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Barfly Jason Genegabus |
Fun face lift in progress
IT'S NOT often that you get the chance to watch a bar transform itself right before your eyes.
Most of the time when there's an ownership change, the new management will close up shop for a few weeks (or months) before reopening under a new name.
But in the space above Dixie Grill on Kamehameha Highway, a four-person hui led by nightlife veterans Jack Cione and Yemun Chung has decided to leave the former Players Aiea open for business as they turn the sports bar into a Caribbean-themed showroom.
Until the official grand opening for Panama Hattie's takes place later this month, a visit here will provide customers with a glimpse of what it's like to get a new bar off the ground -- sort of like a reality television show, just without all the cameras.
Panama Hattie's
Hours: 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Location: 99-016 Kamehameha Highway (above Dixie Grill)
Phone: 488-8226
IF YOU'VE ever been to Players Aiea, the first thing you'll notice upon walking inside is that the new owners have tried to do some remodeling in order to change the vibe of the bar.
With grass skirts hanging from light fixtures and Mardi Gras-style masks adorning some of the walls, it seems as if this place is trying to be more Tommy Bahama than Reyn Spooner, if you know what I mean.
Brightly-colored tablecloths have also been added, and some of the old neon bar signs were placed behind new artwork on the walls to provide an interesting method of both lighting the room and showcasing the art.
The biggest change that I noticed had to be the stage itself -- new lights and what appeared to be an upgraded sound system have really helped to transform this part of the bar from what used to be an afterthought into a focal point of the room.
On the night I stopped by last weekend, local R&B cover band Eight-0-Eight turned out an entertaining, high-energy set as a number of older couples tore up the dance floor. For the next few weeks, a variety of entertainers will be auditioning each night, so it should be an adventure in itself to come down and check out who's trying to make a break into this venue.
I ALSO like how the new owners haven't tried to push away the customers that have been coming here since the bar was called Players Aiea (and Pecos River Cafe before that). While the front of the room will be dedicated to live entertainment, two pool tables and eight dart machines still take up space in the back near the bar itself.
I got a kick out of watching guys in their mid-20s walk into the bar, completely ignore the cover of A Taste of Honey's "Boogie Oogie Oogie" that Eight-0-Eight was performing, and head for tables on the opposite end of the room.
It was like there was an imaginary line cutting the place in half -- if you were over 40 years old, you had to stay on the showroom side, while all the younger folks congregated near the bar. It'll be interesting to see if the younger faces keep showing up here once the grand opening takes place.
BUT IN the meantime, try to stop by during one of the next few weekends, especially if you're an Aiea or Pearl City resident. Not only will you get a taste of what's to come at Panama Hattie's, you'll also get a chance to provide some much-needed feedback to the new owners.
See a performance you like? Tell them. Think there's something missing from the decor? Let the management know. As long as you know going in that the bar is a work-in-progress, it should be pretty interesting to watch this place get on its feet and introduce a Waikiki-style showroom atmosphere to the Leeward side of Oahu.
How much for a Bud Light?
The Barfly drank a $3.75 Bud Light draft before upgrading to a $4.50 Red Hook during his visit to Panama Hattie's. With domestic pitchers going for $10.50, however, you're better off buying in bulk instead of just getting a mug here. Drink prices are still being worked out, however, so there's a good chance things could change over the next few weeks.Get things to do?
Pool tables, dart machines and a number of television sets provide customers with enough distractions here. But the focus will be on live entertainment, and the new owners tell me customers can expect live bands every day of the week once the bar gets up to speed.What about the grinds?
For the time being, no food is available at Panama Hattie's, so your best bet is to go downstairs to Dixie Grill for a bite to eat before heading upstairs for some drinks. Remember, this place is still a work-in-progress.And the help?
Although they seemed kind of out of it when it came to knowing drink prices, the three employees working when I visited were trying their best to keep things moving smoothly. Although it wasn't too crowded, I can tell it's going to be a nightmare if they force the employees to work off a single cash register near the front entrance. Things are going to get ugly if that's the only place to get change for the drinks you're buying. Hopefully, management will make the necessary changes.
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.