Posted on: Friday, August 12, 2005
Things to do for $5 or less
Advertiser Staff
NIGHT STUFF FAVORITES
The "$5 cover" party is quickly becoming as much a thing of Honolulu's after-hours past as foam parties and speed-dating.
Pick a weekly. Any weekly. Or a monthly. Chances are you'll be paying anywhere from $7 to $10 before even entering and ordering an overpriced martini.
A few promoters have even dared posting $15 or $20 covers when flying in a name out-of-town DJ.
We're not faulting anyone for trying to throw quality parties and make a living at the same time. Heck, if your party is worth its steep cover and night crawlers are willing to pay up, more power to ya. We'll likely be there, too.
Great parties with $5 covers still exist, though. You just have to search a bit more diligently for 'em.
Here are five of our favorites, $5 or under, in no particular order.
Newjass Quartet, at thirtyninehotel, 39 N. Hotel St., 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Live jazz from a collective of young, talented local players fond of compiling very modern and eclectic set lists. Thirtyninehotel's darkened votive-and-mirror-ball-lit downtown-loft setting provides an additional layer of cool, as does its outdoor lanai. Cover is $3 before 10 p.m. and $5 afterward. 599-2552.
Pussycat Lounge, at Wave Waikiki, 1877 Kalakaua Ave., 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Tuesdays. Loyal regulars of this long-running weekly begin showing up en masse 'round 2 a.m. when they get off work at other bars, clubs and strip clubs around town. Always an interesting crowd and mix of DJed mash-ups, house, hip-hop, breaks, funk, R&B, soul, dub, etc. Cover: $5, excluding special events. 941-0424.
Dragon Room, at Jackie's Kitchen, Ala Moana Center, 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Sundays. You could go in to work on Monday after closing off your night with the 10 p.m. news. Or you could show up with fewer hours of sleep and memories of flair bartending, weekend-ending people-watching and Nocturnal Sound Krew's always-sweet mix of new and classic R&B and neo-soul. Cover: $5; 21 and older. 943-2426.
Bamboleo, at Spada Bar & Restaurant, First Hawaiian Center courtyard (corner of King and Alakea streets), 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays. Its outdoor, concrete-jungle-surrounded setting in the deserted-after-hours heart of the downtown financial district is what's coolest about this weekly party. But its uptempo DJed Latin grooves and mixed-age salsa-loving crowd are a close second. Cover: $5. 538-3332.
Wrath of Jazz/The Compound/The Swampa-Z.Z. Collective at Indigo Eurasian Cuisine, 1121 Nu'uanu Ave. Indigo's eternally cool downtown environs, drinks and pupu combine with live improv jazz jams on Tuesdays, DJed and live reggae, dancehall and hip-hop on Wednesdays, and live jazz/funk on Thursdays. All you've gotta pay for is the food and libations. Free. 521-2900.
OTHER NIGHT SPOTS
Those 21 and older pay no cover to enter Anna Bannana's Hookah Lounge 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 946-5190, 224-8813.
Check out Bliss at 327 Keawe St. (formerly Velvet Lounge and Grumpy's) for Selecta's Choice on Friday nights. DJs 45 Revolver, Zachariah and Liloa play reggae and dancehall music 9 p.m.-2 a.m. for those 18 and older. No cover charge. 528-4911.
Bobby G's in the International Market Place features nightly entertainment and never has a cover charge. For instance, Mondays feature the My Evolution Party with a reggae band followed by DJ D-Box. Fridays and Saturdays host the Piranha Brothers followed by DJ D-Box. Doors open at 9 p.m. 926-7066.
Make your way to Breakers Restaurant and Bar at the North Shore Marketplace for a no-cover deal, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays and Thursdays. 637-9898.
DJ Billy G of ND Productions offers a host of deals for those 21 and older. On Fridays, he's at Dave and Buster's, which is $3 after 10 p.m., or free before 11:30 p.m. and for those on the guest list. On Saturdays at Zanzabar, it's free before 11 p.m. for those on the guest list. On Sundays, Surfriders Cantina at Aloha Tower Marketplace is free all night, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. On Mondays, it's back to Zanzabar, which is free before 11 p.m. for those on the guest list, or $5 admission with flier. Call 389-3216 to get on that guest list.
Those 18 and older can jam to the salsa sounds of El Conjunto Tropical with a $5 cover 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays at Cafe Che Pasta or pay nothing on the third Friday of every month at Kahuna's Sports Bar and Grill.
Esprit Nightclub in the Sheraton Waikiki hotel charges a $5 cover on Saturdays, which feature live bands 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., and no cover on Wednesdays and Thursdays (8:30 p.m.-midnight). 931-8472.
At Fusion Waikiki, cover is $5 Fridays and Saturdays, when doors are open 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Catch drag shows at 9:30 p.m., with the Gender Bender Lip Gloss Revue on Fridays and the Paper Doll Revue on Saturdays. The Men of Fusion Revue happens at midnight both nights. 924-2422.
Both Kelley O'Neil's and O'Toole's Irish Pub offer live music every night with no cover charge. 926-1777, 536-4138.
If you're out North Shore way, make a stop at Kemo'o Farm in Wahiawa, which charges $5 most Thursday-Saturday nights for two bands and both bars (The Pub and Lakeside Lanai). Special nights like Foam Parties are $7. Doors open at 9 p.m., for 21 and older. 621-1835, 622-5009.
Head for The Living Room at Fisherman's Wharf for Soul Steady on Wednesday nights, with a $5 cover or free before 11 p.m. Fridays hosts underground hip-hop with The Next Level and Saturdays is house music during Speakeasy. Cover for each night is free before 11 p.m., $7 and $10 afterward.
The Mai Tai Bar in Ala Moana Center features live music every day, and there's never any cover. 947-2900.
At Ocean Club in Restaurant Row, cover is $5 after 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The club opens at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 7 p.m. Saturdays. All nights are 23 and older except Thursdays, when it is 21 and older and free cover for those with aloha wear. 531-8444.
Panama Hattie's in 'Aiea has no cover on Tuesdays (7-11 p.m.) and $5 cover on Sundays (5-9 p.m.), both featuring country music with Charlie Garrett. 780-6635.
Spice Lounge at E&O Trading Co. restaurant celebrates aloha Friday from 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m. with DJs, food and cocktails. Admission is free for those 21 and older until 10 p.m. ($10 afterward). 957-0303.
Tropics in Kailua offers live bands for the 21-and-older crowd 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with a $4 cover on Thursdays and $5 cover on Fridays and Saturdays. Cover is free before 9:30 p.m. and slightly higher for special events, such as the Lingerie night or Foam Party. 262-3343.
DJ Caju hosts a Brazil night Saturdays at Tudo de Bom in McCully Shopping Center, with a $5 cover after 11:30 p.m., and $3 before. 942-0267.
Most hotels offer live music nightly in their courtyards or bar for free, too.
ARTS, PLEASE
The next Five Dollar Movie Night at The ARTS at Marks Garage downtown is scheduled for Aug. 27. Five Dollar Movie Night was launched last month with the classic silent film "The General." Check www.origmedia.com for updates.
The gallery walk First Friday just gets bigger and bigger as galleries and shops draw the arts-inclined to the downtown district that's usually barren after dark. The next First Friday is Sept. 2; hours are from 5-9 p.m. Admission is free.
Artists in downtown Kailua have launched their own gallery walk, dubbed Second Sunday, with demonstrations, pupu and exhibits. The next one is from 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Participating galleries/shops include the Balcony Gallery, Island Glassworks, Paul Levitt Studio, Tracy Brilhante Framing, Global Village, Jeff Chang Pottery & Fine Crafts, Island Treasures, the Hunter and Antiques & Treasures. Admission is free.
Check out the modern art at the Contemporary Museum, 2411 Makiki Heights Drive. The gift shop is quite a gem, too. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 general, $3 seniors and students, free for kids 12 and younger. Also, there's free admission for all on the third Thursday of each month. 526-1322, www.tcmhi.org.
The Honolulu Academy of Arts offers free admission on the first Wednesday of each month. Otherwise, general admission is $7. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The first Sunday of each month is free for military; hours are from 1-5 p.m. 532-8700.
Tour the nation's Outstanding Historic Theatre, a title just won by the Hawai'i Theatre, bestowed by the League of Historic American Theatres. A one-hour guided tour, at 11 a.m. every Tuesday, gives you an up-close-and-personal glimpse at the architecture and art of the downtown showcase and a demonstration of the rarely seen Robert Morton Orchestral Pipe Organ. $5. Reservations: 528-0506.
NATURALLY
The Waimea Valley Audubon Center, full of walking trails, botanical gardens and archaeological sites, offers discounted kama'aina and military admission: $5 adults, $3 seniors and children (free for members and keiki 3 and younger). Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily until Labor Day, closing at 5 p.m. Sept. 6 until May (closed Christmas and New Year's Day; closed at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving). The center is at 59-864 Kamehameha Highway. 638-9199.
Surround yourself with greenery at Foster Botanical Garden, an oasis in urban Honolulu. Hours are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (closed Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission is $5 general, $3 kama'aina, $1 kids 6-12, free for keiki 5 and younger. 522-7060.
In Kane'ohe, there's another oasis, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, at the end of Luluku Road. Catch-and-release fishing happens 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; and there's free camping, by permit issued by the garden, Fridays through Sundays. Garden hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (closed Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission is free. 233-7323.
FOR THE FAMILY
Food booths, entertainment, movies on a really big screen ... it must be Sunset on the Beach, which usually takes place at Queen's Surf Beach in Waikiki. Sometimes it travels to O'ahu neighborhoods, like this weekend's Wai'anae Coast Sunset on the Beach, which also features a health expo, vintage car/motorcycle display, rides and games. Saturday's movie is "Racing Stripes"; Sunday's is "National Treasure." Hours are noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Ma'ili Beach Park. The next Waikiki Sunset events are scheduled for Aug. 20-21. Admission is free.
And don't forget Brunch on the Beach, the block party on Kalakaua featuring food and entertainment. The next Brunch is 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 28, celebrating the birthday of Duke Kahanamoku. Another Brunch is scheduled for Oct. 16. Admission is free. 923-1094.
Admission to bon dances is always free. Join in the dance, sample some saimin or barbecue sticks or just sit a while and watch the action. Here are the bon dances on O'ahu this weekend: Shingon Shu Hawaii Betsuin, 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 915 Sheridan St., 941-5663; Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 858 Second St., 455-1680; Aiea Soto Mission Taiheiji, 8 p.m. Saturday, 99-045 Kahale St., 488-6794.
Go where the wild things are. The Honolulu Zoo is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily (closed on Christmas Day). Admission is $4 general for kama'aina, $1 kids 6-12, free for keiki 5 and younger. 971-7171.
Is there such a thing as a free movie in the theaters? Yes, the animated features "Charlotte's Web" and "Rugrats Go Wild" will be shown at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Dole Cannery theaters as part of Regal Entertainment Group's 14th annual Family Film Festival. These are the final movies in the series that began in June. Seating is first come, first served.
The Bishop Museum's Family Sundays are full of music, arts and crafts and the cultures of Hawai'i and the Pacific. And the galleries and exhibits are open for viewing, too. The next Family Sunday is scheduled for noon-5 p.m. Oct. 9. Admission is $3 kama'aina and military, free for museum members. 847-3511, www.bishop museum.org.
"Water, Water, Everywhere" is the theme of the next Bank of Hawaii Sunday, Aug. 21 at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Entertainment, a gallery hunt and keiki activities will stir creativity in young and old alike. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. Mark your calendars for more free Sundays: Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 15. The Honolulu Advertiser is a sponsor. 532-8700.
MORE STUFF
Look, up in the sky! The Hawaiian Astronomical Society helps you gaze at the stars once a month. The next opportunity is Saturday, after sundown, at Kahala Community Park (oceanside of Kahala Elementary School) and Waikele Community Park (above Comp USA). It's free. 524-2450, www.hawastsoc.org.
Speaking of the stars, Windward Community College's Imaginarium offers public programs at 7 and 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month and stargazing at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Admission for the public programs is $5 general, $4 for those with a University of Hawai'i ID and military, $3 for kids. Admission for the stargazing events is $3. 235-7321.
Express yourself — or watch others do it — at First Thursdays, the poetry slam event that takes place every first Thursday of the month at the Hawaiian Hut, Ala Moana Hotel. Doors open at 7:45 p.m.; poets sign up then, too. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3 before 8:30 p.m., $5 afterward. The next First Thursday is Sept. 1, which will feature slam poets who will be in town for the multimedia festival GirlFest, beginning Sept. 2. www.hawaiislam.com.
Budding slam poets can attend Youth Speaks Hawaii, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The ARTS at Marks Garage. These are writing and performance workshops for teens, and they're free. The teens show their stuff at monthly poetry slams — the next one is 3:30-5 p.m. Aug. 20 at The ARTS. Anyone can attend, but the mike is for poets 13-19 (poets sign in at 3 p.m.). It's free, too. www.YouthSpeaksHawaii.org.
Watch a live "Hawai'i Stars" taping, at Centerstage, Ala Moana Center. Taping of three programs begins at 6 p.m., winds up about 8:30 p.m., with frequent breaks. Remaining competition nights: Aug. 19, Sept. 15, Oct. 5, Oct. 27 and Nov. 26. Free. Then look for the shows, airing at 6:30 p.m. Sundays on KHON 2. www.hawaii stars.com.
Get 'ukulele-playing lessons, 2:30-3 p.m. Tuesdays at the Hawaiian 'Ukulele Co., Aloha Tower Marketplace. Free. 536-3228.
