Bar Leather Apron

Would love to review this place properly because have heard so much about it – but walked in with 4 friends last night at 9:15p and the waitress said they could not take 5 people. The bar was all reserved (only 2 people at it, everything else was reserved and empty but that’s cool if that’s their policy), but there certainly seemed to be empty tables in the back. Maybe they are just overworked or maybe it was our shorts and slippers. But I have alot of friends who spend alot of money on single malts and they were not happy and out the door. Too bad.

I heard that this place had some interesting drinks so my girlfriend and I decided to give it a try. The bar seemed to have a nice ambiance but it was pretty empty. We asked for seating for two and said the lounge or bar would suffice. The host told us that it would be a few minutes so we sat in the waiting area for about 15 minutes and did not get seated. I would not recommend coming here. Terrible service with a snobby mentality.
Update: I guess you need reservations for this place. Just tell the customers that!!! Don’t waste my time making me wait.

A truly world-​class bar in Honolulu. Try it, and you will appreciate that fine cocktails really exist.

As a infrequent drinker (but a total foodie… big grin), I wouldn’t mind becoming a regular at Bar Leather Apron if I was a drinker because BLA serves up some magical libations. It was with a reluctant «yes» I accepted my friends’ invitation to Oahu’s hottest and newest, one-​of-​a-​kind, whiskey bar. If you like whiskey, BLA is just the place 1} to be 2} to relax and 3} enjoy a great selection of quality whiskey in an intimate venue. It’s also cool to see the bartenders in traditional leather aprons. True to form, these cobbler aprons adds a really nice European touch to the whole place. I feel like I am sitting in a bar somewhere in Europe watching the bartenders moving around mixing and creating their awesome concoctions.
BLA, replaced the former jazz bar Mezz 127, is located on the first floor of the Topa Financial Center. You can enter the building’s parking garage in the basement level from Nimitz Hwy. As soon as you entered the garage, take the public parking tunnel on the left. Once you’re parked, you need to take the garage elevator up to the lobby in order to access the bar on the oceanside. Proceed to your left after exiting the elevator and pass the security desk to take the Topa Tower elevator. If you haven’t been in this building before, the guard is more than happy point the way. Don’t forget to bring your parking ticket for validation at the bar. Street parking is free starting 6 PM.
Upon entering BLA, you can quickly see its smaller size and the counter bar capacity is roughly designed for 10 people; but the entire place holds about 30 when you include the lounge area. We’re given the honor to sit at the bar to watch the action behind the counter. Their leather bar chairs were so comfortable and positioned at the perfect height. I like the overall «comfy» ambiance and somewhat «homey-​like» vibes here. In addition, there are a couple glass cabinets showcasing a nice collection of whiskey from different parts of the globe. Kinda makes you want to reach out and touch some of these precious bottles but I digress. After you’re settled in the bar seat, they’ll serve you a plate containing hot towels to clean your hands. What a nice way to start drinking.
Some friends ordered BLA Old Fashion since our bartender recommended it. What a fun treat in watching the bartender make this whiskey drink! I can see the focus and attention to the details in this process is serious. They start out with a rough iceball going through the (I don’t know if there is a name for this neat invention) copper ice rounder or molder. This ice rounder looked solid and most likely 100% copper. When they covered the rough iceball inside the rounder, they immediately uncovered it to reveal a stunning ice gem = a completely smooth and perfectly rounded iceball! This newly processed iceball can now be placed in the whiskey glass. Wow… I want one of these iceball rounder. So when they topped the Old Fashion off with an orange peel and served the drink you’ve been anxiously waiting for, then you realized the wait was worthwhile after your initial sip. One of my friends offered me a taste and I was (even for someone such as me and who’s not a regular whiskey connoisseur) impressed! You can taste the quality and care in this BLA Old Fashion.
For my drink, I found the specialty drink on the last page of the menu: kiwi daquiri. It was definitely calling to me and… lol…the bartender vouched for its «deliciousness». It sounded really good by its description and then the drink (served in a martini glass looking extremely appetizing) made its way to me…1 sip and I’m hooked! Wow… artistry in motion (or is it artistry in liquid form?) is what I’d characterize this daquiri drink and it’s available almost every day in the heart of downtown Honolulu. The only other equally awesome drink I had was the rum-​based hummingbird in Jamaica. This drink is a lot easier to access than Ocho Rios. Our second round of drinks consisted of Japan Old Fashion, Shiso Highball and Matcha Old Fashion. I was also given tasting sips but these drinks were not my favs. They were very good but they were no kiwi daiquiris.lol.
I’d return to BLA to check out the lounge area and perhaps get a chance to order appetizers. The bartenders gave us a few complimentary small dishes of iso peanuts and soy-​marinatef gobo root vegetables. I don’t think I can survive on just a liquid meal.hehehe. But enjoying some magical elixir from BLA is definitely on my agenda when I’m in the mood for higher quality drinks. Very nice to have this classier-​casual, but cozy, venue to wind down the day near Aloha Tower. BLA’s service was professional and low-​keyed but because it’s a smaller place, they’ve to be organized and run a tighter ship. I enjoyed this mellow bar very much, simply because it’s not obnoxiously loud nor rambunctious. One can actually converse with friends at a normal volume without having to shout over people. Until we meet again BLA…

Very excited having this type of bar here in Hawaii. After traveling to Japan’s Bar High Five, Bar Leather Apron really reminds me of that bar. Signature cocktails were absolutely awesome and they also made cocktails off the menu catered to my taste, which is absolute winning in my book. I’ll keep this short, if you are in the mood for amazing cocktails check out Bar Leather Apron. Try out some of their signature drinks, then let them know afterwards what you like if you want something made just for you. Yes, reservations are a must and don’t be a snooty person and walk in expecting a seat waiting for you. Not to mention a snooty drinker too.

As soon as my husband Ian and I walked in I knew I was going to love it here. Although it may be a little difficult getting reservations because of their popularity, you come to enjoy the fact that you’re not in a crowded loud bar with drinks that are just thrown together and slammed down in front of you. All it really takes is a little planning ahead.
Justin who is an owner and bartender was working yesterday. He was very nice and attentive and honestly one of the best bartenders I’ve encountered. There are 6 seats at the bar, an intimate lounge area and what looks like a private room. My recommendation would be to sit at the bar so you can witness him making the drinks. You can tell he loves doing what he does and you end up with a work of art in a glass. Almost too pretty to drink… almost… The hostesses and other bartender were equally nice and friendly and really welcoming. There’s nothing worse than when you go somewhere and the host/​hostess doesn’t greet you with a smile or appear unwelcoming. The atmosphere is very cozy and intimate. For me it was a mix between Rye House (whiskey bar) and Nat Sherman’s (Cigar shop) that we visited in NYC. Not that you can smoke here but it had the same vibe with the leather seating and upscale feel.
I had been stalking their IG and Unilocal accounts so I already knew I wanted to try the Matcha specialty drink. It was AMAZING! The second drink I had was the Yuzu Highball which was very refreshing and not sweet (I don’t enjoy sweet drinks) but with a hint of yuzu. My last drink was the Japan Old Fashioned which he paired with pork rinds. Ok, that sounds like a strange pairing but it brought out the shiitake flavor which was infused with the liqueur in this drink. My husband was nice enough to «share» his drinks with me. And when I say share, I mean just one sip. He had the Tea House Sour, Shiso Highball and the Tavern Keeps Treasure all of which were unique in flavor and amazing. I would definitely get the Tavern Keeps Treasure for myself next time because the single sip he gave me wasn’t enough.
I’m not sure about the food because we were only thinking about the drinks but I did see someone order the smoked salmon spread with crostini that looked really yummy!
For you ladies, the restrooms are located right outside the bar and down the stairs in the lobby. So close and very clean.
Finally, it was such an enjoyable experience that I while I was there, I emailed them requesting reservations for next week. Well I would have waited until today to email them but because I sent pictures of the drinks to my girlfriends, they insisted I try to get us reservations asap. :) I will definitely be back!

Good shit

I am surprised that no one else has panned this place. The biggest problem with it is the over the top pretentiousness of the staff. I understand that they want the place to seem like it is super exclusive and super posh, like a penthouse bar in New York City or something. Unfortunately the bar is not in New York City or even in an very desirable location in Honolulu.
Went there about a week ago and was greeted by the hostess who informed me that they were completely full for the night and that if I wanted a reservation, I could email them and she gave me a card. Decided to go back today, almost on a whim, had lunch at Nashville Waikiki and for some reason walked toward Nashville after work, decided that I did not want two meals at the same place so I decided to give Bar Leather Apron another chance. Approached the door and was asked if I had a reservation, I said that I did not so I waiter looked over his guest list and consulted with the bartender. It was decided that I could sit in the lounge but I could not take longer than two-​hours. So I proposed a (good) problem. What if he was really engaging and we had a conversation that lasted longer than two hours. He did not address my potential problem, but took me to the lounge and was seated.
On the table there are two menus, one with cocktails and one that contains the liquor inventory of the bar. For a second I was afraid I was about to be put to work counting bottles, but no, I was informed the purpose of the inventory sheet is to enumerate the 175 different types of liquor that they have on hand – OK! Next I look through the cocktail menu and there is verbiage to the effect that signature cocktails are only available at the bar top and not in the lounge. With some rationale about mixology or performance art, or other reason that had nothing to do with the reason people drink – THE TASTE.
The waiter informed me that if I wanted a signature cocktail, I could email at least 24 hours in advance to be put on the guest list, but they do not accept verbal requests to be put on the guest list. Then I got the most wonderful idea of the night. If I am giving them 24 hours notice in writing I should be able to have any signature cocktail I want, right???
So I said OK I will email and come back tomorrow for a Flaming Moe. The waiter was not sure if the bartender would make a Flaming Moe, so I informed him that a Flaming Moe contains all ingredients that would be behind any bar, except one and that one could certainly be acquired in 24 hours. So he want to the bartender to ask about a Flaming Moe, soon he returned to inform me that a Flaming Moe would not be possible since it is only available at Universal Studios* and the signature cocktails that Leather Apron had in mind (if I was granted access to the bar) involved smoke infusion.
So I informed the waiter that if I could not have a Flaming Moe, I would have nothing and went across the street to Ferguson’s where I sat at the bar and had an engaging conversation with a furniture salesman. Something not possible at Leather Apron, because I did not give them proper notice of my arrival and was not allowed at the bar anyway.
*IANAL However a search of the US Trademark Database indicates that the trademark for Flaming Moe expired in 2003 (
) So there is nothing stopping any bar from advertising a «Flaming Moe» As far as trade secrets, the recipe from the Simpson’s episode is non-​specific because Homer was out of beer and mixed together the remains of many almost-​empty liquor bottles and accidentally includes the secret ingredient (
). The Universal Studios version is orange punch served in a glass that holds dry ice (
), So it is nothing like a Flaming Moe as made in the Simpson’s episode. Nor is the Universal Studios formula patented. For those wondering about the «secret ingredient,» It is revealed in the episode, and the fact that it is not secret and is widely available is the JOKE!

Just FYI I was told beforehand that you couldn’t just walk in to this bar; however, I decided to give it a shot and walked in on a Saturday before dinner at about 630p and was greeted and placed at a spot on the bar top. Immediately the ambiance was classic, fresh and welcoming.
We ordered a couple of drinks — a smoked Manhattan and BLA’s Old Fashioned. Justin’s creativity and attention to detail is amazing and it shows in the way you experience his drinks from all senses. This place changed all whiskey bars for me and I can’t wait to go back.
On another note, went to eat dinner and liked BLA so much we went back after dinner with a few more friends around 930p. They accepted us as walk-​ins again and we enjoyed more signature drinks for the next couple of hours.
Absolutely nothing to make exceptions of here. This is an incredible bar if you want to try something refined, sophisticated and incredibly imaginative.

I work in the building and am so happy this spot has opened up. Justin is talented, relaxed and engaging. Our drinks were superb, and the hostess and service were exceptional. You will likely need reservations as seating is limited

The last time I wrote a review, it was after a painless wisdom tooth extraction at Ala Moana Dental Care. Nearly a year later, I am back to review a charming whisk (e)y/cocktail bar in downtown. You can definitely see where my priorities lie.
Bar Leather Apron is everything you miss about those dimly lit, quality-​centered and detail-​focused mainland bars. My boyfriend and I were drooling over the perfectly curated glassware collection, hand-​chiseled clear ice balls, all-​wood bar, and extensive fancy brown liquor collection. Together we had 6 amazing cocktails, 2 of which were bespoke (custom). We had small bits of chit chat with the bartender/​owner who never seemed rushed or too busy to ask how we were doing. I highly recommend sitting at the bar for the full experience.
I hope this place is here to stay – The first floor of Topa is a dusty, barren, wasteland of lunch time commerce, centered around convenience and scurry. This place is rather the opposite – a welcoming, cozy, purpose-​driven bar of creativity and promise.
Hawaii no ka oi but come the f*ck on we need fancy places, too. Here is one. Check it out!

Pictures cannot describe this beautiful, classy & upscale bar… Once you enter, you can appreciate the vision of these guys with the beauty of this place. Beautiful bar top, the seating, the look and feel of this place adds to the experience. Glance around and see the display of some of the best whiskeys from around the world…
Look at the menu and see the attention to detail on each drink… Down to the crystal clear, hand carved ice for each drink! I love my Japanese Whiskeys and there is a nice variety of specialty drinks which use Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki… Just to name a few.
A must try is the Japanese Old Fashioned and the BLA Old Fashioned… This is a place where you can watch a talented bartender create beautiful drinks for you right before your eyes. I was amazed with the Martini encased in a glass shell with some smoky wood. It’s a WOW! And something I will definitely go back to order.
Its not a place to party or get drunk… It’s a cozy, relaxing place to take great friends, order some beautiful drinks, engage in some stimulating conversation and enjoy some laughs together… Ask for the bar seating for a wonderful experience! Best of all, parking is validated if you park in the building!

If you want to take shots and party it up, this is Not the place. However, if you want the best quality drinks to really make an impression with a client or friend, this is absolutely the place. There’s nothing like this on the island. Make a reservation and sit at the bar. It’s an experience that can’t be explained in words. You have to experience it for yourself to understand. See you there!

The great: drinks, ambience, pupus.
1: Drinks. Phenomenal. Enjoyed the BLA’s signature Old Fashioned and the Martinez. Both were incredibly made and well-​balanced. Definitely the mark of an expert and would recommend to anyone.
2: Ambience. Mood lighting and intimate space gave that feeling of extra-​specialness. Unique, almost speakeasy feel that was still quite modern.
3: Pupus. The smoked salmon was perfection. Must order.
The not-​so-​great: service, lounge.
1: Service. The two stars are mainly based on service. Our reservation was quite early in the evening, with only about 16 patrons to serve. We were sat by a hostess, greeted by another person, but only saw our server once when he took our drink order. When my partner went to track him down to pay our bill, he found the server slicing produce.
2: Lounge. The two high-​top tables looked comfortable, but the bench seating was very awkward. Tiny square tables of odd height and uncomfortable seating made us want to rush our delicious drinks and leave. Recommend securing a seat at the bar.
This review is just based on our first visit in the first week of their opening. We look forward to returning again in the coming months to give this place another shot.

Parking: You can find street parking or garage parking.
Reservations: I would recommend you call or email ahead for reservations and see about seating at the bar. Don’t try to walk in cause you will be disappointed during peak hours.
Drinks: They have a list of signature drinks available only at the bar and should be tried. They also have a grand list that will take you years to try and it brought tears to my eyes. I’ve haven’t seen such a great selection in one place.
I had the Mezcal Mule and it was smooth as hell. The second drink was a Leather Apron signature drink that was something special. It was like sipping on a thousand dollar glass and smoking a cigar. Every sip was full of flavor that just lasted until the next sip. This place knows what they are doing when it comes to making cocktails.
Food: They have a rotating menu that doesn’t disappoint. We had the smoked fish with crackers that was delicious. Followed by the quail egg with garlic aioli that tasted heavenly. They brought out small snacks that complemented the drinks and were equally delicious.
Service: It has some of the best service on the island. They are attentive and willing to make recommendations that will leave you satisfied. We had two servers and they both were awesome people.
Overall: I will be stoping for a drink here more often. Everything about this place allows for a great experience that you won’t find anywhere else on the island.

DetaiIs, details, details. If you like details this place captures it all. From the signature cocktails, to the décor, to even their coasters. Their service is extraordinary. It reminds me of Japan.
Justin is a magician behind the bar. Especially with the variations on the old fashioned.
I don’t get to go out much nowadays, so when I do I look forward to a great experience. Bar Leather Apron definitely did not disappoint.

Holy cow this place is great. I’m going to do my best and give an honest, objective review.
1^st floor in the Topa financial center. When walking through the lobby you notice the glass windows with stairs leading up… some sort of bar/​lounge up there. Business men sitting in comfortable soft leather chairs talking story. Entering the bar, you are hit with soft Frank Sinatra playing over the speakers, and just the right amount of lighting… not too dark, but not too light. The hostess greets you and seats you at the bar in a chair that i can only describe as the softest and most comfortable bar stool i have ever had the pleasure of resting my fanny in.
The menus are leather bound perfection as well, with neat embossed «bar leather apron» on the covers. Drink menu is full of variants of the «old fashioned» as well as other classic cocktails like the Vesper and Sidecar. Justin Parks award winning Mai Tai is on the list of course. Drinks range between 16 – 20 dollars and I would assume that some of the more rare whiskey offerings are higher (Hibiki 21 anyone?).
The well groomed, bearded bartenders take their time when crafting your drink… and watching them do their thing is very entertaining. Mixing, and pouring, and smoking, and chilling… you can really tell that these guys know what they are doing. My «japanese old fashioned» came with a small glass of water and a porkrind as well. Not sure if it was for pairing or just a little snack to spice up my palate before indulging.
The drink upon first inspection looks like a typical old fashioned but at first sip you notice the clear ice. A very nice touch and if anyone has tried to do this themselves, one realizes just how difficult this is to achieve. The clear block of ice is not only visually pleasing, but doesnt water down the drink too much when compared to many cubes of small ice. The flavor was amazing. I have had a lot of old fashioned, and this one is the best i have ever had. Stealing first place from «The Garrett» in NYC is no easy task.
While sipping your drink, enjoy a conversation with the patron next to you, or just sit back and enjoy old blue eyes on the radio while watching Justin work his magic behind the bar. There is no TV here playing ESPN… and I REALLY hope they keep it that way.
In conclusion, a FANTASTIC proper whiskey bar that Honolulu has needed for a very long time. Like any project that Tom Park touches, the attention to detail is simply unparalleled for Hawaii. Yes its a bit pricey, but trust me that you get what you pay for. I get the feeling that next time my girlfriend wants to go clubbing, ill drop her off and cruise at BLA with the boys. Ill be back soon.

FINALLY! A proper whisky (whiskey) bar in Hawaii! A brand-​spankin’ new hidden gem located on the 1^st floor the the Topa Financial Center, BLA plays host to some of the finest whiskies around.
I went with a good friend and tried a few of their signature cocktails. Started with the BLA Old Fashioned. Because if you’re going to pride yourself in whisky, you better be able to make a damn good old fashioned. They definitely did not let me down. Did I mention that one of the mixologists there is Justin Park?! Who’s probably the most badass bartenders around! Next up for me was their Leather Soul cocktail. Likely named after co-​owner Tom Park, who owns Leather Soul. Also a VERY delicious drink containing whiskies and a tobacco infused vermouth.
My friend let me sample his Japan Old Fashioned. A Japanese inspired old fashioned that uses Hakushu 12 year over the traditional bourbon, giving it a strong «umamami» taste. He also got the famed Matcha Old Fashioned. A crazy concoction of whiskey and matcha powder that surprisingly worked.
Drinks here are pricier than your typical bar (roughly $ 10 – 20), but definitely worth it for the quality and craftsmanship.
Parking is free with validation (another HUGE plus).
Overall, definitely gonna see a nice chunk of my paychecks going to this place, but worth it for the awesome staff, cocktails, and environment. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves whisky or even wants to enjoy the world’s best cocktails. Will definitely be back as often as the wallet allows.

Finally Hawaii has a proper whiskey bar! Bar Leather Apron has the largest selection of fine and rare whiskeys in the State! This spot is a hidden gem for those who can appreciate a fine crafted cocktail, classic furnishings, and service with attention to detail. I tried 2 of their signature cocktails. «The Tavern Keeps Treasure» which was flavored with choice of wood smoke. Also tried the «Matcha Old Fashion» which uses fresh Japanese green tea to create a very unique twist to their already amazing Old fashions. #Amazing! Perfect spot in downtown if you want to take a client out for a celebratory cheers and drink after closing a deal! Check it out! I highly recommend this bar and it’s now at the top of my list! 5 stars!