Only at the Sunflower
Sometimes it feels like Waikiki and Chinatown have a lock on the night scene, and for that same reason, many wish to avoid those areas. If you’re not within walking distance of the hot spots, planning for the commute–driving through the Kapiolani/Kalakaua gauntlet and attempting to find parking–puts those who simply want to get out of the house for a beer or three in a rough position. Thankfully, for those in the ‘Aiea area, there’s the Sunflower Lounge.
Hate parking hassles? Located in the Waimalu Shopping Plaza Center, there’s plenty of room. Of course, after getting out of the car you may have to search to find the place, as it’s small and the outside lighting has only a scant few letters still illuminated. Once you find your way inside though, the yellow and black motif (like a sunflower–get it?) does indeed bring about a calm sense, making the lounge aspect of the storefront’s namesake all the more appropriate.
Despite the houses just up the hill with the million-dollar price tags, Sunflower manages to remain firmly in the middle class, which makes it all the more enjoyable. There’s no pretension or cliques, and with the sunny disposition of most of the patrons, you won’t find people hunkered miserably over a lukewarm beer.
Using the word cozy is almost too generous. The Sunflower is tiny, with a seating capacity of only 50 people. But even in the small space, they make sure any available spot is comfortable with enormous padded booths lining the front of the room. The small rectangular bar has plush stools that almost seem extravagant for a place where you get a tuna sandwich for $5 and a domestic beer for $2.50. Their happy hour is more like happy day–it’s from 9am-7pm.
With the limited space, it almost seems excessive to hang eight televisions on two walls, but it makes sense for this local watering hole.
Weekends fill to standing room only particularly around football season. In the evenings, people are ready to crowd together in clusters to crack jokes, make innuendoes and sing karaoke–poorly–and that’s when the place is the most fun as it changes from a mere local lounge to what can almost be called a comedy club. When every patron knows each other as well as they do here, it’s perfectly acceptable–even expected–to heckle in an attempt to bring whomever is on the mic down a notch. Nearly every song ends with somebody shouting ‘only at the Sunflower.’ If we wanted to be snarky, we could say that’s a good thing. The truth is, a lot of the bigger joints could learn a thing or two from places like this.
Sunflower Lounge
Waimalu Plaza Shopping Center
Getting In: Just bring ID.
Dress code: Casual; anything more makes people think you’re with the cops.
Soundtrack: Depends on whoever paid the dollar fee for karaoke.
Sightings: If you’re recognized, you’ve either been here too long, or you’ve been accepted into the fold.
Signature drink: Domestic beers ($2-$2.50).
