The HAT Weblog returned just lately to the Arduous Rock Café Waikiki after a protracted three years. We’re blissful to report that it stays one among Waikiki’s “must-do” institutions. The meals is nice, the costs are cheap even for Waikiki, and the placement is central to just about every part there’s to do throughout a keep in Waikiki. After all, the rock and roll memorabilia on exhibit on the Arduous Rock Café Waikiki is astounding. Elvis. The Beatles. Wow.
The Arduous Rock’s historical past in Hawaii goes a lot farther again than its present location on Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki’s “fundamental drag”. The primary Hawaii franchise was opened method again in 1987, a mile or so north on the identical road. The property there was as soon as the house of the well-known and now long-gone Coco’s Restaurant. It’s now the house of the Honolulu Coffee Experience.
The outdated Arduous Rock location featured reside music, both outside or on makeshift inside levels. The present Waikiki location, opened in 2010, has a devoted stage with concert-quality sound and lighting operated by among the greatest technicians in Hawaii. The stage has been principally quiet for 2 years due to the pandemic and its attendant necessities and restrictions. With these obstacles now eliminated, the Arduous Rock is as soon as once more poised to grow to be one among Honolulu’s premiere reside music venues. The Arduous Rock has operated, responsibly, as permitted all through the pandemic and has made it by to the opposite aspect.
Earlier than this most up-to-date go to, I’d forgotten what a great place the Arduous Rock Café Waikiki is for the straightforward pleasure of individuals watching. It’s an indoor, open-air house that permits for many motion and views of the rock and roll treasures on show. The lanai seems to be out onto the busiest customer boulevard in Hawaii.
Most individuals are harmlessly bizarre. It’s enjoyable to see toddlers toddle together with harried and closely laden mother and father and to witness youngsters stroll into streetlamps whereas TikTok-ing in broad daylight. I noticed a smiling and green-clad outdated man in the midst of the road get honked at by a tour bus transferring on the pace of gradual ooze. It was wonderful. At any charge, the Arduous Rock nonetheless rocks.
And now, full disclosure: the go to to the Arduous Rock Café Waikiki was not a coincidence. I used to be there to carry out with my band for Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2022 after the parade. It had been a daily yearly gig till a few days earlier than Hawaii primarily closed for customer and resident hospitality, eating, and leisure enterprise in March 2020 when Covid broke every part.
It was great to return. The scent and sizzle of scorching plates was elegant. The sound was good. A number of dozen visiting teen choir members giggled and guffawed within the “Rock Store” and within the restaurant, rigorously selecting souvenirs and selfies for members of the family and buddies again dwelling in Nevada or wherever. (Inexperienced Valley? Grass Valley? Rock and roll by no means forgets.) They wore vibrant blue t-shirts accessorized with shining yellow flower lei. Some approached the band to share their musical aspirations between units, keen and ready to interact in store discuss with working musicians.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a reside music gig, since Hawaii’s bands have had a spot to play. I verged on tears of gratitude. Hawaii’s lifting of most journey and gathering restrictions was nonetheless two days away, however I used to be within the gentle on the finish of the tunnel. So was everybody else within the room, and everybody on Kalakaua Avenue under.
Oh, yeah. The resident and ample Saint Patrick’s Day Parade crowd was available and blissful, too. Excellent.
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Posted by: Jamie Winpenny
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