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Anna Bannana's - CLOSED
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Dive Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
2440 S Beretania StHonolulu, HI 96816
Neighborhood: Moilili
(808) 946-5190
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Anna Bannana's
Review Highlights
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"The darts were best part of the open mic night." In 4 reviews -
"Great little dive bar with great bartenders." In 3 reviews -
"The scene there is always changing ie." In 3 reviews
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Sam O.
Honolulu, HI
11/30/2011
Good beer. Good people. Good prices.
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Review from Harry K.
Monterey, CA
3/29/2011
It's a dive. It's also a dump. But, with the right group, it can be a lot of fun.
Be prepared to come home smelling of cheap smokes and cheap beer--and, if you did it right, your own sweat. -
Review from Annie H.
Honolulu, HI
3/17/2011
I end up here every weekend by default. I like dive bars and I can walk here. My friends' bands play here pretty often. Chinatown isn't really my scene. PBR is cheapish and ice cold and doesn't taste gross like at the Varsity. They usually have Jim Beam or Smirnoff on special for $3, works for me. Jukebox is decent but should be updated with more punx tunez!
If they didn't allow smoking inside it would be 5 stars for sure. Cigarette smoke irritates my sinuses and makes me sick. It ain't cold outside people, just step out for your cigarette please. Be considerate. -
Review from Liz T.
5/26/2008
I can count the number of times I've been drunk on my fingers and toes--one of the most fun of them was at Anna Banana's. 2 pitchers of beer, 4 practical strangers, the first time I had a shot of tequila and then 3 more... What a dodgy but interesting night.
The place looks ridden with diseases, but I guess this gives it dive quality. Avoid the icky icky poo bathrooms, though--I could tell they were filthy even in my drunken stupor.
At one time Anna Banana's offered hookah, but not anymore. Smoking hookah is worse than smoking cigarettes anyway--not that tobacco is good for you at all. =P -
Review from Thomas M.
Honolulu, HI
3/27/2011
Cold beer and The Replacements on the jukebox! The bartenders are really nice and always remember me/my name/who's tab I'm drinking on. That is a serious plus for me!
The shows upstairs can be really hot and if you get irritated by smoking then be sure to keep ducking outside for fresh air. -
Review from Eric A.
Honolulu, HI
1/31/2010 9 photos
MAN! First the Varsity Theater, THEN Magoos (my favorite local drinking spout of all time) and now Anna Bannanas. BUGGER!
When it was brought to my attention that there was a show here tonight, I remember thinking, "Wait a minute, isn't this place supposed to be closed down already?" Guess not BUT they are in the stages. I believe good ol' Annas has about a month left.
The original vibe to this place was very tavern-like but of course has been through many changes in design since. Though considered one of Hawaii's more popular dive bars, this place does have its charm. Dark, sometimes lonely but always something to keep you preoccupied. I've spent many nights here for Monday open mic, to watch various local bands or just a place to blow off steam after mid terms and finals. Tonight, there were a lot of drunk chicks, dancing, grinding and stumbling onto each other around my friends and I. Even a moment where the whole club was singing along to a Hall and Oates tune. Fun times!
From a musician stand point, I both love and hate playing on their stage. I never did care for their blaring light beading on me while belting out a set. Understood, they want to make sure everyone see's your face but I can also think of many times I've tried to hide in the corner. Hey, thhsugahr (sugar) melts, Kay! Though the guys working sound have always been awesome here. Friendly and willing to go the extra mile to make your performance sound crisp and ubiquitous.
It brings a tear to my eye seeing this place go, being the third of my University area favorites to diminish into obscurity. Farewell Anna Bannanas! Cheers and thank you for the great times and great graffiti!
Here are pix on Metromix from last nights show. Glad to see I was in there somewhere:
http://honolulu.metrom...
4 stars
Anna Bannana's on Beretania Street (soon to RIP) -
Review from Carolyn C.
Irvine, CA
4/2/2009
I came here last week to see the Bouncing Souls.
Two local bands opened for them.. not bad seeing three bands for $15.
The venue seemed like it had a lot of history with a wooden bar, stools, and an older interior. The drinks were cheap, $1 for a bottled water or soda, and $3-$5 for a pint.
The sound system was decent, not the best and not the worst.
It got uncomfortably warm inside when the headliners played for over an hour.
They don't have central A/C, it's basically just one or two window box A/C units.
If I lived in the area, I'd probably come back since it seems like one of the only places to catch a good show.
They even have open mic nights on Monday or Tuesdays, I can't remember which it was.. with serious drink specials.. I think $1 beers. -
Review from August A.
Las Vegas, NV
11/2/2010 24 Check-ins Here
I LOVE THIS BAR!!! Okay, got that out of the way, these are the reasons. Great bartenders and the venue is a classic. Hawaii's perfect dive bar.
Alexis and the troop at Annas are always fun to be around. The scene there is always changing ie. punk, open mic, jazz.
This place is always in danger of closing but thanks to some new management, Anna Bannanas has now turned into Anna O'Malley's. The Management are the same people that run the Irish Rose. At first I was afraid the place would completely lose its allure but IT HAS NOT CHANGED A BIT!!! And I am extremely grateful for that simple fact.
Support local bands. Support local bars. Go to Annas!!! -
Review from Alison V.
9/4/2009
Alright so this place is definitely a dive bar. I appreciate good dive bars. However my major complaint about here is the bathroom. The women's room was out of order and I was told by some local friends that this is frequent. So women must use the men's room. However if you're a girl waiting for the never ending rotation of men to finish so you van get in the empty bathroom you may be waiting a while. Once inside you thankfully have the option to lock the outside door for a full private bathroom experience. Make sure you take a deep breath before doing so though since you won't want to breathe in the lovely stench of urinal cake and general bathroom grossness.
Other than the potty, the bars juke box has a pretty limited and somewhat craptacular selection. And if someone hasn't selected a song the music just stops.
They have darts and a pool table which I did not attempt to enjoy. I stuck to the basics if booze and socializing.Listed in: Vacation to Oahu!
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Review from Matt W.
Honolulu, HI
8/13/2009
This is another one of my favorite dives on the island--old and grungy and still kicking since back when draft beers were only fifty cents.
If Indigo or Hotel 39 is your kind of joint, you will most probably join other reviewers in thinking this spot is uncomfortable, dingy, and unwelcoming, but for you professional dive bar divers, once the admittedly surly bouncer finally lets you through the door you'll feel like you just came home. Good beer on clean taps for fairly reasonable prices ($12 pitchers of the premium stuff with various daily specials), a decent jukebox, a level pool table, and free darts downstairs provide a quieter and lower-key contrast to the rowdy (and extremely hot when crowded) live music room upstairs, which hosts bands that usually lean slightly toward the angry/angsty high school/college kid crowd (local and national punk, hardcore, etc.) although you can occasionally catch some rockabilly or blues from time to time.
I will admit that the bathroom is pretty Trainspotting, but since when does the upper management of a dive bar ever give a crap about its bathrooms? Go here for the shady ambience, for the often quite good monthly poetry slams, the exuberant if less-than-polished live bands, and the easy ability to get a little dirty for an evening. The building is decrepit enough to encourage you to do this sooner rather than later--who knows how long the old girl will stick around? -
Review from Erin O.
Los Angeles, CA
11/22/2010
If you're into grungy, dirty, smelly, cigarette smoke than this is the place for you! It's not the worst place in the world, I mean it's a bar, and I got a decently priced bear and it's cool they have a stage upstairs ... but for the most part, I've experienced better.
The bathroom was clean which was a plus, but I'm still trying to get the cigarette smell out of my hair..... -
Review from Gidget T.
Honolulu, HI
2/28/2009
I recently checked out Anna Bannana's with friends and we had some mixed reviews. Upstairs there was live music and downstairs was just the bar and pool tables. The half of our group that went upstairs said the music was great and the crowd was very laid back. I stayed downstairs and the tables were sticky, chairs broken and the place was so dim it was hard to see too far in front of you.
The drinks were very reasonably priced, and it seemed to attract mostly college kids and locals.
We went on a particularly slow night. I hear it can get pretty chaotic. Still, based on my experience, it's not the sort of place I would go back to. Though I can see the appeal to college students.
Overall, the drinks were strong and reasonably priced. The atmosphere was creepy and they have mismatched and very odd decor. The seating is pretty uncomfortable and doesn't feel welcoming at all. The bathrooms are so bad, we decided to run across the street to the grocery store instead. And, despite everyone in our group being well over 25, we had a lot of trouble with the bouncer getting in. I would say it took a group of 10 of us about 30 minutes for the bouncer to allow everyone in. Perhaps they have had problems with fake IDs in the past, but I thought it was absurd. -
Review from Sjon B.
Honolulu, HI
6/30/2011
Great little dive bar with great bartenders! Good times!
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Review from Lauren S.
Stockton, CA
2/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excellent dive bar for Honolulu. Makes me think of back home. Love that there's music upstairs and you can go back and forth between the two :) It's close to home so it makes for an easy drunken walk home and the drinks are pretty cheap....definitely will be back!
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Review from Kalani C.
3/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Divey, dark old fashioned bar. Afternoon clientele look like they've been around the block & then some & back. Impressed with their beers on tap: Pabst Blue Ribbon, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Smithwick's to name a few. Many a wierd conversations must of took place here. If only the walls could talk.
Listed in: Hawai'i 3-star
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Review from Richard C.
Honolulu, HI
4/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is a classic. Dawned on me recently that I've been coming here for 33 years. What a shame to close down. Hey here's the news flash......it's not closing!!!! Honest. O'tooles has bought it and it will stay open. Rumor has it there will be some changes but Anna's will live on. Sure hope they keep it dark and divey. Cheers!
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Review from J G.
Haleiwa, HI
9/2/2009
By far the best dive bar I've been to in hawaii. The darts were best part of the open mic night. And the drinks didn't pull my pants down over the price either. All in all the place was a hole in the wall paradise, my favorite kine.
Listed in: Best Places on Oahu
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Review from Jill Y.
Honolulu, HI
2/13/2010
I was an Anna Banana's virgin for too long. I finally popped my cherry to see Linus play a few weeks ago. I loved the scene: lots of hipsters who are too cool for school from UH, lesbians, and cute boys! A drunk old man tried to maul me downstairs, but I escaped unscathed. Anna's has that integrity of a dive bar with a hard edge. I can see why the young kids like it so much! I'm totally a fan and I would go back as long as I was with someone else. :D Drinks were reasonable and the music was awesome. The people were diverse, but leaned toward the "I cover the labels on my clothing because I subscribe to AdBusters." That's fine with me. At any rate, there was some rumor that this place was closing down? I don't now if it's true, but if it is, then that's pretty sad, because it's a great place with a lot of spunk.
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Review from Kate G.
Chicago, IL
10/8/2010
My fave, in fact the ONLY, good dive bar with great music when I was in grad school at UH (And living at the East-West Center).
Food? I don't know from food.
Drink? Cheap beer made me happy, and the mixed drinks were ok.
But the music! We used to hear Taj Mahal here all the time; and of course there were always the de facto house band, the Pagan Babies.
It was one of the few places in Honolulu we could cut loose.
If Anna's is really closed, then it's a shame. -
Review from Varun S.
Honolulu, HI
7/11/2010
Good live music, always inexpensive, decent beer selection, the Monday Night open mics are pretty good, I checked one out right after I was at the Varsity
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Review from bobb n.
San Diego, CA
12/8/2010
terrible service, horrible clientele, dirty, smelly and absolutely the worst place i have ever seen a live show. they should be embarrassed to put a band on that "stage." no redeeming qualities whatsoever. an abomination. the reviewers who call Anna's a "dive bar" are clueless as to the charm/allure of a real dive bar. this is just a terrible, dirty establishment with the worst bartenders known to man
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Review from Dan P.
Seattle, WA
8/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
its a dive bar - been to one, been to all.
