Lettin' it all WANG OUT!

This past Saturday I was lucky enough to make it to the last Kon Tiki party of the season at Wang Chung's, a beach-themed night of revelry at the Asian karaoke bar.  We arrived around ten and the hole in the wall bar was packed, standing room only (which is typical at Wang's for this time on a Saturday).  Two military boys were cordial enough to give up a seat to my roomie Lia.  Their chivalry had its limits, as they then asked, rather nicely nonetheless, if they could motor-boat her.  Not tonight, boys.  Later they bought me a shot so I could catch up with them, but the effort was in vain as they were already three sheets to the wind.

To the wind I say! Thanks boys!

At any rate, I was able to get in a few standards - even with the crowd it was only about a 15-20 minute wait to get your song up.  Wang Chung's has one of the best selections of quality songs I've seen, plus a binder of "new songs" that's continually updated with new karaoke classics, from Keri Hilson to Ke$ha (still waiting to hear someone whisper "I like your beard" into the mic), to Young Money's "Bedrock," my personal favorite.

Wang's is definitely an intimate atmosphere, both because of the size of the venue and the friendly faces that work behind the bar.  Dan greets his guests by name and with a hug, and bartender Bud pours a pint of Hef  with lemon when he sees me walk in the door.  They only have two beers on tap, but one of them is Widmer Hefeweizen, and that’s all I could really ask for. The other is Sapporo.

Meanwhile, Cory whips up one of the best local kine cocktails in Waikiki, the lychee kamikaze. The mix of chilled lychee-infused vodka and lime makes for a refreshing melon taste in the end. Cory played bartender and host at the Kon Tiki party, and even managed to sing a ditty or two from behind the counter. Cory’s sister made it a family affair and brought it home with a par-for-the-course rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” sounding all expensive and shit like a young Marilyn Monroe.

Good songs, good drinks, good people. Wang’s is good to me, and she’ll be good to you too.

A typical night out Wangin’

DOA: I usually prime with a beer before I go, and let the Hef take it from there.


HAUNT OR EXORCISE: Haunt this bitch. I do.

 
WANG CHUNG’S ASIAN KARAOKE BAR
2410 Koa Avenue (Behind the Hyatt Regency)
Honolulu, HI 96815