Located in Lahaina, on Maui’s west coast, The Dirty Monkey sits on Front Street, in the midst of unique and bustling shops, bars, and restaurants. Perched on the second floor, the long, open-air balcony is a picturesque spot to grab a bite, whet your whistle, and spend some time people watching the shoppers below.
The Dirty Monkey, with its beach décor, and sports bar vibes, feels welcoming and familiar from the moment you enter. The wooden walls are adorned with surfboards, quotes, and liquor signs, and the main bar is surrounded by NFL team flags – an ode to their beloved NFL Sundays. Take a seat at one of the two large bars or find a spot at a variety of high-top tables or booths. Once you’ve perused the menu, head to the bar to place your order. While you’re waiting, try your hand at a variety of complimentary games like shuffleboard and Jenga. A server will deliver your grub and libations to your table.
Before we dive into the food and drink offerings, we must discuss the wide variety of events and entertainment this lively watering hole offers, including nightly live music. Most nights, local musicians play earlier in the evening, followed by an energetic DJ set later on. On Taco Tuesday, you can enjoy discounted tacos all day. If you visit on Whiskey Wednesday, ask the bartender which of their 250 whiskey varieties is half-price, and give it a try. And fear not, football lovers – on every Sunday of the NFL season, The Dirty Monkey opens half an hour before the first game and offers a special (and delicious) brunch menu. Grab a beer, biscuits, and gravy, or an avocado toast, post up and watch your favorite team tear up the gridiron.
All this excitement can make it easy to forget about the real reason you’re there – the food and drinks. While the food menu is relatively small, the drink menu is huge, and neither disappoints.
Here are some of our favorite menu items. Give them a try and let us know what you think!
Wisconsin Cheese Curds
These cheddar curds are battered and fried to perfection, then served up in a delicious, shareable portion. What sets them apart though? A to-die-for jalapeño ranch dipping sauce that is just the right combination of tangy, spicy, and cool.
Slap Burger
This is not your ordinary burger. The Dirty Monkey takes a wagyu patty and tops it with lettuce, tomato, caramelized bourbon onions, bacon, special house sauce, and your choice of pepper jack or American cheese. Feeling extra? Add avocado or another patty to take this thing to the next level.
Cherry Blossom
We can’t get enough of this simple but delicious cocktail. Bartenders add fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and cherry bitters to vodka to create a sweet, refreshing drink that is perfect on a hot Hawaiian day. They’re so smooth that they go down very easily – don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Monkey Mai Tai
Nothing says “Hawaiian vacation” quite like an ice-cold Mai Tai, and this place really knows how to do it. Two types of rum, orgeat and pineapple syrups, Aperol and fresh-squeezed lemon combine to make a perfectly balanced tropical drink that will cool you down during the day, or fire you up for a fun night out.
Insider Tips:
-The Dirty Monkey offers happy hour every day from 3:00-6:00 PM, featuring discounted rum punch, wine and beer, and half-price selected small bites. However, happy hour isn’t offered during major sporting events, so be sure to check the schedule before you show up.
-Some large DJ nights are ticketed events requiring a pre-purchased admission ticket. You can visit the bar’s website to see when these are on the schedule, and buy tickets if you’d like to attend.
-Street parking can be difficult on busy days. Plan to walk a bit, and take some time to enjoy the shops along the way.