ONE OF my favorite places in Honolulu to grab a drink has gotten even better.

Apartment3 now has a new way of spelling its name, along with a new executive chef and a new lineup of premium cocktails. According to business partners Flash Hansen and Matty Hazelgrove (Charles “;Chip”; Jewitt also holds an ownership interest), the third-floor lounge at the Century Center is ready to elevate its food and drink offerings to the next level.

“;We know we can get people here to have a cocktail and create a cool ambience that people might enjoy,”; Hazelgrove said last week during a private tasting. “;We're not changing our focus as a business, but we are trying to expand it.”;

Hansen added that improving the menu was something they wanted to do since opening Apartment3.

“;We just weren't in a position to do it,”; he said. “;Everybody would prefer to eat locally and support local agriculture, especially with all these great sources for local produce.

“;If you can do it, why not? There's no reason not to.”;

With the addition of executive chef Robert “;Bob”; McGee, items that used to be pretty good are now pretty darn fantastic. You can't go wrong with his take on Pork 'n Beans ($18) or Shrimp and Grits ($19), and the Ultimate Mac and Cheese ($15) took a recipe that was already one of my favorites and made it even better, with huge chunks of Dungeness crab and house-made chorizo.

Also worth visiting for are the “;Ultimate Libations,”; a variety of drinks created by mixologist Chandra Lam. Priced at $12 each, they're not the most affordable in town, but the quality of ingredients used makes them worth the extra bucks. My favorites are the Studio 301, made with Maui Gold pineapple and 10 Cane Rum, and the Absinthe-Minded, which pairs a “;trace”; of Pernod with muddled Asian pears and pear-flavored Absolut vodka.

Also new for Apartment3 in 2010 are the operating hours—they are now open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays—and the featured entertainment. Tahiti Rey will play in the lounge on Wednesdays in February, followed by YOZA on Thursdays. Call 955-9300 for reservations ...

NEWS AND NOTES: Seven members of local dance academy Hypersquad have been picked to represent Hawaii in the current season of “;America's Best Dance Crew”; on MTV. Hype 5-0 will make its first appearance on the show Thursday at 10 p.m. Hawaii time; congrats to Brittnie Aguilar, Marc Duey, Casey Kalahiki, Allen Pascual, John Ramones, Will Soares and Josh Ulep on making it to Hollywood ... It looks like Kanye West can't get enough of our island. After a rumored visit to Honolulu in December, he was spotted in a VIP skybox at LEVEL4 Nightclub with girlfriend Amber Rose during Nicky Minaj's performance last Friday ... The upcoming Nas concert has apparently changed dates. Promoter SkyHI Productions now says it will happen on March 19 at Aloha Tower Marketplace ...

WEEKEND PICKS: Hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc returned to Honolulu this week for two shows at NextDoor. He'll grab a microphone tonight at 10 p.m. alongside local openers the Deadbeats and DJ Kitty Lee after jumping on the decks on Wednesday ... Head to Bonsai at Restaurant Row tomorrow for a new, indoor-outdoor club experience. ”;Shine: Moonlight Arena”; launched last weekend with satellite bars and an outdoor party area that extends nearly all the way to Bambu and Oceans808. Doors open at 9 p.m. ... Celebrate the life of Bob Marley tomorrow at Pipeline Cafe's “;Bob Bash 2010.”; Maacho and Cool Connection headline, with opening sets by Isouljahs and Rootikal Riddim with Sista Lubei. Tickets are $18 for this 18-and-over show; doors open at 11 p.m. ...

”;In the Mix”; drops Fridays in HILife. Contact Jason Genegabus by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).