Honolulu's Bar 35 has more than 99 bottles of beer……on the wall
Step into Dave Stewart's Hotel Street watering hole and you can't miss the towering wall of beer. From obscure labels to tried and true brands Bar 35 boasts 110 specialty beers every night of the week. And on an island where you're more likely to get an umbrella in your cocktail than a good stiff drink, being able to order a beer other than a Bud Light or Heineken is truly significant.
At 35 the laid-back atmosphere is also enticing and a rare find in this resort-town. Here, local women are casually clad in jeans and halter tops or office attire. Unlike other Honolulu bars, stiletto heels and skimpy skirts don't seem to be required.
Luscious black leather couches line the entire establishment and low lighting adds the appeal of a swanky jazz lounge. But if the situation calls for light, because you're tired of guessing if he's cute or not, there's a beautiful outdoor bar and garden grotto where you can refill your drink and see just who it is you've been talking to.
On your way back to the garden curious patrons can watch as a true Italian chef tosses thin-crust pizza in the air. The corner kitchen known as Valentini Fusion-Gourmet Pizza offers a slice of Chinatown, many of the ingredients are Asian-inspired and piled high on the requisite paper-thin crust. Our favorite, Cantonese Kiss, has char-sui pork, zesty plum sauce, and strips of won tons.
The pizza is satiating, but the beer is wonderful. Dead Guy Ale, Anchor Steam, Stella, Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale, Kona Fire Rock, etc. The bartenders are knowledgeable and even when the place is packed drinks flow fairly fast and everyone seems in good spirits.
Sometime during the night we found out that happy hour is everyday from 4 to 8 p.m. and that all 12-ounce bottles are $3, we heard those magic words - $3 and we couldn't contain our excitement. We almost peeled ourselves off the upholstery and danced, but the thought of leaving or spilling our microbrews kept us from being too hasty. Instead we opted to recline into our little leather alcove and watch the Honolulu nightlife pour in from Hotel Street.
Bar is located at 35 North Hotel Street, Honolulu. Hawaii. Check them out on the Web at http://www.bar35hawaii.com/ or call 808.537.3535.
