23 Best Bars in Maui, Hawaii

This place redefines the luau by crossing it with Islands-style fine dining in an intimate beach setting. Each course of this succulent sit-down meal represents the Pacific Island cultures—Hawaiian, Samoan, Maori, Tahitian—featured onstage. Wine, spirits, and cocktail options are copious and go beyond the usual tropical concoctions. Lahaina's gorgeous sunset serves as the backdrop to the show, which forgoes gimmicks and pageantry for an authentic expression of Polynesian chants and dances. Lele, by the way, is the traditional name for Lahaina.

This lofty resort's lobby lounge is perfect when you want live Hawaiian music, a bit of hula, and freshly prepared sushi all in one sitting. If you're not in the mood for a ceremonious sit-down meal but still crave something out of the ordinary, the place is perfect for a quick bite. The artisanal cocktails are well done and highlight locally distilled spirits. The contemporary beachfront space, which boasts a stunning view of the Pacific, west Maui, and neighboring island of Lanai, is beautifully appointed with natural tones and textiles inspired by the destination, rare ivory cane palms, and locally made art. Food is served 5–10 pm; cocktails 5–11 pm.

Considered the best luau on Maui, it's certainly the most traditional. Sitting either at a table or on a lauhala (mat made of leaves), you can dine on Hawaiian cuisine such as pork laulau (wrapped with taro sprouts in ti leaves), ahi poke (raw yellowfin tuna salad), lomi lomi salmon (traditional Hawaiian diced side dish), and haupia (coconut pudding). At sunset, the historical journey touches on the arrival of the Polynesians, the influence of missionaries and, later, the advent of tourism. Talented performers will charm you with beautiful music, powerful chanting, and a variety of hula styles, from kahiko, the ancient way of communicating with the gods, to auana, the modern hula. You won't see fire dancers here, as they aren't considered traditional. This luau sells out regularly, so make reservations before your trip to Maui.

Grammy-winning musician George Kahumoku Jr. hosts this program on Wednesday, as well as some Saturdays, which features a rotating lineup of the Island's finest slack-key artists as well as other traditional forms of Hawaiian music. The setup at Aloha Pavilion is humble, but you'll enjoy these beloved musicians in an intimate setting.

When ambience weighs heavy on the priority list, this spot at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, might just be the ticket. Live performances range from jazz to island rhythms on Tuesday through Saturday nights (6--9 pm), and the menu includes locally inspired cocktails and a fresh sushi station from 5--9 pm. Step onto the lanai for that plumeria-tinged tropical air and gaze at the deep blue of the Pacific.

You'll find an extensive menu of specialty cocktails, domestic and imported beers, premium spirits, and signature appetizers, including a fresh sushi station, open daily from 5--9 pm. The best sunsets can be viewed from here and, from December to April, enjoy whale-watching while having lunch. As the sun sets, relax and enjoy live entertainment Tuesday to Saturday from 6--9 pm.

Casanova sometimes brings big acts and electronic dance music DJs from the mainland. Most Friday and Saturday nights attract a hip local scene with live bands and eclectic DJs spinning house, funk, and world music. Wednesday is Ladies Night (i.e., ladies get in free), which can be on the smarmy side. For everyone else, there's a $10 cover.

You could easily miss this casual 1950s-style diner while strolling through Lahaina. Tucked in the second floor of the Wharf Cinema Center, its semi-outdoor area plays host to rockin' local music Thursday through Sunday nights. The entertainment lineup covers reggae, light rock, contemporary Hawaiian, and traditional island rhythms. It doesn't hurt that the kitchen dishes out specialty burgers, fish that's fresh from the harbor, and delicious house-made sauces from the owner's family recipes.

This lively spot in the middle of Front Street is great for food, drinks, and sports by day, and a variety of activities at night. Happy hour runs from 2--5 pm and the bar stays open until 1 am, which is considered pretty late for Maui. A rotating calendar of nightly activities includes live band karaoke, open dance floor, live music, silent discos, and trivia nights on Sundays.

By Kaanapali Beach, this luau shines in every category—convenient parking, well-made food, and a nicely paced program that touches on Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Fijian, Tongan, and Maori cultures. Some guests get tickled by the onstage audience hula tutorial. The finale features three fire-knife dancers. You'll feast on delicious Hawaiian delicacies like teriyaki steak, oven-roasted mahimahi (dolphinfish), and Pacific ahi poke (pickled raw yellowfin tuna, tossed with herbs and seasonings). The dessert spread consists of chocolate and coconut indulgences. An open bar offers beer, seltzer, wine, and standard tropical mixes.

If you're looking for a genuine dive bar among the more tropical, touristy spots, this is the place. The bartenders are friendly, and you'll find plenty of locals to talk story with; just be sure to mind your manners---the classic dive bar fistfights can also frequently be found here.

This dive bar brings in a young bunch looking to par-tay. A lively rotation of entertainment keeps the good times rolling, including live island-style music, guest bands, karaoke, and open-mic nights. A casual Mexican-food menu with great prices keeps the munchies away.

Grand Wailea’s spectacular luau features traditional ceremonies, music, and dishes such as poi, kalua pig, poke, and haupia. Guests can sit at their own private table overlooking Wailea Beach for an unforgettable evening filled with interactive entertainment, hula lessons, and amazing performances that showcase the myths and legends of Maui all in their colorful, fiery glory. Seating includes standard and Alii premium seating.

Frothy pints of Guinness and late-night fish-and-chips—who could ask for more? Live music happens every night of the week, often featuring foot-stomping Irish jams that will have you dancing a jig, and singing something about "a whiskey for me-Johnny." In addition to the daily music, the venue hosts larger monthly events and concerts.

The fun atmosphere here is just as popular among locals and visitors, and the feel of the place is brighter and more casual than the resort-style polish of its sister restaurant in Kapalua. It always draws a good crowd on karaoke nights (Thursday–Saturday) when sushi and appetizers are half off 10 pm–1 am.

Sansei has stayed a favorite among locals and visitors for years. The atmosphere is always spirited, and if you're more prone to doing the entertaining yourself, you can indulge in some mai tai–induced karaoke on Friday and Saturday night (10 pm–1 am) and get 50% off fresh sushi and appetizers at the same time.

Good eats are paired with cool tunes in this breezy tropical tavern. Local acts and DJs are featured from 4 to 6 pm most evenings, and DJs get the dance floor shaking at 10 pm Thursday through Saturday. Happy hour specials run from 11 am to 6 pm. This is the bar where locals hang out, so if you'd like to mix with the local scene, this is the spot.

A casual sports-bar crowd gravitates here for pau hana (after-work get-together) and a game of pool. The bottle shop offers more than 30 beers and there are at least six on tap. There's no cover, the many televisions throughout the bar play all the sports packages, and the drinks are strong and afforable.

This friendly dive bar hosts a popular karaoke night on Thursday from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. On tap, you'll find local Maui and Kona Brewing Company beers and happy hour from 3 to 6 pm daily.

Te Au Moana means "ocean tide," which is all you need to know about the simply breathtaking backdrop for this South Maui luau at Wailea Beach Resort. The tasty family-style dinner serves a three-course dinner that includes variety of local staples and desserts, as well as an open bar. Longtime local entertainment company Tihati Productions seamlessly intertwines ancient Hawaiian stories and contemporary songs with traditional hula and Polynesian dances, concluding with a jaw-dropping solo fire-knife dance.

This speakeasy-style bar is smack dab in the middle of Kihei's nightlife scene, and it stands out for its lineup of specialty cocktails. It's the size of a living room, but mixology is given more consideration here than at other venues.

For the most part, Wailuku town goes quiet once the office workers clock out and the shops close for the day. Wai Bar is the exception, and to the delight of locals, this neighborhood hangout has become the go-to spot for late-night fun. There's a small dance floor, karaoke night, a patio out back, and an eclectic mix of live jazz, lounge music, and other funky tunes usually streaming. They don't serve food, but the craft cocktails and good vibes are the real draw.

The oceanfront Aloha Pavilion at the Westin provides a picturesque setting for this Polynesian feast. Seating is family style, and on a first-come basis, although premium tickets get reserved seating and slightly better views. A buffet of traditional dishes such as kalua pork and ahi poke (pickled raw yellowfin tuna salad) precede the dessert spread. The performance showcases stories of the demi-god Maui, traditional costumes, hula kahiko, and a pulse-raising fire-knife dance finale.