Gridskipper

A good dive bar has a strong smell to it; Irish Rose's scent makes it down a flight of stairs, out the door, and onto the sidewalk. Irish Rose attracts an older crowd, some of whom look like they've spent so much… time on their barstools that squatter's rights dictate they own them. Happy hour prices are all day, it serves breakfast, and there's live music seven nights a week. [link]

What's a trip to watch a football game without a stop at the nudie bar to make you feel like even more of a man? There's a good chance of seeing football players here too; just don't expect much attention from the… dancers if there's a VIP room full of guys who make more in a year than you'll make in 20. And don't let the metal detector keep you away; Club Femme Nu is clean and safe. The only thing you're at risk for is spending all of your money. (photo) [link]

I'm just going to quote reviews from Yelp to describe The Hideaway: "the 2nd time i went there, we had to walk around a cop who… was watching a bouncer pummel some shmuck," "we walked in and trying to blend in with the barflies and the 65 year old tequila guzzling biker grandma," and "this place is best left to professionals and alcoholics ... or is it professional alcoholics?" The booze is cheap and the bartenders are friendly too. (photo) [link]

Despite being located in a hotel (the Waikiki Sand Villa), which by definition doesn't cater to locals, the Sand Bar & Grill attracts lots of Oahu residents. Of course, $2 beers and well drinks and $2.50 wine… during happy hour (4 to 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.) serve as a magnet for all types. (photo) [link]

The lack of ambiance keeps out the tourists, while the fantastic food attracts the locals. The chef is Hawaii's anti-celebrity chef — a fantastic cook with no pretense. And as befits a fat state that's hosting… fat football players and fat fans, the family-style portions are generous. Despite the great food though, with its slew of TVs and cheap drinks, the Side Street Inn is more of a bar than a restaurant. (photo) [link]

The Harbor Pub has been referred to as an extension of some patrons' living rooms. Hopefully their houses have less grime, but the prices of the drinks are comparable to what it costs to pop open a beer from their… fridge. The pub also features a full menu which includes great pizzas. (photo) [link]

The Mai Tai Bar is located in the Ala Moana Center; clearly any bar in a mall must cater to locals. Or teenagers. Actually the crowd is in the 21-to-35 range. Happy hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 11 p.m. (just… head to the Gap from 7 to 8 p.m.), and there's live music almost nightly. It can get crowded though. The Icy Mai Tai with its 151 rum and other premium liquors is worth ordering. It's pricey, but you probably won't be able to put down more than two. [link]

Formerly Magoos, The Varsity caters to the Hawaii Pacific University and its international crowd (which includes a lot of Europeans here to study international business). Although it has fewer kegs than the touristy… Yard House in Waikiki, there are still dozens of beers on tap—and a lot fewer tourists too. (photo) [link]