Ryan's Grill at Ward Centre

Ryan's Grill at Ward CentreRyan's Grill at Ward Centre
Ryan's Grill at Ward CentreRyan's Grill at Ward Centre
Bar, Eatery

1200 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814-4271
United States

(808) 591-9132 | map
ryansgrill.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.9
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
7
pDev:
5.9%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
 
Rated: 3.65 by StanleysCup from Maryland

Apr 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.9 by kamikazeokami from Oregon

Dec 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Resuin from Massachusetts

Feb 20, 2014
Photo of warmstorage
Reviewed by warmstorage from California

3.73/5  rDev -4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Much of Honolulu between downtown and Waikiki seems like a series of weird quasi-outdoor malls, and Ryan's is located in one of these. We also visited in 2008, went back a couple days ago. I like Ryan's fine, but if this is the best beer selection on the island, that's a little sad.

Another reviewer did a good job at listing their draft selections which were far better than the average bar in Honolulu, but only had a couple things which really interested me, both of which were "seasonal". I had Deschutes Jubel, which was served a little to the warm side of cellar. The only other draft that really interested me was Maui's Mana Wheat, but I knew I could get this elsewhere, as well as in cans (see separate review.)

My Jubel was $5.50 for a 16 ounce draft, no discount for happy hour. Their happy hour pricing doesn't really make a ton of sense, since the better beers aren't available at HH prices, only BMC crap. Ms. Warmstorage had a very nice mai tai for $4 (HH pricing.) It says a lot about the mediocre beer selection on tap that for my second drink I chose a mai tai instead of another beer.

The appetizers were delicious, all half price for happy hour: delicious greasy onion rings, very tasty "Jamaican Jerk" fries, and wonderful edamame with a slightly sweet sauce and red pepper flakes. All excellent value at HH prices, and not half-sized. Not sure it'd such a great value at regular prices.

Other have described the interior space well; we sat out on the lovely outdoor patio that overlooks Ala Moana Blvd, and has limited views of the marina and Pacific Ocean.

Service was initially weak, but I think our server was on break: we were seated, and then sat there for almost ten minutes before our server came out. When he came out, though, he was fantastic, friendly, helpful, offered a taste of the Jubel (which he had no idea what it was: he thought it was its own style.) But super personable, Island-style friendliness. We tipped almost 40%.

On balance, a nice pub and beer bar, and excellent by Honolulu standards, but a lot of crap and semi-crap on tap, and an overall underwhelming selection. Nevertheless, I'll go back (probably today!) for the excellent happy hour prices.
Nov 30, 2010
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
On the second floor of Ward Centre. Entering, there was no m.d.s., per se, but a greeter stood by a railing with the bar area to the left and the kitchen running down the right wall. The "U"-shaped, light marble-topped bar ran along the left side of the space. The bar area included a mix of high tables and chairs along with standard restaurant tables and chairs, all up a couple of steps. At floor level, heading aft and right was the restaurant area, much of it window tables overlooking Ala Moana Boulevard. The back bar held an impressive array of liquor, including the elusive Johnnie Walker Blue.

Beers: 20 taps, only 3 BMC. 25 bottles - 11 of which were not worthy. However, per their menu, theirs was "one of the most extensive beer selections on the island". As a former logistician, I am hip to the difficulties of keeping an island locale stocked with anything, let alone beer in bottles. I was, however, disappointed that Primo Island Lager was not on, despite being listed.
Dec 24, 2009
Photo of birddogg66
Reviewed by birddogg66 from Hawaii

4.35/5  rDev +11.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
We went to Honolulu last weekend from the Big Island. We were SUPER impressed. An easy bus ride from Waikiki, on the 3rd floor of the Ward Center. Ryan's had a nice beer selection, for Hawai'i, and the liquor selection was tremendous. Our server was very helpful, didn't know a lot about the beer, but hey what a great opportunity to meet the bartender. I am a bartender on the BI myself so I am a little lienient when its comes to service. The pupu list was wonderful, and our server really sold me on the Opah (butterfish) special for the night. I only came in to have some suds, and a nice pupu. I left with after having a full dinner, and a Paulander Salvador. If you are ever in Honolulu and want a nice beer and app. go check out Ryan's. I really think it's great, and if you don't at least Brew Moon is right next door. Try the bus too. It's $2 and goes throughout the city, plus it runs until 10:00. Drink and ride, don't drink and drive. Aloha
Oct 10, 2007
Photo of atigerlife
Reviewed by atigerlife from Hawaii

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
If you want a place to relax, have a decent beer and eat some good pupus [appetizers], then this is the best place in town. Consistently rated as the best place to go for pau hana [finished work] pupus. I certainly go here more than any other place.

They are open for lunch and dinner. Happy hour is 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. It is an open kitchen if you want to watch flames flying.

There is a very large bar area with very comfortable chairs and tables. Almost always space to just walk in and sit down. They also have an outside lanai [balcony] area [good for smokers] that is also quite large. Probably around 15 seats at the bar itself. So, this place is built for drinks and pupus.

There is also a dining area, but I much prefer just to sit in the bar area. Dinners are OK, but nothing special. My recommendation is to just sit in the bar area and relax. You can also order regular meals in the bar area, though the pupus are the star of this place.

Their pupus are great and go with nicely with beer. Prices range $5-$15. A nice sampler for $17 [buffalo chicken wings, potstickers, kalbi short ribs [great]]. My favorites are: onion rings, crab & artichoke dip, ahi tartare, lettuce cups, roast duck steam buns, french onion soup and pea salad. Plenty of others to choose from.

They also have a variety of salads, sandwhiches, pasta, pizza, hamburgers and desserts.

Let's talk alcohol. They have a huge liquor selection...but that is for another site. One of the best beer selections in Honolulu [which isn't really saying much]. They have around 20 beers on tap: killians, Sam Adams, Anchor Steam, Pyramid, Bass, Kona, Godon Biersch, Deschuttes Black, Guiness,and other rotating selections. They also have around 25 bottled beers: Hacke Beck, Chimay red, Pilsner Urquell, negor Modelo, Fisher Amber, Birra Moretti, Grolsch, Spaten Optimator, Franziskaner, etc.

A couple of times a year they have "fests" and their beer selection multiplies. They have a "beers of the world" fest and a "BBQ" type fest. Good time to go and sample a much larger selection of brew.

Overall, if you are in Honolulu, this is a great place to go for a cold beer and pupus. Very relaxing. Service is usually good. You can check them out at: www.r-u-i.com/rya/

Cheers!
Mar 18, 2006
Ryan's Grill at Ward Centre in Honolulu, HI
Place rating: 3.9 out of 5 with 7 ratings