15 Gay Bars in Hawaii, HI — LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Open daily from 11:30am to 2am, Hula's Bar & Lei Stand fits into a long afternoon or late night in Waikiki. This second-floor bar at the Waikiki Grand hotel offers views of Queen's Beach and the street below, with plenty of people-watching. It serves American, fusion, and seafood dishes, and doubles as a video bar when there's no live entertainment or dancers. Reviews note friendly staff and good energy, but also occasional complaints about service and prices. The crowd leans younger, mixed gay and straight, with a straight-friendly pub atmosphere rather than a traditional gay club. Drop by during the day for the views or late for dancing and go-go boys.

Don't expect a sprawling nightclub here. "In Between" is a tiny dive bar in Waikiki where the whole place fits maybe two dozen people, so you're almost guaranteed to end up chatting with strangers by the end of the night. Karaoke runs regularly, and the drink prices are among the most affordable you'll find in this neighborhood. Open daily from 2pm to 2am, it's a solid afternoon stop or a late-night wind-down spot. Locals and tourists mix easily here, helped by the friendly vibe and lack of attitude. If you're looking for a low-key alternative to the bigger gay bars, this cozy pub delivers.

Think of a Waikiki gay bar, and you might picture a packed tourist trap. Bacchus Waikiki is smaller, quieter, and more local. It's an upstairs video bar with no cover, four screens, and a smoking area. The vibe is friendly and laid back, thanks in part to staff known for remembering your name. That bucket of rum and coke for five bucks? Confirmed by a regular. The space is snug — high-top tables on one side, bar on the other — so arrive before 11 PM to grab a seat. Happy hour deals on weekdays draw an after-work crowd of locals and visitors alike. Some nights a bartender sheds his shirt, but the overall tone stays relaxed. It's a solid stop if you want a low-key drink before heading to DECK.

If you love karaoke and a tight-knit vibe, this small Waikiki bar is your spot. The bartenders whip up quality drinks using fresh juices and homemade mixers, and prices are cheaper than most gay bars in town. Regulars treat it like a family BBQ, so bring a friend and sing along. Open nightly from 7pm to 2am, it's a cozy space where even the staff will jump on the mic to kick things off. If you're not into karaoke, you might feel out of place; but for everyone else, it's a local staple within walking distance of Hula's Bar & Lei Stand.

Open from 1pm to 1am most days, The Mask-Querade is one of the Big Island's few gay bars. This small Kailua-Kona room centers around a bar, with a pool table, karaoke, and a disco ball. There's no dance floor, but the crowd keeps things lively. Yelp reviews give it 4.4 stars from 49 reviews. Regulars describe it as classy, clean, and friendly. If you're in Kona and want a reliable gay bar, this is the spot. If you're exploring more of the island's LGBTQ+ scene, Hula's Bar & Lei Stand is another option in Honolulu, but for Kona, this is your place.

A mixed crowd of locals and visitors gathers at this open-air Waikiki lanai bar, where tropical breezes and strong, reasonably priced drinks set the tone. The vibe is friendly and relaxed, with karaoke nights and a jukebox that draws a spirited crowd. Bartenders heckle regulars but keep the atmosphere welcoming. It's a relaxed spot to unwind, not a high-energy scene.

This isn't your typical big-city gay club. My Bar in Kailua-Kona is a welcoming neighborhood bar where locals feel at home, with pizza, bar bites, and a dance floor for when the mood strikes. Friday and Saturday nights bring a Live DJ, and there's a pool table for casual games. The crowd is mixed gay-straight, so it's a relaxed spot to hang out any night of the week. See what visitors say.

Open from 9pm to 4am, District is your late-night stop for dancing and live performances in Honolulu. The night kicks off with a strip show from 10-11pm, followed by a drag show, then the dance floor stays open until closing. Cover is $10 for 18+, $5 for 21+. It's a video bar with an after-hours feel, drawing a younger crowd. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the hostess keeps the energy up with jokes throughout the night.

Hundreds of international beers pour from the taps and bottles at this Waikiki spot. Bar 35 draws a mostly straight crowd but welcomes everyone, with pizza on the menu and happy hour specials that keep the place busy. Outdoor seating gives you a spot to people-watch while you drink. The schedule rotates between DJs, live bands, and special events, so check ahead to see what's on. Open late Thursday through Saturday, it's a solid option for a casual night out in Waikiki.

This downtown club draws a 20-something crowd with drag shows and go-go dancers on a large dance floor. Scarlet opens its doors only on Friday and Saturday nights, from 8pm until 2am. Before heading out, check current hours online — some reports suggest the venue may be permanently closed. If you're bar-hopping, Hula's Bar & Lei Stand is another local option nearby.

If you want a swanky martini bar where the crowd is mixed rather than exclusively gay, this Kihei spot works. It's tagged for dancing and cocktails, though a reviewer noted more board games than dance floor energy. Hours start at 8 pm Mon-Wed, 7 pm Thu-Sun (closing 2 am daily). Open since 2021, it has 51 photos but only 3 ratings.

Sports on multiple screens with good sound during the day, then over 50,000 karaoke song titles at night. This Kailua-Kona bar sits inside a bowling alley complex, sharing space with a video arcade and Hawaiian-style cafe. The crowd is mixed and welcoming, blending locals and visitors. Grab one of 15 draft beers or a signature cocktail from the full bar. The restaurant serves a full menu plus pupu-style plates. It's a couple of blocks up from the beach on Palani Road, making it an easy stop after a day in the sun.

In the Puna District near Volcano Village, Uncle Robert's Awa Bar hosts a weekly Wednesday night market with hot food vendors, live music, and dancing. The spot draws a diverse local crowd, including gay men and surfers, with offerings like awa (kava), beer, wine, and fruit smoothies. Fridays also feature a live band. Parking can be tight.

The third-story deck at DECK. offers one of Waikiki's best views of Diamond Head Crater. This trans-friendly spot draws a mixed gay-straight crowd for its craft cocktails and seafood-focused menu, with outdoor seating that makes the most of the Honolulu weather. Hours start at 6:30am daily, so you can grab a drink early or come for sunset. It's steps from Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel and a short walk to Hula's Bar & Lei Stand if you're bar-hopping.

Farm-to-table liquor isn't just a tagline here. Kō Hana Distillers on Oahu produces single-varietal Agricole rum from locally sourced sugarcane, and you can taste it right at the source with views of their garden and the Leeward coast. It's open daily from 10:30am to 5pm, with outdoor seating that's family-friendly and pet-friendly. The distillery draws a mixed crowd of travelers and locals, and Yelp reviewers give it a near-perfect 4.8 stars.