Happy Mai Tai Day - Waikiki Mai Tai Reviews

[SteveH]

While not specifically Aulani related it fits here I think. I spent 4 nights in Waikiki exploring and searching for a good Mai Tai. I prefer a good 1944 Mai Tai, but can enjoy a good Hawaiian Mai Tai just as much.

Hands down Skull & Crown is a MUST do for anyone into the Tiki community. Drinks were all amazing, garnished well and great service. It’s very small, and reservations are a MUST. The night I was there the owner had been gone for a while so some drinks were off the menu as they didn’t have the recipe of the mix used for those drinks, which was very disappointing. The food is outsourced from next door, but it’s good.

The House without a Key is a must do! It’s located at the Halekulani Hotel right on the beach. I could have stayed there all day; drinks were great, food was wonderful and the beach view was outstanding! I do suggest making reservation!

Moving onto the Royal Hawaiian Hotel Mai Tai Bar l I can say I was really shocked how bad the Royal Hawaiian 44 Mai Tai was, it was crazy acidic. Yes, this is not the standard Hawaiian Mai Tai - its the original 1944, but no need to be that acidic. Normally, I’d have a couple drinks on a menu, but this was so bad it was one and done for me. The view is nice, but you mostly see people laying on the beach. Considering that the Royal Hawaiian is where Trader Vic introduced his Hawaiian Mai Tai, for them to make such a poor Mai Tai is really inexcusable.

As bad as the Royal Hawaiian was, I was just as shocked at how really good the Mai Tai at Lu-Lu’s Waikiki was - even at 10:30AM! This is a fairly typical second floor restaurant/bar along the Beach a bit divey but good. Lu-Lu’s is located next to the Honolulu Zoo. The Mai Tai uses the Kolaa Rums, but the use of the Pierre Ferrand Curacao was what caught my eye.

1 Skull & Crown - Maunakea Mai Tai
2 House Without a Key - Halekulani Mai Tai
3 Lu Lu’s - Lu Lu’s Mai Tai (shockingly good for a dive)
4 Royal Hawaiian - Vic’s 44 Mai Tai (bad, just bad)

There are two places I wish I’d had time to visit;

Leather Apron - Bar Tender Justin Park has won the Don’s Mai Tai at least 3 times
La Marina Sailing Club - the oldest Tiki Bar in Hawaii, dating back to 1955!

Do you have an Island favorite?

 

[gmi3804]

I can vouch for La Mariana Sailing Club.

I also love House without a Key - or anything that has to do with Halekulani, for that matter.

 

[SteveH]

@gmi3804 I was really bummed to miss La Marina, the two days I had available they were closed

 

[longboard55]

yes the 44 is all liquor and no juice so it is pretty strong, the Royal Mai Tai is better for most people

 

[SteveH]

@longboard55 I'll disagree I drink a 44 all the time, its not the amount liquor, since the 44 calls for 2oz while the Royal has 3oz. It's the amount of acid (lime) in the drink a 44 should have 1oz, the one at the Royal was beyond 1oz and my guess maybe upwards of 2oz. It was completely out of balance. Talking with some others on Reddit they've experienced the same thing. The 44 at had at Skull & Crown was spot on for a 44.

 

[OKW Lover]

Love the spots that use the locally distilled rum from Ko Hana distillery. If you get a chance be sure to take a tour of their facility. Its kind of in the middle of the island but is easily doable on a day you are heading to the North Shore.

 

[Micca]

Steve is there a spot at or near Aulani for a great mai tai?

 

[SteveH]

@Micca - We didn't stay up there, but I've been to the Monkeypod in Maui - I feel they make a very good version of the Hawaiian Mai Tai - the foam is amazing, I might have had several of them and my wife liked it too. So I'd put that on a must visit list IMHO.

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman Oahu, 92-1048 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707 - looks like it's only a short walk away - that's a big win!!!