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Breakers proves authentic
in surf stomping grounds

From Aikahi to Waikiki, bars around Oahu attempt to attract customers with a "surf kitsch" atmosphere.

Breakers Restaurant and Bar Location: 66-250 Kamehameha Highway (North Shore Marketplace) Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily Call: 637-9898 Rating:

The idea works with varying degrees of success, depending on how hard owners want to remain true to the Hawaii surfing scene. Putting up thatching over the bar and lining the walls with surfboards provided by different beer companies (and bearing their logos) doesn't always translate into customers fresh off an afternoon session.

But a prime location on the North Shore and a claim to be the only option for hot food late at night gives Breakers Restaurant and Bar automatic credibility when it comes to being a surfer's hangout. And it helps that most of the professionals who visit every winter prefer to stay and party in Haleiwa than drive anywhere else.

GETTING BACK to those freebie boards that adorn the walls of some bars, but lack the wax and wear of a stick that's actually seen the water. There are none of those at Breakers.

Sure, there's quite a bit of thatching, but look towards the ceiling and it's easily apparent the surfboards used to help decorate are the real deal.

Also take a minute to examine the various photographs of North Shore veterans that ring the room opposite of the bar. I spotted guys like Kelly Slater, Myles Padaca and Jason Shibata along with the pride of Kahuku, Jack Johnson, up on the wall.

Since Breakers is a restaurant, there's plenty of seating, especially if you don't care about sitting at the bar. Just ask the hostess to seat you in the area to the left of the main entrance, where there's a good view of the three televisions and a big screen.

It's also a good choice if you want a better view through the floor-to-ceiling windows that face Kamehameha Highway. You can even request to sit outside, where a number of tables are set up fronting the North Shore Marketplace parking lot.

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RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Robin Neher, left, and Jesse Hammond enjoy a few beers at Breakers Restaurant and Bar in Haleiwa. Every Saturday, the bar features a different theme. Last Saturday the theme was "Freaky Tiki" Party.

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EVEN THOUGH summer is just about here, there's still lots of reasons to shake things up and take a road trip to Haleiwa. The bar hosted a "Freaky Tiki Party" last Saturday, and other events are planned in the coming months.

A recent visit to Breakers proved its status as pretty much the only late night option without having to drive to Wahiawa. A pack of skater types pounded shots at the bar while nearby tables were filled with couples and a few larger groups.

Six taps offer a variety of draft options, and sophisticated types will appreciate the five different martinis and four different margaritas on the menu. Those requisite kitschy tiki drinks are there, too.

While I'm still convinced that a house party is the best thing to do on the North Shore, you can't do much better if a surfer hangout is your kind of place. Be sure to check out Breakers during the winter months, when neighborhoods swell with those who just want to surf all day and party all night.

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How much for a Bud Light?
Bud Light costs $3.25 per pint, or $3 if you prefer it in a bottle.

Get things to do?
Since Breakers is primarily a restaurant, there are no pool tables or dart machines for customers to use. A number of televisions are spread throughout the room, and karaoke is also offered on select nights.

What about the grinds?
Kala's ahi poke ($7.95) arrived with an interesting ginger glaze that coated the chunks of ahi, and was the better of the two pupu we ordered. The lemon pepper calamari ($8.95) was too bready, but the serving portion was well worth the price. A late night pupu menu is in effect after 9:30 p.m. Get there earlier, and a full dinner menu is available with prices ranging from $13.95 to $19.95.

And the help?
Sitting at the bar resulted in an introduction from the bartender, a bit of small talk and seamless service. Beers were refilled quickly, although I had to completely finish each one before the bartender would ask if I wanted another.

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BACK TO TOP
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