The 15 Best Concert Venues in Honolulu of All Time. Honolulu has some of the finest outdoor concert venues in the nation. With its warm weather and lively music scene, it’s no surprise that outdoor concerts have become so popular in Honolulu. Whether you’re a fan of live music or just want to enjoy a night out with some friends, here are some of the best outdoor concert venues in Honolulu.
Concert Venues in Honolulu
1. Blue Note Hawaii
Contact: +1 808-777-4890
Blue Note Hawaii is known as the “Best Live Music Venue” in Hawaii and has been named “Honolulu’s Best” by Honolulu Magazine and “Star-Advertiser”. The club hosts world-class artists performing in a variety of genres, from jazz to pop, rock to reggae, Hawaiian to Hawaiian, and more. Situated in the middle of Waikiki Beach, Blue Note, Hawaii is the perfect way to end a day filled with adventure. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
2. Hawaii Theatre
Contact: +1 808-528-0506
The Hawaii Theatre, also known as the “Pride of the Pacific,” is a historic theater in downtown Honolulu. It is located at the corner of Bethel Street and Pauli Street, on the outskirts of Chinatown. The theater was listed on the state and national registers of historic places. The Hawaii Theatre was opened in September, and at the time of its opening was considered to be the most opulent theater in San Francisco and the most lavish in Hawaii.
It was also the flagship theater of Consolidated Amusement Company. The architects of Honolulu, Walter Emory, and Marshall Webb, chose to combine Neoclassic architecture with Byzantine and Corinthian ornamentation on the exterior of the building, as well as a wealth of beaux-arts architecture on the interior.
The exterior initially featured a simple canopy, with a small reading board listing attractions, a vertical sign illuminated by electric bulbs, Corinthian columns, gilded domes, and a gazebo-style dome. The interior was wide, shallow, and had a single balcony with a loge box on the main floor. Two private boxes were flanked on either side of the stage. There was an art gallery with plush carpets. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
3. Neal S. Blaisdell Center
Contact: +1 808-768-5488
The Neal S Blaisdell Center is a vibrant community center located just minutes away from downtown Honolulu. It is home to a variety of amenities, including a multi-use arena, a concert hall, an exhibition hall, a Galleria, a meeting room, and more. It was originally known as the “Honolulu International Center” and was built on the Ward Estate, but was later renamed in honor of former Mayor of Honolulu, Neal S. Blaisdell.
Furthermore, it has undergone extensive remodeling and expansion since its inception. The center is managed by the City of Honolulu’s Office of Enterprise Services. The city is currently in the process of redeveloping the site with the help of stakeholders and the public to better understand the community’s objectives. The center is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, minutes away from the city’s business district, eateries, and major shopping and entertainment districts.
With easy access to the center and convenient parking, it is the perfect place for meeting and event planners and event planners. The center offers a one-stop shop for all your event producer and meeting planner needs. In-house catering is available, as well as equipment rentals for audiovisual needs. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
4. Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell
Contact: +1 808-768-5400
The “Shell” is a spectacular shell-shaped venue in the heart of Waikiki, Hawaii. With the world-famous Diamond Head as its backdrop, this venue is perfect for outdoor concerts and large gatherings. The acoustically sophisticated shell-shaped venue is ideal for twilight concerts, with balmy skies lush greenery, and of course – Entertainment! The large stage, easy-to-use work areas, and dressing rooms, along with professional lighting and sound equipment, make the “Shell” the most desirable venue in which to host an event.
It has been likened to the Hollywood Bowl! The venue was formerly known as “The Tom Matt Waikiki Shell,” named after Hawaii’s first rock DJ, who later went on to become a concert promoter. The venue is located in Waikiki’s Kaplan Park, between the city’s dense high-rises and Diamond Head’s dormant tuff cone volcanic. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
5. The Queen’s Aloha Lūʻau
Contact: +1 808-286-2754
The Queen’s Aloha Lula, a place where Hawai’i’s rich culture is celebrated with the traditional dances performed by the award-winning Halal luau and the rhythm of the Na Kurt hula performed by award-winning Na Kurt ukulele, Karl Veto Baker & Michael Lanka Gasping. Our Lula is located in the tranquil Keonaonalani area, and each gathering is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of our islands in an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
6. Ka Moana Luau
Contact: +1 808-926-3800
Come join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment under the stars on the island of Key Moana! We’ve brought the award-winning Luau experience to a new and convenient location where you’ll get to see the same amazing show with tons of exciting upgrades! Experience world-class entertainment at Oahu’s best Luau that starts with a hula performance and ends with a fire performance. Enjoy a delicious farm-to-table, island-inspired dinner before indulging in an all-you-can-eat island-inspired buffet. Before the show, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun cultural activities, such as lei-making and headband weaving. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
7. Hawaiin Brian’s
Contact: +1 808-946-1343
HB Social Club is the ultimate nightlife and entertainment destination in Hawaii. It is home to three of the hottest new venues for live music and entertainment in Hawaii: The Studio and Crossroads, as well as Electron. HB Social Club offers a variety of events, from live music and dance performances to private functions such as graduations, birthdays, and corporate events. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
8. Hawaii Symphony Orchestra
Contact: +1 808-380-7720
The Hawaiian Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States west of the Great Basin. It performs mostly at the Hawaii Theatre Center in downtown Honolulu, with occasional performances at Neal S. Blaisdell Concerto Hall.
The current Music Director is Dane Lam, who took the helm in July. The orchestra was formerly housed in a golf-course-style clubhouse atop the slopes of the Punch Bowl. The orchestra was led by conductor Samuel Wong, who left in August to become Principal Conductor of the now-famous Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Andreas Delfs. Mr. Delfs now leads seven concerts a season in the Hawaiian Symphony Orchestra’s “Halekulani masterworks” series.
Mr. Valletta is the orchestra’s artistic advisor, and the Conductor emerita is Grace Mango. The Hawaiian Symphony Orchestra has debuted its popular “Tattoos” series, which features Broadway music, “Disney in Concert”, “Cirque de la Symphonic” and “Zelda in Concert. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
9. The Republik
Contact: +1 808-941-7469
If you’re looking for Oahu’s best concert and event venue, you’ve come to the right place. Still relatively new to the scene, The Republic opened its doors in 2012, but in just a few short years, it’s already established itself as the top concert venue in Oahu. Act after act has been performed at this small venue, including Motion City soundtrack, Young the Giant, theory of a Deadpan, incubus, The Used, and more.
The Republic has a seating capacity of several hundred people, and shows are usually held here. The venue has three reasonably priced bars and a bar at the back with limited seating and large-screen TVs for watching a show. Parking is free on non-event nights. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
10. The Dragon Upstairs
Contact: +1 808-526-1411
The Dragon Upstairs is a bit of a throwback to the days of cool and jazz, but it’s still one of the city’s best dive bars. It’s tucked above Hank’s Café Honolulu, painted deep red and festooned with dragons and Chinese theater masks, and it’s the perfect spot for a night of eclectic live music, open mics, karaoke, and stand-up comedy. The bar menu isn’t fancy, but it isn’t bad either. Closed on Sundays. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
11. Hard Rock Cafe
Contact: +1 808-955-7383
The world-renowned Hard Rock Cafe is one of the most visited cafés in the world, with nearly 80 million people visiting each year. Hard Rock Cafe’s first location opened in June 1996 in London, United Kingdom. Since then, the brand has grown to include major cities and other exotic destinations around the world. Hard Rock Cafe in Waikiki is conveniently located in proximity to many of the island’s most popular resorts, shops, and attractions.
The Hawaii Convention Center and Waikiki Beach can all be found within walking distance. Head to the first floor of Hard Rock Cafe, where you can explore the Rock Shop. Here, you will find a wide selection of collectible fashion and music-related merchandise that will make great souvenirs or gifts. On the second floor, you will find an open-air veranda seating area with a striking ocean-blue wave bar for your dining experience. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
12. Lewers Lounge
Contact: +1 808-923-2311
Live light jazz music is performed in our private cocktail lounge every Tuesday through Saturday. This is the ideal spot for appetizers and desserts, as well as after-dinner drinks, including high-end mocktails. Enjoy easy-to-share plates and custom-made cocktails while enjoying world-class musicians. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
13. Manoa Valley Theatre
Contact: +1 808-988-6131
Manor Valley Theatre was founded by a group of UH theater department graduate students to create Hawaii’s first professional, resident adult theater company. Their vision was to support Hawaii’s theater artists while providing live, on-the-stage entertainment for the community. With the help of the community and over the past seven decades, MMT has grown into a dynamic, semi-professional, and exciting theater.
MVT’s annual season features a wide variety of mainstream contemporary plays, musicals, and productions from Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theaters. MVT’s season showcases great theater productions featuring Hawaii talent performing for Hawaii audiences. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
14. Germaine’s Luau Reservations Department
Contact: +1 808-427-1734
The Jermaine’s Lua Department offers a family-friendly experience steeped in Hawaiian culture and brotherly affection. The production is top-notch, and the costumes stand out, making the entire experience truly one-of-a-kind. The location may be a bit secluded, but it’s clean and well-maintained. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
15. The Korner Room
Contact: +1 808-234-2337
If you’re looking for a laid-back dive bar, the Kroner Room has got you covered. It’s got live music from local bands and international acts, and it gets pretty rowdy on the weekends. – Concert Venues in Honolulu
