Whether you’re a Maui resident or just here for a visit, you’ll probably enjoy taking advantage of one of our favorite island traditions — happy hour! Also known as “pau hana” in Hawaiian (meaning, “finished working”), happy hour celebrations are pretty easy to find on the Valley Isle – but here are a few of the standout options.
On the South Side…
Every day from 3 to 6 p.m. in Kihei’s Kalama Village, Three’s Bar and Grill offers a range of specials on sushi, small plates, cocktails, wine, and beer. This popular local establishment has not only earned the title of Best Happy Hour from MauiTimes magazine, but has appeared twice on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives! Open since 2010, Three’s features a uniquely delicious selection of Hawaiian, Southwestern, and Pacific Rim dishes with locally-sourced ingredients, served in their dining room, surf lounge, and two outdoor patios.
Just down the road from Three’s, in the Wailea resort area’s Fairmont Kea Lani, Nick’s Fishmarket hosts a happy hour nightly from 5 to 7 p.m. Appetizers from the island-inspired menu, specialty drinks, wines by the glass, and beer are available at a discounted price exclusively in the beautiful tropical setting of the open-air bar. Once you’ve had your fill at Nick’s, take a walk along the Wailea boardwalk, where you can stop off at some of the other resorts’ incredible restaurants, possibly catch a lu`au in progress, or simply witness a stunning sunset over the ocean.
On the West Side…
Down the Hatch serves up a selection of small plates, sushi, oysters, cocktails, well drinks, wine, and beer for 15% off daily from 2 to 5 p.m., with live music starting at 3 p.m. DTH’s fish-focused menu has also made an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives – and in 2022, it came in at number 28 on Yelp’s list of the Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S.! Located at the Wharf Cinema Center in historic Lahaina town, this fun spot has a third claim to fame: Maui Time Weekly has named it the best bar on Maui for five out of the past six years.
At nearly the opposite (northern) end of Lahaina’s iconic Front Street, Māla Ocean Tavern’s happy hour takes place from 2 to 4 p.m., with live music every day of the week. Māla is known for fresh seafood, so their happy hour has food options like ahi poke, calamari, and fish tacos – along with bruschetta, sliders, and pork belly bao buns – and of course mixed drinks, wine, and beer. Their indoor and outdoor west-facing oceanfront seating just might inspire you to stay long enough to catch a dazzling sunset.
And With Locations on the South and West Sides…
Both the south side location of Maui Brewing Company (on Lipoa Parkway in Kihei) and the west side location (at the Kahana Gateway Center) offer a happy hour that includes $12 pizzas, half off select appetizers, $1 off draft beer, and $3 off craft cocktails. The specials last from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — and if you’re kama`aina (a resident with a valid Hawai`i driver’s license), happy hour extends to 5:30! The newer Kihei location of MBC has not only a tasting room and an indoor dining room and bar, but an outdoor dining patio and a beer garden complete with lawn games.
Last but definitely not least, the happy hour at Monkeypod Kitchen happens from 3:30 to 5 p.m. every day at both the Shops at Wailea location and the Whalers Village location in Ka`anapali. Most pizzas are $12 and most appetizers are half off for this pau hana. Hand-crafted cocktails are $4 off, wine is $3 off, and beer is $2 off. Monkeypod boasts the most famous Mai Tai in the Hawaiian Islands, as well as a fresh farm-to-table focus and a fabulous atmosphere (in both locations).
Want to Know More?
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any of your own Maui happy hour recommendations! And as always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about life on Maui or Maui real estate.
Nancy Beebe, REALTOR(S), SRES
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