It’s Genius!

In November 2009, Genius Lounge opened its doors and has since been serving up Japanese-inspired pupus and affordable cocktails. It’s located in the heart of Waikiki, though finding it proves harder than it sounds.

At 346 Lewers St., around the corner from Mahina Boutique, is a set of stairs that look as though they lead to nowhere and are just wide enough to fit one at a time. But keep following the lit railing to the top of the staircase — where you’ll be greeted by a dim dining room with candlelit tables and a fully stocked bar. The lounge is deceptively small: Within the space, there is room enough for two patios, inside seating, and a lower-level private dining area.

Once seated on the patio, I asked for a drink recommendation and was directed to the Mt. Fuji cocktail, a dirty martini containing habanero-infused olives, and the Genius Sangria (pictured above). I went with the sangria, which is a blend of gin, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice and Dark Horse Cabernet.

When my sangria arrived, I was taken aback by the size: It was larger than I expected. Not that big cocktails are a problem; in fact, I was pleased to be getting my $10 worth. For wine fans, this sangria is perfect, as the predominant taste is cabernet, giving the cocktail a semi-dry texture. When I took the time to savor each sip, I could taste hints of pineapple, but not the other fruits. At times, the gin kicked in.

After the sangria was finished, my bartender, Reiko Kobayashi, recommended the White Gummy Mojito, a cocktail with Bacardi Dragon Berry, pineapple juice, lime and mint. Then, she said, “We’re known for a specialty shot, PSH: pineapple, strawberry, habanero. People come to order specifically from us.”

The PSH (pictured below) sounded intriguing, so I ordered it. For a small shot, the flavors are intense. The habanero isn’t overpowering, and the fruit flavors help balance the shot as a whole.

The brilliance behind Genius Lounge is its ability to offer affordable cocktails without sacrifi cing taste. I highly recommend this hidden gem — just try not to get too lost finding it.

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