Sipping a cold drink as you watch the sun slip into the Pacific Ocean is the perfect way to end the day in Kona! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the green flash. The following spots are some of our favorites to catch a killer sunset view while enjoying some cocktails, eats, and a lively social scene. Looking to save money and DIY your own sunset experience? We’ve got some pointers for that too. Read on for where to go for cocktails with a sunset view in Kona.
Don's Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Kona Resort
Located inside of the Royal Kona Resort, this is the largest open-air, oceanfront bar in Kailua-Kona and offers over 10 types of Mai Tais, an extensive tiki menu, and 16 draft beers including local hand-crafted micro brews and international favorites. Their Happy Hour runs from 4-6 pm and features discounted drinks, pupus, well drinks and draft beers. Head there Thursdays from 5-7 pm for the Legends of Hawaiian Music concert series.
Huggo's on the Rocks
With live music, a tiki bar atmosphere, and and ocean front location, Huggos on the Rocks is a prime sunset stop! Their happy hour is from 3-5 pm daily, with a great selection of cocktails and pupus (appetizers and small plates) offered. Check out their menu. It’s great place to fly solo and meet people at the bar, or take a group. Put your toes in the sand at one of their tables.
Huggo’s
With seating about as close to the ocean as you can get, this is a sweet spot for date night or the perfect location to watch the sunset. The Huggo's sea to plate dinner menu features many locally inspired dishes and great fish specials. Ocean front seating, classy wait staff, and nice ambiance invite you to sip a bottle of wine, or suck down a few Mai Tai’s at sunset. This is one of the best restaurants in town so be prepared for fine dining prices. Craving pasta? Their big Island pasta is absolutely delicious.
A bit easier on the pocketbook is the hBAR side of Huggo's Fine Dining that serves up hand crafted cocktails and a complete small plate menu. Their Happy Hour runs from 4-5 pm daily with drink specials and some half price dishes and is a great way to get some delicious food at an affordable price. Limited seating requires you to get there early.
Kona Inn
Tucked away behind a shopping plaza on Ali’i Drive, the Kona Inn has a beautiful sunset view of Kailua Bay. This place has some serious history too - dating back to 1928 when it was built by the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company. Their happy hour is 2-5 pm daily. They are known for Kona Inn’s “World Famous Mai-Tai” and a pretty nice vintage wine list. Their menu features fresh locally caught fish, smaller bites, hearty mains, and even their famous “Champagne Cheeseburger” that comes with a bottle of Dom Perignon - for a cool $325.
Sunset over Kailua Bay, viewed from the Kona Inn. Image courtesy of Kona Inn.
Huggos on the Rocks Mai Tai, image courtesy of Huggos on the Rocks.
Drink special, image courtesy of Magics Beach Grill.
Sunset view from Papa Kona, image courtesy of Papa Kona.
Magics Beach Grill
Located walking distance from My Hawaii Hostel, this spot over looks beautiful Magic Sands Beach and offers up some nice sunset views if you can get a seat on the outside lanai. Head there for “Magic Hour” 2-6 pm daily for reduced price pupus and drink specials. Note: Sundays they close early at 3 pm.
Lava Lava Beach Club
If you’re up for a drive north, (about 45 minutes north of My Hawaii Hostel) this spot is awesome! Located right on beautiful Anaeho’omalu beach, you can sit in their oversized comfy lounge chairs and put your toes in the sand as you watch the sun go down. Their custom cocktails and food are delicious too! Happy Hour runs from 3-5 pm and they have daily live music. A highlight of their menu is the bacon and cheese loaded Tipsy Tots!
Papa Kona
This spot is right on the ocean in the middle of Ali’i Drive’s waterfront row. Their wrap around lanai and upper deck make for two great sunset viewing options with a lovely sea breeze. Check out their happy hour, daily from 3-5 pm and live music every night.
Sam Choys Kai Lanai
Located up on the hillside in the Keauhou Shopping Center, this restaurant has a 230 degree view of the ocean and coastline. It’s an excellent place to unwind at the end of the day, sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset. Oh, it also is a great place for taking some sunset pictures! Happy Hour specials daily from 3-5 pm. Check out their menu.
DIY Sunset and Cocktails
If you’re looking to do something more low key and easier on your wallet, we recommend doing as the locals do and grabbing some drinks, snacks, and heading to the beach to watch the sun go down. Some of our favorite beaches in Kona for a nice sunset view are Magic Sands Beach, Honls Beach, Banyans Beach (located right across the street from My Hawaii Hostel!) Old Airport Beach Park, and Kua Bay.
Where is your favorite spot to have a cocktail and watch the sunset in Kona? Share your photos with us and tag us @myhawaiihostel! If you’re looking for affordable, centrally located accommodations in Kailua Kona, come stay with us! We have a stellar sunset view right across the street from the Hostel every night. Book your stay here.