Honolulu Weekly

Sessions @ Du Vin / Jody Jenkins, general manager of Brasserie Du Vin, says that, where he comes from, live music is the norm–maybe that’s why Sessions @ Du Vin feel less like something new and more like the final ingredient into the atmospheric mix of an already popular hotspot. Here, Wednesday night is the new weekend.

Performers sit near the entrance, crooning old jazz standards and a few originals. Guests can choose the warm, living-room feel of the salon or the low-lit country patio, a tight corridor that winds back far enough that you feel secluded from the wide open Bethel Street entrance. It’s almost haphazard in its options for seating and seclusion.

Every Wednesday brings a new entertainer so you might catch Shoji Ledward trying out new material or Sonny Silva and Duane Padilla lying low with their East-European gypsy jazz.

On one recent evening, the light wooden chair was filled by James McCarthy, of the well-known Doolin Rakes, taking requests and chatting with a table of friendly fans.

The sounds from his guitar ranged from the American south to the Irish north, but his vocal styling never changed–that smooth, laid-back murmur, melodies gliding just above the guitar and filling the space without drowning out conversation.

McCarthy said he lets the atmosphere dictate the music. Depending on the mood, new versions of old songs pop out of him like rabbits out of a magician’s hat. For example, the switch to 6/8 time during a rendition of Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” provided a mellower groove–one that McCarthy hadn’t anticipated, planned or ever done before.

While McCarthy seems better suited to his regular gig at O’Tooles, where he evokes a Cork County pub and Du Vin evokes a friendly gathering in the French countryside, the feelings aren’t too dissimilar, and you’re definitely transported off the island.

Drinks are whatever you want them to be. Beer is reasonably priced, as are specialty martinis and the house wines by the glass. Bottles go from $30 to about $200, so just decide how much lighter you want your wallet to be at the end of the night. Better yet, order before 6pm to catch selected drinks and entrees at half-price.

The nice thing about Sessions at Du Vin is that the entertainment is early, ending around 9pm. The night doesn’t end when the music stops, so guests are free to explore the rest of Chinatown or stay right where they are, for some wine and, yep, some more wine.

The night isn’t over for McCarthy either. He’s pulling double duty and headed to Kelley O’Neil’s where he’ll lead the Doolin Rakes and the raucous Waikiki crowd in another two hours of tunes.

Sessions @ Du Vin

Getting in: Wednesday happy hour 4–6pm, music at 7pm, no cover.

Soundtrack: Local performances with an “unplugged” feel–everything from jazz to folk to rock’n'roll. Schedule at [brasserieduvin.com].

Sightings: The performers are more prestigious than the clientele if we’re judging on real talent.

Signature drink: Du Vin Martini