Today we will try to fill you in on everything we know about music in Honolulu. This is certainly a broad topic but we will do our best to cover the full scene in this post.
To get the ball rolling we will discuss the best musical instrument stores in Honolulu. There will be separate lists for where to buy guitars in your area as well as the top drum shops in town.
Obviously there will be some crossover in those sections as some stores will have the leading guitar brands for sale like Gibson, Fender, or Keisel as well as all the keyboards, synthesizers, pedals, amps, or pretty much any supplies you may need.
Contents
Up next we will get into where to go for quality instrument repair because some of you may need a piano tuned, a guitar repaired, or work done on other band instruments and there is somebody out there that can assist.
The best music lessons for kids or adults will get a shout out. And then there will be some local stores for music lovers with vintage CD’s and records.
We also think many of you will want to know about the best concert halls and live music venues near you. There are also many bars and restaurants that have live music around the city.
And our final section will get into the best festivals on the Honolulu music calendar. Stick around until the end where you will find a map with the wide variety of stores and venues we are discussing pinned on it. If you are also heading to Maui we discussed what goes down there at this link.
Musical Instrument Stores In Honolulu
When you want to go to one of the best musical instrument stores in Honolulu head to:
- Music Center at 2347 S Beretania St #200
- Goodguys Music & Sound at 619 Kapahulu Ave
- Kalena Instruments at 91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy 309
- Easy Music Center at 1314 S King St
At Goodguys Music & Sound you can buy new and used guitars, ukuleles, other instruments, sound equipment, and plenty more.
Kalena is a local music shop that sells Hawaiian inspired instruments with upbeat and appealing designs.
Easy Music Center has been selling instruments including acoustic, bass, and electric guitars, ukuleles, amplifiers, DJ, lighting, sound, and studio recording equipment, band and orchestra, percussions, and drums in your area since 1939.
Where To Buy Guitars
If you are specifically trying to buy a guitar or guitar accessories check out:
- Kamaka at 550 South St
- Ukulele Puapua at 2255 Kalakaua Ave
- Dan’s Guitars at 2000 S Beretania St #B
New and used guitars, basses, ukuleles, amplifiers, and accessories are some of the products that you can buy at Dan’s where repair services are also provided.
At Kamaka they make some really cool and unique ukulele’s.
Goodguys Music & Sound and Kalena Instruments are more good stores to buy guitars in Honolulu.
Drum Shops Near You
You can buy drums in your area at most of those shops we just listed.
Instrument Repair
You can get quality instrument repairs at:
- BR Fret Shop at 6650 Hawaii Kai Dr #226
- Kurt R Jones Violin Shop at 3364 Duval St
- Anthonys Guitars at 1118 Kukila Pl
For almost 20 years BR Fret Shop has been manufacturing and providing services for instruments including basic setups, full neck resets, vintage restorations, maintenance, and repairs.
Anthony’s Guitars has been restoring and keeping instruments near you working for over 30 years.
Instrument repair services are also offered at Dan’s Guitars.
Music Lessons
You will probably improve your skills by taking music lessons at:
- Aloha Music School at 725 Kapiolani Blvd C108
- Masaki School of Music at 1347 Kapiolani Blvd #201
Private lessons for violin, viola, piano, guitar, voice, and ukulele are available at Aloha Music School.
The Masaki School offers piano, violin, and music theory lessons near you in a private setting.
CD & Record Stores
Some of our favorite local stores for music lovers with lots of vintage CD’s and records are:
- Hungry Ear Records at 675 Auahi St #e3-200
- Idea’s Music and Books at 670 Auahi St A-6
New and used vinyl records, LP’s, CD’s, DVD’s, blu-rays, comics, and cassettes are sold at Idea’s Music and Books.
Honolulu Live Music Venues
These Honolulu live music venues are great places to see a concert or performance:
- Blue Note Hawaii at 2335 Kalakaua Ave
- The Republik at 1349 Kapiolani Blvd #30th
- Hawaiian Brian’s at 1680 Kapiolani Blvd 2nd fl
- NextDoor at 43 N Hotel St
World renowned musicians from jazz, reggae, rock, R&B, and other genres perform at Blue Note.
Hawaiian Brian’s is one of your town’s premier nightlife and entertainment venues featuring multiple event spaces for live local music, pool, darts, drinking, and revelry.
Many people enjoy the live music at NextDoor.
Restaurants With Live Music
These restaurants with live music in your area can be a lot of fun:
- Zippy’s Vineyard at 59 N Vineyard Blvd
- Workplay at 814 Ilaniwai St 1st floor
- Duke’s Waikiki at 2335 Kalakaua Ave #116
- Stage Restaurant at 1250 Kapiolani Blvd
- RumFire at 2255 Kalakaua Ave
Bars With Live Music
Plus there are bars that play live music too:
- Lewers Lounge at 2199 Kalia Rd
- The Dragon Upstairs at 1038 Nuuanu Ave
- Tikis Grill & Bar at 2570 Kalakaua Ave
- Cuckoo Coconuts at 333 Royal Hawaiian Ave
- Arnold’s Beach Bar at 339 Saratoga Rd
Cuckoo Coconuts is an old school Tiki bar serving Hawaiian food and tropical cocktails all night long with live music.
Music Festivals In Your Area
We will be back soon with this info.
You may also be interested in these posts on:
- Bars, Clubs & Festivals In Los Angeles
- Bars, Clubs & Festivals In San Francisco
- Bars, Clubs & Festivals In Portland
- Bars, Clubs & Festivals In Seattle
Enjoy The Honolulu Local Music Scene
Well guys, we tried cover the scene as well as we could. You read about the best musical instrument stores, drum and guitar shops, instrument repair services, where to go for lessons, vintage CD and record stores, concert halls and other live music venues like bars and restaurants, plus the best festivals near you.
Anyone that is still here probably knows bit about the local music scene themselves. If so feel free to tell us if we got anything incorrect, if we left any cool spots out, or just share your own thoughts in the comments at the end of the post.
No matter if you are trying to buy a new instrument, wanted some live entertainment, needed a vintage CD and record, or just wanted to learn more about music in Honolulu we hope you enjoy yourself.
