




Kelley O'Neil's
About
A Waikiki Institution for Late-Night Revelry
If you find yourself wandering the neon-lit streets of Waikiki after dark, the steady hum of electric guitars and the scent of spilled draught beer will inevitably pull you toward Kelley O'Neil's. This isn't your polished, modern hotel lounge; it is a quintessential dive bar that has anchored the local nightlife scene for decades. The walls, plastered with enough eclectic memorabilia to keep your eyes busy for hours, set the stage for an unpretentious environment where locals and tourists rub elbows.
Live Sounds and Liquid Courage
The heartbeat of this Honolulu spot is its unwavering commitment to live music. You can expect a rotating lineup of bands playing everything from classic rock staples to high-energy pop covers that keep the small dance floor packed until the early hours. The sound system is loud, unapologetically so, which serves as a great excuse to abandon conversation and just soak in the kinetic energy. It’s the kind of place where the beer flows cold and fast, and the bartenders manage a relentless pace with impressive efficiency.
What to Expect on a Night Out
While the menu focuses on standard pub fare—think crispy appetizers and hearty portions meant to soak up a few rounds—the real draw is the atmosphere. Be prepared for a space that gets tight and warm as the night progresses; it is a high-traffic area, so expect a bit of a squeeze. While parking in this section of Waikiki can be a test of patience, the trade-off is finding one of the few authentic, gritty pubs left in the city. Whether you are looking to kill time before a late-night flight or you want to experience the raw, unfiltered side of the Honolulu nightlife circuit, this is the destination.
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Location
311 Lewers St, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815-2344
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 181 community reviewsChel OGoogle Maps
Recently
Friendly service & cheap drinks at happy hour. Show the basketball & soccer. However, it’s not like your typical Irish pub, was disappointed (coming from an Aussie) :(
Jordan MarieGoogle Maps
Recently
A really fun bar that a friend recommended to me. Great live music and entertaining people watching. Our server was great and drinks were a decent price!
Bryanna TrevinoGoogle Maps
Recently
Visited this bar the week I was in Waikiki and Shannon was absolutely amazing !!! Honestly this bar is the best, me and my boyfriend visited it twice because we had amazing service from Shannon and the vibes were just amazing! I’m surprise she was a server when she has such an amazing personality to become a bartender! Thank you again Shannon for such a great experience we will def be back!
Mike CarterGoogle Maps
Recently
Place is always a good time, mix of locals, tourists, military etc. Come early for decent priced drinks and live music hang out gets more intense as the night goes on.
BjörnGoogle Maps
Recently
Politics are not allowed at this Irish bar!!!!! According to the bar tender gal. My long time friend and I were excited to find an Irish bar in Honolulu. We were surprised after having a good time meeting others at the bar when our bar tender became emotionally upset and told us we were no longer allowed to talk politics at the bar. Be sure we weren't loud or obnoxious. We were having fun and talking to a couple next to us. She said it's against their policy to allow conversations about politics or religion while in their bar. I'll leave it to you to guess which politics aren't allowed. Our two new friends and I were confused at first as we were not including anyone else in our conversation especially the bar tender serving us our drinks. We quickly realized she was upset with us for our viewpoints that she didn't agree with. We quickly finished our drinks and left O'niels never to return again. No one should be censored while minding their own business at the bar. This happened at 6:00pm on 6 April 2026. I don't know her name but surely she can be known.
Chad CooperGoogle Maps
Recently
BEST HAPPY HOUR in town! Get the flat bread! Go a step further and add three toppings for $5! And $4 well tequila! Just do it!!!
Fabian FGoogle Maps
Recently
While the atmosphere didn't quite capture the traditional Irish pub vibe I was expecting, there were definitely highlights to the evening. The live singer was incredibly talented, though the song selection was a bit slow for dancing. The drink variety and pricing were exactly as expected. Overall, a decent spot, though the general ambiance could use a bit more energy.
Allan PaullGoogle Maps
Recently
What an unexpected find. Smash burger is only $16 and legit one of the best burgers I’ve had. The service was outstanding and the duo singing and playing guitar topped off a great night. What a great place to chill and get a nice feed.
K McMahonGoogle Maps
Recently
Fun time, great music, stew is hearty! I wish they could make the music louder! I guess they were having issues with noise complaints from the neighbors. Too bad! The band PWR rocks! 😏
Vas MintzikosGoogle Maps
Recently
The family and I decided we wanted an afternoon drink and Kelly O'Neil's was nearby which was handy as it was raining. We grabbed a couple of snacks and drinks and sat back and enjoyed some quiet time. No live music when we were there around 4pm on a Sunday and the place was less than half full. There are a couple of dart machines but no pool tables or amusement machines. Overall a pleasant no frills place.
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