Best gay bar in waikiki

In Hawaii, "aloha" is more than just a greeting. Aloha is a way of life, guided by the principles of mutual caring, harmony, and kindness. Perhaps because of this loving island spirit, Hawaii has a history of being one of the most gay-friendly places to visit in the U. With a metropolitan population of nearly 1 million residents, Honolulu is a far cry from a tranquil little island town.

The island of Oahu is not only popular with tourists, but it's also the cultural and financial center of Hawaii. The capital city offers all types of ways for LGBT travelers to let loose, from gay bars to gay beaches. Whether you're coming with your partner, a group of friends, or on your own, you'll be living the aloha lifestyle as well long before it's time to return home.

To find Honolulu's gay bars, you'll have to venture away from downtown and head toward the famous Waikiki Beach. Honolulu's gay nightlife scene is concentrated in this area, meaning you can conveniently spend the day lounging under the sun and then head straight to the bars. And if you're staying in one of the numerous resorts in Waikiki, you can imbibe without worry and easily get back to your hotel on foot.

The gay dance clubs in Honolulu throw raucous parties. Two clubs in particular cater to the LGBT crowd, and both of them promise to delight guests.

The 17 best gay bars in Honolulu

If your evening plans bring you to downtown, then Scarlet Honolulu is right around the corner. Most major metropolitan areas have some sort of gay neighborhood, but not many cities in the world can boast that they have a gay beach. Continue walking along Waikiki Beach toward the famous Diamond Head State Park—away from downtown—and you'll eventually come across Queen's Surf Beach, the unofficial gay seashore.

The beach is open to all, but LGBT visitors especially tend to congregate on these sands. It's a great place to meet and mingle with other gay travelers before heading over to the nearby gay bars. Throughout the month of October, enjoy all types of queer events from movie screenings and art expositions to pool parties and sing-alongs, all culminating in the Honolulu Pride Parade and Festival at the end of the month.

For over 30 years, the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival has premiered LGBT-themed feature films, documentaries, shorts, and animations from Hawaiian filmmakers and from around the world. It's one of the longest-running and most esteemed film festivals of its kind, and it takes place in August of each year.

Destinations United States Hawaii Honolulu. By Andrew Collins. Andrew Collins. Travel's editorial guidelines. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Related Articles.