Lavernes Sports Bar

Laverne’s Sports Bar – Offering Good Eats, Cold Drinks, and Plenty of Aloha in Kailua-Kona
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

When you want good eats, cold drinks, and endless entertainment, scoot on over to Laverne’s Sports Bar. At this Kailua-Kona dive bar, they go all out in serving up local favorites with plenty of aloha. Then, they take the dining experience to the next level with live music, fun games, and great conversations for all.

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

Are you craving tasty pub fare with the icy cold drinks to match? To get just that, zip on over to Laverne’s Sports Bar in Kailua-Kona. Located right across Alii drive from the waterfront, this popular dive bar goes big on the flavor in every dish they make. Then, they elevate your meal even more by serving up all the beer, wine, and cocktails you could ever want. As if all that’s not enough, live music, fun games, and fantastic conversations come together to kick it up a notch.

You never need a reservation when coming to this restaurant. They nearly always have room for more people to come through and grab a table. If not, you can sidle up to the bar for appetizers and drinks, and then meander around while you wait for a seat. Over 30 TVs at every corner of the place promise to keep you well entertained in the meantime. Plus, they have darts, pool tables, and other fun games set up for your pure enjoyment.

If you want to grub on all their best menu items, you’ll eventually need to grab a seat. Once that happens, set your sights on their menu to see what might satisfy your cravings. They have all the fan favorites available, including burgers, fish and chips, and pizza. They even have all the top Hawaiian classics (Loco Moco, anyone?) ready to tantalize your tastebuds from the first bite through to the very last.   

Whether you’re just coming in for drinks and apps – or want the full dining experience – their team will put tons of aloha into all they do. The bartenders greet everyone like old friends, quickly learning their names and drink preferences. The servers are equally attentive and always check-in at all the right times.

Although conversation with the crew is second to none, you’ll want to give the main stage your full attention when local musicians play live. As they play all their most popular jams, the crowd often goes wild, leaving everyone dancing the night away.

For all the best flavors, try:

Humpy’s Bloody Mary
For a slightly spicy, wholly savory kick in every sip, treat yourself to Humpy’s Bloody Mary. This drink starts with the incredible Crater Lake Pepper-Infused Vodka. To that, they add their house Bloody Mary mix and a few other secret ingredients.

Kilawen
A true happy hour favorite, the Kilawen treats your tastebuds to a crisp citrus burst in every bite. They make this dish by marinating pork in fresh lime juice, green onions, and crushed red pepper. After that, it hits the grill until perfectly cooked, then goes over a bed of cabbage. Add a scoop of rice for an extra charge.

Sliced Teriyaki Prime Rib
Always ultra-rich and delightfully tender, the Sliced Teriyaki Prime Rib puts an imaginative spin on a time-honored classic. They make this signature entrée by cooking their prime rib low and slow, and then glazing it with teriyaki sauce. Once that’s done, they slice it up and garnish the top with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Potato mac salad and rice land alongside at the end to bring it all together.

If nothing else, come by to sample all their decadent desserts. Kilauea Hot Lava Cake is definitely calling your name, after all, as is their Mauna Kea Mud Pie. Their Mauna Loa Volcano Brownie Sundae is the star of the show, however, with its rich chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors throughout.

Insider Tips:
-Want to order off their superb happy hour menu? Come by on the weekdays from 3 pm to 6 pm. They do not offer happy hour specials on the weekends, however.
-Unlike many other sports bars, they go big on breakfast each weekend. So, feel free to come in from 8 am to 11 am for all your morning favorites, including bennies, omelets, and pancakes, of course.
-Things can get rather rowdy from time to time – and the staff doesn’t always cut it short. So, be prepared to hit the road if the atmosphere takes a wrong turn.