Sand Island R&B,
a haven for those
who want to rock

Why do some people on this rock have such a N.I.M.B.Y. attitude?

That's basically what did in an otherwise successful establishment in Kahala last week. I was all set to tell you about my return visit to Ye Old Fox and Hounds, after first reviewing it for this column back in 2002.

Sand Island R&B Location: 197 Sand Island Access Road Hours: 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily Call: 847-5001

But when I sat down with a pitcher and asked to see a pupu menu, I got the bad news: The Honolulu Liquor Commission had pulled the license for the bar after neighbors complained.

Never mind the Greek restaurant next door, with customers sitting outside making more noise than what was coming from Fox and Hounds on the night I was there. Why give residents a place to come and unwind with a cocktail near their homes when you could make them drive to another part of the island instead?

SAND ISLAND R&B is a little better off when it comes to community relations. With hardly any traffic on Sand Island Access Road after dark, they don't have to worry about keeping the noise down.

Which is a good thing, since the bar's stage is located right next to the front door.

On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, local rockers Contraband reign supreme in the front room. Lots of tables provide a place to sit and enjoy the music; another three couches look like the back end of a '50s-era Cadillac.

When there isn't any live entertainment, all the action moves toward the area around the bar's Diamond Head wall. During my visit with a friend last week, a handful of customers relaxed among a dozen barstools and another four tables in the area.

Decorations are sparse, with a few beer posters and neon light fixtures adorning the otherwise bare walls here. You get the feeling this is a no-frills joint, where the beer is cold and the bartender will keep them coming as fast as you can drink.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Contraband, which consists of lead singer Eddie Cruz, Jim Mueller on guitar and Ed Silva on drums, performs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the front room.

Take some time to talk story, however, and you'll find there's a soft spot at the core of this otherwise rough-and-tumble-looking bar.

The bartender at Sand Island R&B, a tall haole guy who towers over everyone else here, is incredibly outgoing. There are a ton of bar employees in this town who could learn something about being nice to customers from this guy.

Another nice touch is the wall of beer cozies tucked away in a corner. Regular customers can sign their name on the bottom of one and hang it on a peg, where it sits until the time comes to crack open another brew.

The cozies give the bar a sense of community, and it's pretty interesting to stand there and check out all the different signatures from different people.

Although it's a bit off the beaten path for most folks, this place is a good option if you're looking to have a drink in an unpretentious setting with others seeking the same kind of vibe.

Besides, if it gets boring here, you can always head next door to a certain adult establishment for a little more excitement!

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Club manager Fred Brooks mixes an "LSD" with a double-fisted pour.

How much for a Bud Light?

Stick to beer if you decide to come here -- Bud Light bottles are just $3 each. Hard liquor is a different story; we spent $11 for shots of Jack Daniels and Cuervo Gold with a Coke chaser. And $6 for a shot of Crown Royal? What's up with that?

Get things to do?

Two pool tables, a dart machine and three Megatouch game machines are located near the bar; a big-screen television is set up for customers in the area that shares space with the bar's stage.

What about the grinds?

There's no pupu menu here, so you're better off eating before you visit. But the bartender can whip up a mean bag of popcorn in two minutes and 10 seconds if you give him a chance!

And the hired help?

On nights when there isn't any entertainment, a single bartender is on duty to serve customers. Expect multiple trips to the bar if you want the alcohol to keep flowing without interruption.

Been there,
done that

LISA'S HOUSE Location: 3250 Ualena St. Call: 836-7668 Why drink at home when there are places like Lisa's House? Grab a 22-ounce Bud Light for just $5, then sit back and enjoy live music, or play some darts or pool instead.

SPADA Location: 999 Bishop St. Call: 538-3332 Take a chance with something off the extensive martini list; 10 different types are just $4 before 7 p.m. And don't worry about parking; validation is complimentary after 5 p.m.

VENUS LOUNGE Location: 1344 Kona St. Call: 945-2686 No dress code, a banging sound system and 4 a.m. liquor license make this bar worth a visit. Stick with drink specials if you don't want to break the bank.