Best Gay Bars & Bathhouses In Honolulu
Honolulu's LGBTQ+ scene is compact, self-contained, and entirely walkable โ a rare thing in the United States. One of the main hubs for the gay community in Honolulu is the Waikiki neighborhood, particularly along Kuhio Avenue. Unlike most mid-size American cities, where locals drive 30-plus minutes to reach the nearest gay bar, Honolulu keeps nearly everything within a short stroll of the beach. The one honest caveat: there is currently no operating gay bathhouse in Honolulu; previously there had been Max's Gym, but that gay sauna in Waikiki closed as of 2015.
The Honolulu LGBTQ+ Scene
Honolulu doesn't have a designated "gayborhood" like some cities, but the area around the Waikiki tourist district has long been a hub for LGBTQ+ life and culture. The main drag of Waikiki, Kuhio Avenue, is just over one mile long, and most of the nightlife happens around the International Marketplace on this road โ bar-hopping is a popular pastime, and you could visit all of them in one long night. Downtown Honolulu is the business district, but it's also home to Scarlet Honolulu, voted the best LGBTQIA+ bar in Hawaii. The big anchor on the calendar is Honolulu Pride, which typically lands in October and brings a parade and festival energy to town, with smaller community fundraisers, drag nights, and pop-up parties throughout the year, often centered in Waikiki. Hawaii's Indigenous culture has historically had complex relationships with gender and sexuality โ the mฤhลซ tradition acknowledges a third gender โ and the modern LGBTQ+ movement in Hawaii has drawn on both this tradition and mainland organizing.
Top Gay Bars & Bathhouses for Honolulu Locals
Hula's Bar & Lei Stand
Type: Gay bar / Outdoor lounge
Location: 134 Kapahulu Ave, 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96815
Features: Located on the edge of Waikiki, Hula's is a legendary all-day gathering spot with unbeatable views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean, and for over 50 years has been one of Waikiki's most celebrated gay bars with deep roots in the LGBTQ+ community. By day it runs as a laid-back tiki bar with a view, and by night it hosts live entertainment, Open Mic Nights, and nightly video DJs.
Website: https://hulas.com
Bacchus Waikiki
Type: Gay bar / Wine and cocktail lounge
Location: 408 Lewers St, Honolulu, HI 96815
Features: Situated on Lewers Street, Bacchus Waikiki is a lively gay bar known for its friendly staff and welcoming ambiance, offering a range of cocktails and hosting regular events like bingo nights and trivia competitions. A cozy spot with great cocktails, fun events, and a loyal local crowd โ open seven days a week from noon to 2 a.m.
Wang Chung's
Type: LGBTQ+ karaoke bar
Location: 2424 Koa Ave (inside Stay Hotel), Honolulu, HI 96815
Features: Wang Chung's is a lively gay bar in Waikiki featuring specialty cocktails in a cozy Asian-inspired interior. There are also themed events like lesbian nights, Pride parties, and drag brunch โ and per-song karaoke keeps the energy high from open until 2 a.m. every night of the week.
Website: https://www.wangchungs.com
Scarlet Honolulu
Type: Gay nightclub / Drag venue
Location: Chinatown, Honolulu, HI (near Hawaii Pacific University)
Features: Hawaii's largest nightclub and one of the best gay bars Oahu has to offer, with DJs and go-go dancers; connected to the dance floor is a tiki bar with a pineapple stage that features drag shows every Friday and Saturday. Located in Chinatown, Scarlet boasts pulsating dance floors, wild theme nights, and drag shows, drawing a crowd of locals and tourists alike.
In Between Waikiki
Type: Gay bar / neighborhood dive
Location: Lau'ula St, Honolulu, HI 96815
Features: One of Waikiki's most beloved gay bars, set on the quiet stretch of Lau'ula Street in Honolulu, this cozy LGBTQ+ spot has been a local favorite for years. Lower-key than Scarlet or Hula's, it draws a mixed-age crowd and is favored by regulars who want conversation over a dance floor.
Velvet Nightclub
Type: LGBTQ+ nightclub
Location: Honol