If you had to ask me what summer is great for, I’d say two things: 1) languor and 2) late nights. Though I’ve spent a majority of my summer in the languor part with work and sleep being my everyday routine, I did relish in the occasional date night in town. My usual go-to late night/date night activity is dinner-and-a-movie but it’s nice having alternatives and switching it up. That being said, downtown Honolulu is a great place for young people and cute happenings IF you know where and when to look. Whether it’s date night with someone new, your significant other, or a close friend(s), here are some different and new alternatives you can enjoy during and even after summer.
ART + FLEA
Art and Flea usually happens on Fridays of each month near the Ward/Kaka’ako area. It features a range of food trucks/vendors, independent and DIY artists, thrift shops, vintage collectors, handmade jewelers, and fashion designers. It’s basically an intersection for the local community to meet creativity.
Check them out at: https://www.artandflea.com/home or on Instagram: @artandflea
Eat the Street
Eat the Street is a local food truck rally that happens on every last Friday of the month. Their events are usually themed and the food is always good! This is definitely an alternative to a dinner date.
Check them out on Instagram: @eatthestreet
Art After Dark
This hip event is more on the pricey side. It’s the Honolulu Museum of Art’s monthly art party that takes place on the last Friday of the month from January through October. Non-member prices are $25.
Check them out at: https://honolulumuseum.org/events/art_after_dark
Live Music at The Republik
Right now, The Republik is one of the most mainstream/consistent music venues in Oahu. I usually follow their accounts to see what new artists are coming to town.
Check them out at: http://jointherepublik.com/ or on Instagram: @bampproject
Wine and Paint Night
I feel like these are popping up in places all over Oahu and town especially! The only one I’ve gone to and loved so far is Painting With A Twist.
Check them out at: https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/ or on Instagram: @pwat_honolulu
First Fridays in Chinatown
For more outgoing and extroverted date nights, First Fridays in Chinatown are full of hip bars, restaurants, gallery walks and art crawls, and everything in between.
Check them out at: http://www.firstfridayhawaii.com/
Pool at Hawaiian Brians
Fun late night thing to do on a date or with a group of friends. Not only is there pool, there’s also darts, arcade games, a bar and concert space. The location is super chill, located on Kapiolani Blvd.
Bookstore/music store browsing
As someone who really loves Barnes and Noble, I could spend hours going up and down the aisles with someone and have just as much fun. Definitely a date, if you didn’t know before. Other cool second-hand shops I like are: Book Off, Idea’s Music and Books (in Kaka’ako), and Hungry Ear Records (also Kaka’ako).
Boba cafes and board games
If you go to the right cafe, boba and board games go hand-in-hand. Mr. Tea is great for this! They also have late night hours.
Check them out on Instagram: @mrteacafe
Seasonal carnivals/State Fairs
The E.K. Fernandez 50th State Fair usually comes around every summer – which is always an extremely fun date idea. But during the other seasons, there are also Punahou School carnivals from time to time, and they’re usually announced on the news.
At the end of the night, ANYTHING can be a fun date. You just need the right person/people and the right attitudes. A good tip is to explore what’s out there and explore social media to find other cute, fun or cheap ideas!