Finding Waikiki's Best Mai Tai – Part 2: Moose McGillycuddy's

Welcome back to our second installment in the thrilling pursuit of discovering Waikiki’s finest Mai Tai. For our first feature, we are heading to Moose McGillycuddy’s, an institution in Hawaii’s vibrant nightlife scene for over 40 years. Known for its lively atmosphere and stunning beachfront location, this place also serves up some seriously impressive cocktails. So, let’s dive in and see if Moose McGillycuddy’s Mai Tai stands a chance in our quest to find Waikiki’s best! Grab your tropical shirt and let’s go!

Moose McGillycuddy’s is no ordinary name in the Waikiki cocktail scene. Established in 1973, this legendary pub has been delighting locals and tourists alike with its vibrant atmosphere for nearly five decades. Its name is as unique and memorable as the flavors of its well-crafted Mai Tai. A laid-back spot, it has stood the test of time, consistently serving up good times, hearty food and – of course – stellar Mai Tais. Its beachfront location adds to Moose McGillycuddy’s charm, making it an excellent location to unwind after a day of exploring Waikiki. With its rich history and proven commitment to quality, Moose McGillycuddy’s surely deserves its spot in our hunt for Waikiki’s best Mai Tai.

Now let’s dive into the heart of our review, measuring Moose McGillycuddy’s Mai Tai against our key metrics.

From the bay-door street side entrance, guests are greeted with an eclectic collection of brick-a-brack adorning the walls; goofy photos of the owner’s dog, vintage posters, a giant moose head, and an autograph from Man v. Food’s Adam Richman… you know, the usual stuff. Early on weekdays, it’s never too crowded, and you’ll usually only find a few locals sharing a drink before the sun sets. Of course, that means you can expect quick service, plenty of seating and a generally calm atmosphere.

Moreover, the music is set low, which creates something that is nothing short of a miracle: a bar you can actually have a conversation in! Readers should bear in mind, though, that this is not always true late at night and on weekends, when the upstairs area of Moose’s opens, turning the typically peaceful bar into one of Waikiki’s most popular night clubs. That’s awesome in its own way, as long as you’re aware of the difference.

In most cases, you’ll want to get to Moose’s early anyway, as they feature a pretty amazing happy hour the likes of which you won’t easily find elsewhere in Waikiki.

From 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Moose’s dishes out some of the cheapest drinks you’ll find anywhere on Oahu, and not just bottom shelf fare, either; their draft beer menu includes craft options like Big Wave Golden Ale, Longboard Lager & other local favorites, and their specialty cocktails are all worth a try.

But how good can a $4 cocktail be, really?

To get down to brass tacks, you’re paying for a drink that cost you only a little more than the bus fare that brought you to it; but if your expectations are within reason, then Moose’s Mai Tai is definitely worth it. The Mai Tais served at Moose’s are a modern take, meaning they mix fruit juices (in this case, mostly pineapple) with light and dark rum. The dark rum is floated on top to give it its characteristic look, and each glass is garnished with a wedge of pineapple and a maraschino cherry.  The flavor is sharp and acidic, and the sweetness of the juice obscures most of the flavor of the rum. That’s not necessarily a bad thing in this case, as the bite of the rum can be intense if you’re not prepared for it.

To find out the difference between a modern and classic Mai Tai, check out our previous article in this series about the origins of the Mai Tai.

Moose’s Mai Tais are not to be trifled with; the syrupy fruit juice concoction in the lower hemisphere of the glass lets each sip go down smoothly enough, but drop your guard and you’ll be picking yourself up of the bar floor in no time.

Take this advice to heart: I am no lightweight when it comes to cocktails. I spent the formative years of my youth in Wisconsin, one of the only places in America where bars outnumber grocery stores by a staggering ratio. Yet, after four of Moose’s Mai Tais, I’m ready for a complex and arduous stumble home. Drinkers with less confidence in their alcohol tolerance should consider one of Moose’s other signature cocktails. Their Hawaiian Punch is a great compromise between flavor and strength.

Cocktail enthusiasts seeking Mai Tai nirvana will not find it at Moose McGillycuddy’s. Nevertheless, casual guests looking to unwind and enjoy some genuine local friendliness coupled with unbelievably cheap drinks will definitely want to stop by. The punch packed by Moose’s Mai Tais makes them a great end to a long day, or the jump start to a fun night. Above all else, Moose’s Mai Tais can be enjoyed in an atmosphere that’s worth spending time in.

That’s all for this segment of our Mai Tai quest. Checkout part 3 of our series as we explore Arnold’s Beach Bar to try what we’ve heard is a top-notch version of the modern Mai Tai, utilizing local ingredients found right here in Hawaii.