As part of the picturesque Royal Kona Resort, Don’s Mai Tai Bar in Kailua-Kona holds the distinction of being the largest open-air oceanfront bar in all of Kailua-Kona. Don’s offers unique Thai and Hawaiian recipes, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as providing a robust assortment of specialty drinks and local and international beers and microbrews all with an amazing 180-degree view of the Kailua Bay and the Pacific Ocean as the breathtaking backdrop. You will likely think you’ve walked into paradise instead of stepping inside a sports bar as the ambiance of this ocean-front space is simply astounding.
If you are craving an umbrella drink, simply want to experience the delicious dishes featured throughout the day, or catch a game on the big HDTVs, a visit to Don’s Mai Tai Bar is advisable. Happy Hour, which is a guest favorite due to the immense selection of beverages and deals, runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm daily.
The entire Royal Kona Resort in general and Don’s Mai Tai Bar specifically proudly utilizes sustainable products and supports local fishermen, ranchers, and farmers to create their signature dishes and flavorful drink offerings. If you are a fan of Mai Tias, you will be happy to learn that you can choose between 10 and 12 versions of the drink at Don’s aptly named Mai Tai Bar. Another must-experience happening at Don’s Mai Tai Bar is the live Hawaiian music that is performed there each Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Guests advise that the bar can get quite crowded as sunset approaches, on the weekends, or when a band is performing, so it’s a good idea to make reservations if you plan on visiting during these popular times.
While the options to choose from when dining at Don’s Mai Tai Bar are extensive and include scrumptious offers featuring both Hawaiian and international cuisine, boasting a fusion of the freshest local ingredients with Asian influences and European techniques, the following listed items are some favorite dishes and drinks as identified by Don’s and made possible by the bounty on Hawaii’s Island.
Here are some must-try items according to Don…
Coconut Shrimp
This contains citrus horseradish sauce.
Don’s Loaded Nachos
This dish features Chef Neal’s slow-cooked chili, guacamole, locally sourced tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
Buffalo Style Fries
This pub-style fare features plantation hot sauce, green onions, and blue cheese.
Hapa Poke Nachos
This dish is made with troll-caught fish and features avocado, wonton chips, sriracha aioli, lomi lomi tomato, kabayaki sauce, and seaweed salad.
Yucatan Street Tacos
Coming with corn tortillas, achiote braised pork, onions, avocado, chipotle vinaigrette, and chilatron, this is yet another popular favorite.
Favorite Drinks
To list all the drinks available at Don’s Mai Tai Bar would be impossible. However, the guest favorites include the draft beers, and well drinks, including the Bombay Gin, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Herradura Blanco Tequila, Johnny Walker Red Scotch, and more. Of course, you can’t leave out the various types of Don’s Original Mai Tai.
Insider Tips:
-Parking along the street by Don’s Mai Tai Bar is free.
-Guests claim you can also enjoy dolphins playfully swimming as part of your ocean view on occasion.