Hula Grill and Barefoot Bar (Naapalani, Maui, Hawaii U.S.A.)

November 2022

Hula Grill and Barefoot Bar in the Whaler's Village in Naapalani, Maui, what a great location, over looking the beach and by an open air mall. A win win for everyone. Opened at 11 am and there was a line up. They have a very cool rectangular sit-up bar that seats 25 and is very popular. Beside the bar are 2 pub high tables that are kind of communal and seats about 10 each. I sat at a table for 4 with a nice umbrella and sand under my feet. My wife was shopping so I just sat, relaxesd and enjoyed my wine until she got there. (I was in no hurry) Rick was our waiter and he was fantastic, he knew the menu, cocktail menu, beer menu and just about everything else exceptionally well. They have 11 beer on tap. Their specialty cocktail is their: Akamai Tai, "Our high end version ot the 1944 classic, made with Kula toasted coconut rum, disaronno origianale, fresh pineapple and lime juices, shaken with a koloa dark rum float" the food was awesome, the atmosphere fantastic, loved this place. Texas Tech NCAA Basketball team was in for lunch too. You can't pass this place up if you are in the area! 2 thumbs up for sure!

Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar Lahaina (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A. )

November 2022

We went to Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar in Lahaina,  looks great from the onside, the bar wraps around part of their clothing store. That is where the good stops. We were greeted by the hostess and handed 2 menu's and asked what we wanted to drink. The decision had to be made there on the spot, not sitting down and reading over the menu. They did not have the wine in stock that I wanted.  We had to give them our credit card up front.  We were told to sit where ever we wanted and they would bring the drinks to us. We sat for 15 minutes before they arrived. We never saw hide nor hair of any waiter/ waitress. When the drinks were delivered, we told the girl we wanted to order some food. She pointed to her shirt and advised some one else would take your order. I asked for some one to be sent over. No one came. There was a table of 4 near us and you could hear them complaining about what a mixed up mess this place is. Then there was a table of 6 who sat beside us and they too were fed up with the crappy situation here. They had their drinks and decided to eat next door at a Brew pub. Smart move! When they asked for the bill to settle up, they were told it would take a few minutes, they finally had to go up front and take care if it.  When we finally ordered and received our food, which was a long time. It was very good.  Too bad, with an better run place, not having to order drinks first, leaving your credit card at the front, staff that was do confused this might be a nice place. Even a staff member agreed with us. The manager was apprised and all she said was next time you come in we will make your experience better. Not to worry, we will never be back, many other great places to try. Adios!!

August 2023 Destroyed by the Lahaina fire.

Sly Mongoose (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A. )

November 2022

The Sly Mongoose, a true dive bar located in an industrial area of Lahaina.  They are very close to the Sugar Cane Train Food Truck park at 1036 Limahana Place, Lahaina, Maui. There is no web site. As you enter there is a 10 person zig zag situp bar, dark in here as you would expect from a dive bar. This place only holds about 22 people, with 2 pub high round tables of 4, one window table if you can call it that, which seats 2 and one more bench facing the wall that seats 2 maybe 3 at best. They do not serve food here, but there are food trucks around the corner and you can bring it in to the bar.

Bar hours 10 am to 2 am but may close early if no one is here.

Happy hour runs 4 pm to 7 pm and the only features are domestic beer and Schnapps for $3.50. I asked ,"What do you have for white wine?" The bartender replied, "Woodbridge." I said, "That will do." Wine is $7, well drinks are $6.50.  Their beer fridge is a white double door residential kitchen fridge, it works! It was all locals at the bar, but you were made to feel welcome. The bartender was fantastic, nice and friendly and kept checking on us. By 5 pm on Friday it was pretty full, again mostly locals. They have air-conditioning, but no outside seating. They sell t-shirts! No I didn't  get one. The Sly Mongoose is not much bigger that some basements I have been in. They do sell chips. If you are looking for fancy don't come here. If you would like a good dive bar experience, this may just be the place for you!

The Pint & Cork Gastro Pub (Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.)

November 2022

We stumbled upon The Pint & Cork Gastro Pub when in Wailea at the Shops at Wailea mall. The first place we went to was out of white wine so we left and this was a better find. www.thepintandcork.com. It has a very nice long L shaped sit-up bar that seats 25 comfortably. The bar seating is very popular! On the main floor there are 13 tvs. There is a small area upstairs. There is an outside patio area in the open mall area. Open from 12 om to midnight daily except closed in Tuesdays. Happy Hour runs 12 noon to 5 pm: $6 local draft, 30% off glasses of wine, $3 off signature cocktails,  $4 & 5 bottle beer ND discounts in good.  7 pub high tables ranging from 2 to 6 people. 15 different types of beer on tap. Large liquor selection and cocktails. For lunch we had the appy, Deviled Eggs Rockefeller,  darn good! Never saw Deviled Eggs for an appy before, but what a great idea! We shared the 2 Ahi Tacos, fresh caught blackened Tuna seared rare, shaved cabbage, Guacamole,  Pico de Gallo, roasted garlic  Chipotle Aoli, crispy Molokai potato strip, and flour tortillas.  They were very good. We had the Lobster Mac and Cheese, right up their with one if the best we ever had.  The big bonus, one can have a beverage while your spouse goes shopping. We'll worth trying out, you will be very pleased. We will be back for sure.

Stopwatch Bar & Grill (Makawao, Maui, Hawaii U.S.A.)

November 2022

We checked out the Stopwatch Bar and Grill at 1127 Makawao Avenue, Makawao, Maui, Hawaii  www.stopwatchbarandgrill.com

 Another great find, they have parking right in front, plus there is a large public parking g lot out back. You are greeted by 2 wide open double doors. They have a beautiful, long U shaped sit-up bar that seats about 20. The bar surface is a beautiful well lacquered dark wood. The bartender did not know what kind of wood it was. There is about 45 seats in the rest of the bar. Out back is a small quaint patio area that has 5 tables for 2. There are 13 different beer on tap. They have a nice peaked ceiling With exposed beams that open the place up. Happy Hour runs from 3-6 pm, basically $1 off drinks. Their hours at 11 am to 9 pm and Thursday to Saturday 11 am to midnight. There are 9 tvs as this is also a sports bar. We sat at the bar and for lunch I had the lunch special,  fried chicken sandwich and fries, it was very good. My wife had the Beer Battered fish and chips and that too was very good. A nice place to unwind after wandering the streets and hitting the shops.  It is a nice drive and well worth stopping in! Cheers!

Frida's Mexican Beach House (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.)

November 2022

Frida's at 1287 Front Street at the north end of Lahaina right on the water www.fridasmaui.com  An amazing place, great friendly service, stunning ocean view and great food. They have a beautiful 12 person sit-up bar with 3 tables for 2. The restaurant is much bigger.  There are 8 beer on tap, 4 Mexican and 4 Hawaiian.  There is a large selection of Tequila and Tequila cocktails. We had an awesome table over looking the ocean, sitting outside. For lunch my wife had Enchilada Plate, 2 Enchiladas, Crema, Pico de Gallo, rice, beans and Queso Fresca Cheese. She said it was awesome. I had the Manchego Crusted Quesadila, with chicken, goat cheese, Oaxaca cheese, Guacamole,  Pico de Gallo,,  sour cream, and Maui Gold Pineapple Salsa.  Amazing, one of the best I have ever had. Everyone is very friendly. When you are finished you get nice decals that say "Practice Aloha" .  This is a definite must go to place when in Maui. They are closed on Sundays. 

August 2023 was not by the Lahaina fire but had previously been closed.

Mala An Ocean Tavern (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii)

Mala is a great spot, right on the water looking towards the island of Lanai.  It is at the north end of Lahaina Front Street, you can't miss it. I will be talking g mostly about the bar. On the left as you enter is an L shaped 10 person sit-up bar. We like this spot. They have 2 tables for 5, over looking the ocean which is one of the pictures. They have  lot of staff and the service is very good. We did nit eat here. There are 6 beer on tap including Longboard, a favorite of my wife. There is a small restaurant area and a big outside patio area, which is outside. The bartender knocked over a glass.of water, breaking the glass and soaking me. No comped drink, nothing other than he said he must have bumped it, i surely didn't  knock it over and no one else was around. Oh well, I dried quickly. I have been here before and we will be back again!  2 thumbs up!

August 2023 Survived by the Lahaina fire.