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Barfly Jason Genegabus |
Oasis of beer awaits
Snapper's Sports Pub
Hours: Open 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Location: 1778 Ala Moana (Discovery Bay Center)
Phone: 947-3776
BEER DRINKERS on this rock can probably count on one hand how many bars they know of that offer a plethora of beers on tap.
While Magoo's still reigns supreme (as far as I know) when it comes to the number of taps in a bar, they lose points for not keeping enough kegs in stock -- why boast that you have the biggest selection of draft beef when half of the choices aren't available?
So I was pleasantly surprised last week when I saw a banner for Snapper's Sports Pub hanging on a rail outside the Discovery Bay Center. The Waikiki bar closed down about three years ago before reopening as one of two Ye Olde Fox and Hounds on Oahu (the other location is in Kahala), but in June the owners decided to bring back the Snapper's name and familiar red logo. And most importantly, all 30 taps are still operational and fully stocked!
As far as the Barfly can tell, nothing much has changed as far as the layout of this joint goes; there's a ton of room to sit down and enjoy a drink at one of the tables or booths here, and a few tables outside fronting Ala Moana allow for imbibing al fresco, if you so desire.
Three pool tables and three dart machines occupy space along the Diamond Head wall of the bar, and over a half-dozen televisions are located in almost every corner to allow for easy viewing no matter where you sit. A big-screen television is also centrally located in the room, just a few feet from the stage that plays host to live blues and rock music on Thursday and Friday nights.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STAR-BULLETIN.COM
Kaleo Hunter of Lanai gives Linda Newman of San Francisco a pool lesson on one of two tables at Snappers in Discovery Bay in Waikiki.
SINCE THE folks who own Snapper's also own Ye Olde Fox and Hounds, it's not surprising that the two places share some of the same menu items. The signature fish and chips ($6.95/$9.95) is available, as are the usual pupu offerings like spicy wing zings ($5.95), mozzarella sticks ($5.95), jalapeno poppers ($5.95) and chili fries ($4.95).
In addition, Snapper's also offers a variety of Mexican fare, including tacos ($1.75-$3.75), tostadas ($3.95-$4.95) and burritos ($4.95-$9.95). Nachos ($4.95-$8.50) and quesadillas ($4.95-$8.95) are the Barfly's pick if you're hungry and looking for something sizable to go with a cold pitcher of beer.
Another nice touch here is the complimentary salsa bar. While you still have to pay extra for sour cream and guacamole, five different types of salsa are laid out near the front door. Once your food comes, take a walk and explore the offerings, which vary from mild (yet still tasty) to open-your-mouth-and-insert-flamethrower hot. A pineapple salsa was also available on the day the Barfly stopped by.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STAR-BULLETIN.COM
Danielle Love of Waikiki, left, Chris West of Salem, Oregon and Dustin Butler of Beaverton, Oregon enjoy a beer and few laughs at Snappers located in Discovery Bay in Waikiki.
And in a nod to local residents who live in the area and contract employees who reside at Discovery Bay for a few months at a time, Snapper's is connected to a self-service Laundromat with its own bar built into the waiting area. Unfortunately, it looked like the lone server on duty when we visited had to keep track of customers on both sides -- a bit of a downer if you're itching for another drink while waiting for your underwear to dry.
For the technologically inclined, there's even free Internet access at Snapper's that customers can use while knocking a few back. Only one computer is available to access the 'Net, but if you're in Waikiki and need to shoot off a quick e-mail or check a Web site, why not do it here while having a beer?
With a wide selection of beers, a tried and true menu, an in-house Laundromat and free Internet access, Snapper's Sports Pub is an oasis in the concrete jungle that is Waikiki. And don't let the area's parking situation keep you from stopping by, either; four hours of validated parking is available in the Discovery Bay parking structure for just two bucks.
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.
