Hawaii Kai Shack is big
THE SHACK HAWAII KAI
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Location: 377 Keahole St.
(next to the Hawaii Kai Safeway)
Phone: 396-1919
WHY IS IT so hard to find a place to drink in Hawaii Kai? Unless you're having drinks at Roy's or inside the bar at Zippy's, the only other alternative is to visit one of the liquor stores in the area -- not a good idea if you don't have anywhere to go afterward.
Don't think the Barfly is going to spend an entire column complaining about East Oahu, however. As we trolled the streets looking for a place to drink, the Barfly's trusty Drinking Buddy (he's been asking for an official title for a while), mentioned the Shack as our only real option on that side of the island. Having grown up on the Windward side, I'd only been to the Shack's Kailua location and thought the Hawaii Kai one wouldn't be much different -- a smaller, slightly cramped space with cheap beer and monstrous burgers. I couldn't have been more wrong.
First off, the Shack Hawaii Kai is easily twice the size of the Shack Kailua. There are only 11 seats at the bar proper, but patrons also have the option of sitting at one of the many tables throughout the establishment. And to give you a better idea of just how much space there is here, a life-size hang glider occupies the area above the Shack's two pool tables with a mannequin hanging from its harness. There's lots of room to spread out and enjoy yourself at this place.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Robin Totherow and Burke Totherow enjoy a game of pool at The Shack in Hawaii Kai.
There is a slight premium of sorts to pay for having drinks at the Shack Hawaii Kai. Although not as outrageous as some bars I've been to in town, the $7 pitchers we drank were a bit too pricey for me. Seven bucks for an import pitcher is expected, but Bud Light? What did impress the Barfly, however, was the variety of beers on tap here. Sixteen different brews are served, the most expensive offering being the $9.50 pitchers of Red Hook, Bass Ale and Guinness. Don't feel like drinking pitchers? Pints are also available, with prices ranging from $3.25 to $4.50.
Now I have to admit something here: It's been years since I've visited the Shack Kailua, but I remember the burgers being a heck of a lot bigger when I ate there. Maybe things just seemed bigger in my teenage hands at the time, but I was a bit disappointed when my "Original Shack Cheeseburger" ($5.75) arrived with a basket of fries ($3.25). It was slightly overcooked for my taste, and the Portuguese sausage that makes these burgers famous wasn't as big or spicy as I remember it, either. Fortunately, the menu at the Shack Hawaii Kai is big enough to offer a variety of other selections, so you're sure to find something worth grinding.
For the only real spot on the east side to cut loose and have a few drinks, the Shack Hawaii Kai gets the job done. The staff is friendly, televisions and other distractions are plentiful and the beer is cold. If money isn't a problem, kicking back on the waterfront of Koko Marina with a cold beer and some pupus is a great way to spend an afternoon while the sun sets over paradise.
How much for a Bud Light?
We drank $7 pitchers while at the Shack Hawaii Kai; 16 different beers are on tap, with prices rising to $8.50 or $9.50 a pitcher for imported brews.
Get things to do?
This is one of those places where you don't necessarily have to be drinking in order to have a good time. Dart machines, pool tables, Megatouch game machines and a number of video games are conveniently spread out throughout the bar. And don't forget to spend some time out on the deck overlooking Koko Marina -- the view at sunset is worth a trip in itself.
What about the grinds?
While the Barfly was a bit disappointed with his cheeseburger, there are lots of other selections worth trying. The Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich ($6.50) was tasty with its grilled ham, melted Swiss cheese and honey mustard sauce. The Pastrami Reuben ($5.95) and BBQ Baby Back Ribs (half-order $10.95, full order $14.95) are worth a try, and plate lunches are available, too!
And the help?
The Barfly was pretty impressed with the service we got at the Shack Hawaii Kai. For a place its size, I expected that we'd need to flag down a server in order to get another beer. Wrong again -- we didn't have any problems refilling our pitcher, and our server did a good job of checking up on us and clearing plates off the table when we were finished eating. And it didn't hurt that all the female employees working that afternoon were really easy on the eyes, either (and that's without "beer goggles," people!).
Barfly appears every Friday in Star-Bulletin Weekend.
E-mail Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com with suggestions of neighborhood bars to visit.
