Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileAmuse Wine Bar
Honolulu, HI · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The cocktail list is the main draw: eight named drinks built with specific ingredients like mamaki tea syrup and butterfly peashower-infused gin. The beer side is broader than expected, with a Hawaiian brewery rotation. Wine leans on a preservation system that pours over 60 rotating wines by the tasting pour, plus a monthly pairing dinner.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Pearl-Grey, a bourbon, pear liqueur, lemon, and earl grey syrup cocktail at $17, or the Kyu-Zu Spritz with Iichiko shochu and yuzu for something lighter. For beer, the Hana Koa Brewery rotation at $11 brings a local brewer into rotation.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail drinkers who want original recipes with local ingredients like mamaki tea, and beer fans looking for rotating Hawaii craft options. Wine enthusiasts can explore over 60 wines in tasting portions, from a system that keeps opened bottles fresh.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour brings wines by the glass down to $13 and includes rotating daily selections of classic cocktails and beers, making it a good time for a low-cost tasting across categories.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $14 to $17, beers $7 to $11, and happy-hour wines by the glass are $13. Tasting portions of the rotating wine selection offer a lower-cost way to sample beyond the glass price.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The wine preservation system lets the bar pour over 60 rotating wines in tasting portions, which is unusual for a wine bar. The cocktail program leans into local and floral ingredients, and the monthly Wine Ovation Dinner Series adds a structured food-pairing event.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Original cocktails are the core, with eight named drinks spanning vodka, gin, bourbon, and shochu. Classics like the Corpse Reviver #2 and Old Fashioned are also on the menu, and happy hour rotates daily classic cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — A full bar with eight named originals and classics, each with specific ingredients and prices.
- — Local touches appear in drinks like Sereni-Tea with lemon mamaki tea syrup and Kyu-Zu Spritz using Iichiko shochu.
- — Happy hour rotates daily classic cocktails, adding variety to the standard menu.
Standout selections
- — Sereni-Tea ($16) combines vodka, rhubarb liqueur, lemon mamaki tea syrup, and lime.
- — Give Me Butterflies ($17) uses butterfly peashower-infused gin with pineapple, lemon, orgeat, and an edible flower.
- — Pearl-Grey ($17) layers bourbon, pear liqueur, lemon, and earl grey syrup.
Pricing: $14-$17
Wine
A preservation and serving system offers tasting portions of over 60 rotating wines. Happy hour pours wines by the glass at $13, and a monthly Wine Ovation Dinner Series highlights curated pairings.
Menu strengths
- — Over 60 wines are available in tasting portions, encouraging exploration without committing to a full bottle.
- — Happy hour features daily wine selections by the glass for $13.
- — The monthly Wine Ovation Dinner Series pairs curated wines with a meal.
Standout selections
- — Amuse Wine Bar features an innovative wine preservation and serving system offering tasting portions of a rotating selection of over 60 wines.
- — Happy-hour wines by the glass at $13 offer an approachable entry point.
Pricing: $13 happy-hour glass
Beer
The beer list spans from Miller High Life to a rotating Hana Koa Brewery selection from Hawaii, plus international options like Carlsberg and Echigo rice lager. Happy hour adds rotating beer selections.
Menu strengths
- — Six named beers cover light lager, pilsner, rice lager, IPA, and cider, with a Hawaiian brewery in rotation.
- — Rotating taps like Hana Koa Brewery and Rekorderlig Cider keep the list current.
- — Happy hour includes rotating beer selections alongside cocktails and wine.
Standout selections
- — Hana Koa Brewery ($11) is a rotating Hawaii craft selection.
- — Echigo 'Koshihikari' ($9) is a Japanese rice lager at 5%.
- — Bell's Brewery 'Hazy Hearted IPA' ($9) offers a Michigan IPA at 7.2%.
Pricing: $7-$11
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