Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleepy Wailuku isn't the island's entertainment hub, although there is the monthly
First
Friday
event. Market Street in the historic downtown is closed to vehicular traffic
5:30pm-9pm, and the area becomes a festive pedestrian thoroughfare. There's live music
in Banyan Tree Park, street performers, food concessions from local restaurants, activities
for children, and a beer garden for the adults. This is the original and most popular of
the “Maui Friday Town Parties,” and more information can be found on the website at
Shows
The only shows which take place in Wailuku are sporadic stage performances at the histor-
ic
'Iao Theater
(68 N. Market Street), a Spanish mission-style theater that was opened in
1928 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 'Iao is the oldest theater
building in the Hawaiian Islands and has hosted performers such as Bob Hope and Frank
Sinatra over the course of its lengthy history. Massive renovations breathed new life into
the venue making the'Iao the heart of the island's live theater community. You can find
more information about showtimes at the MauiOnStage website,
www.mauionstage.com
.
Bars
Every town needs a good dive bar, and the
Steel Horse Saloon
(1234 Lower Main St.,
808/243-2200, 10am-2am daily) has got Wailuku covered. This Lower Main Street dive
specializes in cheap drinks, rowdy bikers, loud music, and an old-fashioned good time. Set
inside a 1930s-era building, the Steel Horse is questionable from the outside and lovable
from the moment you walk in the door. On the fringe of the Wailuku Industrial Park, this
isn't your typical tourist bar, but live music on Friday and Saturday nights cranks the at-
mosphere up another decibel. Free
pupus
(appetizers) are a bonus.
Just down the street,
Tiffany's Bar and Grill
(1424 Lower Main St., 808/249-0052,
www.tiffanysmaui.com
, 10:30am-12am Mon.-Sat., 10:30am-11pm Sun.) is another long-
time Lower Main Street institution that caters to a heavily local crowd. Karaoke is the
name of the game here. Since it's also a full restaurant, you can pick up some more sub-
stantial food than at the Steel Horse.
