Honolulu Weekly

The Hideaway, 1913 Dudoit Ln, 682-2731 Of course, nearly every joint has some sort of promotion for a happy hour, but seeing how many places consider to reward those with a certain inclination toward the early hours of the evening with a measly fifty cents off the regular price for a domestic, it almost makes sense not to leave the house until after dark. Except for The Hideaway, with its daily Power Hour, which, from 6-7pm every evening, prices all domestic beers and well drinks at a dollar, making braving the Waikiki rush-hour traffic well worth it.

Pink Cadillac, 478 ‘Ena Rd, 946-6499 If you are out on Thursday, plenty of places are interested in garnering your attention, but with bar managers salivating at the rush that will come with the weekend it’s hard to find something different, which is what makes Punk Night at Pink Cadillac a special event. Featuring no cover and $2 PBRs all night, along with $3 well drinks and a smoking hot DJ (and I can say that, since I’m the aforementioned DJ) playing ’80s and early ’90s punk and hardcore from a time before it was dictated by MTV or Hot Topic, it’s a place for people who can’t dance and like to drink even if it’s not in the hopes of making them a better dancer.

Red Lion, 2535 Coyne St, 949-5466 Of course, bad tattoos and a poor disposition to authority figures mixed with cheap beer doesn’t appeal to everybody, and for those people, there is the Dalla Balla Thursday deal at Red Lion–with a caveat: There is a cover charge that begins at 8pm and increases as the night goes on, culminating in a pricey $10 admission. Before you dismiss it, keep in mind that admission allows you to partake in a plethora of dollar drinks–domestic drafts, wells, calls, and premiums. Just remember to say, ‘Jack,’ instead of simply, ‘whiskey.’

Tsunami’s, 2260 Kuhio Ave, 923-8848 If indeed Thursdays are the new Friday, than that must mean Wednesday is the new day to realize that you’ve worked hard enough for the week and it’s time for some slacking, even though you know you’ll have to go in tomorrow. And if being budget conscious is truly on your mind, then you should be at Tsunami’s. There is a $5 cover (but show your kama’aina ID and get some love back from the club) and be prepared to relive your high school days with everybody surrounding one of the two kegs they set aside, selling cups at 25 cents apiece. No, they’re not pints, but with those prices and the crowd it attracts, it becomes more of a race, finishing when both kegs run dry, which usually happens by midnight, meaning you can still get some decent rest before reporting back for your duties the next day.

Arnold’s Beach Bar and Grill, 339 Saratoga Rd, 924-6887 For those who like things cozy and familiar, there’s always a short jaunt over to Arnold’s, which hosts a live ensemble band playing rock standards and classics, all the while allowing you to reminisce on Dennis Hopper’s now classic diatribe against specialty imported beers, seeing how Pabst Blue Ribbon bottles sell for a meager buck-fifty.

Moose McGillycuddy’s, 310 Lewers St, 923-0751 If you simply have to find a place to shake it, Moose McGillycuddy’s gives you a place to let it all hang out with their version of a dollar night, though those dollars add up depending on the quality of the drink you’re looking for. Depending on the time of day, expect a cover charge.

Ocean Club, 500 Ala Moana Blvd, 531-8444 If you want to dance without having to hear Sam Jackson’s expletive of choice repeated in every song, every two seconds or so, Ocean’s allows you to dress up in order to get down by enforcing a strict rule against beachwear. Once inside, you can partake in $2.50 drinks while lighter dance pop goes on all night. Like McGillycuddy’s, be prepared to pay a cover for the privilege of drinking cheap.