5 Best Dog-Friendly Happy Hours in Kihei, Maui
by Russell Snyder
Dog owners know how challenging it can be to find a restaurant or bar that will accommodate both you and your furry friend. As the proud Dad of a pit bull rescue with separation anxiety issues, whether or not I can bring my dog to an establishment determines whether I am going to a place or not most of the time. Luckily, Maui restaurants are known for having killer outdoor seating areas, and many of these are dog-friendly. I’ve highlighted my dog-friendly favorites here in Kihei, Maui, where I live with my dog, Leila. Leila and I have personally been to all of the bars and restaurants on this list (more times than we can count). They are listed in no particular order as they all have their own unique things that make them awesome.
Click on the photo for each bar to view their happy hour specials.
Dog-Friendly Happy Hour #1 – Haui’s Life’s a Beach, Kihei, HI
Known by locals as “LAB”, Haui’s Life’s a Beach is great for dogs because of its indoor/outdoor design, multiple covered tables on the outside patio, as well as its smooth, polished cement floors throughout, and lastly its overall size. It’s quite large, so there is plenty of room to attach a dog leash to your chair and let the pup stretch out on the cool floor. The bartenders and servers here, which are amazing, are always happy to grab a little bowl of water for the various dogs who frequent the establishment. Haui’s Life’s a Beach is great for people watching, as it sits directly on South Kihei Rd across from Kalama Park and the famous whale statue. They have karaoke or live music every night, although night time can be really packed so it’s not a good time to bring dogs during those times. The daily $5 lunch special and Dollar Taco Tuesday specials are not to be missed for some good, cheap eats.
Dog-Friendly Happy Hour #2 – Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant, Kihei, HI
Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant in Kihei is well known to Maui locals and has been voted “Best Mexican Restaurant on Maui” for 10 years in a row by readers of our local newspaper. Amigo’s is famous for their breakfast and afternoon happy hours 7 days a week, as well as their authentic Mexican cuisine featuring family recipes from Durango, Mexico. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican dishes like Al Pastor tacos, Shrimp Ceviche, Pozole, Menudo, and all the popular Mexican favorites, this is the place. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables at Amigo’s Kihei, but watch out for the resident chickens and peacocks who occasionally wander over from the fruit orchard next door. In addition to their daily happy hours, Amigo’s Kihei always features a $5 Weekly Margarita, a $5 Weekly Cocktail, and a nightly dinner special (Monday-Friday). Oh and I almost forgot, free chips and salsa!
Dog-Friendly Happy Hour #3 – Dog and Duck Irish Pub, Kihei, HI
Dog and Duck Irish Pub, known affectionately by regulars as “Dog” or “D and D”, is a well-known staple of Kihei’s popular Barmuda Triangle. People love Dog and Duck for its casual atmosphere, traditional Irish and American food, sports coverage including European soccer, late-night events, and awesome bartenders. True to its name, Dog and Duck welcomes friendly dogs (and ducks!) on its outdoor covered lanai which also has a flat-screen TV. While you’re there, say hello to Dog and Duck’s resident English bulldog Tika, possibly the friendliest dog on the island. Dog and Duck is open for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays, making it one of only a handful of places in Kihei, Maui that you can get a Bloody Mary in the morning.
Dog-Friendly Happy Hour #4 – What Ales You, Kihei, HI
Are you a craft beer or wine lover looking for a chill place to hang out with the pup? Look no further than What Ales You in Kihei, Maui. Owner-operator Derek Braun, originally from Oregon, has assembled one of the best craft beer selections on Maui, including multiple brands you won’t find anywhere else on the island. The covered lanai at WAY (as its known by locals) is super dog-friendly, has two TV’s to watch sports, features plush upholstered seating, and is also good for accommodating groups of people. What Ales You does happy hour from 3pm-5pm daily, a daily food special, and has live music several nights a week.
Dog-Friendly Happy Hour #5 – Diamonds Ice Bar, Kihei, HI
Diamonds Ice Bar is the predominant sports bar in north Kihei, Maui, featuring a large projection screen, multiple TV’s, NFL Sunday Ticket, and UFC Pay-Per-View events. They have either live music or a DJ nightly. Fun bar games at Diamonds include hand shuffleboard, darts, and billiards. Locals know Diamonds as having one of the best happy hours on Maui, and also for being open late till 2am seven nights a week, perfect for the area’s service industry workers who often frequent this bar. The food menu features a mix of delicious Mexican and American dishes. As for the dogs, they’re always welcome on Diamonds outdoor lanai. Although it isn’t covered, the lanai is quite comfortable in the afternoons and doesn’t get overly hot. Diamonds is also the perfect jumping off point for the monthly Kihei Fourth Friday celebration, which takes place next door and features an array of local vendors, food trucks, and live music.
Do you know about a dog-friendly Maui happy hour that should’ve made this list, have something to add to what I’ve written above, or just want to say hello? Let me know in the comments.
Want to get in touch? Contact the Maui Happy Hours team.
About the Author:
Russell Snyder is a writer, ocean enthusiast, and full-time Maui resident who enjoys sampling the island’s best happy hours and sharing his findings with the masses. When not writing about Maui bars and restaurants, you can find him surfing or walking the beach with his pit bull rescue, Leila.