Waikīkī Beach Bar Cocktails with Ocean Views

Alcohol isn’t allowed on Waikīkī Beach, but several beach bars sit so close to the sand you’ll feel like you’re sipping right on the shore.

When friends visit, Waikīkī’s beach bars are our favorite places to show off island life: warm sand, salt-kissed breezes, rolling surf and colorful cocktails. From tucked-away kiosks to iconic hotel bars, these spots put you at the center of the shoreline scene. Order a Hawaiʻi-made drink or a cold local beer and watch the day unfold.

Below are our local picks for the best beach bars in Waikīkī—places where atmosphere, views and tasty drinks come together.

1. Mai Tai Bar

A legendary hotel bar pouring cocktails beneath its signature pink umbrellas.

📍 2259 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Lunch & Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: None
🎵 Live Music: Daily 6–10pm
🎟️ Reservations: Walk-in only

Mai Tai Bar invites aloha with views of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head), signature mai tais and an easy, toes-in-the-sand atmosphere. Whether you stop by for lunch or an evening with live music, the setting is quintessential Waikīkī.

Order a Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai or the silky White Wash finished with coco-loco foam. If you’re celebrating, the Ali‘i Mai Tai uses top-shelf aged rums for a richer experience. The food menu complements the drinks—truffle fries, cheese boards, burgers and garlic shrimp are crowd-pleasers. For dessert, try the Pink Snowball, a coconut-covered vanilla cake that’s indulgent and memorable.

Prices here reflect the iconic location and service, but for many visitors and locals alike, the view and the classic mai tai make it worth the splurge.

2. The Beach Bar

Raise a glass beneath a towering banyan at Waikīkī’s first grand hotel.

📍 2365 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Lunch & Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: None
🎵 Live Music: Daily 5–10pm
🎟️ Reservations: Walk-in only

Shaded by a century-old banyan tree and steps from the sand, The Beach Bar offers relaxed oceanfront dining with a classic Waikīkī vibe. It’s a great place to sample tropical cocktails—consider the Moana Sunset Mai Tai, Lava Flow, Blue Hawaiʻi or one of several Island Daiquiri flavors, served in souvenir cups when available.

The menu is designed for sharing, from ʻahi poke nachos to playful items like a pineapple Portuguese sausage “hot dog.” Lighter options include edamame with chili crunch and fresh, locally inspired salads. Daily live music enhances sunset drinks, and desserts such as banana bread pudding or lilikoi flan tart make for a sweet finish.

3. Koa Oasis Booze Shack

A casual beach kiosk serving some of Waikīkī’s most affordable oceanfront drinks.

📍 2131 Kālia Rd, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Lunch & Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: None
🎵 Live Music: None
🎟️ Reservations: Walk-in only

Situated next to Fort DeRussy Beach Park, Koa Oasis Booze Shack is an open-air hangout ideal for a relaxed stop. The vibe is simple—sandy feet, plastic cups and ocean views. Cocktails are playful and priced under $15, with highlights like the Waikīkī Mule (a whiskey–passionfruit twist on the Moscow Mule) and the Mango Flow, a tropical take on a Lava Flow.

You’ll find Kona Brewing Co. beers on tap, a selection of domestic and imported brews and house wines. Food is straightforward and satisfying—hot dogs, chips and easy bites. The unpretentious setup is part of its charm, making it a favorite for a chilled drink by the water.

4. Hau Tree

All-day beachside dining beneath native hau trees, with views that rival the menu.

📍 2863 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: None
🎵 Live Music: None
🎟️ Reservations: OpenTable or walk-in

Located on Kaimana Beach, Hau Tree offers shaded outdoor seating beneath native hau trees and a cozy indoor bar—both with excellent ocean views. The drink list leans local and premium, showcasing Hawaiʻi-distilled spirits alongside popular small-batch bottles. Their brunch is especially notable, featuring standout eggs benedict, ube cinnamon rolls and caviar blinis. Dinners move toward elevated island cuisine with local fish, inventive pastas and tasting menus.

Hau Tree accepts reservations, making it easy to secure a table for morning mimosas or a sunset dinner. Though about a 15-minute walk from central Waikīkī, it often feels like a peaceful escape from the main strip.

In short, whether you’re soaking up the sun or watching the sky change at sunset, Waikīkī’s beach bars deliver great drinks, memorable views and that unmistakable island energy.

Visitor FAQs