Hank’s a million
New clubs and bars often factor demo and psychographics with precision during the planning stages, and it shows. The result leads to hundreds of joints intent on catering to certain tastes–and who cares about the rest of us who don’t fit certain fashion, income or musical taste brackets? The result, especially in Chinatown, feels almost like segregation through marketing. And then there’s Hank’s Cafe.
At first glance, you’re not sure what to think of the place. It looks like a dive bar, by way of a tiki stand combined with an art gallery. Scanning the crowd doesn’t help. At any time the place might be filled with tourists, elbow to elbow with residents. The conversations between the two factions are always spirited and full of sarcasm. Those with thin skins may have to search out a quiet spot in the corner, because if you sit at or near the bar (and there isn’t much room anywhere else), it’s open season, and all are sucked into the fold quickly, making you feel as if you’ve been coming here for years.
The place was bought by Henry M. ‘Hank’ Taufaasau in 1998. Hank had the presence of mind to neither defend nor deny any of the stories eagerly furnished by people on both sides of the bar, who tell of Hank’s move from a Waikiki gallery storefront into the eclectic Chinatown area, primarily for fiscal reasons.
It might seem odd for the owner to use the small space, most of which is taken up by the L-shaped bar near the front door, to hang his own artwork spaced between beer signs and photographs of the regulars (listed with a banner reading ‘Wall of Shame’). But it worked, and it didn’t take long before Taufaasau was selling his creations along with libations. In fact, many credit Taufaasau with creating the art environment Chinatown enjoys now, along with the success of the monthly First Friday gallery walk.
In case that sounds megalomaniacal, Hank also uses the space to support other artists, mostly of the musical kind, having open mike live entertainment every night, where (mostly) local musicians play softly not more than 5 feet away from the bar. Often times, they’ll be playing to a packed house, and if not, they’re more than willing to put their instruments down simply because the conversations at the bar are too interesting or spirited to ignore. That’s what’s so infectious about the joint: Almost everyone gets involved, instead of there being various cliques camped out in various corners. It’s trite to refer to a place as the fill-in-the-blank Cheers, but here it almost fits–only everyone chooses to take the role of Carla.
But we’re sure they’re just kidding.
Maybe.
Hank’s Cafe Honolulu
1038 Nu’uanu Ave
Getting In: 21+, bring ID Dress Code: Whatever you’re wearing is fine Soundtrack: Varies, depending on entertainment Sightings: Kirk Hammett, James MacArthur, KC (sans the Sunshine Band) Signature Drink: Hanko’ver’ed (keep the glass for $8.50)
