In Hawaiʻi, the expression “pau hana” is often interchanged with the phrase “happy hour,” and translates to “work is finished.” It refers to a conscious decision to leave any worries behind and enjoy free time. The essence of “pau hana” encourages visitors to put down their phone and relax in the company of others over drinks and pupus (appetizers). Here are some of the top spots to find the best happy hour in Wailea.
But wait, there’s more. We’re here to help demystify some of the unusual words you might see on menus like furikake, laulau and lilikoi — and explain which meat is being served and why. And possibly most importantly of all, provide the fun facts on the origins of local dishes.
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Feature Image: Luana
5 Palms Restaurant
Offering a menu of fresh local fish and produce, 5 Palms boasts breathtaking coastline views as well as a Bloody Mary that’s like a meal and a drink in one. There are two times to catch happy hour every day — 3pm to 5pm and a late night option from 9 pm to 10pm. Open 7am to 2:30pm and 5pm to 9pm. Happy hour is daily 3pm to 5pm and 9pm to 10pm. 5palmsrestaurant.com
Four Seasons Lobby Lounge
Certain aspects of hospitality can upgrade a decent experience to a “can’t-miss” experience — for instance, complimentary valet parking, live music and of course, special prices. The Four Seasons Lobby Lounge has all of those perks, plus legendary service. Open 5pm to 10:30pm, with a hula show at sunset and live music 5:30pm to 10:30pm. fourseasons.com
Monkeypod Kitchen
An abundance of beers on tap—served at the optimal temperature—and a menu that serves everything from hand-tossed pizzas cooked in a kiawe wood-burning oven to fresh local fish make this spot a happy hour heaven. The sunsets are also astounding. Open 11am to 10pm with a daily happy hour 3:30pm to 5pm. monkeypodkitchen.com
Morimoto Maui
Sure, the Craigslist casual encounter section has closed down, but its spirit is alive and well at Morimoto Maui. Peruse the drink specials while scoping out someone special for yourself. The epic sunsets create quite the vibe. Open every day 12pm to 8pm. morimotomaui.com
The Pint and Cork
There’s a certain mystique to locals-only spots. A forbidden lure, if you will. The Pint and Cork is a rare example of a local favorite that doesn’t ice out visitors. Expect an upscale gastropub vibe here. Order the Shishito peppers, an old-fashioned and kick back. Open daily 12pm to 11pm. Happy hour is daily 12pm to 5pm. They’d be grateful for the opportunity to fill your tummy with a cold one and a nice bite to eat. thepintandcork.com
Tommy Bahama
It’s a sad but true part of life — good service often comes at a cost. Here, however, you can have high quality drinks and pupus at a great value AND great service. Rum drinks like the Crazy Cuban and Painkiller are known crowd pleasers. Happy hour is every day 2pm to 5pm. Open 12pm to 8pm every day. tommybahama.com
LUANA
Described as the perfect mix of luxury and comfort, this lounge has it all—great views, knowledgeable and attentive staff, fantastic drinks and even games to pass the time. Ask the bartender for advice when ordering, but even blind guesses from the menu won’t disappoint. The Bar is open from 4pm to 10pm daily and food is served from 5pm to 10pm daily. fairmont.com
Did we miss your favorite restaurant?
Our always-hungry team of foodies have compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
