— Pualana Lemelle

DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH

An ice-cold beer after a long day at work can be oh so tasty, and an organic recipe might go down even easier. Bar 35 in Chinatown offers more than 15 USDA-approved organic beers, avoiding chemically treated hops, barley and wheat. There has often been a misconception about the taste of organic beers, but according to Andy Baker, owner of Keoki Brewery, "if you have an organic beer that uses organic hops, there is no difference in the profile or taste."

Bar 35 has these beers on special during happy hour, 4 to 8 p.m. daily, and all day on Mondays. 35 N. Hotel St.; 537-3535, www.bar35hawaii.com.

— L.M.

UNIVERSAL SHOWQUEENS

Being a diva is hard work, as you'll see documented in the official Universal ShowQueen Pageant DVD, out this week. It captures one of Honolulu's most extravagant pageants on film, with commentaries from 14 of the former ShowQueen winners, and a behind-the-scenes look at the competition categories of the Universal ShowQueen event leading up to the naming of 2008 reigning ShowQueen, Cocoa Chandelier. The DVD captures the couture cocktail, evening gown, talent, and Las Vegas showgirl costume categories.

A DVD premiere party on Friday will also include live performances by some of Hawai'i's most talented female impersonators and a screening of the DVD, followed by music and dancing. Doors open at 8 p.m. at Hulas Bar & Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave., $5; www.universalshowqueendvd.com.

— Lacy Matsumoto

STYLISH SATURDAY

If you can make it through the long line of beautiful people and on through the door of Chai's restaurant on a Saturday night, you'll be in luck, because the weekly party Rice Cracker is a great place to unwind and dance. Going strong after four months, it seems to get bigger by the week. "It's a little different than other parties. It's a party under the stars," says promoter Jason Kawakami. As attendees pack the two dance floors, the DJs play top-40, '90s hip-hop and '80s pop.

"My favorite DJ there is XL because he's so sexy," says Kawakami, who's working the party with two other promoters, Blaise Architechs and G-Spot: "We're two Asian dudes and a cracker," explains Kawakami with a slight chuckle. The dress code is stylishly relaxed. Rice Cracker, 10 p.m. Saturdays, Chai's Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Marketplace; $15; 21-and up; www.myspace.com/tantriq.

— L.M.