Football season is a different experience in Hawaii. East Coast kickoffs start at 7 AM, the early afternoon slate hits at 11, and Sunday Night Football wraps up before dinner. If you're a serious NFL fan living in or visiting Waikiki, the time zone is either a blessing or a logistical challenge — and finding a bar that opens early, shows every game, and actually cares about the football experience makes all the difference. That bar is Skybox Taphouse.
Every Game, Every Sunday
Skybox has over 20 TVs with state-of-the-art picture and sound spread across the venue. On Sundays during football season, every screen is locked into NFL action. The early morning games, the afternoon window, Sunday Night Football — all of it, with audio on for the biggest matchups. If your team's game isn't on a screen near you, just ask the staff and they'll switch it.
This isn't a hotel bar with one TV in the corner on mute. Skybox is built for watching sports. The 275-seat venue has sightlines from every table, every barstool, and every spot in the open-air outdoor section. On game day, the atmosphere is what you'd expect from a real sports bar — fans in jerseys, reactions on big plays, and the kind of energy that makes watching with a crowd better than watching at home.
Early Opens for East Coast Games
The Hawaii time zone means the 1 PM Eastern kickoffs start at 7 AM local time. A lot of Waikiki bars aren't even open yet. Skybox opens early on weekends during football season specifically for this reason, and they've got a full breakfast menu so you can eat while you watch. Eggs, pancakes, and your team's opening drive — it's a better morning than sleeping in.
The 4:25 PM Eastern games kick off at 11:25 AM in Hawaii, and Sunday Night Football starts at 2:20 PM. That means your entire NFL Sunday wraps up by early evening, leaving you the rest of the night. Most mainland fans can't say that.
Monday and Thursday Night Football Too
It's not just Sundays. Monday Night Football kicks off at 2:15 PM Hawaii time — right in the middle of happy hour (Monday through Friday, 3-6 PM). That means you can watch MNF with $5 domestic pints, $7 local drafts, and $11 signature cocktails. Thursday Night Football hits at the same time. There's genuinely no better happy hour situation in Waikiki than cold drinks, bar food, and a nationally televised game.
Game Day Food and Drink
The full kitchen runs during every game. For the table, start with Upper-Cut jumbo wings in Buffalo, Honey Sriracha, or Hawaiian BBQ, the Triple Play nachos that serve 4-6 people, or the Monster Pretzel with Wisconsin cheese sauce. Individual orders — the hand-crafted pizzas, Kalua smoked pork sliders, and All-Star fish tacos are all fan favorites.
On the drink side, Skybox has its own house beers on tap — the Skybox Blonde and a Hazy IPA with mango and guava notes — plus local drafts from Kona Brewing, Maui Brewing, and Ola Brew. Pitchers and towers are available if you're with a crew. Domestic towers run $37, local towers $41.
Playoff Season and Super Bowl
The atmosphere ramps up as the season goes on. Playoff weekends bring bigger crowds and louder reactions. For the Super Bowl, Skybox is the spot in Waikiki — the game kicks off in the early afternoon Hawaii time, so it's a proper daytime event with food, drinks, and a packed house. If you're planning to come for the Super Bowl, save a table early.
Where to Find Us
Skybox Taphouse is at 2330 Kalakaua Ave #302, on the third floor of International Market Place in Waikiki. Open daily 11 AM to 2 AM, with early opens on weekends during football season. Walk-ins are always welcome, but for big games consider reserving ahead. Call 808-378-8542 or check the events page for the weekly sports schedule.