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Barfly Jason Genegabus |
‘The Other Place’ is a
home away from homeI'VE mentioned a few times in this space that one of my favorite types of bars is the "garage-style" establishment -- a place that's not much bigger than the garage at somebody's residence, with a lived-in feeling that makes you think all that's missing is the corner beer fridge and a door that leads to the rest of the house.
The Other Place, a hole-in-the-wall just off Kalakaua Avenue near Daiei Kaheka, is this kind of bar. Open since 1996, the quiet little spot has developed quite a following. While I remember the location as a coffee shop that my dad would take me to before school in the late '80s, it's since been remodeled and run as a bar for at least the last decade.
The Other Place
Hours: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Location: 1666 Kalauokalani Way
(one block Diamond Head
of Daiei Kaheka,
near Kalakaua Avenue)
Phone: 946-9488
IT WAS just after midnight on a Friday evening when the Barfly landed at The Other Place with two friends and grabbed a couple of tables near the door. Across from us were a group of customers that looked to be in their mid-20s, while two older gentlemen sat at the bar and a third lay stretched out on the seats next to us.
"Don't mind the drunk guy," our server said with a laugh as one of the other customers attempted to wake him up and get him home. Sure enough, after a few minutes, he began to stir and eventually staggered out the front door. You could tell he was a regular, since nobody seemed to give him a hard time, and he didn't get belligerent at all when told it was time to leave. The guy just smiled and made his way out.
By now, our beers had arrived, and we ordered some pupus to grind on while watching the Food Network on the three televisions spread throughout the room. If you visit, don't be surprised if someone sitting at the bar starts to ask how you want your food prepared, or politely reminds you that prices have changed for some of the items offered -- that guy is the cook at The Other Place. At first we thought he was just a nosy regular, but you've got to remember that in a bar like this, the cook won't just sit in the kitchen all night.
WHILE NOT the biggest establishment in town, all the typical distractions are available here, including darts, karaoke and a Megatouch machine in addition to the three televisions. There's enough room to bring a couple of friends, kick back with some drinks and relax in an atmosphere that's as close to drinking at a friend's house as you can get without having to hustle your own beers or cook your own food.
How much for a Bud Light?
The Barfly drank $3 bottles of Bud Light during his visit to The Other Place. Import brews and mixed drinks are available as well.Get things to do?
Like most other bars, there are a few things for customers to do if they don't feel like talking story at their table. You can sing your karaoke heart out, and there's a single Megatouch game machine stationed at one end of bar. Two dart machines are located along the Diamond Head wall, but you would definitely need the cooperation of other customers if you wanted to play since space is at a premium in this joint.What about the grinds?
We had no complaints about the pork chop ($9.50) and steak ($15) plates we ordered, besides the fact that the prices are a bit steep compared to other bars in the surrounding area. Along with typical bar fare, other notable dishes include shrimp ($9.50) or chicken ($7.50) fettuccine Alfredo and curry ($7.50) with a choice of tofu and vegetables, beef, chicken or shrimp.And the help?
Service was leisurely at best, but it didn't really matter since The Other Place is so small, and there weren't a lot of customers left on the night we stopped by. The bartender on duty earned her tip, however, when some random Chinese guy walked into the bar around 1 a.m. and attempted to sell us some sort of glass trinkets. Without any hesitation, she hustled the guy away from our table and out the door, letting him know in no uncertain terms that it wasn't appropriate to solicit customers in her bar.
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.
