Honolulu Weekly

Hush / During its first six months of operation, Hush Boutique Nightclub and Lounge has made quite an impression on clubgoers in search of a nightlife experience they can call their own.

If there is such a thing as upscale casual, Hush is the place. You can expect a level of comfort and calmness that calls to mind any number of quality foreign nightspots.

Tucked away in the “quieter” side of Waikiki, inside the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel and merely a stone’s throw from the Ala Wai, Hush features a weekly nightlife menu built on variety. Monday nights feature reggae and dancehall, electronica keeps things diverse on Tuesday nights while standard hip-hop and R&B reign supreme Thursday through Saturday.

Clean and classy, the layout is simple and elegant with a capital E. Room one personifies the term “lounge” from its white leather couches that align the walls to the red carpeting. In all its décor coolness, the room can feel a little more compact if it reaches a capacity of 50 or so.

The eye-catching European décor extends to the second room and features candle lit VIP booths, more expensive looking couches complete with red drapery for privacy. Along the back wall of room two is another bar and a decked out VIP booth that overlooks the main dance area. For such a small venue it never gets too overwhelming or unbearably hot.

Parking is not exactly at a premium but the hustle the valets display can make up for the lack of free stalls.

With well-established party promoters AGN and Islandfire Productions working their magic, Friday has been the establishment’s most successful night thus far. Hush still remains on an underground level of sorts, which means there are many first impressions still to be made.

To the owners’ credit, the nightspot never tried to over hype itself and still entered with positive fan fare. You would almost wish the place came with a scenic view of Waikiki and a little more room to roam to complete such an ensemble. Still, Hush has all the makings of success with the chill vibe, elegant décor and versatility as its best assets.

With room to grow the newbie spot’s status in club land is still yet to be determined. That’s why summer may play a huge role in helping to establish its true niche, crowd and identity.

All the positive qualities are reason enough to root for this underdog. But hush, keep that on the down-low.

Hush

444 Niu St. Hawaiian Monarch Hotel

955-2100 10pm–4am

Getting In: $5–$10

Sightings: Rob Schneider, Russell Tanoue, Christine Mendoza

Dress Code: BCBG, Maggie London, Ed Hardy

Soundtrack: Prince, Akon, Madonna, Mark Morrison

Signature Drinks: $7 premium wells, $6 Heineken