Unveiling Gaslamp

Nicole Monton | 04/01/2024

original article published on hiluxury.com

Luxury lies hidden in the heart of Kailua. Among the independent mom-and-pop shops and retailers that emit small-town vibes lies a secret establishment reminiscent of the speakeasies of the 1920s and ’30s — and you’ve likely driven past it without a second glance. 

Well, it’s not really a secret, much like how speakeasies of the Roaring Twenties were Prohibition’s worst-kept secrets. But Gaslamp is precisely how one would envision a Prohibition-era gin joint, complete with dark wood walls, dim lighting, era-appropriate furnishings and a hint of exclusivity — plus a clandestine entrance, of course. And technically, it’s not a speakeasy either. For one, it’s legal; and two, it’s not as discrete as its predecessors. But don’t get hung up in the technicalities of the establishment. Instead, enter and get caught up in an epicurean feast for the senses. 

Guests will find the Gaslamp entrance in Kailua Town Pub & Grill on Ho‘ola‘i Street, a bustling local English pub that has sports playing on screens ’round the restaurant and beers on tap along the bar wall. Seemingly out of place is an unassuming vintage telephone booth, which grants access to the swanky jazz lounge space. The ingress keeps to tradition by requiring a spoken password — where the term “speakeasy” comes from — that is given prior to your reservation time. 

“(This) speakeasy concept transcends your typical dining experience and creates a unique experience in transformative space with appealing allure,” notes managing partner Clark Dean.

It was a first for Hawai‘i at the time, and while the idea gained popularity with more joints popping up over the years, none are as opulent as Gaslamp…. read the full article on hiluxury.com