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    The Crouching Lion

    4.1 (510 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    The Crouching Lion Photos

    THE CROUCHING LION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Tacos and fries
    Kathy N.

    Food was pretty good. I especially liked the wonton chips (free seasoned wonton chips with your meal!). The fries were my favorite and came with even more wonton chips. Tacos used flour tortilla instead of corn, which is not my personal preference. My boyfriend added an extra taco (order comes with 3) and it was $9 yeah Hawai'i is expensive but $9 felt steep for a single taco. Service was great. Very nice and they even gave us these red bean balls as a gift when we were leaving! Establishment was made up of 3 sections I think so there's something for everyone. Outdoor dining had lots of flies though but there's an electric fan-like item to deter them

    Jidori chicken
    Wayne I.

    I've always enjoyed bringing family and friends to Crouching Lion for lunch or dinner. It's a great alternative to dining in Waikiki, and in the past the food, service, and overall vibe have usually been very good. Unfortunately, tonight's experience fell short of what we've come to expect. We made reservations online and arrived on time, but after checking in we were asked to wait while being told we would be seated shortly. During that time, another group of six arrived without reservations and was seated before us, even though we could clearly see our table was already available. As locals, it gave the impression that tourists were being prioritized over repeat local customers. I completely understand how important visitors are to businesses, but locals are often the ones who continue supporting a restaurant year after year. Our server started off great and was friendly throughout the meal, but after we finished eating he seemed to disappear for quite a while. We waited so long that we eventually decided to skip dessert by the time he returned. The food was mixed tonight. Most dishes were tasty, but the items from the Robata Grill -- including the scallops, mushrooms, and pork belly -- arrived cold, which was disappointing for grilled items. This review reflects tonight's experience only. I've had many good visits here before and I'll definitely return, hoping things get back to the solid 4-5 star experiences I've enjoyed in the past.

    Whole squid
    Danielle R.

    The drive here was gorgeous. We arrived right before sunset and had a beautiful view next to the e water. Service was stellar. Its served family/tapas style so we werent sure exactly how much to order for two people but were guided to try a few things from different sections of the menu. Food comes out as its ready and everything was a hit! Our only wish was that we came with more people so we could have ordered more menu items to try! Come hungry and try it all!

    Steamed Clams (served with focaccia bread)
    Beth Ann P.

    AMAZING food, service and ambience!! From the breathtaking views, food bursting with flavor and the exceptional service from our server, Joselyn, we were blown away. I would describe the menu as a shareable/familiy style menu. We ordered quite a bit, but it was all worth it. What we ordered: * Ribeye Streak * Scallops * Lobster tail * Steamed clams with focaccia bread * Fried Rice Everything was cooked to perfection. My favorites were the steamed clams and the fried rice. 10 Stars!

    Spicy tuna roll
    Brian I.

    I was really hoping that my experience here would be great as my brother recommended that we go here tonight as their family really likes this restaurant. Some red flags happen as we walked in to check in for our reservation. We were asked to wait to on the side as a party entered after us with no reservations. They were seated right away as there were many open tables at 6:00 pm. We were later seated after them to a table toward the back of the restaurant. Receptionists did not once say anything why we were not seated first as our table was available, but the other thing we all noticed is that she did not once greet us or smiled. Someone in our party made a comment that it's because we are locals and the group after us was obviously tourist. I really hope this is not the case as I feel that locals are the backbone that will sustain a restaurant during low travel seasons. Our waiter Brian was very friendly as he took our order and made great recommendations. Unfortunately I feel they might have been short staffed as he was quite busy and could not check on us. We received some of our dishes but the dishes we ordered from the grill did not arrive too much later. You could also tell that they had been sitting for a while as they came out cold. This was really tough as I was most excited to eat the grilled scallops and grilled pork belly. We also had an issue with fly's all night. Hopefully they can do something about that. We were initially going to try some desserts but after waiting for another 15-20 minutes we decided not to. I do like the fact that randomly their manager Stephanie came by and asked how things were as she saw us just sitting and waiting around. I explained that the flavors were great but the execution and service lacked some. She seemed very concerned and noted that she appreciated the criticism as she would like to address those issues. Because my brother really likes the restaurant and I grew up in Kahaluu, I hope to give them another try with a different experience.

    Brisket Taco
    Reid H.

    This is a good restaurant, although admittedly the only one I've been to on the Northeast side of Oahu. It's got great views and food - my wife and I tried the Wagyu Slides, Brisket Tacos, and the Volcano Brisket Fries. My favorite was the Volcano Brisket Fries, large portion and great taste, with the won ton chips adding some additional structure and making it easy to grab the ingrediments. The Brisket Taco was good, and despite the pepper in my photo, wasn't too hot (although it does have a lil' kick). Wagyu Slider was good, the pickled stuff added a nice touch. There's an attached coffee spot as well. The one knock against this place was that there were some flies hanging around, despite the fan-shoo-away things they had on the table--but for the food, service, and vibes, definitely on point and would recommend trying this place out if you're in the area.

    Brisket tacos
    Emily L.

    Went on a weekday on Tuesday and it wasn't busy at all. We were able to sit by the ocean view but it was raining so we moved closer to the middle. I ordered the volcano nachos and the brisket roll. My favorite here is their brisket, so I wanted to try their other brisket items. When we got them, it was delicious! I wish there was a bit more sauce on the nachos, but I asked for some on the side to dip the fries in. The roll was very good too and each part paired well together. I would return again for their brisket. Our server was very nice and attentive and I enjoyed the dinner!

    Patio
    Chelcea F.

    Crouching Lion on Oahu is one of those places where the view alone makes it worth the visit -- but the food holds its own too. We went for lunch and sat on the patio, which overlooks the ocean and is absolutely beautiful. It's such a relaxing setting and perfect for taking in the scenery while you eat. The vibe during lunch was very casual. Some people were dressed up, but you definitely don't need to feel obligated to do the same. If you want a table closest to the very edge of the patio, I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time. That said, the views are great from pretty much anywhere outside. We ordered the bulgogi kimbap roll, scallion pancakes, and mandu. Everything was really flavorful and perfect for sharing. Portion sizes were okay -- not huge, but enough for a light lunch. There's a small parking lot on-site, which can fill up, so just keep that in mind depending on when you go. It is definitely on the pricier side, but honestly that's pretty expected for Hawaii, especially at a place with views like this. I'd absolutely come back. Between the incredible ocean views and the solid food, it's a great spot to stop if you're exploring that side of the island

    Ceviche
    Samantha H.

    The ceviche is absolutely amazing. The serving portion is very small, but worth trying! The service is really good as well. We did not have a reservation, but asked if we could be seated facing the ocean, and they were able to accommodate us. I think it is a great place for a nice dinner with friends or a date. At least two birthday parties were going on while I was there.

    Views from our table
    Gayle S.

    Excellent. Asian-fusion cuisine across street from beach with direct ocean views. Very exotic, bohemian, Balinese atmosphere open to the elements. Well known dishes as larb, curries, suishi raw bar etc. worth the drive.

    Deanna B.

    ****This is an update to my initial review on Feb 14, 2026*** So after 3 months we were able to visit the restaurant. Reservations were made and we were set. It was Mother's Day weekend. We arrived a few minutes early and was warmly greeted by the host. I was given a chocolate rose and a special treat that was made by the restaurant. We order the preset meal, The Crouching Lion Feast. I highly recommend if you are not sure what to order. The atmosphere was amazing. We were seated near the bar area which was perfect. Noise level was just right. The food was delicious as always. The live music was great amazing. My initial complaint isn't about the food or the ambiance. It was more on how things were handled when the restaurant didn't have power and the lack of communication that they were closed. We drove for about an hour just to get to the restaurant, as we live on the west side of the island. There are a couple things I would suggest. 1) Investing in some generators. So that you would have a way to still serve patrons that come from afar. 2) Find an alternate way to better communicate when an unplanned situation occurs. It was unfortunate that the unforeseen circumstances had occurred, but CUSTOMER SERVICE is a big thing for me. My work experience has me face-to-face with customers on a daily and I've learned that no matter the situation you are faced with, it is always go to make the customer feel at ease.

    Bakers dozen oysters
    Madison W.

    Great service and scenic view! The oysters were so fresh! Highly recommend the scallion pancakes and edamame. I was a little disappointed with the scallops. They tasted like they were cooked in the same pan/grill as burgers and the texture was chewier than I'd like. Other than that, everything was amazing! For two people, we spend just under $200.

    View towards the front of restaurant
    Ron W.

    Such an incredible place. The location backing to the pali and facing the ocean makes for phenomenal views. We were seated near the railing so we had great ocean views. Our waiter Anthony was great. He informed us of their menu and was great at keeping our drinks fresh, water filled and the sharable food items coming. We ordered ribeye, scallops, spicy tuna sushi and asparagus and we shared it all between us. Everything was cooked to perfection. The highlight was ordering the mango bingsu for dessert. Oh wow! We will definitely be back.

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    14 hours ago

    Our server Anthony was great and very friendly!!! Veiw was amazing, ambience has a cool island vibe. Will definitely comeback!

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    The Crouching Lion Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Crouching Lion

    Is it wheelchair accessible?

    Yes. Park on The Crouching Lion side up the hill.

    Is this place kid friendly?

    I would call to ask but i am 99% sure it is. The vibe is kid friendly for sure. Since it is a restaurant there isn't space for kids to run aorund, but if they can sit at the table contently then they will be okay.

    Does this restaurant have a Happy Hour?

    I didn't experience a happy hour time but they have great cocktails and appetizers on their regular menu.

    Where is the wheelchair access entry?

    I believe you have to be drive all the way up to the entrance but I will double check Just confirmed… Read more

    Are dogs allowed at the restaurant?

    Yes. It's Dog friendly!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Bar Leather Apron - Japan old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron

    4.5(474 reviews)
    17.4 miDowntown
    $$

    Legendary cocktail experience. My partner and I frequent a lot of top 50 bars across the world and…read moreBar Leather Apron operates at that level. The drinks are well balanced and have a lot of Japanese flavor influence (i.e shisho, matcha, yuzu). Presentation and breakdown of each drink component was exceptional; it is clear that the mixologists understand the nuances of their ingredients and the techniques they employ. Special shout out to Scotty for taking care of us tonight. Excited to come back again :)

    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.

    Photos
    Bar Leather Apron - View from our seat

    View from our seat

    Bar Leather Apron - Matcha old fashioned

    Matcha old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron - Japan

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    Japan

    Valor - Still setting up the bar

    Valor

    4.6(82 reviews)
    13.1 mi
    $$

    First time here!!! Now that it's December I have been trying to check out holiday bars and holiday…read morecocktails. Valor was up first on the list! We sat ourself on a high table and was greeted by our bartender who was so sweet. She recommended the top 3 holiday drinks to us, which we tried. We really liked the 1) Jack Frost, 2) Abuelita's Hot Cocoa, and 3) Grinch Punch. Our cocktails were delicious and I liked the chill atmosphere and vibe this place had to it since we came once the mall was closed. This bar only served alcohol so I heard it was BYOF = bring your own food to enjoy while you drink, which is pretty cool! I definitely would come again!

    It makes complete sense, there's eateries all around and plenty of seating area. The sound carries…read morejust fine from the live entertainment nearby. And there's at least three big screens on with different sporting events to watch. We came at a time that was medium busy, not too crowded and we tried two of their Signature drinks. Talk about fast and friendly service with a smile! His Espresso and the Lychee Luxe were both perfect on a hot Friday afternoon. The decor is crisp and clean. The atmosphere is bright and lively. There's tables for large groups and lots of bar counter for pairs. It's not too noisy either. Fun and relaxing, glad we came to try it :)

    Photos
    Valor - Nicely done bar counter

    Nicely done bar counter

    Valor - At the bottom of the escalator, you've arrived!

    At the bottom of the escalator, you've arrived!

    Valor - Pupus from  Diem Cafe at food court while sipping and sampling cocktails

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    Pupus from Diem Cafe at food court while sipping and sampling cocktails

    The Boardroom

    The Boardroom

    3.9(235 reviews)
    13.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Located on the corner of Kainehe and Kihapai Street. May the parking gods be in your favor…read more Happy Hour is available from 5p-6p, Wednesday through Sunday. When you arrive here, head to the host stand that is located outside on the outskirts of where the turf grass meets the pavement. Ample open air seating outside, though the day that we went it was warm, and we opted to eat inside by the bar. We made reservations online beforehand just in case. When we were seated inside, there's a few seats at the bar, and also bench/2-top seating on the opposite wall. We were a party of 3, though we were seated next to each other, the gap was rather large, so we physically pushed our tables together. Low cocktail round tables (thus the spacing of the dishes/drinks was a bit awkward later on in the evening). The bartender came by to take our drinks but also asked us if we had reservations, because the area that we were seated in was reserved for another party at a later time. We thought this was strange, because the host up front was the one who confirmed our reservation and sat us in that very spot. Shortly after, the bartender then came back to say that it was ok for us to stay there and then proceeded to take our order. After that occurrence, the service didn't necessarily get exponentially better, but it also wasn't absolutely horrible. **NOTED UPDATE: We were at this establishment in June 2025, these pictures were not taken from 3 years ago. I have nothing to gain by 'lying'** As for the food and drinks, they were much better than we had expected which saved the whole experience of it all. The food menu is short and sweet, to which we enjoyed all the dishes that we ordered. All in all, we had a good time.

    I recommend this place if not for the service alone! Ivana…read morethe hostess was amazing and quickly helped me with deciding on what to order. I like the fact that on the other side is a guarded where they have pizza and dull whip, so I was able to indulge in both types of cuisines! I ordered the coconut shrimp which was delicious featured in my pictures.

    Photos
    The Boardroom - Shared plates and local farm flowers are our love language

    Shared plates and local farm flowers are our love language

    The Boardroom - Spicy Mellon margarita with Hawaiian

    Spicy Mellon margarita with Hawaiian

    The Boardroom - Prime ribs special

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    Prime ribs special

    Kahuku Beer Garden - Outside

    Kahuku Beer Garden

    4.8(53 reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$

    Kahuku Beer Garden is such a cute, casual, and laid-back spot, perfect for unwinding. The shaded…read moreseating makes it super comfortable, especially if you're stopping by during the day. I tried their strawberry lemon sour, and it was tropical, fruity, and citrusy with absolutely no bitterness, which I really appreciated. I'm definitely a lightweight, and just after one glass I felt a nice little buzz, just enough to relax without feeling overwhelmed. We enjoyed our drinks out on the patio, and the whole setup made for a great, relaxing break. I'd absolutely come back here to hang out after a long day and would love to try more of their house beers and kombucha next time. A great spot to kick back and enjoy the North Shore vibes

    Kahuku Sugar Mill in Hawaii's North Shore has a ton of food trucks along with this permanent…read morestructure beer garden. But it's not just beer! Hard cider, hard seltzer, and refrigerated nonalcoholic beverages too. You can enjoy anything on tap there at the beer garden but the refrigerated purchases have to go elsewhere with you. We enjoyed a guava hard cider there then grabbed a variety of cans to take back with us to our resort. There are a lot of interesting selections and all from Hawaii. The employee there was so nice and chill, enjoying conversation with each customer. There was branded merchandise for sale too. There is a city bus stop at the sugar mill or If you have a vehicle, the sugar mill has sand parking lots.

    Photos
    Kahuku Beer Garden
    Kahuku Beer Garden - Sours.

    Sours.

    Kahuku Beer Garden - Hazy IPA in the patio

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    Hazy IPA in the patio

    Haleiwa Beach House - Calamari

    Haleiwa Beach House

    4.2(1.4k reviews)
    15.6 mi
    $$

    Thanks to Yelp, we stopped by the Haleiwa Beach House during our North Shore road trip. This is an…read moreopen-air restaurant with views of the bay. There is an upstairs seating area that must provide some exceptional views, but it was closed during our visit. Our lunch was easily 5-star. We began with the Spicy Ahi Wontons. Fresh ahi with shallots, scallions, tobiko (Japanese caviar), and cabbage. This App was extremely complex with a hint of spice. Truly wonderful! For our mains we ordered the grilled mahi mahi and fish and chips. My mahi mahi was grilled to a moist perfection, and the brown butter sauce could have overwhelmed the fish, so I went light on the sauce. Their fish n' chips are not your traditional Irish bar offering. The fish was gently battered with panko and fried just right. Their homemade tarter sauce was absolutely delicious. They have a very interesting craft cocktail menu. My Ku'Ula-Kai Mai Tai was on point and perfectly balanced - sweet and sour. Plus 1's Aloalo Fizz reminded her of a Paloma, only made with vodka with a tropical twist. Service was attentive and knowledgeable regarding the menu and ingredients. We really appreciated the chill environment, beautiful view, and the welcoming ocean breeze. Pro tip: After dinner, head downtown to walk off your lunch/dinner and check out all the shops. Dessert? If you enjoy waiting in a long line, then the famous shaved ice shop is located there (IYKYK).

    Stunning views, and delicious food…read more.. This place is not only beautiful it is the perfect place for a meal with friends or ohana. The service here was excellent (thank you to Cash for being an outstanding server.) We were greeted immediately, seated immediately, and had drinks in front of us within 5 minutes. Highly recommend as a place to chil, eat and enjoy your day.

    Photos
    Haleiwa Beach House - Inside

    Inside

    Haleiwa Beach House - Calamari

    Calamari

    Haleiwa Beach House - Rose wine

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    Rose wine

    Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Ox tail pot pie.  Definitely can't call this a pie. But was good.  Consider the bones are big but the meat is delicious and tender

    Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge

    4.0(133 reviews)
    13.7 mi

    Banyan Crafts Kitchen and Lounge was a beautiful restaurant with life-like banyan trees in the…read moremiddle of the two dinning areas. Beautiful decor of imitation plants that even the bathrooms were beautiful especially the women's bathroom by the kitchen. Even the Men's bathrooms were decorated. It's something you should see! You wouldn't even think there's a place like this in Kailua. There were a few steps to the door of the restaurant but as we exit the waitress let my mom through the back which had no stairs but a ramp leading to the side parking along the restaurant right side, since she was using a walker. I first came with my friend for dinner and I came with my mom for brunch after her dentist appointment, because I wanted to show her what became of the beloved Four Star Chop Suey decades ago. Brunch menu was not the usual breakfast items that we were used to, but I ordered what I thought she would like best. We had Breakfast Hash with potatoes, sausage, cheese, eggs, bell peppers but the sauce was a little spicy for mom. There were ingredients in the sauce which maybe was too much for mom. Citrus mint fruit salad, and Southern Chicken Biscuit and Gravy. The gravy was different.fitness good but, I preferred the dinner selection when I came with a friend who traveled all the way from Kapolei for some shared dishes and appetizers. She really liked it and it was flavorful and unique. We had the following dishes: Local Braised Oxtail Patatas Bravas Seared Poke nachos Seasonal Hummus Deconstructed Baklava Cheesecake Hiusemade breads Citrus mint fruit salad I would order everything again! The Oxtail was flavorful and delicious, The homemade breads were so warm and fresh. The breads were served with the seasonal hummus, and I love the citrus mint dressing on the fruits! So refreshing! Night time was busy and we didn't have reservations, so we were lucky we didn't have those high top table and chairs . Best to have reservations for dinner. Weekends have night entertainment in the bigger dining area. We came earlier, but as the night went on, it got busier and our waitress was also assisting other customers in the other room, so we were missed . Service could have been better. Not too many of my townie friends had made it to this side but it's a nice place to dine at to experience their food and beautiful ambiance! There were a few side parking stalls along the right wall of the restaurant, otherwise you would need to find street parking. There's a nearby 24 hour municipal parking lot and it's still a quarter of 20 minutes. This restaurant is not in the main Kailua town area. If you haven't been to Kailua, Kailua is a nice town to try all these different restaurants. You be surprised and pleased. They are closed on Monday & Tuesday. Brunch is on weekends from 9 am to 1 pm. Otherwise they open from Wednesday thru Sunday from 4pm to closing at 9pm and on Friday & Saturday nights they are opened til 11pm.

    We decided to try this place out for valentines dinner. This was our first time and I was excited…read moreas I heard good things. The setting: I really like the vibe they went with for valentines and the decor, I like the lowlight setting as well. The banyan tree decor in the middle of the restaurant was a nice touch. Service: our host and our waiter were awesome, very pleasant and helpful. The food: it was a fixed menu due to Valentine's Day, I guess I did not see that when I booked the reservations or it was listen on the open table app. I wish I had known because I wanted to try other dishes. Anyways.. we got to each choose an appetizer so we got the coconut shrimp which omgggg really good, that sauce was a perfect touch, the shrimp was nicely crispy. We also got the beef tataki which was another fav I must say. The main entrees was ok, I only say this because we got the lamb and fish. The lamb came with 4 pieces but 2 were cooked good and the other 2 seemed like it could have been cooked a little longer. The fish to me was also over done and a little touch and hard. I will go back because I do wanna try other things on their menu. Overall we still made it a great night and will come back again.

    Photos
    Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Smaller room by kitchen and bar with high top tables.

    Smaller room by kitchen and bar with high top tables.

    Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Beet & Orange Salad

    Beet & Orange Salad

    Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Larger room

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    Larger room

    EP Bar - Mocktails (2 of the 3 available)

    EP Bar

    4.6(141 reviews)
    17.1 miDowntown
    $$

    Super chill spot in Chinatown.......the ambiance, the music,…read morethe super cute and friendly bartender (Jen). And the most delicious cocktails ever. Highly recommend and should have taken some photo evidence, next time!

    Fifteen minutes west of Waikiki, you'll find yourself in a completely different Hawaii…read more Honolulu's Chinatown feels worlds away from the beachfront resorts and postcard-perfect sunsets. The neighborhood is vibrant, gritty, and alive--a mix of Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Native Hawaiian influences layered over historic buildings, glowing neon signs, art galleries, and hidden cocktail dens. It reminded me a bit of New Orleans: worn facades with stories to tell, creative energy around every corner, and the sense that the best experiences are often tucked behind an unassuming door. Which makes it the perfect home for EP Bar. "EP" stands for Extend Play, a fitting name for a place built around music. Long before listening bars became fashionable in Los Angeles, New York, and London, there were the jazz kissa of Japan--small cafés where people gathered not to drink or dance, but to listen. Records spun through carefully tuned sound systems while patrons sat immersed in the music. The music wasn't background noise. It was the main event. Walking into EP Bar, you can feel traces of that tradition. The room is intimate and inviting. Reservations are highly recommended because the place fills up quickly on weekend nights. Once inside, the atmosphere hits a sweet spot. The music is loud enough to create a mood and provide privacy for conversation, yet never so overpowering that it dominates the room. Loud enough to muffle the secrets being shared between old friends. Loud enough to drown out the office gossip that somehow followed everyone from the coffee machine into happy hour. The soundtrack isn't just playing--it's setting the tone. As an Old Fashioned guy, my choice was easy. I ordered a Oaxaca OF, which swaps traditional whiskey for mezcal. Smoky, balanced, and memorable, it felt like the kind of drink that rewards slow sipping between tracks. Another member of our group went with the Pho Us By Us. To nobody's surprise except perhaps her own, it tasted a little salty. Considering the ingredients--Green Chile Vodka, Sake, Pho Spice, Lemon, and Soda--it was probably the most honest cocktail description I've ever seen. The drink tasted exactly like its name suggested. That's part of the fun here. The menu doesn't hide behind clever marketing. Drinks like Thai Me Down and Candy Rain practically dare you to order them. Not every note landed perfectly. Service was a little off-beat during our visit. But like any live performance, sometimes the rhythm isn't flawless. Thankfully, the vibes, decor, music, and overall experience more than carried the set. What I appreciated most was that EP Bar doesn't feel like a gimmick. It feels like a genuine continuation of a tradition that began decades ago in Japan's listening cafés, traveled across oceans, and found a home in Honolulu's Chinatown. It's a place where music matters, conversation flows, and the pace of the evening slows down just enough to appreciate both. The place slaps for what it is--and for what it isn't. In a world increasingly filled with distractions, EP Bar invites you to do something refreshingly simple: sit down, have a great drink, listen to great music, and be present. I'll definitely be back. After all, every good record deserves another spin, and I'm curious to see how the needle lands next time.

    Photos
    EP Bar - Sake also goes w vinyl. Hoyo Sawayaka, a Junmai from the oldest brewery in Miyagi, using a sake specific Kura No Hana varietal rice.

    Sake also goes w vinyl. Hoyo Sawayaka, a Junmai from the oldest brewery in Miyagi, using a sake specific Kura No Hana varietal rice.

    EP Bar - Marx making an old fashioned.

    Marx making an old fashioned.

    EP Bar - Inside

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    Inside

    Inu Island Ales - Left one - Mango Colada (So ono!)

    Inu Island Ales

    4.6(105 reviews)
    10.6 mi
    $$

    Stopped into INU Island Ales and had such a fun time. It's tucked away in kind of an industrial…read morespot, which honestly makes it feel like a cool little hidden gem. The tasting room is small and cozy with a super chill, welcoming vibe. Parking can be a little tricky, but once you're inside, it's worth it. I tried a bunch of beers, and there's definitely something for everyone: - Equal Parts - super light NE IPA, easy to drink and really refreshing. - Nozzle Up - a lager with a lot of flavor, I really liked this one. - Cherry Berry Pie - so good! Not too sour, not too sweet, just right. - Waikane Fruit Snack - a smoothie sour. It looked a little weird at first, with some separation, but once mixed, it was way better. I'm not usually a smoothie sour fan, but this one surprised me; not gritty like others I've had. -Paradise - this one wasn't for me, just had kind of a strange taste. The cool thing is there are tons of options to sample, and plenty of ways to take beer home, too. Overall, really fun spot with a great vibe and creative beers. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in this part of the island.

    Small little brewery but they had the best brews! Must try the ube colada, a seltzer with great ube…read moreflavor! Also the pistachio stout was a favorite of ours. Come and try these before they run out!

    Photos
    Inu Island Ales - Black Logo 16floz Glass $12.00 (08/21/24). @InuIslandAles #Kaneohe #Oahu #Hawaii #CraftBeer #Beer

    Black Logo 16floz Glass $12.00 (08/21/24). @InuIslandAles #Kaneohe #Oahu #Hawaii #CraftBeer #Beer

    Inu Island Ales - Orange Soda Growler 32 oz

    Orange Soda Growler 32 oz

    Inu Island Ales - Kilauea Cheesecake and Orange Soda Seltzer

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    Kilauea Cheesecake and Orange Soda Seltzer

    The Crouching Lion - beerbar - Updated May 2026

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