Fancy eats and drinks with exceptional views that are hard to beat? In Waikīkī, the best rooftop bars and restaurants promise just that.
After ten years of bar-hopping in Waikīkī, we’ve spent countless nights at its rooftop gems — where epic scenery, tropical cocktails and tasty bites make a night to remember.
Waikīkī’s rooftop spots offer a fresh way to experience the neighborhood, whether you’re gazing at Diamond Head, soaking up Pacific Ocean views or admiring the sparkling city lights.
In this post, we share our local recommendations for the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Waikīkī.
Table of Contents
1. DECK. Waikiki
Bask in an unobstructed, wow-worthy sight of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head).
📍 150 Kapahulu Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: Daily 2-6pm
🎵 Live Music: Daily
🎟️ Reservations: OpenTable or walk-in
DECK. Waikiki offers memorable meals all-day on a large 3rd Floor deck with uninterrupted views of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head).
Located inside the Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel, this indoor-outdoor rooftop bar and restaurant offers a shady, breezy venue with comfortable seating and awesome cocktails!
The menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients, our favorites are the Deep Dish Haupia French Toast (breakfast), Spicy Chicken Sandwich (lunch) and BBQ Liliʻkoi Pork Ribs (dinner).
DECK. Waikiki has not-to-be-missed special events like Mai Tai Monday, Taco Tuesday, Whiskey Wednesday, Thursday Thursday and Pau Hana Friday, plus a daily Happy Hour 2-6pm with $6 off select cocktails and more.
INSIDE TIP: Order any beverage and add $20 to have it served in a tiki mug that you can take home.
2. SKY Waikiki
Take in exquisite views and capture stunning photos from the top of Waikīkī.
📍 2270 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: Daily 4-5pm
🎵 Live Music: Daily 6-9pm
🎟️ Reservations: SEVENROOMS or walk-in
Situated above Kalākaua Avenue on the 19th Floor, SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar is Waikīkī’s highest outdoor rooftop bar and restaurant.
The wrap-around deck provides panoramic views that take in Lēʻahi (Diamond Head), the beach, the ocean and some of Waikīkī’s best hotels — it’s the perfect place to snap cool vacation photos!
SKY Waikiki has a high-quality seafood-centric dinner menu, it’s a known hotspot for oysters, sushi, champagne and cocktails. Dine at Happy Hour daily 4-5pm, to sample the menu for less.
On Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm, SKY Waikiki transforms into a rooftop nightclub, perfect for dancing and partying until 2am. Bring a cardigan or jacket — it can get windy up there.
INSIDE TIP: Reservations are highly recommended. For the best view, add a “Reservation Note” and ask to be seated on the rooftop deck by the glass edge.
3. Hideout at the Laylow
Waikīkī’s trendy rooftop spot, featuring craft cocktails and live local talent.
📍 2299 Kūhiō Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: Daily 3:30-5:30pm
🎵 Live Music: Daily 5pm
🎟️ Reservations: OpenTable or walk-in
Hideout is a sophisticated all-day rooftop bar and restaurant “hidden” on the 2nd Floor of The Laylow, Autograph Collection hotel.
Take the escalator up from Kūhiō Avenue to reach Hideout’s balcony — a daytime oasis that transforms at night with tiki torches and fire-pit flames. Their signature Espresso Martini is the perfect sip for the space.
For breakfast, we love the Townside Breakfast Sandwich, Waikīkī’s closest thing to an egg and bacon roll. Lunchtime calls for fresh salads topped with chicken breast, Kauaʻi prawns, seared ahi or the daily catch.
Come dinner, pūpū like Kauaʻi Shrimp Dumplings and Truffle Garlic Fries pair perfectly with drinks. They also serve burgers, sandwiches and main dishes like Braised Beef Short Ribs.
INSIDE TIP: The local entertainment sets this place apart. Hawaiʻi’s finest artists perform daily from 5pm and DJs make appearances every Friday and Saturday from 8:30pm.
4. Tommy Bahama
Where the food is as good as the drinks, served in a relaxed tropical setting.
📍 298 Beach Walk, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Dinner & Fri-Sat for Lunch
🍹 Happy Hour: Daily 2-5pm
🎵 Live Music: Daily 5-8pm
🎟️ Reservations: OpenTable or walk-in
Tommy Bahama‘s 3rd Floor rooftop bar brings the best island-inspired cuisine and cocktails to Waikīkī.
With its open-air terrace, sweeping views down Kalākaua Avenue and daily live music from 5- 8pm, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and soak up Waikīkī’s carefree vibe.
Our top pick? The Frozen Mai Tai, a refreshing twist on the classic. And for food, don’t miss the Scallop Sliders, World Famous Coconut Shrimp, Macadamia-Nut-Crusted Fresh Catch or the Guava-Glazed Baby Pork Ribs.
Be sure to save room for dessert! Choose from delights like Piña Colada Cake, Malted Chocolate Pie, Key Lime Pie and Pineapple Crème Brûlée.
INSIDE TIP: Explore Tommy Bahama’s retail store on the ground floor, where you’ll find apparel, swimwear, accessories and home décor reflecting the brand’s signature “beach living” aesthetic.
5. Buho Cocina y Cantina
A rooftop fiesta with Mexican food, skyline vibes and live music some nights.
📍 2250 Kalakaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: None
🎵 Live Music: Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat 9pm-1:30am
🎟️ Reservations: OpenTable or walk-in
Out of all of Waikīkī’s rooftop bars and restaurants, the 5th Floor Buho Cocina y Cantina is the liveliest.
It’s an Mexican eatery with an outdoor beer garden feel that comes alive at night with patrons dancing, likely fueled by the 50+ varieties of tequila on offer 🙂
Buho doesn’t have a Happy Hour, but they make up for it with special events like Latin Night every Taco Tuesday, Tequila Thursday, Fiesta Friday, and Salsa Saturday.
The tacos are the crowd favorite, crafted with corn tortillas and packed with carnitas (pork), grilled chicken, fish, shrimp or steak. You’ll also find burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas and fajitas.
INSIDE TIP: End on a sweet note with cinnamon churros, they come with chocolate and caramel sauce — add a scoop of ice cream.
In summary, elevate your Waikīkī experience with breathtaking dining and drinks at the city’s stunning rooftop bars and restaurants.
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Visitor FAQs
Waikīkī cools down at night because the nighttime temperature drops around 10°F lower than the daytime. Expect evening temperatures in Waikīkī to hover in the 60°F to early 70°Fʻs (15°C to early 20°Cʻs).
In general, Waikīkī has a relaxed dress code. During the day it’s totally appropriate to wear your beach gear and slippers (flip flops or thongs) wherever you go. After dark, most people change into slightly dressier outfits, what we’d describe “dressy casual” attire.
The Na Lani Sky Lounge rooftop bar on the 15th Floor of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Hokulani Waikiki hotel is not open to the public. The Na Lani Sky Lounge rooftop bar operates Monday through Sunday from 1-7pm for in-house guests only.
