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Bar Leather Apron, the 2023 winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar, is an intimate cocktail bar tucked away on a mezzanine in the lobby of an office building in Downtown Honolulu. Make no mistake, although minutes from Waikiki, you will not find frozen Mai Tais at this Hawai’i bar… Head Bartender and Co-Owner Justin Park’s menu features the 2015 World’s Best Mai Tai which is kiawe wood smoked in a hand carved tiki box and a healthy menu of whisky highballs, each with a different delicate flavor profile. Hawai’i’s largest whisky collection (without a doubt) can also be found here.
A dimly lit swanky bar with a speakeasy vibe specializing in whiskey & inventive cocktails.
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5 PM–12 AM |
| Thursday | 5 PM–12 AM |
| Friday | 5 PM–12 AM |
| Saturday | 5 PM–12 AM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 745 Fort St #127a, Honolulu, HI 96813
Website: http://www.barleatherapron.com/
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Bar Leather Apron
An intimate cocktail bar in Downtown Honolulu.Aloha Established in 2015 by Justin and Tom Park. Located on the mezzanine level in the lobby of the TOPA …
Cocktails – Bar Leather Apron
At Bar Leather Apron we also curate one of the most extensive whisky collections in Hawaii, currently with around 500 varieties. Whether you drink Scotch, …
Bar Leather Apron (@barleatherapron) · Honolulu, HI – Instagram
An intimate cocktail bar by Justin Park and Tom Park. @meanshaka @shoedaddy *2023 James Beard Award Winner: Outstanding Bar Reservations: @opentable …
Reviews
Ron A
Bar Leather Apron is easily one of Honolulu’s most exceptional cocktail experiences—a place where precision, creativity, and genuine hospitality all come together seamlessly. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the care and craft behind every detail, and that feeling only deepens as the night goes on.
The cocktails alone are worth planning an evening around. In the Soul is a standout—balanced, expressive, and layered in a way that unfolds sip after sip. The Japan is elegant and refined, a beautiful reflection of the bar’s deep respect for Japanese technique. The Matcha is both comforting and complex, with its velvety texture and earthy aroma, while the Sagano Smoke adds a dramatic flair, weaving smokiness and subtle sweetness into something unforgettable. And if you prefer something more delicate, the Fruity & Floral is bright, aromatic, and wonderfully refreshing.
But the surprises don’t end with the drinks. The Brioche with pizza butter is an absolute revelation—warm, soft, and perfectly indulgent. It’s the kind of bite that makes you stop mid-conversation just to appreciate how unexpectedly incredible something so simple can be.
What elevates the entire experience, though, is the service. Scotty is phenomenal—attentive, personable, and clearly passionate about the craft. And co-owner Jason sets the tone with his expertise and warm, welcoming presence. Together, they create a space that feels refined yet relaxed, where every guest is treated with genuine care.
Bar Leather Apron isn’t just a bar—it’s a world-class cocktail destination. Whether you’re a dedicated spirits enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable night out in Honolulu, this is the place that will exceed every expectation. This is easily a must on my list for all future trips to Oahu.
… moreThe cocktails alone are worth planning an evening around. In the Soul is a standout—balanced, expressive, and layered in a way that unfolds sip after sip. The Japan is elegant and refined, a beautiful reflection of the bar’s deep respect for Japanese technique. The Matcha is both comforting and complex, with its velvety texture and earthy aroma, while the Sagano Smoke adds a dramatic flair, weaving smokiness and subtle sweetness into something unforgettable. And if you prefer something more delicate, the Fruity & Floral is bright, aromatic, and wonderfully refreshing.
But the surprises don’t end with the drinks. The Brioche with pizza butter is an absolute revelation—warm, soft, and perfectly indulgent. It’s the kind of bite that makes you stop mid-conversation just to appreciate how unexpectedly incredible something so simple can be.
What elevates the entire experience, though, is the service. Scotty is phenomenal—attentive, personable, and clearly passionate about the craft. And co-owner Jason sets the tone with his expertise and warm, welcoming presence. Together, they create a space that feels refined yet relaxed, where every guest is treated with genuine care.
Bar Leather Apron isn’t just a bar—it’s a world-class cocktail destination. Whether you’re a dedicated spirits enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable night out in Honolulu, this is the place that will exceed every expectation. This is easily a must on my list for all future trips to Oahu.
Diana Kim
ok… YOU HAVE TO GO IF YOU CAN! Bar Leather Apron is a James Beard Award–winning cocktail bar in Honolulu that 100% lives up to the hype! Every drink here is an experience. They’re balanced, creative, and always delicious They have a 2 cocktail minimum, but trust me, you’ll want more. The bartenders are not only friendly but also super knowledgeable. They display the elements of your drink in front of you and then walk you through the flavors, so it feels both fun and educational. The space is cozy and intimate, but know that reservations are tough to get! (they recently switched from Resy to OpenTable, so keep an eye out or you might get lucky with a walk-in). I’ve never had a bad cocktail here. Definitely worth it!
… moreRobert E
An absolutely amazing experience from beginning to end. The service is impeccable and the ambience was cozy and intimate. The servers and bartenders were personable enough that nothing came across as pretentious. All of the cocktails had a high degree of execution and had complex, satisfying tastes. Justin was thorough in his explanations of each cocktail and his showmanship was refined. I can’t wait to come back, even if it means fighting for a reservation again.
The low reviews are a combination of baffling and funny. None of their smoked cocktails came across as overwhelming, and if these cocktails are what you consider gimmicky then you’re better off sticking with plain old fashioneds and Moscow mules at your favorite corner bar. I’m confused as to how so many people saw a classy cocktail bar and thought that it would be an appropriate place to swing by for a quick pregame. There is one bartender making all of the cocktails, and each cocktail is a show unto itself. This place is about relaxing and enjoying the experience. It took 30 minutes for us to get our first cocktails…you ain’t finishing a drink in 20 minutes lol
@Jessica Janish, or I should say Karen Kanish, your whole review was just whining because you felt slighted. Platforms like OpenTable, TableCheck, etc. include a field in all reservations by default to note if you’re celebrating a special occasion, but it’s up to the individual restaurants to do anything special for it. If it matters that much to you, this should have been checked with the bar beforehand. But really…who even cares about this aside from people trying to get free food? It takes a serious case of main character syndrome to get bent over not having your birthday recognized by complete strangers.
… moreThe low reviews are a combination of baffling and funny. None of their smoked cocktails came across as overwhelming, and if these cocktails are what you consider gimmicky then you’re better off sticking with plain old fashioneds and Moscow mules at your favorite corner bar. I’m confused as to how so many people saw a classy cocktail bar and thought that it would be an appropriate place to swing by for a quick pregame. There is one bartender making all of the cocktails, and each cocktail is a show unto itself. This place is about relaxing and enjoying the experience. It took 30 minutes for us to get our first cocktails…you ain’t finishing a drink in 20 minutes lol
@Jessica Janish, or I should say Karen Kanish, your whole review was just whining because you felt slighted. Platforms like OpenTable, TableCheck, etc. include a field in all reservations by default to note if you’re celebrating a special occasion, but it’s up to the individual restaurants to do anything special for it. If it matters that much to you, this should have been checked with the bar beforehand. But really…who even cares about this aside from people trying to get free food? It takes a serious case of main character syndrome to get bent over not having your birthday recognized by complete strangers.
Dhaval Dixit
Amazing drinks and hospitality. We had the espresso martini (their unique take on it), el umami, and yuzu sour. Wife loved the espresso martini and I enjoyed both of mine. Yuzu sour was really refreshing and really nice flavor or hojicha with the yuzu. Lots of cocktails to choose from. Our server explained the drinks really well and made us feel extremely welcome and comfortable.
… moreKaiyu Zhang
The best lounge in Honolulu. The atmosphere is super great. All drink serving with tobacco is unique and tasty. The most amazing part is the final dessert.
… moreKristi Redd
What an unforgettable experience. The best curated cocktails, service, and even the food are all top notch. A hidden gem you should not miss!
… moreKara Scanlon
We struggled to get into the bar because we didn’t realize we had to go inside the building and walk a bit. The security guard helped us get to the right place. I highly recommend making a reservation because then you can sit at the bar and talk to the knowledgeable bartenders. We were able to sit in the lounge which was beautiful with solid wood tables and leather couches. Everything was mind-blowingly delicious with complex flavors. Any of the cocktails are a good choice. I loved all the new flavor profiles I got to try!
… moreHal Davis
Bar Leather Apron is a special place. A truly superlative bar experience with a knowledgeable staff. It is the crown jewel in the Hawaii bar scene, and one of the best bars in the country. Sadly, the reservation system they currently use just doesn’t work. Looked every day for 2 months and showed every seat booked. Showed up and fortunately they save some seats for walk-ins. However the way it’s currently presented i would not have even stopped in if I had not been very close by. I very much wish they would change this and be responsive to email / calls to sort out the walk in situation. I feel like as it currently exists the bar is losing a lot of business and many potential devoted customers are missing out.
… moreJessica Janish
I really debated whether or not to write a review or just leave it alone, but I went over two weeks ago and just had the most disappointing experience. While planning the trip (for a milestone birthday), I came across this place and found out it is HARD to get in; as in on October 1st the reservations for the month of November open up – and they go FAST. I love craft cocktails, so I set an alarm for 7:00 am HST and made sure I was at my computer ready to get a slot on my actual birthday. I’m not exaggerating at all – the clock switched, I clicked a time, and literally only 3 slots were available, but I got a time on my actual birthday. Within 4 minutes the entire month was booked. I mistakenly thought, “this is going to be great, I got an impossible spot, we’re going to be able to go when we get to Oahu and have some amazing cocktails.” Well we went (and yes it’s a bit difficult to find), we had our reservation confirmed (I even put on there we came to celebrate a birthday, but the hostess didnt care I guess because nothing was said), and we got seated and situated (at a side table looking out into an empty building hallway, not the bar seating my reservation specified, but anyway). Multiple people came up to our table at different times to talk about the drinks, set down water and whatnot, bring our order, etc. At one point while I was deciding which drink to get, I made the comment to one of them we’re here for my birthday, and she replied “Oh, well you can get whatever you want!” Okay, yeah, so can everyone else? What is that supposed to mean? On our third drink, the bartender brought them out, and I knew I recognized him from some Instagram posts, so I got his attention to come back and told him I just wanted to say that it’s really hard to get in here but I was glad I was able to get a spot for my birthday and it was really cool to see him here” etc. – he literally shrugged and said, “eh I’m here every day.” Okayyyyy, so no appreciation at all. Also, while I enjoy a variety of spirits, and I don’t mind a smoky flavor every now and then, everything on the menu at the time seemed to be quite smoky with little variety.
There was nothing special about this place, we didn’t consider any of our drinks to be spectacular and unique, and there was no special – even in the slightest sense of it – recognition for birthdays (I know people lie about this to get free stuff, but a driver’s license can be used to confirm it (and yeah I know there a fake ones of those too), and while I don’t expect free things, there seems to be no point to make a note of any special occasion here – I’ve had plenty of other places do small gestures for birthdays that are very appreciated). How did THEY acknowledge my birthday? – by writing “Happy Birthday!” on the BILL – yeah, some ink writing on an almost $200 bill. Classy.
I really can’t find the right word to describe it; it’s like they assume everyone has been there before, as if people can just walk in without having to literally plan around being able to get in, as if the people that go are a part of some regular elite group that can go whenever they want – I don’t get it.
My milestone birthday will be remembered by a completely disappointing experience.
… moreThere was nothing special about this place, we didn’t consider any of our drinks to be spectacular and unique, and there was no special – even in the slightest sense of it – recognition for birthdays (I know people lie about this to get free stuff, but a driver’s license can be used to confirm it (and yeah I know there a fake ones of those too), and while I don’t expect free things, there seems to be no point to make a note of any special occasion here – I’ve had plenty of other places do small gestures for birthdays that are very appreciated). How did THEY acknowledge my birthday? – by writing “Happy Birthday!” on the BILL – yeah, some ink writing on an almost $200 bill. Classy.
I really can’t find the right word to describe it; it’s like they assume everyone has been there before, as if people can just walk in without having to literally plan around being able to get in, as if the people that go are a part of some regular elite group that can go whenever they want – I don’t get it.
My milestone birthday will be remembered by a completely disappointing experience.
Jay Maldonado
An Unforgettable Cocktail Experience at Bar Leather Apron
From the moment my wife and I stepped into Bar Leather Apron, we knew we were in for something special. Finding the entrance was a bit of an adventure, as the bar is tucked inside an office building, but the security staff was incredibly helpful in pointing us in the right direction. Once inside, we were warmly welcomed and seated by the hostess, setting the tone for an exceptional evening.
Justin, one of the owners, was behind the bar crafting some of the best cocktails we’ve ever had. Watching him work was an experience in itself—his precision, passion, and knowledge of mixology made every drink a story worth savoring. The awards lining the walls make perfect sense the moment you take your first sip.
We knew Bar Leather Apron focused on cocktails rather than full entrees, but the appetizers alone were enough to satisfy. The pizza butter and charcuterie board were not only delicious but surprisingly filling. As for the drinks, every single one was a masterpiece. I had the El Umami and a Suntory whiskey flight, while Amanda enjoyed Flowers for You and The Rocking Chair—each offering flavors unlike anything we’ve ever tasted.
Beyond the drinks, what made the night truly special was the atmosphere and service. Justin’s enthusiasm and expertise shone through in every cocktail he crafted, and it was clear that he takes immense pride in his work. The entire experience was flawless—intimate, engaging, and unforgettable.
If you’re in Oahu and love expertly crafted cocktails, Bar Leather Apron is an absolute must. We’ll definitely be back.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
… moreFrom the moment my wife and I stepped into Bar Leather Apron, we knew we were in for something special. Finding the entrance was a bit of an adventure, as the bar is tucked inside an office building, but the security staff was incredibly helpful in pointing us in the right direction. Once inside, we were warmly welcomed and seated by the hostess, setting the tone for an exceptional evening.
Justin, one of the owners, was behind the bar crafting some of the best cocktails we’ve ever had. Watching him work was an experience in itself—his precision, passion, and knowledge of mixology made every drink a story worth savoring. The awards lining the walls make perfect sense the moment you take your first sip.
We knew Bar Leather Apron focused on cocktails rather than full entrees, but the appetizers alone were enough to satisfy. The pizza butter and charcuterie board were not only delicious but surprisingly filling. As for the drinks, every single one was a masterpiece. I had the El Umami and a Suntory whiskey flight, while Amanda enjoyed Flowers for You and The Rocking Chair—each offering flavors unlike anything we’ve ever tasted.
Beyond the drinks, what made the night truly special was the atmosphere and service. Justin’s enthusiasm and expertise shone through in every cocktail he crafted, and it was clear that he takes immense pride in his work. The entire experience was flawless—intimate, engaging, and unforgettable.
If you’re in Oahu and love expertly crafted cocktails, Bar Leather Apron is an absolute must. We’ll definitely be back.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️