---

Tropics in Kailua
does the trick as
a friendly spot

Things seemed pretty normal when I walked into Tropics last Saturday night.

Tropics Location: 572 Kailua Road Hours: 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily Call: 262-3343

Located on the same end of Kailua Shopping Center as Alpha Video and Lanikai Juice, the bar appeared to have all the trappings of a quality neighborhood watering hole.

Classic tabletop version of Ms. Pac Man? Check.

Pool table and indoor shuffleboard for the active drinker? Check.

Five televisions and a plasma screen to watch sports highlights on ESPN? Check.

But a bartender rocking high heels and some seriously sexy lingerie? And more underwear hanging from the thatched ceiling over the bar?

TURNS OUT that Tropics was getting ready to kick off a "Naughty Nightie Night" that doubled as a welcome-back party for military stationed on the Windward side. Theme parties and live music are regularly featured on the weekends here, with bands like Hard 2 Oppose and Missing Dave having performed recently.

It's a pretty ambitious entertainment schedule for such tight quarters -- much of the room is occupied by the bar itself and the 20 or so barstools that surround it.

Move the pool table and drop a few cases of beer behind the satellite bar, however, and you've got yourself a cozy little dance floor in one corner. A lifeguard chair and palm trees painted on an unused doorway make you wonder if they've ever covered the floor with sand before for a party here.

At the same time, this place serves as a comfortable spot for the older crowd. While the bar caters mostly to military types in their 20s and 30s later in the evening, customers old enough to be those soldiers' parents are a common sight here before 10 p.m.

---

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Tropics in Kailua held a "Naughty Nightie Night," one of several theme parties held at the bar throughout the year.

---

ONCE YOU get past the abundance of bamboo on the walls and a huge tiki near the front entrance that was salvaged from the Tahitian Lanai's closure a few years back, it's easy to see that this bar is more about keeping its regular customers happy than perpetuating a kitschy Polynesian theme.

With just one bartender on duty, there was a bit of a delay when it came to getting my first beer of the night. Although she had already spotted me standing there empty-handed, I still had to wait while a couple of regulars got their drinks first.

And unless you've been here before, there's no way to know that it's possible to get food to go with your drinks. I didn't see a printed menu anywhere, but got tipped off when the bartender brought a microwave pizza to the guy sitting next to me. Four generous pieces will set you back $5.

Sure, there are a number of choices when it comes to grabbing a drink in Kailua town. Some are bigger, some offer better food and some cater to different musical tastes, but Tropics comes through for those who are looking for a comfortable atmosphere to kick back with a cold one and just relax.

How much for a Bud Light?

The Barfly paid $2.25 for a bottle of Bud Light at Tropics. Seven taps offer more choices for those who drink draft beer; Red Hook, Budweiser, Guinness and Samuel Adams are all available.

Get things to do?

The indoor shuffleboard was the most popular attraction during an early evening visit last weekend. Three video games sit near the bar's front entrance, while a Megatouch game machine occupies one corner of the bar. A digital jukebox lets customers decide what music gets played when there's no live entertainment. Be ready for a steady mix of classic rock and 80's tunes.

What about the grinds?

Other than the $5 pizzas, your only option is to ask the bartender for some popcorn. Consider eating someplace else before coming here for drinks.

And the help?

Once her regular customers were taken care of, the bartender at Tropics was polite and efficient when she got around to me. Like almost any other bar, take some time to build a relationship with the employees and you'll enjoy better service. Tipping well probably wouldn't hurt much, either.

---

BACK TO TOP
|

Been there,
done that

Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas
Restaurant Row
533-4476
"Wet and Wild Wednesdays" at Hiroshi adds a unique twist to the typical martini night. Flavored foam not only makes the drinks look good, but taste good too -- at just $3 each!

Slammers Bar and Grill
1683 Kalakaua Ave.
946-4209
Cheap drinks, ono grinds and friendly service make this place worth a stop. Thursdays feature a club-like vibe with DJs in the mix; happy hour lasts all day on Sundays.

Kapono's
Aloha Tower Marketplace
536-2100
Sit back and enjoy live entertainment under the stars, just steps from the base of Aloha Tower. Be sure to bring a credit card; food and drinks can get a bit pricey here.