The Best Beach Bars to Relax with a Tropical Drink
If you’re looking for the best Big Island oceanside bars and lounges to chill out with a tropical drink in hand, look no further.
Check Out These Great Kona Happy Hour Spots
An afternoon visit to Kona is a unique opportunity to explore exciting cocktails and delicious food. With a little planning and some flexibility in your schedule, you’ll be able to hit a Kona happy hour, enjoy the best of what the Big Island has to offer, and keep that final tab reasonable. Here’s a list of our favorite wallet-friendly happy hour spots:
*Note: We update this article often, but keep in mind that specific offerings and prices may change. And some of these restaurants are remaining closed until tourism returns to Hawaii.
1. Huggo’s On the Rocks Happy Hour
75-5824 Kahakai Rd
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: 11 AM – 10PM
Happy Hour: Daily from 3-5 PM
Price: $3-6 per drink
A permanent fixture on the Kailua-Kona nightlife scene, Huggo’s is a live music institution that serves your typical domestics and mixed drinks alongside pub food you’d find most anywhere in the U.S., but happy hour is when the place shines. Quieter and more low key than the crowded scene later in the evenings, a happy hour at Huggo’s brings Mai Tais, Hawaiian Rainbows, beer and wine specials including a special on several Kona Brewing Company brews.
Plus, live music gets rocking at 3 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, making it an ideal spot to take a load off and cool down with a tasty beverage after a long day at the beach or strolling through historic Kailua Village.
2. Don’s Mai Tai Bar – Kona Happy Hour
75-5852 Alii Dr
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
Happy Hour: Daily from 4-6 PM
Price: $6-8 per drink
Positioned in the Royal Kona Resort, this place tends to get fairly busy during peak season, but the view and drink specials are well worth the hustle-and-bustle. The largest open-air beachfront bar on the island, Don’s boasts 10 different varieties of Mai Tais and 14 different craft beers – the majority of which come from locally-owned breweries.
If you can’t decide on what to drink, try one of their tropical flights where you’ll get a taster of four delicious beverages, choose from Mai Tais, Lava Flows, Mojitos, or Mimosas. For happy hour, enjoy discounted pupus, $6 Mai Tais, Pina Coladas, Draft Beers and well drinks! Don’s is a remarkable spot to feel the ocean breeze flow over you with a cold drink securely in hand.
3. Splasher’s Grill
75-5663 Palani Rd
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: 7 AM – 10 PM
Happy Hour: Weekdays 3-5 PM
Price: $5 drinks & $7 appetizers
With a fun tiki vibe and some great views of the Kailua Pier, Splasher’s is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. A trip to their oceanside location for happy hour drinks is a great solution to beat the late afternoon heat with a refreshing drink and appetizer. On the corner of Ali’i Dr & Palani Rd in downtown Kailua-Kona, the restaurant is on the second floor and has panoramic ocean views, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the warm breeze off the ocean with a cool drink in hand.
This favorite Kona happy hour hot spot, has tasty island drinks, like $5 Margaritas and Mai Tais on special as well as appetizer specials offering a variety of small plates for $7 each.
4. Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse Happy Hour
75-5815 Alii Drive
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Hours: 8 AM – 2 AM
Happy Hour: Daily from 3-6 PM
Price: $3.50-6 per drink
With one of the largest beer selections on the island, Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse is just that: a haven for beer lovers of all types and preferences. Humpy’s has 36 craft beers on tap and a ton of seafood options, making it a perfect destination for an early dinner or happy hour snacks.
5. Kona Brewing Company – Kona Happy Hour
74-5612 Pawai Pl
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
Kona Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3-5 PM
Price: $3.95 for all happy hour items
Hawaii’s largest and most iconic craft brewer, one would be surprised to learn that Kona Brewing Company is also one of the best places to grab a meal on the Big Island. With a weekday happy hour that nicely aligns itself with a midday brew tour or an early dinner, no beer lover should miss a trip to Kona Brewing.
6. Jackie Rey’s Doubles the Fun with a Hilo & Kona Happy Hour
Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill – Kona
75-5995 Kuakini Hwy
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: Mon-Fri 11AM-9PM & Sat-Sun 5PM-9PM
Kona Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3-5 PM; extended hour at the bar area from 5-6 PM
Price: $4-7 per drink
With a great atmosphere and an amazing happy hour, Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill, established in 2004, has become one of the staple eateries in the Kona area for visitors and locals alike. The food is seafood-oriented and the drinks are delicious, but the happy hour really brings out the best Jackie’s has to offer. Small plates and shareables are reasonably priced, but the drink specials are among the best on the island. Local craft beer starts at $4 and tropical drink specials alternate between $5-6, making it an ideal destination for those thirsty travelers on a budget.
Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill – Hilo
64 Keawe St
Hilo, HI 96720
Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3-5 PM; extended hour at the bar area from 5-6 PM.
Price: $4-7 per drink
The sister restaurant of the Kailua-Kona favorite, Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill in Hilo is a laidback eatery with upscale dining. They offer the same great Happy Hour deals as the Kona location.
