The Hidden Nēnē — Restaurant in Hawaii

Had high hopes for this place, based on the reviews I read, but there was nothing here that I could recommend.

Walked in, the lone bartender told us to seat ourselves, which is no problem. Instead of swinging by and dropping off menus, she decided to go and make a round of drinks for another group, so we had to wait about 10 minutes for water and menus. By the time she came over with those, we had already looked at the menu online and ordered a round of drinks and an appetizer.

When the drinks came, my fiance's drink had a VERY obvious lipstick stain on the glass. The drink was golden in color and the stain was bright red, so I'm not sure how that was missed. My fiance took it back to the bar and bartender apologized and said she would re-make the drink. I would think that at that point, she would finish up whatever drink she was making and then re-make ours, but that was not the case. The bartended ended up making 2 other rounds before she got around to re-making ours. By that time, I was basically done with my drink, and we were still waiting on our appetizer. At this point it's been about 20 minutes since we placed our order for our lone app (deviled eggs), and it turns out that the bartender never even put our order in. Ultimately, we downed both drinks as fast as we could and left. All in all, we were in there for about 50 minutes, and all we had to show for it were 2 subpar drinks.

The couple seated next to us weren't impressed either, and they told us to check out another bar down the road, saying "it's like this place, but also NOT like this place, if you know what I mean"

Now onto the actual cocktails: I had the Smoking Bear. It was ok, but nothing to write home about. They top it with rosemary that they light on fire, and it's pretty annoying to have to drink around the little charred/burnt bits that fall off the sprig.

Fiance had the Seedy Underbelly. I would've liked this one had they not gone overboard with sesame. The sesame oil on top is unnecessary, and it overpowers every other scent when you go to drink it.

tl;dr I guess there aren't many options when it comes to craft cocktails on the island, but if you're at all used to any craft cocktail bar on the mainland, or on Oahu, you can skip this place. You're not missing...

The Speakeasy Hidden Nene Bar in Hilo, Hawaii, offers a unique and exciting experience for those looking to indulge in craft cocktails and a cozy atmosphere. Located in the heart of downtown Hilo, this hidden gem pays homage to the Prohibition era with its speakeasy concept. The bar's intimate setting, dim lighting, and stylish decor create a mysterious and alluring vibe that transports guests back in time.

Patrons can expect a menu filled with carefully crafted cocktails made with high-quality ingredients and a creative twist. Whether you're a fan of classic drinks or prefer to try something new and innovative, the skilled mixologists at Hidden Nene Bar are sure to impress. Additionally, the bar occasionally hosts live music performances, adding to the overall appeal and ambiance of the venue.

Overall, the Speakeasy Hidden Nene Bar in Hilo, Hawaii, is a must-visit destination for cocktail enthusiasts and those looking for a one-of-a-kind drinking experience. With its attention to detail, top-notch service, and commitment to providing a memorable night out, this hidden gem is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who walks...

I have been here above 4 times, have been really excited about this place, love the place, concept and its all about the unique drinks, but last visit drained any excitement an enthusiasm I had about the place I came in alone sat at bar and literally watched bartender make at least 25 drinks before mine, bartender never once acknowledged me or made eye contact for the 25 min it took to get my drink, the food person was nearby I asked for a glass of water he gave a small glass of water with no ice no straw even though I asked for it , asked me if I had given my order I said no one had waited on me this was after 15 min, i got 2 cocktails there but they were not up to the caliber that I had gotten before, they weren’t good enough and they should be cause it’s all about the cocktail at this place u need some one who knows how to give good customer service and make a good cocktail, I was really looking forward to the place but the service experience and the quality of the cocktail ruined it, I don’t think I will be back till u get a better bartender at night that is experienced and knows customer service and how to make the drinks as...