The Chart House in Hawaii

Chart House Waikiki - Top Notch Watering Hole

Perched between Waikiki and Ala Moana in the Ilikai Marina building, the Chart House is a favorite of locals and tourists. The Waikiki restaurant and bar specializes in excellent steak and seafood, just like unaffiliated mainland chain with the same name, but the draw for me is the pleasant open air lounge overlooking the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. This is a great place to have a leisurely cocktail when you don't want the distractions of pool tables, darts and other machines with blinking lights and electronic beeps.

Stroll in and pull up a stool at the spacious bar or have a seat at one of the balcony tables with unrestricted views of the boats lolling in the harbor. The furnishings are comfortable and the nautical influence is reinforced by refreshing tradewinds drawing in the delicious ocean tang. The atmosphere is casual and low key, although the nightly live entertainment can kick up the energy a notch with a well selected song. The servers and bartenders are very friendly and yet professional, exhibiting none of that overly casual aloofness too common in Hawaii's tight labor market.
(Read more Chart House Waikiki below...)


You can order just about anything from the well stocked bar and be confident that Guy, Eddie, Gerry and the rest of the longtime bartending crew will pour it as it should be poured. Try one of the signature drinks like the Guy Tai Mai Tai or just have my favorite, a long neck Budweiser. The row of containers lining the counter behind the bar are homemade tropical vodka infusions like lychee, pineapple and more; straight up or expertly mixed, definitely worth a try.

The extensive pupu (appetizer) list is excellent and you can order from the full menu as well. I have sampled almost every pupu and particularly recommend the pork chops, firecracker unroll and the new york steak pupu. To top it all off, order the lava cake. I am no chocolate fan and yet will fork fight others for clear and unfettered access to the chocolatey goodness.




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