Night Shift
There will be blood

There will be blood

Just over a year back, we did a rundown of Bloody Marys around the edge of Waikiki comparing and contrasting the taste, presentation and prices of four establishments (Hideaway, Shorebird, Harbor Pub and Arnold’s–Hideaway won). Since that time we’re asked often why we didn’t include such-and-such place or how dare we omit fill-in-the-blank, all of which came with high recommendations.

There’s an easy answer to that. You really have to be in the mood for a Bloody Mary, unlike beer or whiskey, which pretty much serve as an all-purpose drink for any purpose. Also, it’s primarily a morning/early afternoon drink, and frankly, we don’t like to get up that early. In addition, order one Bloody Mary, and you’re bound to inspire six or seven others in the bar who remember how good a well-made version can be, and by the time they’ve all placed an order, you’ve single-handedly managed to piss off your bartender. If there’s somebody you never want to piss off, it’s your mechanic, your accountant, your lawyer, the cop that just pulled you over, the people who serve you food and your ex-wife. But above all that, you never want to piss off your bartender.

It’s also a matter of skill from the person behind the bar. Any monkey can be taught to pour a drink, and the only way to really mess up a whiskey and coke is to forget the whiskey. A well-made Bloody Mary is a thing of beauty that takes care, finesse and an intrinsic understanding of the delicate mixing of the numerous ingredients at the bartender’s disposal. More important, it takes a knowledge of how the individual prefers their drink. That’s why when we recently visited The Row Bar during one of the few times where we ventured outdoors before the sun had set and ordered a Bloody Mary, I felt obligated to provide instructions.

“Make it spicy,” I said, “right up to the point where you think to yourself, ‘My God, that’s a really fucking spicy drink.’ Then make it a little spicier.”

What I wasn’t expecting was an argument. The bartender asked if we had ever ordered one from them before, which we hadn’t. She said she was going to follow her standard recipe and began a long series of mashing and squeezing, grinding and shaking, adding more ingredients and starting over again. Minutes passed, enough to wonder if we were going to make our movie time–and we had a half-hour before showtime.

What we were presented with proved to be an expertly made drink, though I reached for the Tabasco just the same, if just to prove a point. That action got me admonished, saying the hot sauce would overpower the balance of the other ingredients.

“Hey,” I said, “don’t get me wrong, this is a damn good drink. I just enjoy it when I can give my bartender heartburn by the fumes alone.”

“Well,” she replied, “our version has won awards.”

“So did Titanic,” I said. “But I still don’t want to see it.”

If there’s one thing I don’t need, it’s being told how to drink.

Still, the employees at The Row obviously know what they’re doing, and since they’re so damned cocky about their Bloody Marys, there’s no compunction in recommending them to public at large. So, order away people. Though be warned that if it’s busy enough, your order might turn out to be one of those watered-down tomato juices we spoke of earlier.

Dean Carrico

7/Wednesday

Country/Folk

The Geezers, Arnold’s Beach Bar ((7pm)) 924-6887

Rising Melody, thirtyninehotel ((8pm)) 599-2552

Hawaiian

3 Scoops of Aloha, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((7:30pm)) 923-7311

Ka’ala Boys, Sheraton Waikiki ((6:30pm)) 922-4422

Sam Kapu Trio, Banyan Court, Moana Surfrider ((6pm)) 922-3111

Lawrence Kidder, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((4:15pm)) 923-7311

Lawrence Kidder, Sheraton Moana ((8pm)) 922-3111

Derrick Lee, Sheraton Waikiki ((8:30pm)) 922-4422

Tahiti Rey & Kaleo, RumFire ((5pm))

Ellsworth Simeona, Duke’s Waikiki ((4pm)) 922-2268

Tangi Tully, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9:30pm)) 931-4660

Haumea Warrington, Duke’s Waikiki ((10pm)) 922-2268

Jazz/Blues

The Deadbeat Revival, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((9pm)) 945-0800

DeShannon Higa, David Choy, Garin Poliahau, Dean Taba, Robert Shinoda, Honolulu Club ((6:30pm)) 543-3916

Shoji Ledward, Du Vin ((7pm)) 545-1115

David Yamasaki Quartet, Diamond Head Grill ((8pm)) 922-1700

Rock/Pop

2 Point 5, Chart House ((7pm)) 941-6660

Tom Patrick, Muddy Waters Espresso ((7pm)) 254-2004

Piranha Brothers, Irish Rose Saloon ((9pm)) 947-3414

Doolin Rakes, Kelley O’Neil’s ((9pm)) 926-1777

Roland & Co., Chart House ((7pm)) 941-6660

Stardust, Hanohano Room ((6:30pm)) 922-4422

Tavana, O’Toole’s Pub ((9pm)) 536-4138

World/Reggae

Ali Garcia, Mexico Lindo ((6pm)) 263-0055

8/Thursday

Hawaiian

David Asing Duo w/Hula, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((8:30pm)) 923-7311

Kamalu Trio, Sheraton Waikiki ((6:30pm)) 922-4422

Sam Kapu Trio, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((3pm)) 923-7311

Lawrence Kidder, Duke’s Waikiki ((10pm)) 922-2268

Eric Lee, Sheraton Waikiki ((8:30pm)) 922-4422

Pa’ahana Trio, Banyan Court, Moana Surfrider ((6pm)) 922-3111

Chad Pule, Sheraton Moana ((8pm)) 922-3111

Jazz/Blues

Bobby Cortezan, Hank’s Cafe ((5pm)) 526-1410

DJ Miki Mixtup, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((9pm)) 945-0800

Funkified, RumFire ((5pm))

Newjass Quartet, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar ((10pm)) 536-6286

Chris Yeh Quartet w/ Satomi, The Dragon Upstairs ((8pm)) 526-1411

Ginny Tiu, Hanohano Room ((6pm)) 922-4422

Rock/Pop

2 Point 5, Chart House ((7:30pm)) 941-6660

Barefoot Bob, Arnold’s Beach Bar ((6:30pm)) 924-6887

Brendan, O’Toole’s Pub ((9pm)) 536-4138

Booze Bros, Kelley O’Neil’s ((9pm)) 926-1777

“Chicago Bob” Morgenweck, Hank’s Cafe ((8pm)) 526-1410

Johnny Helm, Tiki’s Grill & Bar ((9pm)) 923-8454

Mango Jam, Chuck’s Cellar ((6pm)) 923-4488

Joe Kingston, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9:30pm)) 931-4660

Piranha Brothers, Irish Rose Saloon ((9pm)) 947-3414

Roland & Co., Chart House ((7pm)) 941-6660

World/Reggae

John Brown’s Body, Ooklah the Moc, Go Jimmy Go, Pipeline Cafe ((9pm)) 589-1999

Mundo Music, Snappers Bar & Grill ((9pm)) 947-8057

9/Friday

Comedy

Arthur Wayne, Kenny Johnson, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9pm)) 931-4660

Comedy Polynesia, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((7:30pm)) 931-4660

Comedy Polynesia, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((7:30pm)) 931-4660

Augie T., Pagoda Hotel ((7:30pm)) 948-8371

Hawaiian

Baron Bento Trio, Banyan Court, Moana Surfrider ((6pm)) 922-3111

Kaukoe Duo, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((7:30pm)) 923-7311

Sam Kapu, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((6:15pm)) 931-4660

Kelly DeLima ‘Ohana, Sheraton Waikiki ((8:30pm)) 922-4422

Naluhoe, Kona Brewing Co. ((7pm)) 394-5662

Pa’ahana Trio, House Without a Key ((5:30pm)) 923-2311

Peter Milo Duo, Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch and Crab ((6pm)) 545-7979

Pilikia, Chart House ((6pm)) 941-6660

Royal Hawaiian Band, Iolani Palace ((12pm)) 523-4674

#2 Special, Cha Cha Cha Salsaria ((7pm)) 395-7797

John Valentine Trio, Hanohano Room ((9pm)) 922-4422

Kelly Villaverde, Sheraton Moana ((8pm)) 922-3111

Haumea Warrington, Duke’s Waikiki ((10pm)) 922-2268

Jazz/Blues

Renee Barinobis & the Jazz MOGI with Jeans & Lace, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((7pm)) 945-0800

Bobby Cortezan, The Dragon Upstairs ((6pm)) 526-1411

Jik Crash Course & The Joker Show, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((9:30pm)) 945-0800

Friends of Adam, OnStage Drinks & Grinds ((9pm)) 306-7799

Pierre Grill & Ginai, The Dragon Upstairs ((10pm)) 526-1411

Kaka’ako Groove, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((9pm)) 945-0800

John Kay Trio, Cupola, Honolulu Design Center ((9pm)) 237-5462

Josh Kaye Quartet, The Dragon Upstairs ((9pm)) 526-1411

Molokai Jazz West, Don Ho’s Island Grill ((5:30pm)) 528-0807

Stewart & John Duo, Duc’s Bistro ((7pm)) 531-6325

Ginny Tiu, Hanohano Room ((5:30pm)) 922-4422

Rock/Pop

4D, Bob’s Sports Bar ((9:30pm)) 263-7669

82Fifty, Kemo’o Farms, Pub ((9pm)) 621-1835

Brendan, Kelley O’Neil’s ((1:30am)) 926-1777

Dean & Dean, Chart House ((9:30pm)) 941-6660

Jay Elliot, O’Toole’s Pub ((5pm)) 536-4138

Johnny Helm, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro ((7pm)) 596-4710

Hope Mayo, rRed Elephant ((7pm)) 545-2468

The Mixers, O’Toole’s Pub ((9pm)) 536-4138

Piranha Brothers, Irish Rose Saloon ((9pm)) 947-3414

Smokey Robinson, Waikiki Shell ((7pm)) 591-2211

Stumbletown, Kelley O’Neil’s ((9pm)) 926-1777

Sunway, RumFire ((5pm))

Natural T, Arnold’s Beach Bar ((9pm)) 924-6887

Upright Dub Orchestra, Anna Bannana’s ((9pm)) 946-5190

Dorian Wright, Indigo ((9pm)) 521-2900

Paradise XS, Tiare’s Sports Bar & Grill ((9:30pm)) 230-8911

World/Reggae

Natural Vibrations, Boardrider’s ((8pm)) 261-4600

10/Saturday

Comedy

Arthur Wayne, Kenny Johnson, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9pm)) 931-4660

Comedy Polynesia, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((7:30pm)) 931-4660

Hawaiian

Karla Akiona, Sheraton Waikiki ((6:30pm)) 922-4422

Darren Benitez, Windward Mall ((6pm)) 235-1143

Nohelani Cypriano Trio, Banyan Court, Moana Surfrider ((6pm)) 922-3111

Sam Kapu, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((6:30pm)) 931-4660

Kumuhau, Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch and Crab ((6pm)) 545-7979

Eric Lee, Sheraton Waikiki ((8:30pm)) 922-4422

Albert Maglimat, Moana Surfrider ((8pm)) 921-4600

Nahono “Mango” Stephens, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((4:15pm)) 923-7311

Nihoa, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((7:30pm)) 923-7311

Pilikia, Chart House ((7:30pm)) 941-6660

Ellsworth Simeona & Lawrence Kidder, RumFire ((5pm))

Haumea Warrington, Duke’s Waikiki ((10pm)) 922-2268

Jazz/Blues

Satomi Jazz, The Dragon Upstairs ((9pm)) 526-1411

Stewart & John Duo, Duc’s Bistro ((7pm)) 531-6325

Ginny Tiu, Hanohano Room ((5:30pm)) 922-4422

Rock/Pop

4D, Bob’s Sports Bar ((9:30pm)) 263-7669

Tito Berinobis, Chart House ((7:30pm)) 941-6660

Brendan, Kelley O’Neil’s ((1:30am)) 926-1777

Old Habbits Die Hard, Democratic Fistfights, Mistermeaner, The Substitoots, Anna Bannana’s ((8pm)) 946-5190

Gladys Knight, Kimberley Locke, Aaron Neville, Blaisdell Arena ((7:30pm)) 526-4400

Greenwood, New Experience, White Light, Power Point, Glass Candle, Ala Moana Hotel ((8pm)) 955-4811

Johnny Helm, Holokai Grill ((10pm)) 924-7455

Johnny Helm, Tiki’s Grill & Bar ((7:30pm)) 923-8454

Joe Kingston, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9:30pm)) 931-4660

Missing Dave, God Among Men, GTA, Love Child, Kemo’o Farms, Pub ((9pm)) 621-1835

Piranha Brothers, Irish Rose Saloon ((9pm)) 947-3414

Doolin Rakes, O’Toole’s Pub ((9pm)) 536-4138

The Spacifics, Indigo ((10pm)) 521-2900

Natural T, Arnold’s Beach Bar ((9pm)) 924-6887

Dirty Thunder, OnStage Drinks & Grinds ((9pm)) 306-7799

Vinyl Wine, Tropics ((9:30pm)) 597-8429

Paradise XS, Kelley O’Neil’s ((9pm)) 926-1777

World/Reggae

Big Trouble Rising, Snappers Bar & Grill ((9pm)) 947-8057

Guidance, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((9pm)) 945-0800

Natural Vibrations, Pipeline Cafe ((10pm)) 589-1999

Celtic Waves, Kelley O’Neil’s ((4pm)) 926-1777

11/Sunday

Country/Folk

The Geezers, Hank’s Cafe ((6pm)) 526-1410

Hawaiian

Auntie Elaine Spencer Duo, Surf Room, Royal Hawaiian ((11am)) 921-4600

Lawrence Kidder, Duke’s Waikiki ((10pm)) 922-2268

Pa’ahana Trio, House Without a Key ((5:30pm)) 923-2311

George Kuo, Martin Pahinui & Aaron Mahi, Moana Terrace ((6:30pm)) 922-6611

Pu’uhonua Trio, Banyan Court, Moana Surfrider ((6pm)) 922-3111

Royal Hawaiian Band, Kapi’olani Park Bandstand ((2pm)) 523-4674

Ryan Tang ‘Ohana, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((4:15pm)) 923-7311

Sean Na’auao Duo, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((7:30pm)) 923-7311

Jazz/Blues

Sea-Ray Jazz Quartet, Breakers, Hale’iwa ((4pm)) 637-9898

Rico, Arnold’s Beach Bar ((8pm)) 924-6887

Rock/Pop

Dean & Dean, Chart House ((6pm)) 941-6660

Johnny Helm, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro ((7pm)) 596-4710

Joe Kingston, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9:30pm)) 931-4660

Piranha Brothers, Kelley O’Neil’s ((9pm)) 926-1777

Doolin Rakes, O’Toole’s Pub ((9pm)) 536-4138

Stardust, Hanohano Room ((6:30pm)) 922-4422

Bongo Tribe, Irish Rose Saloon ((9pm)) 947-3414

John Valentine, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((2pm)) 923-7311

John Valentine, Beach Bar, Moana Surfrider ((8pm)) 921-4600

World/Reggae

Ali Garcia, Mexico Lindo ((6pm)) 263-0055

12/Monday

Country/Folk

The Geezers, Arnold’s Beach Bar ((7pm)) 924-6887

Anthony Ryan and The Ridgecrest Wranglers, Boardrider’s ((8pm)) 261-4600

Hawaiian

Pacific Blu, Banyan Court, Moana Surfrider ((6pm)) 922-3111

Art Kalahiki & Mike Saffrey, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((8:30pm)) 923-7311

Sam Kapu Trio, Sheraton Waikiki ((6:30pm)) 922-4422

Eric Lee, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((3pm)) 923-7311

Albert Maglimat, Beach Bar, Moana Surfrider ((8pm)) 921-4600

Pa’ahana Trio, House Without a Key ((5:30pm)) 923-2311

Ellsworth Simeona, Duke’s Waikiki ((4pm)) 922-2268

Tangi Tully, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9:30pm)) 931-4660

Haumea Warrington, Duke’s Waikiki ((10pm)) 922-2268

Jazz

Jon Basebase, Sheraton Waikiki ((8:30pm)) 922-4422

Jazz/Blues

16th Avenue Quartet, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((9pm)) 945-0800

Renee Barinobis & the Jazz MOGI with Jeans & Lace, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((7pm)) 945-0800

Booker, Honolulu Club ((5pm)) 543-3916

Ginny Tiu, Hanohano Room ((6pm)) 922-4422

Rock/Pop

Johnny Helm, Lulu’s Waikiki ((7:30pm))

Higher Ground, Kelley O’Neil’s ((9pm)) 926-1777

Mike Love, O’Toole’s Pub ((9pm)) 536-4138

Andy Sexton, Chart House ((7pm)) 941-6660

Bongo Tribe, Irish Rose Saloon ((9pm)) 947-3414

13/Tuesday

Hawaiian

Tava’esina, Sheraton Waikiki ((6:30pm)) 922-4422

Stephen Inglis, Cha Cha Cha Salsaria ((6:30pm)) 395-7797

Art Kalahiki, Beach Bar, Moana Surfrider ((8pm)) 921-4600

Kelly DeLima ‘Ohana, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((7:30pm)) 923-7311

Eric Lee, Sheraton Waikiki ((8:30pm)) 922-4422

Zanuck Lindsey & Adj Larioza, RumFire ((5pm))

Ka Moana Trio, Banyan Court, Moana Surfrider ((6pm)) 922-3111

Ellsworth Simeona, Duke’s Waikiki ((10pm)) 922-2268

Ellsworth Simeona, Mai Tai Bar, Royal Hawaiian ((4:15pm)) 923-7311

Jazz/Blues

Gilbert Batangan Quartet, Jazz Minds Arts & Cafe ((9pm)) 945-0800

Noly Pa’a, Hanohano Room ((6pm)) 922-4422

Rico, Arnold’s Beach Bar ((6pm)) 924-6887

Rock/Pop

BBC, Hank’s Cafe ((8:30pm)) 526-1410

Brendan & Dewing Time, Kelley O’Neil’s ((9pm)) 926-1777

DNA, Chart House ((7pm)) 941-6660

Joe Kingston, Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani ((9:30pm)) 931-4660

Tavana, O’Toole’s Pub ((9pm)) 536-4138

Temporary Lovers, Commando, Next Door ((10pm)) 548-NEXT

Bongo Tribe, Irish Rose Saloon ((9pm)) 947-3414