because the reservations were immediately scooped up right as they were released. To my surprise, on a Sunday evening after having dinner nearby at Maze, my wife and I walked over to Bar Leather Apron and we were able to get seated right away! In fact, around 7:30 p.m. when we stopped by, there was actually a ton of seating available in the bar. Who would've guessed. If you're in the same boat as me and are unable to find a reservation for your upcoming visit, I would encourage you to stop by and try a walk-in. The first page of the menu lists a wide variety of whiskey based cocktails. Most -- if not all, of the cocktails are pre-fixed with BLA (Bar Leather Apron), and represent a collaboration with the named distillery. If you're fan of whiskey, you'll definitely have a difficult time picking only one. I ultimately ordered their "Take Warning" -- 2021 BLA Knob Creek BLA Single Barrel, Cynar, Carpano Antica, Mezcal, Bergamot Salt. Drinks here are not cheap -- averaging $20 to $25 per drink. Although my drink was very spirit forward, it still felt very well balanced. I appreciated the hint of smokiness from the mezcal that rounded out the end of a sip. Service here quick and friendly. When we received the check, a cute small chocolate snack was brought over as well, borrowed from the menu at Maze. Overall, I can see why Bar Leather Apron has earned so many accolades in its field. Definitely worth a stop by if you enjoy the art of mixology.

When you walk into this place do not expect the warm fuzzies nor outright friendly service. The…read moreowner is a local dude with lots of local customers, possibly a pack rat (stuff everywhere), but with a good selection of cigars. He seemed rough around the edges and honest. So when you walk in, walk in with aloha attitude. Not sure if there is a backstory, but you have to earn his trust and confidence and you'll realize he knows his stuff and he has a good selection. But you also have to know your stuff or be upfront about it.

Thank you, Joe, for sharing your cigar experience and insights. Thank you for your recommendations…read moreof a great celebratory cigar to give as a gift.

Tucked away among the many restaurants at Halekulani is Lewer's Lounge, a cool and casual spot…read morethat's perfect for an evening out. I'll admit, it was a little confusing to find at first, but after asking around, we finally made our way there and I'm glad we did! FOOD Lobster Gyoza Four delicious pieces served with gyoza sauce. Each one had a nice sized piece of lobster inside, and the flavor was spot on. The gyoza had that perfect savory bite, and the sauce brought everything together beautifully. Open-Faced Baguette Three pieces topped with creamy burrata, prosciutto, and sun-dried tomato pesto. The combination of creamy, salty, and slightly sweet flavors made these a really enjoyable bite. DRINKS Mojito Hands down, one of the best mojitos I've had! It was crisp, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. The bright citrus and fresh mint made every sip incredibly refreshing without being overly sweet. Definitely a drink I could happily sip on all night! Espresso Martini I normally don't order espresso martinis because, honestly, I haven't had many that impressed me. But THIS one completely changed my mind. Hands down the best espresso martini I've had! Smooth, rich, and delicious with just the right balance of coffee flavor and sweetness. I'd absolutely order this again. DESSERT Kona Espresso Tiramisu Of course, we had to end the night with dessert! This tiramisu was absolutely delicious. It came out in a fun, unique ball shape rather than the traditional presentation, which made it a little more interesting. The coffee and espresso flavors were rich and delicious, and every bite was so good. My only complaint? I wished there was more of it! All in all, a really good way to finish the meal. LIVE MUSIC Live music starts at 8:30 p.m., and who doesn't love a little live music with their cocktails and pupus? The evening featured a talented duo with a piano player and cello player, and they sounded fantastic together. The combination of piano and cello created such a beautiful, mellow atmosphere. It added just the right touch of elegance while still keeping the lounge feeling relaxed and comfortable. It really elevated the entire evening and made it feel like more than just going out for drinks and food. SERVICE Our waitress was extremely attentive and on point throughout the evening. She made sure we were taken care of without being overbearing, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Lewer's Lounge turned out to be such a great find! From the delicious food and seriously impressive cocktails to the attentive service and beautiful live music, everything came together for a really enjoyable night. And as far as date night goes, this place definitely gets my vote. Whether you're looking for a relaxed evening with someone special, cocktails with friends, or just a place to enjoy some great live music, Lewer's Lounge has the right vibe.

Lovely anniversary evening here. Came for the live jazz music and they were stellar as usual. The…read moreambiance is lovely and service excellent Why I demoted them a star was the pretty cocktails I saw in Yelp are gone. There's no: "Moonglow" (Benny Goodman) or "That was my heart" (honor to Ella Fitzgerald), so I asked for my favorite aperitif, "Dubonnet" , no. But, they came up with my other favorite, sambuca Mist. I have to agree with another reviewer that the French baguette served with the charcuterie was hard as could be and inedible. I did not enjoy the choice of cheeses as they were both of the same hard boring tastes, unimaginative, mix it up. They olives should be pitted. The tiramisu dessert was very delicious, even though very small, but expected--after all its fine dining. I have no other way to tell new manager to up their game in the food and beverage department. Just wouldn't expect Halekulani to slip in these departments. Also, manager never came around or was seen checking in his or her patrons, not very 5 star there. Just being honest. The complimentary valet parking was exceptional. Thank you for a very enjoyable evening.

We stopped here on the recommendation of a local. We were struggling to find a restaurant that sold…read morefresh fish... someone said "chart house!" So we came... honestly, this was the best meal we have had on the island. I was blown away to see the bad reviews on yelp. The food was out of this world. From the clam chowder, to the stuffed mushrooms, the crab cake, and the stuffed ahi. Not a single complaint. Our waitress Ava was kind and helpful. Kept our water full without us ever having to ask. The live Hawaiian music was outstanding. Truly gives it the Hawaiian vibe we have been searching for. Is it expensive? Sure. But I've never complained about paying good money for a GOOD meal. This meal was phenomenal

We decided to try this upstairs restaurant and were delighted to experience the nightlife of this…read morearea. The restaurant had live music and many tables facing the marina with the nice breezes from the water making for a welcome relief from the warm evening air at this open air establishment. Unfortunately no air conditioning here. The food was great although everything is expensive but it was worth the experience and is to be expected on an island trip I suppose. I ordered stuffed shrimp w crab meat and a side of garlic mash. The portion wasn't huge but it was filling and tasty. Although the potatoes weren't overly seasoned and a bit bland not having enough garlic flavor but the side was attractively dressed. The shrimp came w a side of asparagus and hollandaise sauce which added a nice rich flavor. We ate and lingered a while to listen to the live music and enjoy the breezes and ambience.

Had wonderful items I didn't even know existed! The staff was knowledgeable, well spoken and…read morehelpfully. Thank you Mr. Field for having a great venue!!

Shhh...can you keep a secret? Neither can I! I came here in…read moreNovember on a whim hoping to find some rarer bourbons,...and I did. The Knob Creek and High West hard to find bottles were here so I had to get a few. If you're looking for these hard to find bottles, check out any of the several R Field stores besides the usual liquor stores. Their prices are generally very competitive, and in fact I missed a special rye and ended up paying $20 more at another store. My advice: if you see it, buy it! It might not be there when you return. Got any other secret place to find bourbons I can try?

Tamuras is where you should go for no frills poke. You can by a poke bowl or poke by the pound. The…read moreflavors and variety is awesome. If I visit hawaii and dont get tamuras poke.... i didnt visit hawaii. Non touristy and more of a locals spot. Every single thing I ordered was bomb.com.

This is such a dangerous shop to go into! We came here for a specific champagne and left with so…read moremuch more lol. I mean just look at all those awesome snacks in one location. See, dangerous! All of the West side shops that we checked around didn't have this particular champagne available. I wouldn't normally be so picky about the type of champagne except I had already started a dessert recipe using a specific bottle and then I ran out and needed to make more. This Tamura's happens to be right down the street from my doctors office. Their poke selection is much bigger than the one closer to home. Freshness wise, the quality is still top-notch no matter which location.

I love a good dive bar as much as the next gal but - this isn't my neighborhood joint, so I don't…read morehave that Kailua pride and nostalgia that Creekside has honestly earned with their regulars. One of my friends is a regular here-- and she got a round of tequila shots for everyone. I tried to get the attention of the bartender on my own without luck since it was so busy, so it's nice to be rolling with a windward side friend. We did end up leaving shortly after because it was very crowded (on Halloween, as expected) and just wasn't the vibe. People may say that 3 stars is harsh, but for a dive bar that's exactly where the bar is. I would go again, but not without a good group with me.

So Pam said she wanted to take me to a dive bar close to Whole Foods in Kailua. We went to…read moreCreekside just a 5-minute walk or 2 minute drive away. She described it as a place out of a Stephen King novel and she was right. It was a wonderful mix of a biker bar, military bar and a few locals. The drinks were good, bartenders were friendly music was happening and there's dart boards to keep you entertained. It's definitely a fun place to visit. They have a small parking lot right in front of the place and Apple street parking and other parking nearby. There's even a food truck that parks close by on weekends if you want something to snack on. They also sell chips and beer nuts. It's not my kind of place but definitely worth checking out if you are into a authentic dive bar experience.

Pizza was amazing, service was quick! Best pizza we've had on the island. Definitely worth the…read moredrive. Atmosphere is super laid back.

Stopped in on a weeknight with my husband and parents, and seated right away. Good mix of people at…read morethe bar just for drinks and couples/groups at tables for food. My dad loved every beer he tried, and my mom appreciated that they had a hard cider too. My husband and I were digging the cocktails!! Whatever you do, don't leave this place without ordering a pizza!! Server was accommodating and I was able to build my own pizza with toppings rather than select from menu, which was really kind. The crust was SO GOOD! Perfectly thin, but chewy and crispy all at the same time. Definitely will be back when in Kailua again!