Happy hour in Waikiki isn't hard to find. Every other bar along Kalakaua Avenue has some version of it. But finding one with genuinely good prices, real food, and an atmosphere that doesn't feel like a hotel lobby? That's a shorter list. Skybox Taphouse runs one of the best happy hours in Waikiki — and the prices, the drinks, and the setting are the reasons locals actually show up for it.
The Hours and the Deal
Happy hour at Skybox runs Monday through Friday, 3 PM to 6 PM. Here's what you're looking at:
- $5 domestic draft pints — Bud Light, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois, Modelo
- $7 local draft pints — Kona Longboard Lager, Kona Big Wave, Maui Big Swell IPA, Maui Pineapple Mana Wheat, Ola Brew Dragonfruit Lemonade, Skybox Blonde, Skybox Hazy IPA, Mango Cart, and more
- $11 signature cocktails — normally $16, so you're saving $5 per drink
- $5/$6 White Claw and NÜTRL seltzers
- Discounted pupus (appetizers)
If you're drinking with a group, the pitcher and tower pricing during happy hour is worth knowing about. Domestic pitchers run $25, local pitchers $30. Towers — which hold roughly three pitchers — are $37 domestic and $41 local. For a table of four splitting a tower of Big Wave, you're each paying about $10 for what amounts to three or four pints.
The Cocktails Are the Real Move
The $11 happy hour cocktails are where Skybox separates from most Waikiki happy hours that just discount beer. These are the same full-size signature cocktails off the regular drinks menu, just $5 cheaper. A few worth ordering:
The All Tai'd Up is a legit Mai Tai — silver rum, spiced rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, orgeat syrup, and a dark rum float on top. The Goddess Pele brings together pineapple, strawberry, and habanero vodka for something with a little heat. The Overtime Buzz is their espresso martini — vanilla vodka, espresso, and Kahlúa — perfect if happy hour is turning into a late night. And the Passion Play Margarita with passion fruit and lime is an easy crowd-pleaser.
There are 11 signature cocktails total on the happy hour menu, so you've got plenty to work through over the course of a few visits. They also have spirit-free options at $9 if you're the designated driver or just want something refreshing without the alcohol.
You Can Actually Eat Here
The discounted pupus during happy hour mean you can pair drinks with real food — not just a basket of fries and call it done. Skybox's full kitchen is running during happy hour, so you have access to the entire menu. The fan favorites for sharing are the Upper-Cut jumbo wings (Buffalo, Honey Sriracha, or Hawaiian BBQ), Wisconsin golden cheese curds, the Monster Pretzel with cheese sauce, and the Triple Play nachos that serve 4-6 people.
This is a big differentiator from hotel happy hours in Waikiki that offer a limited bar snack menu or no food at all. At Skybox you can make a full early evening out of it — drinks and dinner for well under what you'd pay at most spots on the strip.
The Setting Makes a Difference
Skybox sits on the third-floor Grand Lanai of International Market Place, with open-air seating and views across Waikiki. During happy hour you've still got daylight and a nice breeze, and there's usually a game on the 20+ TVs if you want background sports while you drink. It's a more relaxed vibe than the evening crowd — fewer tourists, more regulars, and plenty of space at the bar or at tables.
The two full-size bars mean you're not waiting ten minutes to order a round, which is a real problem at smaller Waikiki happy hours where one bartender is handling the whole place.
What Happens After 6 PM
Happy hour ends at 6, but Skybox keeps going strong. Karaoke starts at 9 PM every night and runs until 2 AM. On Wednesdays, there's trivia at 7 PM. And the kitchen stays open until 1 AM, so if happy hour turns into dinner turns into karaoke, you don't have to leave to find food.
The full drink menu kicks back in at regular pricing after 6, but honestly, at $16 for a well-made craft cocktail in Waikiki, the regular prices aren't bad either. You're still paying less than most hotel bars on the strip.
Getting There
Skybox Taphouse is at 2330 Kalakaua Ave #302, third floor of International Market Place. Open daily 11 AM to 2 AM, with happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, or save a table if you're bringing a crew. You can also order online for pickup.