Uncle George's Lounge
About
Sip Over the Edge of the Crater
Perched precariously at the rim of the Kilauea caldera, Uncle George’s Lounge offers a drinking experience that feels entirely detached from the typical Kailua-Kona beach bar circuit. This is where you come to watch the landscape change color as the sun slips behind the steam vents, casting long, dramatic shadows across the hardened lava fields. The air here carries a faint, sharp scent of sulfur—a constant, earthen reminder of the raw geological power beneath your feet.
A Legacy in Every Glass
Named after George Lycurgus, the original proprietor of the historic Volcano House, the lounge maintains an old-world charm that contrasts with the volatile surroundings. While the decor is decidedly retro, the focus remains on the panoramic view through floor-to-ceiling windows. It is the ideal spot to unwind after a day of hiking the nearby crater trails. Don’t expect a high-energy dance floor; this is a place for quiet observation, slow sips, and the low hum of conversation from travelers sharing tales of the day’s trek.
The Tropical Standard
The menu leans heavily into island classics. Their Mai Tais are generous, built with dark rum and a touch of local pineapple, providing a sweet reprieve from the often chilly, misty mountain air. If you are feeling hungry, the pupu platters serve as a reliable companion for a post-hike recharge. Be warned: the parking lot can get frantic as sunset approaches, and the lounge tends to reach capacity quickly when the weather is clear. If you find yourself lingering, keep an eye out for the local Nene birds wandering the grounds—they are the only residents who seem entirely unfazed by the volcanic activity surrounding the property.
Amenities & Features
Location
1 Crater Rim Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96718
More to Explore
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 399 community reviewsAmber GGoogle Maps
Recently
My nephew said it was a five. He had the pizza and said it was the best ever. He had bacon with bell peppers . My Mia tais Ian made was phenomenal!!! My food was good but wrong. I had the fish and chips. The fish was great alone. The fries were also good but hurricane style they were bomb. They accidentally put my hurricane style on the fish. Josephine fixed it. Such a great manager. We will return. Sit at the bar with Ian!!
CheriGoogle Maps
Recently
You don't come here for the food, you come here for the ambiance. We had a great view of the lava glow. My husband ordered pizza and I got the crusted fish. Neither was that great, but I did enjoy seeing the lava. The service was good and we didn't have to wait long for a table.
Yubo SuGoogle Maps
Recently
Food was surprisingly good! Flatbread and fries were excellent: flavorful and crispy. Sliders were a little heavy, but well worth a treat after a long hike. Great view too of course
Doug FullertonGoogle Maps
Recently
Found this restaurant wild hiking in the National Park. There really aren't too many options to eat at more casual pricing/ options so my mom and I decided to try Uncle George's inside the Volcano House. Waited about 10 minutes to be assigned a didn't have to wait long for our food at all. We both got Volcano Burgers and they were excellent! Our server, Jon, was great and attentive during our dining. Today's weather at the crater was raining and cloudy so no real disability but that's okay. Trails were still pretty cool.
Daniel BarrientosGoogle Maps
Recently
Delicious food! Everything tasted homemade. Jessica was our server and she was proffesional and friendly. Crème Bûlée was one of the best we have ever tried
Ron MortensonGoogle Maps
Recently
Fantastic, fun, flavorful Lots of incredible menu choices. We had the pesto pasta with chicken and the leafy green salad. Absolutely delicious. The next day we came back for lunch and had prawns and then a dessert of chocolate cake. Service was spectacular and the host Raleigh was helpful and fun. Of course you can’t beat the view and we were fortunate enough to experience an amazing lava flow. You will love it !!!!!!!!
Sherman LGoogle Maps
Recently
Food 2/5 - Ordered crispy chicken katsu, macadamia nut/coconut crusted fish, and ahi poke stack. Ahi poke stack, the tuna didn’t taste fresh as it had a chewy texture. The namasu salad / picked radishes for both fried plates tasted like they were about to spoil, more sour than tangy. The veggie garnishes used for both fried plates also looked stale, (turning color as they’ve been sitting out for too long). The crusted fish was fine (okay fry and not oily), and the chicken katsu was okay until we found hair in the breading. Fortunately we were comped a replacement for that mistake. Price $$ - You’re paying for the view rather than the quality of food. Ahi poke stack is a bad value. Service 2/5 - Service could be better, no one stopped by to check in how our food was, nor asked to refill our drinks. Ambiance 4/5 - You’re here for the view. There are no window blinds so you will be baking in the sun. There was a fly present and we had to consistently shoo it from our food. Overall - I’d be hesitant to visit again, you can enjoy the view from the lounge area without eating at the restaurant.
brent schmittGoogle Maps
Recently
First, we went volcano, hiking to get some hunger. After that, we were sweaty and desperate for a good meal thank goodness we found uncle Jorge’s. Mario was our server. He was a great server and knew all about the menu to make recommendations. The kids had some loaded fries, which probably were not very healthy, but they seem to like them . The Polk strip tease was delicious and had a crispy wonton for my mouth. Even though a burger and a chicken sandwich was ordered everything was devoured like a wolf on a bone. Thanks, God . I would say this place was delicious and the noise level was a little bit insane my ears are hurting. Meanwhile, it was fun to watch some people were doing crazy poses in front of the crater/volcano . Great views. Cheese sandwich. Beer.
Review UserGoogle Maps
Recently
Food was pretty good but not amazing. For the price, it should’ve been a little better quality but overall it was good. I recommend getting the pizza which is normally fresh (sometimes not, it’s mostly luck). The view is great, you see the crater clearly and it’s amazing. Service was definitely 5 star, didn’t have any problems and they came pretty often to refill drinks. The wait to get a table is also not the best and sometimes takes awhile. Not many other choices, but I recommend coming if you don’t mind the cost too much.
Dawn WilliamsGoogle Maps
Recently
Yummy! The staff were very friendly and helpful, great view if the weather was clearer AND food was delicious. We decided to stop and have a bite before our hike and we’re so glad we did. We split the Mascarpone pizza and Garlic White and both were even better than we could imagine. I’m a little bit of a pizza snob, so I didn’t have high expectations for Hawaiian pizza, but I was wrong. Maybe more traditional pizza may disappoint me, but these didn’t. I didn’t take picture immediately like I should’ve, but something is better than nothing.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Uncle George's Lounge
Common questions from diners about Uncle George's Lounge in Kailua-Kona.
