If you’re staying in Wailea and you’re looking for somewhere to get a really good drink… not just a generic resort cocktail, but a GOOD drink…you’re going to want to know about the Tikehau Lounge. It’s my favorite spot to get drinks in Wailea and honestly one of the best tiki bars on all of Maui (which is a short list, so this matters). And somehow it’s still kind of flying under the radar, which I find wild.

The vibe is exactly what you’d want. It leans into the tiki aesthetic in a way that’s fun without feeling cheesy, and there’s a more modern edge to it that keeps it from feeling like a costume. It’s cool without trying too hard, the energy is relaxed, and they are SERIOUS about their drinks here. Like, these are thoughtful, well-constructed cocktails. Not just something pretty in a pineapple.

Who This Is Perfect For…

This one is for pretty much anyone staying in or around Wailea who wants a little something special on their trip. If you’re doing a nice dinner and you want somewhere to start the night with a great cocktail first… this is your spot. Or if dinner is already done and you’re not ready to call it a night… also your spot. It’s close enough to all the big resorts in Wailea that it’s an easy stop no matter where you’re staying, and it’s a MUCH better option (both in terms of value and the actual experience) than parking yourself at most of the resort bars in the area. Resort bars are convenient, sure, but they’re rarely special. Tikehau Lounge is actually special.

It’s also worth knowing that if you’re okay with a lighter dinner situation, you could absolutely skip a formal restaurant and just make a night of it here. The small bites menu is genuinely good and between that and a couple of cocktails, you’d be pretty happy.

What to Order

On the drinks side, I’d say just trust the menu and order whatever sounds interesting to you because the whole program is strong. They clearly put a lot of thought into what they’re making here and it shows.

For food, don’t skip the kalua pork sliders. Just get them. They’re really good and they’re exactly the kind of thing that pairs perfectly with a tiki cocktail while you’re on vacation in Maui.

Happy hour is also worth knowing about. If you can time your visit to catch it, the value is even better than it already is, which is saying something because this place is already a better deal than most of what you’ll find in Wailea.

Price-wise you’re looking at resort-adjacent cocktail prices, but you’re getting way more for your money than you would at a standard hotel bar. For the quality of the drinks and the overall experience, it feels completely worth it.

Basically if you’re in Wailea and you haven’t been to the Tikehau Lounge yet, add it to the list. You can thank me later ; )

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