Honolulu Weekly

If there’s one thing we appreciate, it’s truth in advertising. If you have a place called Bob’s Cafe, then there damn well better be some guy named Bob slinging coffee from behind the counter. If your sign says you’re selling Aloha apparel, then you shouldn’t find a fedora or a double-breasted pinstripe suit on the racks. And if you call your club Tsunami’s, then it should look like it was struck by a natural disaster.

Don’t assume that’s a bad thing, however. For Tsunami’s, located in the heart of the Waikiki club area, has an ordered chaos where any and all luxuries have been washed away. The end result is what some might consider the bare minimum of what a club should be. There’s a bar, a dance floor, a mini-bar, a lonely dartboard and a capacity for people who want to witness the devastation. In terms of aesthetic decor, the place looks more like an old garage with a few remaining pieces of clutter pushed to the side–things that you can’t convince your father to get rid of like embarrassing photos of patrons being shoved into cop cars outside the club or oversized novelty knickknacks. The hurricane beach bar motif works well as the front doors are always open, letting the trade winds rush through sending tips, phone numbers, business cards along with hopes and dreams sailing across the bar.

And let’s get something straight: This is not a sit-down bar. The limited numbers of stools and tables (roughly about 20 seats total) fill up quickly, making it so no matter how early you show up, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to rest your weary feet. And those fortunate enough to find seats will guard, save and hoard them. Even the bathrooms require a walk outside and around the corner. But if the hollowed-out style appeals to your sensibilities (after all, it does look like many a party spot when the parents go on vacation), then Tsunami’s is perfect. Open until 4am daily and featuring a mix of DJs and live bands as entertainment, along with nightly drink specials ranging from the smutty-sounding drinks for the ladies on Thursday to the beer blowouts on Wednesday and Sunday, there is plenty of variety to choose from. Indeed, there are so many drink specials that it’s not uncommon for the bartender to charge full price if you’re not paying attention. Even they can’t keep track.

First glance might make you think it’s catered to the young, but stay a bit and you’ll see all kinds standing around or pushed together on the dance floor in a big, multi-cultural, cross-generation mess. The party vibe and the late-night hours mean that it’s filled at anytime with a mix of industry people, tourists, military, seasoned regulars and the occasional grizzled old hippy, all looking for a place to sit.

One thing’s for certain: Tsunami’s might not be your first pick, but once you get there it’s a good chance that it will be the final stop for the evening. And that may be the reason for the lack of seating–they want to make sure you still have the capacity to stand.

Tsunami’s

2260 Kuhio Ave.

Getting In: 21+ Dress Code: The less the better, but wear good shoes, you’ll be on your feet. Soundtrack: If it’s popular, you’ll hear it here. Signature Drink: Depends on the day. Sightings: Camile Velasco, people who served you drinks at other bars.