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    Wai Bar

    3.9 (57 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Closed Closed

    Wai Bar Photos

    WAI BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Very loud
    Live music
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Wai Bar

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    Tris W.

    The mister and I went here spur of the moment on a date night after dinner and we had fun. It's a small bar with a small dance floor but with a decent patio out in the back. That night there was a dj playing hip hop and thank goodness it was hip hop music that I recognized from my younger days. We had lots of fun having drinks and dancing the night away. The bartenders were really sweet even though it was pretty packed. I wouldn't mind going here for happy hour one of these days. Check it out!

    The place - VN
    Vince N.

    The sleepy town of Wailuku has a lot of charm, specifically the buildings along Main and Market Streets that date back to possibly the late 1800's/early 1900's. They have a "San Francisco allure" about them that I love. Unfortunately, the town's potential isn't fulfilled as many spots sit vacant or close early due to a lack of surrounding nightlife. Enter 2017 and Wai Bar. Wai in Hawaiian means water or liquid. ATMOSPHERE: They've taken the right half of what used to be Emura Jewelry. The interior has a dark theme with simple decor. A good-sized bar sits to the right with a few standup-only high tops to the left, bay window seating with a view of Market St., and an elevated loft/stage at the rear. Because it was Wailuku First Friday and the event's beer garden is still dormant due to stringent liquor permit rules, the place was packed but never got overly crowded. Thankfully we were allowed to bring in food from the event while we enjoyed our libations. MENU: Their soft opening menu included beer, wine, sparkling wine, sake and non-alcoholic selections. I'm not sure if they'll ever offer food as there was no kitchen in view. BEVERAGE: A to Z Chardonnay - $5/glass. This Oregon-based white was light-bodied with subtle fruit flavors and very refreshing. I'm a wine newbie, so please forgive my short experience, lol. SERVICE: Regardless that this was opening night, everything flowed smoothly from what I saw. A woman who I'm pretty sure was the owner, interacted with patrons and bused tables all while showing a baby bump. Bartender service was friendly and quick. There were no wait staff though. TIP: Cash only but I'm hoping that'll change soon. OVERALL: Great addition to the area. Hopefully more entrepreneurs will take note and liven up Wailuku town!

    The Freshout! Perfect après acupuncture destination. Close, mellow and friendly! Yummy sting drinks!
    J C.

    Popped in with the hubby on a quiet afternoon and had such a fun server who was delightful to chat with and made a great cocktail. I wish I could recall her name. I would definitely stop in again.

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    3 years ago

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    5 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Great customer service smooth comfortable atmosphere and the drink and food is fantastic. Great place to hang out and some local people.

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    2 years ago

    So much fun! Great staff, great environment, great entertainment. Karaoke in particular is well run

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    One of the worst bars I've ever been too. Lame music, lame service, over priced drinks. Go anywhere but here.

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Yay! New Bar Wailuku, we went Friday night , bar was popping, prices good.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Wai Bar

    What is the hour of operations & if you have karaoke?

    What kind of other cocktails do they have here besides what's on the menu? Explain in detail please, I know you can get margaritas here. But what ELSE?!

    They've got specials and they know recipes to quite a few cocktails but it's not a super high end cocktail bar. It'll be a step up from your typical old fashioned, mule, sour drop etc. Staff is really friendly and the venue is attractive. If you're… 

    Are we allowed to bring Food from other places in here?

    Yes there's no kitchen so it's a bring your own food situation instead of BYOB

    What's the price for Margaritas, regular Mai tai's, Mixed shots, rum & coke?

    Hey there! Our margaritas are $9 (depending on choice of alcohol) and made with all fresh squeezed juice! We don’t really make a regular mai tais (because we have a fancy version called the Wai Tai). Mixed shots vary, as always it depends on what… 

    Do they have karaoke?

    Yes on Monday nights

    View All 7 Questions

    Review Highlights - Wai Bar

    She made us amazing Maui specialty drinks and gave us great ideas for things to do while we are in Maui.

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

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    Tiffany's

    Tiffany's

    4.3
    (913 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Walked in to get some lunch and left very satisfied! Our server Piikea made recommendations and…read moreevery dish we ordered was excellent. We ordered the misoyaki butterfish, hamachi sashimi, garlic noodles, caesar broccolini, crispy chicken and garlic fried rice...it was gone, so delicious that we decided this will be our dining spot on our future trips to Maui. Piikea's recommendations was on point, every dish full of flavor and so satisfying. We'll be back

    Sheldon Simeon is the owner/chef of the restaurant, who also has another restaurant Tin Roof. I had…read morepretty high expectations for this restaurant and those expectations weren't quite met on some of the dishes. There is a parking lot available, and another lot across the street. Food: We ordered the honey walnut shrimp, miso butterfish, garlic furikake fries, hamachi sashimi, garlic noodles, and crispy chicken. My favorite was the hamachi sashimi. What I enjoyed about this dish was the diced maui onion that offset the citrus from the ponzu. The flavors are light, and refreshing. The most disappointing was the crispy chicken. I thought it was too salty, but that's my preference and salt tolerance. The miso butterfish was also a great dish. The fish was buttery and flavored well. Not too saucy but the perfect amount of sauce. Service: Service is friendly, like most of the restaurants on Maui. The food was served in a timely manner. The ambiance is casual and felt like a bar restaurant. Overall, I'm not sure if I would return. After ordering 6-7 dishes, I wanted to be blown away by at least 4-5 of them, but that wasn't the case. Do yourself a service and try it out at least once if you are curious!

    Photos
    Fried Mahi
    Fried Mahi
    Local Greens Salad
    Local Greens Salad
    A proper looking spread

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    A proper looking spread
    Da Babooze Bar

    Da Babooze Bar

    4.4
    (14 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Not much in food unless we're talking maraschino cherries or lime wedges…read more If Mid day drinking is the plan, here's the place. Plenty of parking to escape your troubles or hide your whereabouts. Adjacent lot just in case you need wide turns. Friendly little bartenders who know how to pour a beer and make highballs or Hawaiian ice tea. Pretty tidy and clean, lots of light to ward off vampires and an outside bench for smokers. Clean restrooms are the biggest surprise. Denizens include a bunch of regular seniors who love to talk and shoot the shit while sipping a beer. Pool table for local sharks or bored barflies. Gone is the sign for oysters on the half shell. Take the side streets home slowly if you're over the limit.

    The second we walked in, the bartender came at us like we were criminals demanding IDs right in our…read morefaces. After we handed them over, she rolled her eyes like we had just ruined her day. We were with locals who actually live here, so there was no excuse for the attitude. The vibe? Absolutely dead. Zero friendliness, zero aloha spirit. If this place thinks this is "hospitality," then the owner clearly doesn't care. Honestly, the bartender needs anger management classes or maybe just a different career altogether, because customer service clearly isn't for her. Do yourself a favor: don't waste your money or your time here. There are plenty of better places where you won't be treated like garbage the second you walk in.

    Photos
    Local 49ers bar for the win!
    Local 49ers bar for the win!
    Da Babooze Bar
    Front of the bar

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    Front of the bar
    The Parlay

    The Parlay

    4.3
    (105 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    The Parlay in Wailuku was fantastic for a quick lunch! I was in search for a good burger on the…read moreisland and lady at the Maui Plantation told us to go back down the road into Wailuku and go to The Parlay for their Smash Burger. I'm glad we listened. We sat at the bar for quick service. The service was fast and super friendly. I ordered the Smash Burger with bacon and an order of garlic fries. Everything is a la carte so if you want fries, just know they do not come with the burger. Everything was delicious. The Smash Burger was perfectly cooked, seasoned wonderfully, and so juicy! The burger also had some spice to it! It had some pickled jalapenos on it and they added the perfect heat. I loved it. The garlic fries were perfectly fried and crispy and had a great garlic flavor and kick. I will definitely come back here on my next visit to island.

    We were looking for a place to have a quick bite without a lot of fuss, when we stumbled upon this…read moreplace. I must say, it's always nice when you're really amongst the locals. There is a large outdoor eating space (patio), which is always a plus. The vibe gives off, everybody's welcome to stop in for a meal and a drink or two. Lucky for us, there was live music. This guy hit every note the right way and let me applaud him for his electric guitar. I thought Prince had entered the room when he played and sang Purple Rain. I'm sorry sir, but I didn't get your name....but you were great!!! Your pets are welcomed here, so it seems. Nice touch. Ok, ok, the food was great! There is a small plate menu. Everything looked delicious. I must say being a Southerner and ordering Mac n cheese at a bar seemed off, but let me tell you...that Mac n cheese hit!!! Cheesy with a little smoked flavor was perfect!! The baked spinach dip was also very good. Great margaritas, good customer service, comfortable seating and great music makes for a perfect evening.

    Photos
    The Parlay
    Smash burger
    Smash burger
    Outside patio

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    Outside patio
    Esters Fair Prospect

    Esters Fair Prospect

    4.5
    (144 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Parking: street parking, or lot next door…read more Service: table service Ambiance: themed holiday bar, cute place for a date night, drinks with friends Drinks: fun holiday themed drinks and full service bar

    Esters Fair Prospect is one of those rare spots that just has it. You can't always put your finger…read moreon what makes a place stand out, but this bar nails the intangibles--the je ne sais quoi that makes you want to stay a little longer and come back sooner than planned. The outdoor seating is refreshingly simple, but once you step inside, it's pure vibe. There's a thoughtful design touch to everything--from the mid-century glassware to the way each drink seems to have its own personality. They're not just slinging cocktails here; they're crafting an experience. I ordered the VOG CUTTER--Pisco, watermelon, lemon, absinthe, cubeb bitters--and it came topped with a pickled watermelon garnish. I'm usually not an absinthe fan, but this drink was perfectly balanced, bright and herbal with just enough edge. It landed squarely in the "perfect cocktail" category for me. My partner had the Velvet Elvis and was equally impressed. We both kept commenting on how varied and intentional the drinkware was--punch cups, tea glasses, you name it. It makes everything feel more special. The bartender was sharp, friendly, and clearly knew the menu inside and out--eager to help guide us through the options and talk about the thought behind each drink. At one point, a child wandered in by mistake (Esters is 21+ due to its bar zoning), and the bartender gently asked them to leave--but not before handing over a vanilla wafer as a parting gift. One of my favorite touches? The name. There's actually a thoughtful explanation printed right on the menu: "Esters are natural compounds that are created through chemical reactions during fermentation. Esters give a diverse range of aromas and flavors to rum." It's a subtle homage to the science of spirits--and it fits perfectly with the experience Esters delivers. If you're looking for a cocktail bar that hits on every level--drinks, vibe, service--Esters Fair Prospect is the move.

    Photos
    The colorful bar area.
    The colorful bar area.
    Sea Hag drink
    Sea Hag drink
    Holiday drinks

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    Holiday drinks
    Haven's Harborside

    Haven's Harborside

    4.3
    (168 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$

    Man, oh man--everything we ordered was absolutely amazing! We got a bunch of starters and sides,…read moreincluding the risotto (heavenly, rich, and creamy!), corn, buttered potato purée, and crab mac and cheese. Everything was so delicious! We also tried two specials: the swordfish and Wagyu chow fun, and both were incredible. The service was fantastic, too. Everyone was so sweet and made our birthday celebration extra special by surprising us with an additional dessert and a cute Havens-themed Christmas ornament. Such a thoughtful touch! Overall, an amazing dining experience from start to finish. Can't wait to come back!

    So happy to see a great restaurant up and running at the Maalaea harbor. Definitely one of the…read morebetter upscale dining experiences in central Maui. The restaurant is located at the shopping center where the Maui Ocean Center is. There is plenty of parking. It has great views of the harbor as well as air conditioned inside seating, and a very clean private bathroom. We spend a lot of time here and have watched restaurants not last quite frankly because they have a hard time staying consistent. It took us a couple of visits to give this place a try and we are bummed that we waited, because it is SO GOOD! Our server, Riley, was super friendly and offered us his suggestions, which we took. We started with the crispy kanpachi toll. Then tried the special (uku), the scallops, a salad and cioppino. Everything was so fresh and perfectly cooked. The mash was perfect with whatever sauce the scallops had. We topped it off with two desserts because we couldn't make up our minds. The chocolate cake was okay - we opted for no caramel so maybe that was the missing piece, the cookie in the cast iron skillet was SO GOOD. Gooey, and perfect with the mac nut ice cream. Kudos guys, please keep it up! If you're on Maui, definitely give them a try!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Ube chocolate cake
    Ube chocolate cake
    Outdoor seating

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    Outdoor seating

    Wai Bar - bars - Updated July 2026

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