We stopped in here for a modest 11am Margarita (hey, we're on vacation!) and weren't surprised that the bar was empty save for 2 very sketchy looking women glued to the electronic slot machine.
We ordered a plate of lumpia (we were waiting for a table at Boots & Kimo) but the bartender was also our cook and for some reason, never got around to throwing the lumpia into the fryer until we asked about them.
There were also a group of asian women in the bar's kitchen, but I don't think they worked there. Â It was strange really. Â The women kept milling about and exchanging bundles of cash and talking animatedly. Â I try not to be nosy, but all of this seemed way out of place for a divey karaoke bar.
Anyway, the lumpias were actually pretty delicious and the margs were strong! Â We'd like to stop by again the next time we are in Kailua.
I like Ohana's. Â The sound system, song selection, and general layout of the bar are better than across the street. Â The bartenders here are also really awesome, but I am a regular at BABs (Bowling Alley Bar) only because I can get songs in over there on the weekends. Â By the time I get off of work, there are so many songs lined up, that it's usually going to be an hour wait, at the very least, and that's if you even get them in at all. Â Weekdays are super chill, though.
The bar is pretty big, so there always seem to be big parties in here. Â I have seen bridal showers, wedding receptions, and -- based on the gifts of diapers, strollers, etc. stacked on the table -- what appeared to be a baby shower. Â True story.
I don't karaoke. I don't visit Kailua side either. So this was my first installation on that side of the island.
Pros:
- Waitresses are nice and speedy
- Decent appetizers
- Clean tables
- Big big books of songs to choose from
- Pool tables available
- Bar seating
Cons:
- Parking is tight or there is none.
- Singers do "hog" the mic. We waited through 7 songs to get to what our party chose.
Suggestions:
- Come before 7pm to score parking
- Bring cash...it's easier to order and tip the ladies.
- Bring a group! It's wayyyy better to watch/listen and/or sing with more than 3.
It's a good spot to chill and listen to those who sing but it isn't something that you'll find me at again.
got some peeps w/ some lungs to sing karaoke! Â karaoke list most updated of the bars around the windward side. Â place it pretty clean. Â wait!
there's two 7'x3.5' pool tables! Â felts medium speed, not so much fade to the pockets but there's a fade... lol! Â got some decent regular players there. Â no pool sharks, though. Â :D
So I've been here all of twice but here's my take on Ohana's. It's a really nice, clean place. Heineys are about $7, Budlight Platinum is $3.50(i went with that) I sang some songs on the Karaoke, its a dollar a song, pretty good selection (they had all the songs i wanted to sing) there is darts, karaoke, and a pool table in case you arent a "sit and drink" kind of person. Not sure how much the games cost though. The people in there are fairly nice. There is one peeve i have with bars/clubs, the restroom situation!!!! I mean ONE stall for women is just not cutting it! And when its "happening" in there and you have about 20 plus women all having to use ONE toilet, it gets a little frustrating....I dont know if its only me but lots of places are like this and i dont understand why no one thinks about it more! Anyway, I like this place and would definately return when im in the area. Cheers to Ohana's Kailua!
Review Source:I went with a few girlfriends to this place for the first time last weekend and was definitely disappointed. Drinks were fairly cheap and atmosphere was fun but our waitress didn't really seem to know what was going on and she didn't inform me there was a $20 minimum to run a bar tab when I gave her my credit card. So needless to say when she came back and told me I couldn't charge $15 on my card, I was a little pissed. I waited tables  through college and think that is a pretty rookie mistake to make and if you make it then you need to fix it which she didn't do. The other major bummer is that you have to pay $1 per song you want to sing up front (and supposedly it's a 3 song minimum) and than basically hope that your songs come up before you leave. Well, after being there for about an hour, our songs never came up. I rarely leave a place without tipping, but we didn't tip her and figured she could use our wasted karaoke song money for a tip if she wanted one.
Review Source:Nestled between Boots and Kimo and Crepes No Ka 'Oi is this little gem of a bar called Ohana Karaoke. We were a little dubious at first as the place was horribly empty except for the lone patron at the bar. Nevertheless, we ventured forth since the wait at Boots was horrendously long and Crepes didn't sound too appealing to the BF so we ended up at Ohana Karaoke.
The place seems to be run by this sweet older lady, who made us feel right at home. Though their menu was somewhat limited (but hey! it's a karaoke bar), prices were average, and the pupus we tried (chicken wings and fried calamari) were surprisingly tasty. There were a handful of flat screen TVs, a pool table, and some dart boards, all of which makes up for a fun, low-key time with some friends or just watching games on TV.
Since we did go around Sunday lunch, I'd be curious to see how it's like at night. We'll definitely be back!
I def have to be drunk and with a crew to come here. Kinda pricey on the drinks and the Karaoke set up is odd. I think this place could make ALOT more money if they were doing things right but I dont think management really knows how to run a profitable money making business. The set up is awkward and it basically caters to one demographic of people.
If you know what im talking about your laughing right now, if you dont know what I am talking about, then show up there and see if you fit in, or if you feel very welcome there.
OK, first, I am a karaoke SNOB. BUT, don't call yourself a karaoke bar when you don't feel like catering to the singing crowd. There is a right way and a wrong way to run karaoke, and Ohana does it the wrong way.
I could be meaner, but I won't since this is really the only karaoke game in town (and yes I know about the bowling alley across the street and the take-your-life-in-your-hands karaoke bar on Olawana St.).
This place is great. Â Great Juke Box, pool, food, Karaoke and a double bonus... my Friends knew the owner who was there. Â I don't know her name but she answers to "Auntie" along with all the other broads at this place.
One down side... Â No Belvedere and Auntie gave us "complimentary" stinky dried shrimp we ate it (I secretly didn't eat one ahaha) with a smile and a shot! Â Respect the stink shrimp and Auntie.
Holla Ohana 's I'll be back!
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