Drink Your Way Through Hawaii On The Mai Tai Mile

Ah, the mai tai: the classic tropical alcoholic beverage that instantly comes to mind when someone mentions drinking on the beach in Hawaii. The classic Hawaiian mai tai is most often made with light and dark rum, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, and fresh lime juice mixed and served over ice with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry. While there are countless restaurants and bars with mai tais on the menu, there is only one Mai Tai Mile. No need for a designated driver (except to take you home afterward, but we suggest staying at one of Waikiki’s amazing hotels for the night): measuring in at just 1.1 miles, this epic drinking tour will allow you to enjoy seven of Hawaii’s best mai tais.

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First up is House Without A Key, found overlooking the beach in the Halekulani Hotel and known for its signature mai tai. This Hawaiian restaurant serves up American breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites with an island twist, as well as tropical drinks, pupus, and incredible sunset views.

Address: Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815

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Royal Hawaiian/Website

Royal Hawaiian/Website

Located at Waikiki's iconic pink hotel, the Mai Tai Bar not only serves up stellar cocktails of the same name — but is a lively, beachfront hangout that gives guests epic views of Waikiki Beach, the Pacific Ocean, and Diamond Head. With seven different, delicious mai tais to choose from, what more could you ask for?

Address: The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815

Duke's Waikiki/Facebook

Duke's Waikiki/Facebook

Next, a classic stop: Duke’s Waikiki. With the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head as a backdrop, this casual Hawaiian eatery serves up delicious original Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, including Kalua pork nachos and macadamia nut chicken katsu, and seared ahi. Combine that with the best mai tais in town, and you’re sure to be satisfied.

Address: Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Ave #116, Honolulu, HI 96815

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SKY Waikiki/Facebook

As the only rooftop bar and nightclub in Waikiki, SKY not only serves up a variety of stellar signature cocktails and panoramic views of the coastline but a wonderfully good time, too. Enjoy the tropical breeze, the setting sun, and live music, with a mai tai in hand on their rooftop bar during happy hour from 5 to 9 p.m. Paradise has been found.

Address: 2270 Kalakaua Avenue, 19th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96815

Laylow Waikiki/Website

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Found at the lush, modern Laylow Hotel, Hideout is a trendy bar and lounge that features rooftop couches, fire pits, and a stellar mai tai made with lime, pineapple, orgeat, and lilikoi. Enjoy an eclectic and healthy menu full of fresh seafood and farm-to-table dishes in a cozy yet upscale environment.

Address: 2299 Kūhiō Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815

The Myna Bird Tiki Bar/Facebook

Tucked away in the International Market Place, the Myna Bird is a modern spin on the cheeky tiki bar, and is sure to impress with its extensive cocktail list that draws inspiration from the distinct and exotic flavors of international cuisine, with a special emphasis on tropical Hawaiian drinks like the mai tai.

Address: 2330 Kalakaua Avenue #330, Honolulu, HI 96815

Cuckoo Coconuts Waikiki/Facebook

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We’re ending the night at one of our favorite spots in Waikiki to have a great time. This old-fashioned tiki bar might not have classic ocean views or even a roof, but what they lack in building structure, they make up for in charm, live music, and stellar tropical cocktails.

Address: 333 Royal Hawaiian Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815

Have you enjoyed a mai tai from any of these Waikiki restaurants? Is there a better Mai Tai out there? Share your favorite hot spots in and outside of Waikiki in the comments below, then click here to discover our all-time favorite mai tais served across the Hawaiian Islands.