What’s so cool about… Chinatown?

Aside from the happening places around Honolulu and Waikiki,  Oahu’s Chinatown, which extends east-west from River Street to Richard Street and north-south between Beretania and King Streets, can be enjoyed either by day or by night. The urban lofts and historic buildings of Chinatown feature fine art galleries, unique restaurants and some of Hawaii’s hippest bars.

By day, Chinatown is a loud, bustling, pungent open market – by night, it’s populated by young hipsters who seem more Tokyo or New York than Honolulu. The center of the scene is the Thirtyninehotel, where fashionistas dance in the constantly-changing art gallery inside and locals relax and mingle outside on the open-air deck.

First Friday in Chinatown shouldn’t be missed.  Every first Friday of each month from 5 to 10, Chinatown turns into an artsy street party. Participating stores, galleries, performance spaces, restaurants, and bars leave their doors wide open for throngs of people who come to schmooze, socialize, see and be seen – and, of course, shop. Crowds spill out onto the streets and make the rounds, sipping free wine and scouting for local arts and goods.

Those wanting to buy contemporary but still-affordable Hawaiian artworks should stop by the Louis Pohl Gallery, and wine collectors shouldn’t miss the HASR Wine Co., a funky little shop run by enthusiastic wine nerds with some surprising selections.