Hidden Away In A Local Pub, Gaslamp Is One Of Hawaii's Only Speakeasies
By Megan Shute|Published February 12, 2020
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible restaurants and bars, especially in the state’s major tourist destinations. And while there are more drinking destinations than we could possibly name in Waikiki alone, some are undoubtedly more remarkable than others. In a sea of oceanfront tiki bars overflowing with old Hawaiian charm, you might be surprised to discover this moody speakeasy even exists.
Tucked away inside the popular Kailua Town Pub & Grill, Gaslamp is perhaps the single coolest speakeasy you’ll find in Hawaii. Featuring inventive cocktails, an atmosphere that will transport you back in time to the days of Prohibition, and live jazz, there’s no secret password required.
You’ll find the entrance within the Kailua Town Pub & Grill in a phone booth near the bar, and reservations are recommended — required for large parties — and seats book up days, sometimes weeks, in advance.
Boasting a menu of more than dozen signature cocktails as well as 15 hard-to-find craft beers on tap, there’s something for everyone here. From the communal cocktail that serves four called the Boozy Carry-On to the Buddha’s Kiss, which is made with Japanese whisky, Joto Yuzu sake, honeydew, shiso, jasmine, and Hawaiian honey, the drinks are sure to satisfy.
Brand new combinations are served alongside inventive takes on classic cocktails that reflect the flavors of the islands and the small food menu is impressive as well. While the speakeasy menu features only a few plates, it does share a kitchen with the pub.
Guests will enjoy live jazz Thursday through Saturday evenings and because the cocktail and food menus are updated seasonally, you never know what sort of tasty concoctions you’ll get to try.
As soon as you step inside this unique space, you’ll forget that you’re in the heart of Kailua in the year 2020 and not sipping a cocktail in a 1920s New York City speakeasy — and that’s just the what Gaslamp owners intended.
Gaslamp is located at the back of the Kailua Town Pub and Grill and is open Wednesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information, visit their website.
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