Go for a Dive in Maui: Our Favorite Dive Bars

By Erica Garza

Check out Maui's selection of dive bars throughout the island. Photo courtesy of Dollies Pub and Cafe.

Maui isn’t just home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, an impressive array of 5-star restaurants and some of the best surfing spots you can find; the island also offers an assortment of Maui dive bars, mostly frequented by locals but friendly to visitors all the same. From Sly Mongoose in Lahaina to Stopwatch Sports Bar & Grill in Makawao, there are plenty of opportunities for cheap drinks in modest settings throughout the island.

In Lahaina, Sly Mongoose is a little tricky to find with its unassuming exterior and industrial neighbors. You won’t find food here or ocean views, but you will find cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, laid-back locals and a jukebox in the corner. And if you feel so inclined to pick up the tab for all your new friends, the Sly Mongoose features a bell for the very generous… or the very drunk.

On the lower road in Honokowai, Nachos Grande is your go-to dive bar for a diverse selection of tequila and Mexican atmosphere. You’ll find more substantial Mexican food elsewhere, but for late night margaritas, cervezas and shots of your favorite tequila, Nachos Grande is the place for you on the west side, closing at 2am.

Just directly north of Nachos Grande in Kahana, Dollies Pub offers more of a sports bar atmosphere with 15 satellite TVs, pizza and two happy hours. Open Monday through Sunday from 11am to midnight, Dollies is cheap and loved by locals for its cold shots of Jager, Rumple, Goldschlagger, and 99 Bananas.

Also great for sports, Stopwatch Sports Bar & Grill in Makawao offers all the sports bar staples: buffalo wings, French fries, jalapeno poppers, TVs and live music from local bands. The ideal neighborhood late spot for a casual bar scene, Stopwatch is worth the stop when heading upcountry.

At Kahale’s Beach Club in Kihei, Happy Hour is all day long and attracts mostly locals because of its nearly hidden location in the Kalama Village. Live music, oyster shooters, late night burgers and cheap beer make this Kihei’s best dive bar.