Enjoying Aloha Hour at LONO Hollywood

it’s no secret that I love a good cocktail but lately I’ve been running into a problem. They’re so darn expensive! Honestly, I’m getting tired of spending $12+ on one drink. So much so that I find myself mixing my own at home but, sometimes I just want to go out.That’s where happy hour comes in. It’s the best way to sample a location’s offerings without breaking the bank. Recently, I found myself in Hollywood with some time to kill so I decided to check out a place that had been long on my list – LONO Hollywood.

Located on Hollywood Blvd. in the midst of the Tinseltown action it’s a welcome oasis in a sea of seediness. Now, I love a good a tiki bar and LONO hits all the buttons with tropical decor, tiki drinks galore and a menu filled with island flavors.

LONO Hollywood is super popular but even the most popular bars have slow hours. Enter the Aloha Hour available Monday through Friday from 5-7pm. Luckily, those hours fit right into my schedule and I stopped in for some sampling.

I started with the tried and true Piña Colada ($6) and a bowl of Coconut Popcorn ($2). I’ve always enjoyed a good Piña Colada and this one was truly the best I’ve ever had. No prepackaged mix here. The coconut cream is made in house and combined with pineapple juice and rum it was wonderfully delicious. The Coconut Popcorn was also quite tasty but be sure to ask for a stack of napkins – it’s a bit messy.

I then moved on to the Daiquiri ($6) which was fresh and flavorful but, after that killer Piña Colada, it couldn’t help but be a bit of a let down.

The priciest item on the Aloha Hour menu is the Kauai Fried Chicken ($10) and it’s worth every penny. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is fried in a delicious batter that’s light as a cloud. Add a bit of lime juice and Huli-huli sauce and you’ve got a true tropical treat. Plus, the serving is huge! You won’t go away hungry.

I stopped at LONO Hollywood on a whim and discovered one of the best happy hours in LA. I’ll definitely be back.