— Pualana Lemelle

LATE-NIGHT MUNCHIES

With its bright-pink bar, tall chain curtains and satisfying Asian-American cuisine, Uncle Bo's is a late-night pick and gathering place for those looking to have a great time. Owners Bo Pathammavong and Hosuk Lee serve food daily until midnight, and alcohol until 2 a.m. at the bar/restaurant with a contemporary feel. Expect dishes ranging from $6 to $18, with a wide array of pupu including their most popular dish — Dynamite Shrimp with garlic aioli sauce. 559 Kapahulu Ave.; 735-8311, www.unclebosrestaurant.com.

— Lacy Matsumoto

RELEASES

MR. BRIGHT EYES ILLUMINATES ONCE AGAIN

Conor Oberst established his reputation as a defining songwriter of his generation in the '90s as leader of the band Bright Eyes. He hasn't done an album under his own name in more than a decade, but this return to his original billing doesn't signal a radical reinvention. The name tag and most of the support team (bassist Macey Taylor, guitarist Nik Freitas and Rilo Kiley drummer Jason Boesel are the core band) are different on "Conor Oberst" (Merge), but the record, which comes out this week, mingles folk rock, country, pop and rootsy rock to land not too far from Bright Eyes' broad turf.

It's a little looser, which means pretty loose indeed, flying by the seat of the pants in the spirit of the Replacements. In its spontaneity and simplicity, the album comes off as Bright Eyes after hours, but while the musical ambitions are scaled back, it's not a throwaway in any sense. There's too much death on its mind for that, and Oberst, 28, remains engaged in his quest to make sense of a world that he describes in one song as "a cruel and elaborate hoax."

He cruises through pockets of melancholy and mayhem, tenderness and tragedy. His melodies curl to drive the stories, while his lyrics illuminate the road with a sometimes dazzling light.

— Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times

JOIN THE ECO-REVOLUTION

It's official — green is in. Join the movement at "Green is the new black," brought to you by the owners of The Wedding Café. Shop owner Tanna Dang is making the effort by making small changes within her business, promoting biodegradeable products and saying "no thanks" to plastic bags. Join and network with fellow green businesses and supporters, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Tickets are $30 at the door, with a portion of the proceeds going toward Kanu Hawaii (kanuhawaii.org), a nonprofit that calls for Island residents to commit to keep Hawai'i green.

— L.M.

TEENIE WEENIE BIKINI

Summer is almost over! Need a tiny swimsuit to keep the tan lines minimal? Stop in to San Lorenzo Brazilian Bikinis. With four locations in Puck's Alley, Kailua, the North Shore, and on Kaua'i, the stores are practically in every neighborhood. Prices range from $50 to $75, and designs vary from bold colors and animal prints to Amazon-influenced patterns. They even have an exclusive line influenced by Hawaiian and reggae music. Puck's Alley, 2600 S. King St. Suite 104; 955-3200, www.sanlorenzobikinis.com.

— L.M.

WHAT'S ON YOUR IPOD?

DJ/Promoter Ikon, Fridays at The Shop

1. "Miami Beach" by the Cool Kids

2. "Easy Love" by MSTRKRFT

3. "Sirens" War Games Remix by Dizzee Rascal

4. "Spark da Meth" by Da Mongoloids

5. "Bringing You Closer" by Paul Anthony and ZXX