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Bar Leather Apron Honolulu Yelp Reviews
Latest Reviews On Yelp
20 Reviews
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TL;DR: Drinks are mediocre and expensive.
I'd skip it. I have been to quite a few bars on the World's 50 Best list, and I was excited to check out Bar Leather Apron. However, I am rather disappointed by my experience here. A lot of people have complained about it being nearly impossible to make a reservation here. It was fully booked for the days we were in Honolulu, so we decided to try our luck with walk-ins. Their last seating is at 10:30pm. We came as a party of 2 and they told us they weren't sure whether they'd be able to seat us that night, which was fine and we decided to wait anyways. It took about an hour for us to be seated. There was another girl who came by herself and got seated right away. So, you might have a good shot if you are coming alone. We ordered a total of 4 drinks. These drinks, while conceptually interesting, did not deliver on execution. I was drawn to the novel and unique elements that made their drinks theirs, but I could not taste the matcha in "matcha", or the sesame in the espresso martini, or the strawberry and tomato in the el umami. They all just tasted like drinks I could have gotten elsewhere (for cheaper), and it felt as if they wanted to attempt novelty but were scared that they'd turn people away. I think they indexed too much on the drinks being pretty/instagrammable rather than being tasty. I can name far better bars with more interesting drinks and lower price points, easily, off the top of my head. Lastly, I echo someone else's review that they weren't as busy as they seemed to be. It looked like they were holding back tables. If you still want to try your luck with walk-ins, the bartender recommended coming between 7-9pm because they are busiest before and after dinner.
Be the first to ReplyA1 craft cocktails!!!! Has the best mai tai on
A1 craft cocktails!!!! Has the best mai tai on island! Everything on the charcuterie board pairs well together and the bartenders are amazing. The venue is super intimate... kinda reminds me of someone's decked out 'man cave' or a cigar lounge (smoking is not allowed here). I would not recommended for large crowds or anyone hoping for a sports bar type feel. If you're looking for a setting that seems sophisticated paired with amazing craft cocktails ...this is the place!
Be the first to ReplyOutstanding service and knowledgeable staff.
Every drink you order is an experience with detailed information about how and why the Bar picked the ingredients. If you come here, ask questions and enjoy the experience and skills of the bartenders
Be the first to ReplyNot much food choices, but that's NOT what they're known
Not much food choices, but that's NOT what they're known for! Get their AWARD WINNING MAI TAI and you won't be disappointed!!! If you like an experience with your drink this is the place to go! Even if you don't want one of their mixed drinks, there is a plethora of choices if you want a fabulous whisk(e)y or bourbon! Service was above and beyond anything else! Knowledge is everything and these guys have it! You have a question about a drink or whisk(e)y, they can most likely answer it!!! It was a small place, but I loved the dark ambiance. Definitely going again!
Be the first to ReplyNew favorite bar in Hawaii! Jason provided a fantastic
New favorite bar in Hawaii! Jason provided a fantastic experience through his knowledge of the various drinks--top tier (top shelf?) bartending. I had the shisho highball and the Imperial, both great but preferred the highball fasho. The place feels low key but high quality, and the food seals the deal. The onion and scallion, plus smoked salmon, were both tasty. Shoots
Be the first to ReplyPretentious establishment in a weird office setting.
Pretends there is a line when it's actually empty. Drinks are okay but overpriced.
Be the first to ReplyNestled in the heart of The Topa Financial Center, Bar
Nestled in the heart of The Topa Financial Center, Bar Leather Apron is a Honolulu haven, channeling Tokyo's intimate bars through the expertise of Justin Park and his staff. This six-seater joint is whiskey nirvana, offering finely tuned cocktails that dance on your palate. The bartenders, true storytellers, unravel the whiskey world's mysteries, turning your visit into a liquid journey. But here's the twist - it's not just about the alcohol. At Bar Leather Apron, you can savor the artistry in their mocktails, proving that you don't need booze to relish finely crafted flavors. This downtown gem blends craftsmanship, character, and a slice of Tokyo for an exceptional experience, whether you're a whiskey aficionado or on the mocktail bandwagon. Cheers to an unforgettable time!
Be the first to ReplyProbably one of the best bars I've ever been to.
Definitely the best bar in the US that I've ever been to. Each drink is handcrafted and absolutely delicious. The owners/bartenders take the time to craft the drinks in front of you and explain why they chose each element of the drink. Great ambiance too. It was such an intimate location. 10/10 would recommend and definitely will be back!
Be the first to ReplyBest cocktail bar I've ever been hands down.
The mai tai is a must try! The office building vibe is a little strange but once you're in it's amazing.
Be the first to ReplyOne of the best bars in the country.
Excellent service, great attention to detail (glass wear, ice, setting,etc.), knowledgeable staff and excellent drinks.
Be the first to ReplyIt only took us 20 minutes to figure out where the entrance
It only took us 20 minutes to figure out where the entrance is. This speakeasy is hidden inside a corporate building. While all the entrances are locked in the evening, the one in the back door isn't. Voila. You're in. We arrived without a reservation and luckily, we were seated. The service is superb. We received complementary treats with our unique beverages. The drinks were strong and simple, they didn't have to add a bunch of random ingredients to stand out. Atmosphere: causal romantic. Would be nice for date night. Expect to spend about $20 a drink.
Be the first to ReplyReservation is must!!! There is only 6 seats at the bar.
2 hours limits so don't be late. We were lucky to be served by Scotty. First time and we had the best time. Great conversation and delicious drinks by Scotty. I walk in not having clue what I want. Scotty was so helpful and pleasant. Reasonable prices on these fancy drinks.
Be the first to ReplyBLA is one of thee best bars in Honolulu!!! They almost got
BLA is one of thee best bars in Honolulu!!! They almost got 5 stars from me. Service is impeccable. The host, servers, and bartenders make you feel such at ease. You are comfortable from the minute you walk in. Some call this bar a "speakeasy" but I don't consider it. It is located in a business building but the bar is not hidden. It's located on the first floor main lobby and you'll need to go up a flight of stairs. The bar is packed with many high end reserve whiskey, bourbon, and other alcohols. The actual bar is some kind of monkey pod wood that is shinned and definitely stands out when first look in. The drinks!!!! Where do I even start. The menu is divided by the types of drinks. I gravitated to the old fashions. They make so many different types. The menu starts off spirit forward. I of course ordered "In the soul". It's a type of old fashion. Not too sweet but just the right amount of spirit. It's smoked and topped with absinthe. My boyfriend ordered the "Leather Soul" which is smoked tobacco that coats your cup. It's a very strong drink. You can taste the quality of the alcohol and ingredients. I'm such an ice snob. I was taught that you can tell by the quality of the bar by their ice. BLA puts so much work in their ice. It's so clear and free of any bubbles. The food was also perfect. We ordered a charcuterie board, some type of bread, and dips. See pictures. The love that is put into each drink is amazing. I would love to go here every week but they're always booked. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The only reason BLA didn't get 5 starts from me was the temperature. My party of 4 was placed in a private room but the ventilation and air condition was very limited. The room quickly got hot while working on our first drink.
Be the first to ReplyTL; dr: BLA is hands down the best cocktail program in
TL; dr: BLA is hands down the best cocktail program in Honolulu. The drinks are pricier than the "usual", but worth every penny - all well-crafted, balanced cocktails. Extensive spirit list. Your first trip there will be an adventure because it's in an older office building at the edge of Downtown and your uber driver may be confused. The bar "show" is good to impress your date, but the tables make for a great place to talk story with good friends (eg the ceiling and floor [probably?] contain sound dampeners so you can actually hear what your tablemates are saying without screaming over your drinks). Eat before or after - the bar snacks are just a'aight.Every time I've been to BLA it's been a joy. I can't think of any other bar in HNL that consistently creates a menu with interesting, tasty, balanced cocktails. Sure, that Mai Tai is $18, and it's not a California-born Trader Vic's Mai Tai or a pineapple juice-rich Mai Tai you can get on Waikiki Beach (Like Panda Express, I am not poo-pooing the latter Mai Tai, rather I'm saying there's a time and place for it), but it's in a league of its own. The ingredient quality from the base spirit to the syrups, etc even down to the garnishes, are the physical proof that BLA is the epitome of the "Cocktail Bar", and its placement on multiple global top 50 lists is no joke.BLA also has an extensive sprit list, but this is the one bar on Oahu I haven't delved in too deeply, because I'm obsessed with their cocktails (If you couldn't tell).Of course there are other touches as well - the inside of this place reminds me of an intimate bar in Ginza, with the bartenders wearing snappy leather aprons (I guess that's the point), with a few low seating areas and high tops, as well as the small bar area. I genuinely don't know how they do it - it's a small space, but somehow there's a cone of silence around your table and you don't hear anyone else in the room. Is it because I only come to BLA with folks that appreciate the artistry of a perfectly made cocktail and good conversation? Or is there really something built into the building so that you don't hear anyone else? I'm still trying to figure that out.Service of course is on par with what you'd expect in a place like this. Even when the place is full someone is always checking on you without being too intrusive. I can't speak to the experience at the bar (more on that later), but Jason took care of us the last two times I was there and he is an absolute delight!If you got this far I'm sure you're wondering why this is a 4 star review. A couple of things - I suppose that if the bar is SO high for cocktails, spirits, service, and ambiance, that the bar snack menu should be up there too. I appreciate that there was a selection of (really tasty) complimentary otsumami to start, but the two items we ordered from the menu were... just okay. We got the warmed olives and the cheese plate, and these weren't extraordinary, though the portions were generous. Again, nothing wrong with the food per se... just that everything else is SO GOOD, you know? If the drinks are a 10, I'd say the snacks are... a 5.The other reason is that I've never sat at the bar. (yep, this is me being salty, You can probably ignore this part and just stop reading if you want). You see, reservations open up fairly early, but that's not even the problem - only even numbers allowed at the bar. I suppose you could say it's my fault for only going to BLA solo or a party of 3 or 5. What USUALLY happens is that I try to exclude people and I end up being solo because people get mad. It's a conundrum. I'm irritated with myself for even writing this in a public-view yelp review, but my feelings are my feelings, hahaExclude your friends and find one good conversationalist you know to sit at the bar with you, but the tables are a perfectly fine place to be, especially if you're with good company. BLA is definitely worth visiting if you love tasty, interesting cocktails. (don't go with people you don't like, though, because you'll be able to hear them all night)Dress code: I am that person wearing shorts and flip flops in here - they haven't said anything :D. I also see some fancy people, and aloha attire as well.Reservations highly recommended, but walk-ins are more successful on non-weekend (read: weekday) days. The bar is impossible to sit at without the right number of people in your party and fast fingers to help you snag that reservation right when it opens, but eh, that hasn't stopped me from having a cocktail here!
Be the first to ReplyHighly recommended.
Drinks: A lot of work goes into making these cocktails and it shows. There are numerous unique syrups and ingredients on their menu that require prep work. One of my favorite details in many of the drinks includes the clear blocks of ice which the bartender informed me they cut themselves before the bar opens. If you can appreciate a well crafted drink, you've come to the right place. Experience: Small and intimate. Reservations open the first of the month for the subsequent month. Book a seat at the bar if you want to see the drinks crafted in front of you and learn about how they're made. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and will tell you all about the drink if you wish but bar seating is also very limited. If you're just coming to enjoy good drinks with good company them you'll be fine sitting wherever.Service: Excellent. As mentioned previously, the bartenders are very knowledgeable about their craft. If you're not sure what you want, give them a reasonable idea of what you like and they'll steer you in the right direction. TLDR: These drinks are complex, detailed, and perfect for the craft cocktail fan. If you're happy with a jack and coke, a redbull vodka, fireball shots, some white claws (which honestly sounds like a fun Saturday night and terrible Sunday hangover) or something else along those lines then these are not the drinks you're looking for. You can go about your business.
Be the first to ReplyBessssssssssst cocktails on the island! The bartenders are
Bessssssssssst cocktails on the island! The bartenders are knowledgeable and so nice! Always make reservations ahead for they are busy!
Be the first to ReplyWorth it!!!!! Must have a reservation! They are very hard
Worth it!!!!! Must have a reservation! They are very hard to get and require to be booked months in advance. I checked their Resy almost every day. They are located in a random financial building on the first floor. Service was phenomenal and the bartenders really know their stuff. In the reservation it said a two drink minimum was required per person but they didn't mention it when we arrived. We did order two drinks each anyway. Bar is very small and intimate - they have maybe 6 seats at the bar and then maybe 4 tables or so in the main room. We were even given some complimentary snacks which were delicious btw. I would highly recommend and I would come back every time.
Be the first to ReplyI really liked this place! I wish it was slightly larger,
I really liked this place! I wish it was slightly larger, but the size does keep it intimate and sets a nice vibe. The drinks were good, they have a good variety of spirit forward drink to sweeter ones. Really what set this place apart from others is the staff! I was very impressed at the knowledge of the servers, I was pretty set on my drinks, but one of our party had questions, looking for the right drink. The two servers we had asked great questions and made wonderful recommendations. I'd go back just for that type of service alone. Highly recommend!
Be the first to ReplyThe ambiance and music was very nice.
The chair that I sat in was pretty uncomfortable but that could just be a thing of personal preference. We ended up circling the building twice to try to find a way in as most of the doors were locked which was a bit discouraging. The bartenders/servers were well versed on the menu and accommodating as well as professionally savvy. We ordered about 6 drinks and I only liked one of them.
Be the first to ReplyI have been wanting to try this place out for years, but
I have been wanting to try this place out for years, but never found the right opportunity too. With the idea in the back of my head for months, I was able to snag a reservation about a month in advanced for my boyfriend's birthday. It was well worth the wait. We are in the industry and can always appreciate craft, service, and ambiance. Bar leather apron blew us away from the impressive selections to articulate service in explanations, small talk and education. You can truly tell the difference when true passion is involved. If I could give 10 stars, I would! Bonus points: food menu is was lovely for a couple snacks. We had the crab dip and some spicy peanuts!
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