Hulas is a very long-standing club that is both friendly and energetic
We visited Hula's several times while we were staying in Honolulu. The staff was very friendly each time we visited, and there is a very good energy to the space anytime that you go. When there are not music performances or other events it is a video bar. Good music but not so loud that you can't have conversations with you neighbor.
Located on the second floor of the Waikiki Grand hotel you have great views of the street and and overview of Queens beach. So plenty of people watching opportunities. Our favorite gay bar in Waikiki-definitely a place to drop by and check out!
Ignored for five minutes...
Finally got up and left.....
Hulas is more like a (straight-friendly) pub, not a bar or club. Adjust your expectations to that level and you will enjoy it. For such a beautiful, exotic destination, the Hawaiian Islands lack any place with sexy gay / male energy.
This is your typical gay video pop music bar...that just happens to be a stones throw from the beach. For that reason alone, this is definitely worth a visit.
Komo Mai e Noho e Inu Ka Wai (Come in, Sit, Rest, Drink)
Hula's Bar & Cafe has a long oval bar decorated with bamboo, and an outrigger canoe on the ceiling.
Seating & tables are on both sides of the bar. A long wall of windows on the left gives a great view of the zoo and park, esp. since the bar is on the 2nd floor. It's near the gay area of Waikiki Beach. Seating and a small elevated dance floor are to the right of the bar, and the DJ booth is in the back.
I was there on 4/2/16 and the place was fairly packed with a mixed crowd, and hot bartenders too! I paid $7.00 for a rum & coke. The bartender asked what kind of rum I liked--a first. (Actually he was the only one to say anything to me, but I was only there an hour since I had to get up early in the AM.) I would definitely go back next time I'm on Oahu.
My/your kind of bar
Open air, live music or video DJ, friendliest bartenders in the world... I'm really thinking I should just live here.
I like the old Hula's bar (five stars for the old Hula's)
When I used to live in Honolulu for half a year in 1988, the old Hula's was the best than the new Hula's because the old one was centrally located in the gay strip (or community) and it had a big and beautiful bayan (spelling?) tree and was an open-air bar where I smelled so many fresh air from flowers and palm trees under the black sky with beautiful stars and a moon. I never went to the new one because I left the Aloha state in August 1988 and the new one was moved in middle or late 1990's, so I can't tell to compare which one the old one or the new one is the best, but for myself personally, I liked the old one. The new one is located in the bar and I am sure that the new Hula's would have to follow the hotel's rules, I guess. The old one was kinda bigger and inside, it had so beautiful environment even I really don't know how to describe because of the beautiful Hawaiian environment. The new one to me should have an Americanized environment, I guess. My best friend who originally is from Honolulu, but has lived here in Washington, DC for years told me that old one was the best. Maybe some of you would agree with me if some or all of you already went to the old Hula's many moons ago and recently already went to the new one. I am sure I will stop at the new one soon. I looked at the pictures of the new Hula's even looked so cool than the old one, but my point which I was just talking about the environment is that the old one was the best. I always and will always miss and cherish the old Hula's. Please keep the business at the new Hula's RUN all times.
Gay bars/Waikiki
Nice bar, comfortable. Walking distance from the strip.
Spectacular Views
This bar has particular views great for a drink and watching that picture-perfect Hawaii sunset over the volcano and ocean. Bar staff was extremely friendly and very attractive. Drinks were delicious and appropriate priced for the area. The crowd seemed to be around 35 most days and nights. not the younger crowd I'm normally use to. So if you're looking to meet that cute young twink this might not be the place to find them
Order a pitcher of mai tai
Wholesome Hula's
No matter how hard Hula's might try to be sleazy, it ends up being the friendliest, most wholesome gay bar in Honolulu. If the Regal Beagle (3s Company) were gay, it would be Hula's. And it has the best view - so be sure to check it out during the daytime. Oh, and the Mediterranean platter from the café? One of Waikiki's best deals ($14) for a lunch-sized snack.
Gay Oasis
Relatively easy to find as long as you remember which hotel it's in. You can hear the music (a rather good live band when I was there) from the street. Contrary to previous reviews the door staff were very friendly and I got served straight away from the similarly friendly bar man. Customers a mix of tourists and (mainly) natives and the atmosphere is relaxed and very pleasant. A gay oasis and a pleasant alternative to the sometimes oppressively heterosexual mainstream Honolulu hotel bar environments.