nightlife

[Note: We went to Kauai for our honeymoon, but missed most of the nightlife. These places sound fantastic! Life music, cocktails and a Hawaiian breeze? What could be better! ]

Say aloha to Kauai, home to some of the most glamorous and lively bars and clubs in the whole of Hawaii. With stunning mountains and beautiful beaches too, Kauai is undoubtedly one of the Pacific’s gems.

Bar Acuda in Hanalei is the perfect start to any evening out. Renowned for fabulous Tapas and wine, this is one of the most popular sports with locals. For something a little more upbeat head to Trees Lounge in Kapaa. With live music every night, local art hanging from the walls and delicious martinis at happy hour, this place is not to be missed. To enjoy a martini or Hawaiian cocktail with a view of the sunset, The Seaview Terrace in Koloa is the place for you. Sip on your drinks and enjoy the local appetizer, ‘pupu’ whilst you witness the traditional torch lighting ceremony take place as the sun goes down. The name may not enthuse you but Stevenson’s Library in Koloa is the most fashionable bar on the island. Hardwood bars, antique pool tables and lovely views of the ocean all make the library the height of sophistication. But such sophistication comes at a price; $45 dollars for a glass of port anyone?

The restaurants of Hawaii can be just as memorable as the finest bars. Roy’s Poipu Bar and Grill in Koloa, Kauai serves some of the best steaks and seafood dishes around. With an extensive cocktail and mojito menu to match their fantastic cuisine, your night is sure to be far from dull. The Plantation Gardens Restaurant and Bar in Poipu provides another fine dining experience. Fresh produce, handcrafted cocktails and views of the beautiful, surrounding gardens all give this place the thumbs up.

Live music is certainly not in short supply on Kauai. The Happy Talk Lounge at Hanalei Bay Resort is the perfect venue to chill out and listen to some local talent. For something truly loud, not to mention wild, head to the Tradewinds nightclub in Kapaa. With a relaxed open air atmosphere and plenty of cocktails, it’s no wonder that this place is so popular. If you’re feeling brave why not try their world famous Oyster Shooter? Picture this: an oyster placed in a shot glass smothered in homemade cocktail sauce, all topped off with chilli pepper water. Yum…

It’s hard to know where to start your perfect bar crawl in Kauai. With so many diverse and atmospheric places to go, you’re utterly spoilt for choice. Just don’t go too heavy on the oyster shots…

Author: Imogen Nation

Thanks to Imogen for today’s guest post. If you’re interested in guest blogging for IShouldLogOff, email us at info [at] ishouldlogoff.com. Thank!

Everyone in the world likely has a different favorite after a night out on the town. Back in DC the late-night snack is usually a Jumbo Slice of pizza from the nearest greasy pizzeria. This is the case assuming you’re nowhere near GWU – whose late night of choice is Manouch. Manouch delivers a greasy hot dog smothered in onions and relish and a philosophy lesson on your Id, Ego, and Super-Ego that you might have received in class had you not been up all night talking with Manouch the evening prior. But I digress.

We were lucky enough to Couchsurf for half of our time in Istanbul and this meant that we were in the company of locals who wanted to take us out to see the other side of the town. We heard English spoken everywhere but the number of Turks on the prowl that night, with Ramadan about to begin (it has now begun) was rather surprising to us. When the night was over though, it was time to try the two dishes many of our friends eat only when there is no sunlight and the hour is past midnight.

First was the Midye Polma. Back home, we call these mussels. Inside the shell is a cooked mussel mixed with rice. You pick one up, the proprietor squeezes some lemon juice on, and down the hatch the mix goes. The cost was around 35 US cents per mussel.

Next up, the Islak Hamburger or Wet Burger. This is a very basic (think White Castle) hamburger, with not too much meat. They are served off a tray, already in buns, hundreds at a time with tongs. They’re literally wet with greasy garlic oil. They’re fast, hot, cost a little more than a dollar, and go right down the hatch. The first night we each had one. The second night, I had two…our host had FIVE. This is greasy food at its most basic best but I must admit, the affect these had on my stomach was not exactly a positive one.

The Best Hawaiian Night Out

Foodie Friday: Late Night in Istanbul

Recent Comments

Banking on the Road

Adventure Guides