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Destination: Oahu/Waikiki Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.
VIP tables with bottle service and nine different bars make The Villa a popular spot for nighttime prowling. There are lots of open spaces to groove to whatever the DJ is spinning that night, be it house or hip-hop or classic dance tracks. With lots of parking at Aloha Tower and in lots nearby, The Villa is popular with the local club kids and regular night-crawlers. Open only on Friday and Saturday nights, it has discounted drinks until midnight. Fashionable attire is required. www.thevillahonolulu.com.
It's like watching a movie at the drive-in, minus the car and the speaker box. Bring a blanket and find a spot on the sand to enjoy live entertainment, food from top local restaurants, and a movie on a 40-foot screen. Held twice a month on Queen's Surf Beach across from the Honolulu Zoo, Sunset on the Beach is a favorite event for both locals and visitors. If the weather is blustery, beware of flying sand. www.waikikiimprovement.com.
The newest nightclub in Honolulu, The Standard is an ultramodern venue with an urban, artsy vibe. White walls are illuminated with shades of lavender, pink, and turquoise, and the space is decked with three bars, VIP seating areas, and an elevated DJ booth spinning house music over a spacious dance floor. The Standard is big enough to host networking mixers and fashion shows, and its location in downtown lures the after-work crowd. The suggested dress code—collared shirts and shoes—makes this a more grown-up hipster spot. www.thestandardhonolulu.com.
It may not be the hippest club in town, but Rumours prides itself on its theme events and its retro vibe, spinning hits from the '70s and '80s. It's got free pupu to nibble on and cages to dance inside.
This lively, popular cabaret show has great staying power and, after more than 30 years, continues to put on one of the most popular shows in Waikiki. The cast sings, dances, does impersonations, plays instruments, and, above all, entertains with its contemporary sound. www.outrigger.com.
A hip after-work crowd flocks here on weekdays to unwind at happy hour. Weekends it's packed with the see-and-be-seen set. www.pearlhawaii.com.
Easily one of the best on the Islands, this show has soaring moments and an "erupting volcano." It's a long drive—about an hour from Waikiki—but you can take part in the popular Alii Luau or stay for the heralded "Ha: Breath of Life" show. General admission starts at $49.95. www.polynesia.com.
On the campus of Windward Community College, the 300-seat Paliku Theatre features everything from dramatic productions to chamber music concerts to hula and dance performances. The sound system is exceptional. www.etickethawaii.com.
From September through July, wonderful performances grace this intimate theater in lush Manoa Valley. www.manoavalleytheater.com.
Country music in the tropics? You bet! Dress up like a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) and mosey on out to the giant dance floor at Nashville Waikiki. There's line dancing and free dance lessons five nights a week. Look for wall-to-wall crowds on the weekend. Pool tables, dartboards, and Wii consoles keep them occupied. www.nashvillewaikiki.com.