Waikiki - evening life
Im traveling with my family and wanted to know what time do restaurants and beaches usually wind down for the night and start up again? Im trying to build an itinerary accordingly.
Hi there,
Waikiki has a lively but relaxed rhythm, which can help when planning your itinerary. Here’s an overview of how evenings generally flow for restaurants, beaches, and nightlife:
Restaurants and Dining:
Most restaurants in Waikiki stay open fairly late compared to mainland U.S. cities, though hours vary depending on the type of establishment. Casual cafes and beachside eateries often start winding down around 9:00–10:00 PM, while higher-end restaurants and hotel restaurants may remain open until 10:30–11:00 PM. Breakfast and lunch services usually resume around 7:00 AM, though some hotels and cafes open earlier.
- Casual restaurants, plate lunch spots, and food trucks: generally close by 9:00 PM.
- Hotel restaurants, upscale dining, and popular tourist spots: often close around 10:30–11:00 PM.
- Many places start serving dinner around 5:00–5:30 PM and stay busy until closing.
Beaches:
Waikiki Beach is open 24 hours, but most people visit during daylight hours. Swimming is safest during the day, typically from sunrise to sunset (roughly 6:00 AM–6:30 PM in May). After dark, lifeguards are off duty, and most families tend to avoid swimming. However, evening strolls, beachside sunsets, or casual sand play can continue into the early evening.
- Sunrise: roughly 6:00 AM in May, which is perfect for early beach walks or sunrise photos.
- Daytime beach activity: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM is the peak period for families and tourists.
- Sunset: roughly 6:45–7:00 PM, often a popular time for evening photography and beach strolls.
Nightlife and Evening Activity:
Waikiki has a vibrant evening scene, especially along Kalakaua Avenue, with bars, live music, and hula performances. Most bars and entertainment venues start getting lively around 7:00–8:00 PM, peaking around 9:00–10:00 PM, and closing between midnight and 2:00 AM.
- Evening entertainment and hula shows at hotels: usually start around 6:30–7:00 PM.
- Bars and lounges: start filling around 8:00 PM, stay active until midnight or later.
- Street performers and casual evening strolls along Waikiki: ongoing until about 10:00–11:00 PM.
In summary, for a family itinerary, you could plan beach and outdoor activities in the morning to late afternoon, dinner around 5:30–7:00 PM, and if desired, brief evening walks or casual entertainment until about 9:30–10:00 PM. Nighttime swimming is generally not recommended, but the area remains lively for walking, shopping, and enjoying music and hula shows.
Hope this helps you structure your Waikiki evenings efficiently!
