#Best gay bar honolulu windows#
Looking up toward the top windows that used to be brothels, you’ll see one of the only pieces of evidence from the neighborhood’s salacious past. Hotel Street was once the main thoroughfare of the red light district during the 40’s and 50’s. Keep an eye out for plaques on the walls which have information about some of the area’s more historical buildings. It’s the main street in the neighborhood and has a lot of restaurants and bars to check out. If you’re going to visit Chinatown Honolulu, Shannon recommends starting on Hotel Street. they don’t like that.ĪDDRESS 1152 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817 WALK DOWN HOTEL STREET They have a wall of colorful greeting cards, locally made jewelry and accessories, home items, coffee table books, fragrances, trinkets and more. Owens & Co is local boutique featuring handmade merchandise from independent designers. The prices are a little on the steep side but it’s worth stopping in just to check out their expert curation of interesting items.ĪDDRESS 1156 Nu’uanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817 OWENS & CO Hound & Quail sells unique oddities such as old medical collectibles, taxidermy insects, vintage cameras, antique furniture and more. Her boutique also has a collection of local and handmade jewelry, adorable greeting cards, home accessories and more.ĪDDRESS 19 N Pauahi St, Honolulu, HI 96817 Roberta Oaks is a local designer making men’s and women’s Aloha Shirts as well as Aloha dresses. If you’re going to wear an Aloha Shirt, skip the mass produced cheesy versions and head to Roberta Oaks for modern prints and cute, fitted styles. There are a handful of cute and expertly curated boutiques in Chinatown, perfect for picking up unique and interesting souvenirs.
Whenever we visit, Shannon always greets us at the airport with leis that she buys in Chinatown and they are gorgeous.
You can find fresh ones starting at $6, or if you’re on a real budget. are handmade and you can even make special requests if you’d like specific flowers or colors. The leis found in the shops on Maunakea St. Not only are they some of the cheapest places to get leis on the island, but you’ll also be supporting local businesses (vs chain grocery stores). One of Shannon’s best local tips is to buy your Hawaiian leis in Chinatown. After their contracts at the plantations ended, many of the laborers opened up shops and restaurants near the harbor and the area began to develop into what is now known as Honolulu’s historic Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in the United StatesĬhinatown’s poor sewage disposal, regular flooding, dense population and rat infestation made it a prime breeding ground for disease and in the late 1800’s, the neighborhood experienced an outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. THE HISTORY OF CHINATOWN HONOLULU // PLAGUES, FIRES & A RED LIGHT DISTRICTĭuring the mid 1800’s, an influx of immigrants traveled from China to work on Hawaii’s sugar plantations. Keep reading for a list of her recommendations, from things to do, places to eat and bars to hop.
My sister Shannon lives in Chinatown so we have explored it quite a bit during my visits over the years. The area’s longstanding reputation as being seedy and dangerous is slowly fading away thanks to the influx of award winning restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and markets.
Hula’s is more than a unique Entertaining Gathering Place, it’s a state of mind (Aloha).Aside from the hordes of couples taking wedding photos beneath the lit up Hawaii Theater sign, a visit to Chinatown Honolulu is not usually on people’s list of things to do in Oahu. Our guests enjoy Hawaii’s best LIVE MUSIC, served with sumptuous Food and Beverages while enjoying the Entertaining and Attentive Hula’s team. Hula’s open-air restaurant is uniquely situated in Waikiki with views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. It is our mission to constantly strive to provide superb food and entertainment for our guests. Enjoy our delicious award-winning food and handcrafted cocktails while experiencing the spectacular views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. In 1998, Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand relocated to its current location at the Waikiki Grand Hotel. Hula’s is most popularly known for its original location in the Kuhio District in Waikiki under the Big Banyan Tree. Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, also known around the world simply as Hula’s, is not only a Legend among LGBTQ+, but is also known among everyone as the epitome of “Aloha” for ALL! Hula’s has been serving Hawaii and our international guests for 48 years!