L'Aperitif

This iconic bar is located within the Halekulani hotel and in La Mer the French restaurant. Henry is the head bartender who has been serving amazing cocktails for over 40 years! I recommend getting a seat at the bar and enjoy the view through the opening to the ocean and enjoy the fresh air and live music. The conversation with Henry about the history of Hawaii and the culture of the people is amazing and I'm blessed to have been here.

4.5 starsWhy did I give this place 4.5 stars? Because I didn't actually get to go inside.Now you're thinking, "What??"Yup, because there's a dress code in order to get in! For guys you need a dress shirt and slacks to get in so when I walked in with my sandals and tshirt I was turned away at the door (I had been out at the beach all day and didn't have any dress shirts or slacks or anything).Now you're thinking, "If you got turned away why are you giving this place a review??"Because even though I couldn't go inside, the person at the door told me I could sit in the lounge area outside and still be served. I wasn't going to say no because I knew I wanted to go here so I took that option.Now let's get into the real stuff.This place is on the second floor of Orchids and Lewers Lounge so you'll have to take the stairs or the elevator to get there. Yes, the cocktails are pricey but you're not just paying for the drink; you're paying for an experience. Each of their $24 cocktails come with an appetizer/pairing. You can switch it out for another if you want but this is just their suggested pairing.My first pairing was the Hemingway old fashioned which comes with marinated mushroom and onion. I thought the old fashioned was good but I remember eating the appetizer and then taking a sip of the drink and saying out loud, "That just changed the flavor of the old fashioned." The appetizer was more acidic and sour and after having that coated around my mouth it made the old fashioned sweeter and not as bitter or sour. That just took me by surprise and realized just why they are the way they are.My second pairing was the halekulani cocktail which comes with vegetable brunoise with Ibérico Gelee Cream of Bacon. I feel like a lot of the juices in the cocktail overpower the taste of the whiskey even though the whiskey is what makes this cocktail special. After eating the vegetable brunoise the tropical flavors in the drink come out a lot more. My server told me that the whiskey is from Elijah Craig who makes this bourbon specifically for them and this drink. It also contains some 1950s bourbon so it really is a special drink.I love that one of the waiters came out to chat with me for a little bit. We talked about why I was visiting and where I was visiting from. We spoke about our travels and his travels to the Pacific Northwest like Seattle's Canon and Portland's Multnomah Whiskey Library (those are both some of my favorite bars ever and if you've never been, bookmark those for your next visit). It was unnecessary for him to do that but he did it anyway and I just think that speaks to the experience they want to provide their guests, regardless of whether they're inside or outside.A part of me thinks a part of the complete experience is lost because I was unable to actually have a drink inside the bar. I have no doubt that had I been allowed to go in this would be an absolutely great 5 star experience. I got that top-notch service even sitting outside and I know I would've gotten that perfect atmosphere inside. I still wish to this day I could've gotten in the door but I guess that's for another day. You bet if I'm going back to Oahu I'll be bringing a lot of t-shirts and shorts and one nice outfit just for this place.

Inside the venerable Halekulani hotel in Honolulu is a special seemingly secret bar. It's located upstairs from Orchids and overlooks the ocean - views from all tables at the elegant La Mer restaurant.The bar has just about any brand and type of spirits you can think of and some you haven't. Creative Interesting concoctions. Professional bartenders that have worked here forever. Henry made our drinks and the man is a true artist. Craftsman. No rush guy that aims to please.The bar area itself is warm and inviting - a throwback to a more gentile time. Think Raffles in Singapore-- the thing is people would rather go to a place like Roy's, across the street, pay the same drink price and get a run of the mill tourist drink. To each his own...La Aperitif is not stuffy or uppity-- you'll fit right in and they will welcome you for drinks regardless if you're having dinner or not. A winner

I was in the Waikiki area for dinner so I decided to check out this place. Initially it was a bit confusing as to where it is, but basically it's the bar INSIDE LA MER. Each fancy drink you can order there is $20. $20!?!?! Geez. That's expensive! But the price was worth it since you get live music from downstairs, a fancy drink, a small bite of fancy food, a fancy red rose, and a fancy atmosphere. Our bartender Herman? was on par too. I've already made plans to go back!

I've been wanting to get cocktails here for awhile now and I finally did! It's located inside Halekulani on the second floor. The front desk at the hotel was so generous to escort us there. Also I would recommend dressing up a little bit. Their cocktail is $24. It used to be $20 but it's still worth to me. It came with a appetizer but due to not eating meat, I had an oyster instead. And who knew Lilikoi sorbet with oyster would be really good together!?! The drinks were amazing as well. The bar is connected to lamer which I will definitely try soon! Me and my friend loved our cocktail and the bartender had humor, suggested good places for dinner, just all around good vibes. This would definitely be one of my top high end 5 bars on Oahu.

A stunning bar nestled within La Mer, polished hardwood, the hint of sea air, it exudes Hawaiian elegance. The bar is unique; focusing on contemporary reinventions of classic French cocktails. Simply put, these are sexy cocktails, unique in flavor, gentle on the palate. A sip. A nod to acknowledge their quality then they fade to become a pleasant background note enlivening the evening's conversation. Rather than explain: La Rose d'Henri (Noilly Prat vermouth, gin and Marasquin cherry liquor), blush in color, gentle sweetness, complex botanical finish with the hint fruit.Verlaine (Champagne and Absinthe), subdued fruit with and hints of yeast becoming herbaceous and floral on the finish. Acidity and bitterness balance the drink.Need to feel more like a man? Try the Hemingway Old Fashioned (Fresh lemon and orange juice, bourbon and bitters from Trinidad). Stirred, not shaken. A classic. The Mach 2 (Laphroaig and Green Chartreuse), sweet, smoky, incredibly complex.Priced at $20 (don't balk, the price per shot for bottle service at a cheap Vegas club exceeds $20), each is paired with an amuse. No fries and chicken wings; instead an outstanding foie crème brulee whose mineral notes pair with the flavors of absinthe, a parmesan phyllo crisp with balsamic syrup whose natural salinity enhances the background note of bitters, a salmon cornet that is a natural pairing to the smoke and iodine of Laphroaig.The accompaniments are also available as "bar snacks". Wine and other libations also offered but not promoted on their menu.Note: Jackets or a long sleeve shirt for the guys. Don't go on a warm, humid night.A destination in its own right.

This place is absolutely gorgeous; a lovely lounge with the decadence of a 1920's supper club. Beware that it IS expensive with cocktails at $20 a pop. BUT you're not just paying for the drinks, you're paying for the white-glove service, the elegant atmosphere, the little amuse bouche that accompanies your well-executed drink, the thoughtful rose in every ladies' glass; essentially, you're paying for the experience, and believe me, it is well worth it.We came here on our last night in Oahu to start my gal's birthday celebrating in style, and it was the perfect way to toast her special day. It's name is absolutely apropos as it's the perfect way to begin any evening. We will return as L'Aperitif has secured return customers in our little group.

I read a lot about this bars menu before going. Being from NY and someone who travels alot and calls them a foodie, this was one of my favorite bars I have ever been to. The drinks were so good, and the small bite of food that comes with drinks made the value feel just perfect. I could of spent the entire night there. Also many props to the manager there, who ran into us briefly at the Wednesday nights cocktail party - remembered our names when we stopped by about 5 hours later.

This place is F.A.N.C.Y!!!! I was having dinner at House Without A Key, and there was some long wait for our table, so we decided to walk around and see what else we could do while waiting. One of the gals in my group wanted a drink, so we were told to go to L'Aperitif, because it was the only spot with a bar. We walked in and all the waiters pulled out a chair for each of us, not in a polite way, like we were royalty and they had been waiting for our arrival. The view is INSANE, the decor is AMAZING, and every employee there makes you feel REALLY special. The cocktails are $20 each, but that comes with a appetizer that is specifically prepared for it. This is not an every day kinda place, this is ultimate decadence and luxury at its finest. You feel really freaking special when you're in here, lemme tell ya. This is an experience worth having, even if all you do is pop in here for the drink and view, it's totally worth it.

This is an amazing place. We were completely under dressed but the staff were so nice. They asked if we wanted to sit in the area just outside the restaurant and we still had full and exceptional service. The cocktails were spectacular and the accompanying small bite paired perfectly with each cocktail. We will definitely be returning and be dressed appropriately.