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Barfly Jason Genegabus |
Harbor Pub is ship shape
TALK ABOUT a buzz-killer for this columnist -- after having such a great time at The Loft the weekend before last, I made a point of rounding up some friends for a return visit, only to discover that the bar had closed down due to a "change in management." Lose money!
This week, I wanted to make sure the establishment I reviewed would stay open long enough for you to check out in person, so off I went to a bar that's been a Waikiki mainstay for the past 23 years, the Harbor Pub.
Harbor Pub
Hours: Open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Location: 1765 Ala Moana (downstairs
from the Chart House,
near the Ala Wai Marina)
Phone: 941-0985
LOCATED AT the end of Hobron Lane, just makai of Ala Moana, the Harbor Pub first opened its doors for business during the summer of 1980. Over the next two decades, siblings Jack, Mike and Rita Coyle joined their mother, Millie, in running the bar that became a popular watering hole among residents of the Ala Wai Marina Yacht Harbor, retirees living in nearby condos, long-line fishermen and tourists alike.
These days, Mike and Rita handle much of the day-to-day business at the bar, which continues to draw a healthy mix of regular customers and visitors from Waikiki. It was a rainy and windy Sunday when the Barfly landed at the Harbor Pub, and yet all 11 barstools were occupied and beer was flowing freely.
INSTEAD OF standing around and waiting for an opening at the bar itself, you can also opt for one of the booths that are spread throughout another three sections of this place. A couple of walls separate the different dining areas, but it's still open enough to look out the windows towards the Ala Wai Marina. The Harbor Pub's four televisions occupy different corners throughout the room, allowing customers to watch whatever game is on without having to sit at the bar itself.
Photographs of the marina, Waikiki and friends of the owners adorn the walls here, with some appearing to have been on display since the Harbor Pub opened over 20 years ago. Generous use of wood throughout also helps to give the bar its nautical vibe.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STAR-BULLETIN.COM
Harbor Pub offers views of the Ala Wai Marina, four strategically-placed televisions and friendly servers such as Leina Ortiz.
IF YOU decide to visit, try to check out the Harbor Pub during happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Pitchers of beer are just $5 during that time, with $1.75 drafts available as well. Also worth trying are the made-to-order pizzas that, while a tad overpriced in my opinion, are a good mix of a crispy crust with a generous amount of cheese and what tastes like fresh tomato sauce to go with whatever toppings you decide to order.
The next time you have friends visiting town, are looking to get away from the traffic that turns Ala Moana into a virtual parking lot during pau hana, or just want to go hang with some of the salty dogs that frequent the Ala Wai Marina, head over to the Harbor Pub for some drinks and grinds. I'll even go out on a limb here and guarantee that they'll still be open when you decide to visit, unlike some other places around town.
How much for a Bud Light?
The Barfly ordered a $7 pitcher of Bud Light during his visit to the Harbor Pub. Other imports are available on tap, albeit at higher prices. Check out this place during happy hour (4 to 7 p.m. daily) and you'll save even more money on drinks.Get things to do?
Four television sets are spread throughout the bar here, and while not every seat allows for an unobstructed view, there are enough places to kick back and catch a game without necessarily having to sit at the bar. A pair of Megatouch game machines on opposite ends of the room give customers something else to do.What about the grinds?
Customers have a lot of choices when eating at the Harbor Pub. The bar's signature pizzas come in three different sizes and you can order a number of different toppings. The medium pepperoni pizza ($13.50) we ordered can easily feed two hungry people with its eight pieces, and there are a variety of nachos ($6.95 to $8.50) and sandwiches ($5.75 to $6.95) that are available along with standard bar fare like french fries ($2.95), onion rings ($3.95) and chicken wings ($6.95). Check out www.theharborpub.com for a full menu.And the help?
Service was rather leisurely during the Barfly's visit, but the bar seemed to be well-staffed and we didn't have to wait too long in order to get our first pitcher of the night. Expect restaurant-style service if you're sitting in one of the Harbor Pub's booths; belly up to bar itself if you're in a hurry to knock one back.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Barfly appears every Friday in Star-Bulletin Weekend.
E-mail Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com with suggestions of neighborhood bars to visit.
