Fancy a Drink?

Philly has cheesesteaks, and NYC is known for its bagels. Chicago has deep-dish, while Boston is famous for its clam chowder. But when it comes to the islands of Hawaii, it’s only fitting that those seeking solace in paradise want to so with a signature drink in hand.

And perhaps no cocktail better defines the Honolulu experience than one of the island’s famous mai tais. Belly up to the bar at any local watering hole, and you’re bound to find variations on the drink that combines rum, curaçao and fruit juice.

Who has the best mai tai in the city? That’s debatable, but here are few contenders. Take a sip and decide for yourself.

MAI TAI BAR — THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN
2259 Kalakaua Ave.

It’s rumored to be site that started it all. The mai tai’s origins are debatable, but the cocktail’s creation is largely attributed to Victor Bergeron — founder of California’s Trader Vic’s that sparked the tiki trend decades ago. Eater.com reports that in 1953,

Bergeron debuted the mai tai to Hawaii at this famed surf bar, before it started appearing in popular tiki restaurants.

Today, the bar offers different mai tais that offer a twist by infusing of tropical pineapple, lychee, ginger — even black pepper. The menu’s Scratch Mai Tai is one pf the bar’s original mai tai recipes.

HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY AT HALEKULANI
2199 Kalia Road

Offering one of the city’s most famous mai tai blends, this version involves three kinds of Bacardi rum garnished with a purple orchid, a lime wheel and stick of sugar cane. Live Hawaiian music and hula dancing add to the experience.

TIKI’S GRILL & BAR
(Inside Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel)
2570 Kalakaua Ave.

Named by Honolulu Magazine in recent years as one of the city’s best tiki bars, visitors are not only treated to beach views and live music each night, but the bar’s Surf Mai Tai cocktail even comes in a souvenir tiki glass.

ARNOLD’S BEACH BAR AND GRILL
339 Saratoga Road

A true Hawaiian dive bar with popcorn and live music daily, this watering hole is one of Yelp’s highest rated for mai tais. Reviews praise its tasty cocktails at decent prices. As one reviewer put it: “After a four-month search for the best mai tai on Oahu, I found it … at Arnold’s.”

–ERINN HUTKIN

Tribune Content Solutions Writer