PONI LOUNGE — Restaurant in Hawaii

One of my friends always mentioned a bar named 'Poni' that she frequents. Not being a fan of typical Korean bars where a $20 drink buys you company, I was happy to know that Poni isn't that kind of establishment.

ATMOSPHERE: Poni is located in the same row of businesses in Puuone Plaza that includes Tokyo Tei and M Sushi. The bar is split into two rooms though the lower room is more of a storage area and where the women's restroom is located. Décor is minimal and the place was clean. Seating styles include bar top, high tops, low tops and picnic-style tables. Color-changing LED rope lights span the ceiling which gives the place a dreamscape-like ambiance in hues of pink, blue and purple, so pictures will come out horribly (see my menu pics). TV's line the bar and pay-for karaoke is available ($1 per song or $2 if no one claps, according to the sign, LOL). There were just four others there on a Friday night around 7pm, with a few souls trickling in thereafter. Reggae tunes played overhead.

MENU: Full bar along with a small menu of Asian-influenced bar apps, local fare like saimin, spam and egg sandwich, and oyster shooters.

EXPERIENCE: My gang and I were going to attend a funeral nearby so we decided to pop in and have just one drink. Our two chardonnays and one beer came out to $18 and change. Paying via credit card would result in the fee being passed onto us (75-cents for this particular amount). Conversing was easy as the music was at the perfect level. The bar was nice and cool inside.

SERVICE: Greeting was immediate and very friendly. We were a party of just three so the server broke down an 8-topper in half for us. Drink service was lightning quick as the place wasn't very busy at 7pm.

OVERALL: Chill vibe, great...

Awesome bar food. One of the very few, if not only, karaoke place where you can sing any song you like, not just whatever is limited in the books. Watch whichever game you want during football season, many flatscreens to enjoy multiple games at the same time. Owner is awesome, kind...

Awesome local bar!!! Great service and friendly people in a nice atmosphere. Fantastic place to come for NFL gamedays or just on a regular weeknight. Also a good karaoke machine....