Top 15 Spots To Get A Drink On Maui

If you’re anything like me, a vacation involves an occasional—or regular— alcoholic beverage. And fortunately, if you’re heading to Maui, there are endless places to indulge. So where to drink on Maui? From craft breweries to trendy hole-in-the-wall joints, here are the top contenders for bars on Maui.  

Here are the 15 best places for a drink on Maui.

Mahalo Aleworks

Pukalani

Spacious and bright, this new Upcountry brewery serves up “hyper-local” beers and stellar bi-coastal views. The two-story space is sleek and trendy: gloss-polished surfboards made by local shapers hang from the walls, digital nomads retreat to quiet nooks, and a Vestaboard above the bar, displaying what’s on tap. Beers here are brewed with local, seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms. And because of the brewery’s commitment to local ingredients, taps frequently change depending on what’s available. (Although you can almost always expect to find staples like the English Brown, which earned Mahalo Aleworks accolades within months of opening). Come here to watch the sunset from the second-story patio, put your knowledge to the test on Tuesday Trivia night, or enjoy weekly live music from some of Maui’s top artists.  Grab food at Upcountry Sausage Co. or at Restaurant Marlow to enjoy with your brew.

Pint & Cork

Wailea

This aptly named gastropub in the Shops of Wailea features 20 rotating taps, an extensive wine list, over 100 whiskeys, and 30 specialty cocktails. It’s enough to make your head spin, but it also means you’re all but guaranteed to find something you like. The many TVs give the place an upscale-sports-bar vibe, and it’s often packed with hospitality industry people late at night. The eats here are delightful too, with offerings such as fresh fish tacos, shrimp and grits, and burgers.

Maui Brewing Company

Kihei

There’s something for everyone, young or old, at Maui Brewing Company in Kihei. The 42,000 square foot facility is where Maui Brewing Company Beers are born— but the space also includes an enormous restaurant where craft beers and cocktails are plentiful. Solo visitors can plop themselves down at the elongated bar or mosey over to the adjacent tap room. If you’ve got kids in tow, head to the garden seating, where the kids can stay occupied with yard games like cornhole.  

Esther’s Fair Prospect  

Wailuku

This chic tropical bar sits at the mouth of Iao Valley in Wailuku. The modern aesthetics— colorful tropical wallpaper, hanging plants, and wicker pendant lights— attract a younger crowd. But those who appreciate craft cocktails will certainly relish Esther’s ingenuity— especially since the bar is headed by two bad-ass females who are highly successful in the restaurant industry. Try the fresh ceviche, and wash it down with a Velvet Elvis: tequila, mezcal, calamansi, aperol, rosalio, and absinthe.

Colleen’s at the Cannery  

Haiku

This always-happening bar is the place to be on Maui’s north shore. Located in a defunct pineapple cannery, Colleen’s is often packed with an eclectic crowd: grizzled regulars hunch over their seats at the bar while young locals squeeze into tables pressed against the floral wallpaper. Every night from 5 pm, the bartenders sling vibrant specialty cocktails like the Pink Smoke— mezcal, dragonfruit, grapefruit, and Hawaiian chili pepper-infused honey. If you can’t get a seat at the bar— or don’t feel like waiting— you can also enjoy a cocktail and a hearty meal from the restaurant on the opposite side. 

Another option would be to head across the street to Ace of Cups and check out their witchy wonders like tarot and oracle decks, dream journals, smudge sticks, pendulums, crystals, magic wands, brooms, and more!

Haliimaile General Store

Upcountry

Haliʻimaile General Store, located on the beautiful slopes of Haleakala in the Upcountry region of Maui, is a renowned culinary gem that combines the rich flavors of Hawaiian cuisine with a modern, creative twist. Originally established in 1925 as a plantation store, it was transformed into a restaurant in 1988 by Chef Bev Gannon, who elevated it to international acclaim. The restaurant is known for its exquisite farm-to-table dining experience, showcasing locally sourced ingredients in a picturesque Upcountry setting. With its innovative cocktail menu, charming rustic ambiance, and commitment to sustainability, Haliʻimaile General Store has become a beloved culinary and cocktail destination, offering a delightful taste of Hawaii’s diverse and flavorful cuisine in a historic and charming setting.

Monkeypod

Wailea/Kaʻanapali 

World-famous mai tais, dozens of craft beers on tap, pizza, and pie— what’s not to love? Monkeypod Wailea is perpetually busy, with daily live music, an epic happy hour, a buzzy mix of locals and tourists, and an unceasing wait at the door. Don’t fret; the large dining room also opens up to an outdoor garden seating area, and tables are constantly turning over. But it’s not just the colorful foam-topped cocktails and craft beers that bring in the frenzied crowds every day; it’s the delightful menu crafted by master restaurateur Peter Merriman.

Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons Resort

Wailea

The Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons Resort serves up superb views, exquisite craft cocktails, and plenty of class. This airy bar boasts a craft cocktail program that honors the tropical flavors of the Hawaiian islands. Try the Talisman— the Lobby Lounge’s signature cocktail— with rum, lime, pineapple, mango, coconut, and orgeat. Arrive before sunset to enjoy the bar’s nightly hula show and stick around for live music to follow. Since it is the Four Seasons, expect well-dressed patrons and top-notch service.  

Nalu’s South Shore Grill

Kihei

Sipping a cocktail at Nalu’s South Shore Grill is a delightful experience that encapsulates the essence of island life on Maui. Nalu’s cocktail menu is a tropical symphony, offering a range of refreshing concoctions that perfectly complement the relaxed atmosphere. Whether it’s a classic Mai Tai, a fruity and colorful umbrella drink, or a signature craft cocktail created with local spirits and ingredients, the flavors are a testament to the creativity and expertise of the mixologists at Nalu’s. With each sip, you’re transported to a paradise of flavors, making it the ideal place to unwind, soak in the Hawaiian ambiance, and toast to the good life on Maui.

What Ales You

Kihei

Tucked in an inconspicuous corner of the Kihei Kalama Village, What Ales you is somewhat of a hidden gem. But if you like craft beer, pub food, and a low-key local vibe, What Ales You is your place. A variety of hard-to-find craft beer and kombucha pours from the 20 taps. Grab a seat in the oasis-like outdoor seating area, or savor the ice-cold AC inside while chatting with the bartender or watching the game. Stop by on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday evenings for food specials and live music.  

Kahales – Maui’s Local Dive Bar

Kihei

If you’re a fan of divey haunts, you’ll love Kahales. This bar is proudly low-key and without airs, decorated with NFL posters, TVs, and little else. Despite its unpretentious atmosphere, Kahales is Maui’s oldest dive bar— open since 1994— and still draws serious crowds. You can expect nightly live music, friendly bartenders, and a local crowd. Plus, if you’ve been hitting up bars in upscale areas or hotels every night, you’ll certainly appreciate Kahale’s reasonable prices.

South Shore Tiki Lounge

Kihei

Palapa roofs, lauhala ceilings, Hawaiian decor, and flowing mai tais… South Shore Tiki Lounge is Maui’s quintessential tiki bar. This Kihei bar has been named Maui’s best bar for seven years in a row— and for a good reason. Cocktail prices are reasonable, there are DJs and live music every night, and the place is unceasingly crowded. Things get especially fun Thursday-Saturday night, with drinks and dancing until 2 am.

Lima Cocina y Cantina

Paia

The buzzy surf town of Paia is full of tequila joints, kava bars, and open-air cafes. Expertly crafted cocktails? Not so much— until Lima Cocina y Cantina came onto the scene. Lima boasts a cocktail menu designed by the founder of one of Maui’s top cocktail bars, Esther’s Fair Prospect. Various pisco cocktails are featured— on theme with the restaurant’s Peruvian concept. Plus, Lima is as trendy as bars come, with tropical wallpaper, a vertical fern garden, and a neon sign that reads “bad decisions make better stories.” We agree, Lima. And we also think that this stylish restaurant and bar is precisely what Paia needed.

Lineage

Wailea

When beloved Hawaii chef and Top Chef contestant Sheldon Simeon opened Lineage in 2018, it quickly became the new hotspot in Wailea— not just for the mouthwatering Asian fare, but the visually stunning (and tasty) cocktails. Opt for a seat at the bar, where you can peep the chefs creating magic in the open kitchen, and order an Auntie Kine Tings— a combination of Sake, Akashi Ume, ginger liqueur, plum, miso, and lemon, which speaks to the restaurant’s Asian theme.  

Barefoot Bar at Hula Grill

Kaʻanapali

When you imagine Maui’s bar scene, you might picture thatched roof tiki bars on the beach, pouring up Pina Coladas and other umbrella-clad drinks while a musician strums a ukulele. But those environments are rare on Maui— unless you visit Hula Grill’s Barefoot Bar. The menu features an assortment of tropical cocktails— some classic, some craft— and a variety of local beers. Stop by for “Aloha Hour” from 2:30 pm to 5 pm for $7 cocktails and $5 drafts.