HAWAII | Romer House Waikīkī has introduced The Lei Stand, the final touch to its popular adults-only, neighbourhood island clubhouse.
Romer House Waikīkī has added the final touch to its neighbourhood island clubhouse experience with the arrival of The Lei Stand, Honolulu’s treasured cocktail bar, now taking residence at the island’s only grown-up getaway.
Launched just in time for Hawai‘i’s annual ‘May Day is Lei Day’ celebration on May 1, the opening of The Lei Stand Waikīkī celebrated the tradition of lei, a timeless symbol of love, honour, and aloha.
Following its debut in June 2024, Romer House Waikīkī quickly established itself as an adults-only getaway, where local character, mid-century boutique charm, and island flavour blended effortlessly in the spirit of Waikīkī’s ideal retreat. Every neighbourhood has a spot where visitors and locals naturally rub shoulders, and in the heart of Hawai‘i’s most energetic district, Romer House is just that. Now, this intimate oasis is fully realised with the arrival of The Lei Stand Waikīkī, reimagining the role a hotel bar can play in the local scene and rounding out a trio of unique, adults-only spaces to gather, eat, and drink together to the rhythm and soul of modern island style, all infused with the unmistakable alchemy of aloha.
Created by friends, for friends, The Lei Stand was founded in 2022 by Hawaiian natives, Emmy award-winning producer Ryan Kalei Tsuji and former Universal Music Group brand strategist Tara Kanani Shimooka. The lounge’s move from its original Chinatown location brings beloved favourites to fresh new digs in the heart of Waikīkī. Here, The Lei Stand expands its legacy with Romer House to renew its commitment to building community and celebrating culture.
“With an emphasis on highlighting local neighborhoods and paying homage to Hawai‘i's beloved customs, the reopening of The Lei Stand at O‘ahu's first-ever adults-only hotel is the perfect alignment of both brands. We couldn't be more excited to invite our friends and visitors to 'Get Lei'd in Waikīkī." shared co-founder Tara Kanani Shimooka.
"The Lei Stand is more than just a bar; it's a celebration of Hawai'i's rich traditions and vibrant future. While our story will always be connected to Chinatown, we're excited to embark on this next phase with the amazing team at Romer House Waikīkī,” added co-founder, Ryan Kalei Tsuji.
Now the heart of the Romer House experience, the reimagined bar pays tribute to Chinatown's iconic lei shops with an arched doorway entry that invites guests into a world of glowing tropical foliage and neon installations. Patrons can hang out at the bar, or in cosy lounge seating, all with an intimate, after-hours island vibe.
With familiar faces behind the bar also offering fresh leis from local artisans, sold right from the bar with love, guests are welcomed with the same warmth and character that made the original so special. The summer will see the magic of those unforgettable Lei Stand nights, live sets, lei-making, and spontaneous sing-alongs, all live on, reimagined for a new chapter. And because some traditions are too good to change, The Lei Stand Waikīkī will continue to serve the best lei in town.
Open to walk-ins, with reservations encouraged, Romer House’s Waikīkī’s hotel guests will gain priority access to the buzzy bar each evening.
Drinks are celebrated by Blooms (cocktails), Bark (beer and a shot), Hop Vine (brews) and Grape Vine (wine), alongside a selection of 855-ALOHA favourite pupus (appetisers). Legacy Lei Stand cocktails with playful backstories include Soup Soup, a coconut clarified mix of high-quality blanco tequila flowered with pineapple, falernum and absinthe, and Clifton’s Curse, an ode to the owner’s father, and a funky play off of the tiki cocktail methodology with locally made rum, house-made orgeat, balanced with amaro, cognac and sherry. The pupus menu will offer a local twist on a house-made Chex Mix, famous edamame hummus, with taro chips & crack dip.
“We are honoured to be a part of The Lei Stand’s story, as we welcome a neighbourhood favourite bar to Romer House Waikīkī. Expanding the guest experience with local authenticity, the two brands have the same culturally conscious values, and share a commitment to Hawaiian traditions and joyous celebrations,” said Romer Houses’ Mayor of the Block, Ramona Sidlo.
For those craving a taste of nostalgia, 855-ALOHA, the Romer House indoor-outdoor restaurant, dials up iconic local flavours with the vibe on speed dial. An homage to Hawai‘i’s history and the humble Kelepona (telephone), the space nods to the past with murals by local artist Solario flanking the windows in tribute to Hawai‘i’s iconic blue phone booths. Above, lush greenery and abstract Japanese watercolour elements evoke nature, a cornerstone of both Hawaiian and Japanese culture, blending seamlessly with the culinary concept.
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