Fish Bar Deli
Fish Bar Deli’s bar is one of the best drinking experiences on the east side — and one of the most underrated on the island. The cocktail program leans hard into fresh-squeezed tropical flavors, local spirits, and inventive combinations that feel genuinely Kauai rather than generic tiki. The Bikini Wax is the signature order, but the rotating seasonal cocktails are worth asking about. Bartenders here know what they’re doing and take obvious pride in it — the kind of bar where you end up staying for two more rounds than you planned.
The beer and wine list is well-curated, and the full spirits selection means serious cocktails are always on the table. Happy hour runs daily from 5 to 6pm and is one of the better deals on the east side. The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere draws locals and visitors in equal measure, and the bar has its own devoted following entirely separate from the food crowd — though it’s worth noting the kitchen is right there if hunger strikes.
Open Monday, Thursday through Sunday noon to 9pm.
Koloa Rum
Koloa Rum is made from locally sourced sugarcane, molasses, and pure mountain rainwater. The rum is distilled in a copper pot still, then aged in oak barrels to give it a unique and smooth flavor. The company takes pride in its commitment to using local ingredients in its products and supporting the local community. If you`re interested in tasting this Hawaiian-made rum, there are a few places where you can do so. First, visit the Koloa Rum Company`s tasting room, located at the Kilohana Plantation Estate in Lihue. Here, visitors can take a guided tour of the distillery, learn about the history of rum-making in Hawaii, and taste Koloa Rum`s award-winning products. The tasting room is open daily, and reservations are recommended
Location: Lihue (12.4 miles from Poipu)
Nani Moon Meadery
Nani Moon is the only meadery in all of Hawaii — and that distinction alone makes it worth seeking out. Mead is honey wine: one of the oldest fermented beverages on earth, predating beer and wine by thousands of years, and yet somehow still surprising to most people who try it for the first time. It’s nothing like what you’d expect — not syrupy, not one-dimensional — and Nani Moon makes a compelling case that it belongs in the same conversation as any well-crafted wine or beer.
The tasting flight covers seven varieties, ranging from dry and delicately floral to rich and fruit-forward, each one reflecting the distinct character of the honey and local ingredients that went into it. The name itself sets the tone — nani moon means “beautiful moon” in Hawaiian — and the whole experience has that quality: unhurried, a little magical, and rooted in place in a way that feels genuinely Hawaiian rather than tourist-facing.
Location: Kapaa (20 miles from Poipu)
NaPali Brewing Co.
NaPali Brewing Company feels right at home in Wailua — and once you settle in, you will too. The setup is an indoor Polynesian beer garden serving German-style lagers, with live music and communal seating built around the local spirit of “wala’au” — talking story with whoever ends up next to you. The food menu leans into local flavors: fresh fish ceviche, island-style smoke meat, Wailua crab cakes, and plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans. It’s the kind of place that turns a quick post-hike beer into a two-hour hang without anyone minding.
Location: Wailua (19 miles from Poipu)
