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Happy hour oasis

THERE aren't a lot of options when it comes to getting a drink in Hawaii Kai. Unless you're planning on paying a visit to the neighborhood supermarket or liquor store, restaurants are the only choice for cocktails and pupus.

And after making a few trips out to that side of the island in the past month, I've realized that they each cater to a different type of liquor-consuming clientele.

Beer drinkers can choose between a sportsbar or microbrewery, while Roy's caters to the upscale martini-drinking crowd with its first floor bar.

It's also possible to get a drink at Hawaii Kai's only Mexican restaurant, but you're better off going somewhere else if you don't want to just sit in a dining room and have a beer with dinner.

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BluWater Grill Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays Location: 377 Keahole St. (Hawaii Kai Shopping Center) Phone: 395-6224

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THAT LEAVES one last choice for happy hour in the area -- BluWater Grill in the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. It's the perfect spot for those who want to relax in a laid-back lounge atmosphere without having to spend a lot of money.

Hang a quick right after walking through the restaurant's front entrance and grab one of the dozen seats at the bar, or sit at one of the three high tables or two booths that line the wall.

You won't be able to enjoy the waterfront view here, since a wall of liquor bottles separates the lounge from the rest of the dining area, but a small television at the end of the bar gives you something to look at. A second, larger plasma screen hangs on the wall directly behind the bar, but it's impossible to see unless you turn around or sit at one of the back tables in the room.

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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM The Barfly looks for a spot on the east side and finds BluWater Grill is a perfect place to relax.

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BLUWATER OWNERS Tanya Phillips and Bill Bruhl both enjoyed a longtime affiliation with Ryan's Grill, and it's easy to see that restaurant's influences on both the lounge and the menu in Hawaii Kai.

While there is an obvious emphasis of catering to the customer's needs, the staff at BluWater also realizes that you're at the bar to relax.

Soft lighting, high ceilings and artwork on the walls give off a classy vibe (although the blue icicle lights hanging from the bar up the cheese factor a bit), and the menu is diverse enough to offer selections for both big spenders and penny-pinchers.

But what makes this place really shine is the same trait that earns Ryan's such high marks -- the diversity of the drink menu. Whether your preference is beer or mixed drinks, there is something for everyone here.

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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Patrons can relax in the bar and lounge area at the BluWater Grill in Hawaii Kai.

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START WITH the bottled beers, which range in price from $3.75 to $6.50. Sure, you could go with an old standby like Bud Light or Heineken, but why drink those brews when Red Stripe, Anchor Steam, Boddington's Pub Ale and Chimay are all available? BluWater even pours hard to find beers like Negra Modelo, Pilsner Urquell and Honu.

And remember, that's just the bottled beers -- opt for a draft pint, and your choices range from Guinness and Bass Ale (Black and Tan, anyone?) to Sam Adams Oktoberfest and my all-time favorite brew, Deschutes Black Butte Porter.

With a half-dozen rum drinks and martinis each on the menu, along with four types of Cosmopolitans, five different margaritas and classics like the Mai Tai ($4.50), Bay Breeze ($4.50) and White Russian ($5.50), there's no way you can get to everything worth trying in just one visit.

While I did get to try the Brandy Alexander ($6.25) with its mix of white creme de cacao, brandy, ice cream and nutmeg sprinkles (it was good, but could have used a shot of vanilla-flavored vodka for an extra kick), I'm going to have to go back to try The Flirt martini ($6) and Hawaiian Hurricane ($5.50).

THERE WAS a pretty good crowd in the lounge at BluWater Grill earlier this week when I stopped by for drinks, with the breakdown of customers reminding me again of what I was used to seeing in town at Ryan's.

Along with a couple of professional-looking types, there was one older gentleman at the bar having a beer and another group of 20-somethings pounding shots at a nearby table. Another couple sat behind me, sharing a quiet conversation while keeping track of the football game that was winding down on the television above them.

Even though they've been open for less than a year, it looks like the gang at BluWater has already found their niche among the players in Hawaii Kai. Pay them a visit if you feel like enjoying a quality cocktail in a quality atmosphere.

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How much for a Bud Light?
A bottle of Bud Light costs $3.75 at BluWater Grill, but why go with an old standby when there are more than two dozen other beers to choose from?

Get things to do?
Other than the plasma screen and a smaller television hanging over the bar, there's not much else to do in the lounge but eat and drink. Adding a Megatouch machine at the makai end of the bar might be a good idea.

What about the grinds?
With a complete menu to choose from, it's easy to spend a lot of money on just food. Go for items on the pupu menu like Chicken Sate with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce ($5.95) or Kalua Pig Tostadas ($6.95) and you won't break the bank. The BluWater Pupu Sampler ($18.95) was perfect beer food, with beef skewers, macadamia nut-crusted jumbo prawns and ahi poke, but you might want to pass on the Crab and Prawn Cocktail ($9.95). The Chicken Panini ($9.95) was a winner, with herb-marinated chicken and a ciabatta bun that went really well with my Black Butte Porter.

And the help?
Although there were about 10 other people in the lounge during my visit, sitting at the bar meant no problems ordering drinks or pupus. The bartender's only flaw (if you could even call it that) was pouring my friend's Coconut Breeze ($5.25) a little too strong -- all the rum in it kept her from trying everything on the drink menu that she wanted to. What a lightweight!