Hawaii Big Island Nightlife Guide: Top 10 Venues
Where to Go in Hawaii Island at Night?
Nightlife on Hawaii’s Big Island is relatively relaxed, but you’ll still find plenty of late-night parties for a good time. Instead of flashy nightclubs open through the crack of dawn, restaurants and bars offer smooth cocktails, live music, karaoke, and dancing. Cruise around the island and you’re sure to find festive parties at fancy resorts, dive bars and everything in between.
Kailua-Kona dominates the nightlife scene on the western side of Big Island, hosting several waterfront venues with live entertainment. Hilo is the other nightlife hotspot featuring local bars where talented musicians perform for carefree customers. Whether you’re looking for a raging party, incredible sunsets or Hawaii’s hottest performers, the Big Island won’t disappoint.
1. Huggo’s on the Rocks
Sunsets and refreshing cocktails
Good for: Food, Nightlife
The owners of Huggo’s established Huggo’s On the Rocks to be a more laidback counterpart to the famous waterfront restaurant. The beachside hangout is the ideal spot to dip your toes in the sand and watch the sunset with a handcrafted cocktail in hand. Prepared from fresh island ingredients, its food menu includes burgers, fish and chips, nachos, and salads.
Talented musicians, singers, and dancers from around the island put on nightly performances to entertain patrons. The energetic vibe puts everyone in a spirited mood and the staff encourages customers to dance along to the music. There’s also live music, so do check their event calendar for weekly line-up.
Location: 5308, 75-5828 Kahakai Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 4 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +1 808-329-1493
Huggo’s on the Rocks
2. Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse
A beer lover’s paradise with delicious food and live music
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse, with its beautiful waterfront location in Kailua-Kona, is a beer utopia topped with quality food and rousing entertainment. The restaurant has grown into a local favorite on Kailua’s main street for its low-key vibe and friendly service. Kick-off your evening by watching the sunset from their patio that overlooks the ocean while sipping on refreshing beers on tap.
The menu is jam-packed with scrumptious bites, including stone-baked pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, and fish tacos.
Humpy’s keeps the fun going by welcoming live bands and DJs to the stage throughout the week. Contact the staff before your visit if you’re curious about which performers will grace the stage.
Location: 75-5815 Ali’i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 7 am to 2 am
Phone: +1 808-324-2337
Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse
See also
3. Kona Brewing Company
Craft beer from Hawaii’s most famous brewery
Good for: Food, Nightlife
The Kona Brewing Company is a household name on the Hawaiian Islands and their brewpub in Kailua-Kona is a wonderful spot to try their finest craft brews. Take a tour of the brewery and taste samples of their top-selling beers. Stay at the brewpub for a while after your tour and sip on ice-cold mugs of Kona classics, like Big Wave Golden Ale, Longboard Island Lager, and Gold Cliff IPA.
Complement your beer selection with delicious pub fare, including pizza, fish tacos, and salads. Kona hosts live music on Sunday nights from 5pm to 8pm, featuring some of Hawaii’s top entertainers. Enjoy the fresh Hawaiian air while drinking your beer in the 2,000-sq-ft delightful outdoor lanai.
Location: 74-5612 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 808-334-2739
Kona Brewing Company
4. Hilo Town Tavern
Open mic nights and hot moves on the dance floor
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Hilo Town Tavern is a popular hangout if you’re looking for exciting nightlife on the eastern side of Big Island. The tavern’s Monday open mics draw a mixed crowd, with happy-hour prices all night long. Comedians, musicians, and magicians also take the stage to entertain the crowd. Other nights feature live music acts and DJs with advertisements going around the island to promote the performers.
Rowdy patrons turn the venue into a dance club, while others congregate at pool tables for a competitive game with friends. Head over to the open-air patio for fresh air or to enjoy a local beer on tap and wing basket.
Location: 168 Keawe St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to midnight, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 1 am, Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 808-935-2171
Hilo Town Tavern
5. Don’s Mai Tai Bar
Stellar ocean views with Hawaiian cuisine and Tiki-style décor
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Photo
Don’s Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Kona Resort is Kailua-Kona’s largest open-air bar. Start your evening with a picturesque sunset sitting at the water’s edge while sipping a delicious Mai Tai or other tropical cocktails. The food menu serves a variety of Hawaiian-styled bites, and you can watch sports on high-def TVs. Combined with its tiki-influenced design and unbeatable views of Kailua Bay, Don’s Mai Tai Bar is one of Big Island’s premier oceanfront venues.
Island music heightens the ambience, with live performances on Thursday evenings. You can even catch an entertaining luau show on certain nights, but make sure to arrive early for the spectacle.
Location: 75-5852 Ali’i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 6.30 am to 9.30 pm
Phone: +1 808-930-3286
Don's Mai Tai Bar
6. Blue Dragon Tavern & Cosmic Musiquarium
High-energy music venue serving locally sourced bites
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Blue Dragon Tavern & Cosmic Musiquarium in Waimea near Big Island’s northern tip combines live music, dancing, and coastal cuisine into a raging time for locals and visitors. It’s a club-like atmosphere after dark, and you can snack on local fish, meat, and vegetarian options while having a good time.
Local musicians take the stage every night. Check the calendar on their website to see which artists are set to perform. There is a cover charge to enter the venue, but you’ll be entertained by some of the island’s most talented performers. If you feel like boogieing underneath the stars as the music fills the airwaves, head over to the open-air dance floor and bust your best dance moves.
Location: 61-3616 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Open: Thursday–Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm (closed Monday–Wednesday)
Phone: +1 808-882-7771
Blue Dragon Tavern & Cosmic Musiquarium
7. Sam’s Hideaway
Where to chat with outgoing bartenders and sing your favorite tunes
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Sam’s Hideaway is beloved for its friendly staff and community atmosphere and is great if you’re looking for a laid-back vibe in Kailua-Kona. There’s karaoke every night and you’re guaranteed to find a fun-loving crowd. Once the karaoke kicks into high gear later in the evening, everyone will be singing together.
Sam’s is a true local joint and you’re unlikely to find many visitors inside this watering hole. The bartenders and staff have an easy-going nature, and you’ll be welcomed with open arms the moment you step through the door. Drinks are reasonably priced. If karaoke is not your thing, why not watch some sports while striking a conversation with locals?
Location: 75-5729 Ali’i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 11 am to 2 am
Phone: +1 808-326-7267
Sam’s Hideaway
8. Oceans Sports Bar & Grill
Local hangout with food and drink specials and themed parties
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Oceans Sports Bar & Grill is popular among locals for their tacos and fish ‘n’ chips, but the restaurant has a raucous nightlife scene after dark. Flat-screen TVs air nonstop sports and pool tables provide lots of fun during happy hour. Beer and cocktail specials are available every day, and you can quench your thirst on the open-air patio.
Thursday through Saturday evenings attracts the most partygoers looking for a good time on Alii Drive. The restaurant morphs into a nightclub with live music, DJs, a dance floor and themed parties. Don’t be surprised to see the bartenders join the party while local musicians entertain the crowd.
Location: 75-5811 Ali’i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 3 pm to 2 am
Phone: +1 808-327-9494
Oceans Sports Bar & Grill
9. Kozy’s Tiki Palace
Mind-blowing magic and comedy shows
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Kozy’s Tiki Palace at the Shops at Mauna Lani puts on a show-stopping performance. Kozy has spent decades perfecting his craft as a masterful magician and comedian with a witty personality. Every show is customized to guarantee you a unique set of illusions that have yet to be performed. Kozy engages the audience, has them crying with laughter and leaves everyone in awe with his jaw-dropping abilities.
An art gallery inside the club features a collection of tiki art, paintings, sculptures, and furnishings to create an intimate setting for guests. Before or after the show, have dinner and cocktails at one of several fine dining establishments where options include seafood, sushi, steaks, French cuisine, and more.
Location: 69-201 E3, Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 808-430-1957
Kozy's Tiki Palace
10. Island Breeze Luau at King Kamehameha Hotel
A family-friendly night out under the stars
Good for: Families, Food, Nightlife
Named “Best of West Hawaii” every year since 2000, Island Breeze Luau is held under the stars on the shores of Kamakahonu Bay at the lavish King Kamehameha Hotel. It’s a popular luau offering dinner, drinks, and traditional entertainment, and suitable for families as well. The luau showcases Hawaiian cuisine, Polynesian performances, and ancient Pacific traditions and it’s the only luau which features the arrival of the Royal Court aboard an outrigger canoe.
This family-friendly evening of delicious food and authentic Polynesian entertainment includes hula lessons, arts and crafts, live music, and a spectacular show. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the splendor and beauty of Polynesian culture.
Location: 75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Phone: +1 808-329-2911
Island Breeze Luau at King Kamehameha Hotel
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