My mother loves traditions, and she loves Hawaii. Among those traditions: When in Hawaii, no matter where we’re staying, we always meet at House Without a Key.
To call it the Halekulani hotel’s casual, al fresco dining option is to miss the point entirely. It’s simply one of the best beachfront cocktail lounges in town (I mean, that’s just my opinion, but there it is).
We always arrive at just the right time, pau hana — the Hawaiian way to say happy hour — when Diamond Head is lit up by the rays from the setting sun. To sit in a comfy chair and sip a drink, listen to the strum of ukuleles and quiet conversation, watch hula dancers gently swaying, while taking in the view of the Pacific and the sky fading from a riot of color to deep black — even the walk to the restaurant over polished marble floors and past manicured greenery is soothing. In other words, House Without a Key has been my Honolulu happy place for the past 20 years.
As part of the Halekulani’s ongoing updates, House Without a Key fully reopened in 2022 with a refreshed look. Notably, the restaurant added a larger, better bar called Earl’s; expanded and updated its lounge seating and added an exhibition-style kitchen.
When we’re staying on property at the Halekulani, it’s our daily hangout.
The hotel has two other restaurants of note, the Forbes five-star, AAA five-diamond La Mer (“elegant evening attire” required) and the Italian-focused Orchids, but we gravitate toward the more casual House Without a Key. As it serves breakfast, lunch, bar menu and dinner, it’s easy to spend the entire day there.
It’s adjacent to the Halekulani’s gorgeous tiled pool, which my kids were loath to leave even when they were admittedly starving. Throw on a cover-up and sandals, and you’re good to go. (beachwear and flip-flops are not permitted, though).
House Without a Key caters to keiki with a kids menu and items like coloring books. So that plus the proximity of the pool and expansive lawn gave them plenty to enjoy.
My husband, meanwhile, was a denizen of Earl’s.
The bar’s design gives all patrons a spectacular view. It’s busy during those sunset hours, but at any point of the day guests in aloha shirts and sundresses can be found enjoying drinks, small bites and the island breezes.
My husband caught up with an old friend, and they can speak to the quality of the bartender’s old fashioneds. I have a predilection for Earl’s expertly made mai tais, but it also does fine presentations of zero-proof cocktails.
