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Night Life

 

Nightclubs

The "Lion King" may have roared into town, but it's not the only major attraction for Island residents. Like any major metropolis, Honolulu has its fair share of night spots. We've got clubs, theaters, cinemas, restaurants, sports bars and more clubs. So where to go to show off that tan truly depends on your mood.

The young and young at heart check out The "O" Lounge (944-8436), where clubgoers can bump and grind to the pulsating beat of hip hop and other dance tunes. "Women's Closet" and "Children's Closet" fashion shows are also staged here throughout the year.

Down the street, the shiny new Pearl (944-8000) caters to an upscale crowd, as well as major star-studded private parties.

Honolulu Academy of Arts' monthly ARTafterDark attracts a hip crowd of twenty- and thirty-something Honolulu up-and-comers, who mingle while inspecting art exhibits. Yeah right. The event takes place every last Friday of every month, from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $10 (refunded if you join that evening) and free for museum members.

Stardust, with vocalists Rocky Brown and Jennifer Hera, and pianist Brian Robertshaw take the stage every second and fourth Saturday at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hanohano Room (922-4422). And every first and third Saturday, the Skyline Lounge attracts a flock of clubgoers.

Dancers swing into action during Aloha Swing Saturdays at the Aloha Activity Center (725 Kapiolani Blvd.). No partner is necessary. For more information, call 780-4641.

Salsa lessons are given during Cuban Salsa Dance Jam Hear at Dream to Dance (661 Auahi St #201). Every first Friday at 9 p.m.

"Salsa After Hours," an evening of Latin and salsa music for listening and dancing, has relocated its Thursday-only schedule to the Cirque Hawai'i Theatre at 325 Seaside Ave. in Waikiki. The site, which nightly features a production of acrobats, dancers, aerialists and other specialty acts, will be an apres-show destination for salsa fans, operating from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursdays. $10 cover charge ($5 before 11 p.m.), with attendance open to those 21 and older. For additional information, call 922-0055, 285-0072.

Amateur singers test their talents during the weekly "Al Waterson and You Karaoke Singing Contest" at Don Ho's Island Grill (528-0807). To compete, call Al Waterson and You at 947-5736. Each Sunday in the month is designated for a different age group, starting with keiki 6 to 9 years, followed by kids 10 to 12 years, teens, adult and seniors.

Voted in the June issue of Esquire as "Best Bar in Honolulu," Halekulani's (923-2311) chic Lewers Lounge is a swanky place to relax, listen to some live jazz and sip on a martini cocktail developed by master mixologist Dale DeGroff. Noly Paa performs Sunday and Monday, from 8:30 p.m. until midnight. Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard play Tuesdays through Fridays. On Saturdays, Lenny Keyes and Rocky Holmes entertain the crowd.

At House Without a Key, former Miss Hawaii crown holders, Kanoe Miller and Debbie Nakanelua, sway their hips to nostalgic Hawaiian sounds.

Whether your in the mood for Depeche Mode, The Cure, New Order or Book of Love, it's retro 80s every Wednesday night at "Acid Wash" with deejay Nocturna at NextDoor (548-6398) beginning at 9pm to 2am. No cover, except for special events.

At the hip thirtyninehotel (599-2552), a rotating group of artists perform Wednesdays from 8 p.m.-midnight during "Rising Melody." On Tuesdays, the Newjass Quartet plays from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. With two dance floors, the upscale Zanzabar (924-3939) hops with "The Good Life," Fridays from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Seen and be seen at the Dragonfly Room at the W Honolulu (922-3734), Saturdays from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

During dinner, it's home to some of Na Hoku Hanohano award winners, but on Saturday nights after 10 p.m., Chai's Island Bistro (585-0011) turns into a bustling club.

The theme on Friday nights at Cafe' Che Pasta (524-0004) is "Lip Gloss."

For soulful jazz, drop in at Jazz Minds Art & Cafe (945-0800).

Hee Haw. It's country dancing from 4 p.m. at Nashville Waikiki (926-7911).

Shirtless bartenders are one attraction at Hula's Bar & Lei Stand (923-0669), people watching is another.

For pau hana fun, the Mai Tai Bar at Ala Moana Center (947-2900) features daily live entertainment and happy hour.

Live music is amplified at Bar 35 (537-3535), 8:30 p.m.-midnight Thursdays.

Come on, feel the noise at Tapa's Restaurant & Lanai Bar (921-2288), featuring retro rock and '80s hits. So girls, rock your boys! Thursdays, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

High-energy dance music is featured Thursdays at Indigo (521-2900).

And if you're tired of the club scene, Aiea Bowl (488-6854) has been renovated and it's more than just a 10-pin bowling alley. Check it out.

And that's the night life.

Speed Dating

There were "key" parties in the 1970s; video dating in the 1980s; and then along came the Internet in the '90s. Couples have met at unlikely places and in unlikely ways, proving that at anytime and anywhere men and women can be struck by Cupid's arrow.

And this is true even during "speed dating," the matchmaking event of the 2000s. A national organization called Cupid.com/PreDating arranges these speed dating events for single professionals. The concept has been around Honolulu for several years, says Amy Agar, the local event coordinator for Cupid.com/PreDating.

Agar has been organizing these types of events twice a month for the past year.

Guests register online, then check in the night of the party and receive numbered nametags, special scorecards and seat assignments at one of many tables for two.

According to the company's Web site, the chemistry between two people occurs within the first few minutes of meeting. Participants go on up to 12, six-minute dates in one evening. This way, they can quickly determine who they'd like to hear from again.

"We can do up to 15 couples so you can meet 15 people in one evening," Agar says. "The gentlemen move from seat to seat for each round, and the ladies stay seated. The first couple of rounds are kind of quiet - but by the third round, the energy and laughing really picks up."

Depending on the chemistry, participants privately check "YES" or "NO," noting whom they'd like to hear from again. Initial party results are received via e-mail within 24 hours, providing each guest with a list of participants who'd like to hear from them again.

To register for one of the parties, log on to honolulu@predating.com or call 294-0682.