You planned a trip to Waikiki — the beach, the food, the whole experience. But your team is in the playoffs. Or it's NFL Sunday. Or there's a UFC card you've been waiting months for. You're not going to miss it just because you're on vacation. Here's everything you need to know about watching live sports in Waikiki, from time zones to where to go.
The Time Zone Changes Everything
Hawaii Standard Time is 2 hours behind the West Coast (3 hours during daylight saving, which Hawaii doesn't observe). That changes the entire sports-watching schedule:
- NFL 1 PM ET kickoffs → 7 AM in Hawaii
- NFL 4:25 PM ET games → 11:25 AM in Hawaii
- Sunday/Monday/Thursday Night Football → Early-to-mid afternoon
- NBA/NHL evening games (7-8 PM ET) → 1-2 PM in Hawaii
- UFC main cards (10 PM ET) → 4 PM in Hawaii
- Premier League morning matches (7:30 AM ET) → 1:30 AM in Hawaii
The upside: most major American sports events happen during the day in Hawaii, so you can watch the game and still have your evening free. The downside: early morning East Coast starts mean you might need to find a bar that opens early — and not all of them do.
Where to Watch: Skybox Taphouse
Skybox Taphouse on Kalakaua Avenue is Waikiki's go-to sports bar. Here's why it works for visitors:
20+ TVs with sound. Every major sport is covered — NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, UFC, NCAA, Premier League, and more. Sound is on for the big games, and the staff will put your game on a screen near you if you ask.
Open daily 11 AM to 2 AM. During football season and major tournaments, Skybox opens early on weekends to catch the first East Coast kickoffs. The kitchen runs until 1 AM every night.
Full food and drink menu. This isn't a bar with peanuts and pretzels. The kitchen menu includes hand-crafted pizzas, jumbo wings, fish tacos, nachos, burgers, sliders, and more. There's a breakfast menu for early morning games and a late-night menu for after midnight. The drink list features house-brewed beers, local Hawaiian drafts, and signature cocktails.
275 seats, two bars. Located on the third-floor Grand Lanai of International Market Place, the open-air layout has both indoor and outdoor sections with views across Waikiki. You won't be cramped in a dark corner — there's space, there's airflow, and there's a screen visible from every seat.
Tips for Visiting Fans
Check the time conversion before game day. It catches people off guard. If you're used to a 1 PM Sunday kickoff, set an alarm for 7 AM Hawaii time or you'll miss the first quarter from your hotel bed.
Arrive early for big events. Super Bowl, March Madness opening weekend, UFC championship cards, and NFL playoffs draw bigger crowds. Walk-ins are always welcome, but reserving a table is smart for these events.
Happy hour overlaps with a lot of games. Happy hour at Skybox is Monday through Friday, 3-6 PM. That overlaps with afternoon games, Monday Night Football kickoff, and early UFC prelims. $5 domestic pints, $7 local drafts, $11 cocktails — it's one of the best deals in Waikiki, especially while watching your team.
Don't skip the local beers. You're in Hawaii — try the local drafts. Kona Longboard Lager, Maui Brewing's Big Swell IPA, and the house-brewed Skybox Hazy IPA with mango and guava are worth ordering over whatever you drink at home.
Beyond the Game
Skybox runs karaoke every night from 9 PM to 2 AM and trivia on Wednesdays at 7 PM. So even if there's no game on during your visit, there's still something happening. It's become a regular stop for visitors who discover it early in their trip and keep coming back.
Getting There
Skybox Taphouse is at 2330 Kalakaua Ave #302, third floor of International Market Place. You've probably already walked past it — it's right on the main strip. Take the escalators up from the ground floor and follow the noise. Call 808-378-8542 with any questions about game schedules or events.