Where to Find Nightlife in Hilo
Nevertheless, driving around Hilo you’ll surely see a lot of intriguing bars. Many of them are geared toward specific groups of locals. So there is one that serves Japanese clientele, and one that serves a Korean clientele, and one for Filipino clientele, etc. If you’re not from the island or with a local, you might feel a little out of place at some of these establishments, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check them out. From karaoke to sports bars to true late-night establishments, here are some local favorites.
A bar definitely worth experiencing is Kim’s Karaoke Lounge (760 Piilani St., 808/935-7552, open late), the favorite bar of nearly every Hilo resident. Why is it so loved? After the purchase of two cheap drinks, the waitresses start bringing unlimited pupu and there is a lot of drunken karaoke. While I did receive more attentive service when I was there with a more “local” crowd, don’t let this anecdotal evidence deter you from coming if you don’t look local. Kim’s is probably the furthest thing from a tourist bar.
Another place with pupu included with alcohol purchase is Bamboo Garden (718 Kinoole St., 808/935-8952). Less popular than Kim’s, this place doesn’t always have a crowd. This would be the place to come if you’re not looking for a scene and want to ease yourself into the world of Hilo bars.
Hilo Burger Joint (776 Kilauea, 808/935-8880, daily 11am-11pm, happy hour daily 4pm-6pm, $11) is your quintessential college town bar. In addition to 20 varieties of Big Island beef burgers, there’s a full bar with lots of beers on draft. Service can be slow at times. There’s live music on the weekends.
That sports bar you’ve been searching for to watch your team on the big-ish screen is Cronies Bar and Grill (11 Waianuenue Ave., 808/935-5158, Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm, Fri. 11am-10pm, Sat. 11am-9pm, Sun. 11am-8pm, $10-15). On the weekends, it’s jammed with sports lovers rooting for their favorite teams. Cronies is tempting for its prime location right on Bayfront.
The Hilo Town Tavern (168 Keawe St., 808/935-2171, Mon.-Fri. 2pm-2am, Sat. 10am-2am, Sun. 10am-midnight, happy hour Mon.-Fri. 4pm-6pm, pizzas $8) fills a much-needed hole in downtown Hilo, where it seems like everything else closes down by 5pm. You might find yourself meandering inside after hearing live music as you walk by. The bands are all local and the music styles vary, but for no cover, why not come for a listen and a drink? The back part of the bar has a pool table and more chairs.