Whole Foods Market / Puka's Bar

Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

4211 Waialae Ave
Ste 2000
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816-5340
United States

(808) 738-0820 | map
wholefoodsmarket.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
15
pDev:
9%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Noxious26:
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Reviewed by Noxious26 from Canada (SK)

3.49/5  rDev -12.8%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
Visited the Whole Foods in the Kahala Mall. Selection was very good considering you're on Oahu in the middle of the ocean.

Beer cooler is on your left past the produce as you enter the front door. Best parking is on the roof of the mall then you can take an elevator down into the store. Lots of import singles and single bombers available. Lots of local Hawaii beers as well.

Price is higher than Foodland but you'll find a better selection and higher quality.

Unless you're looking for something specific, I'd hit somewhere else first.
Feb 05, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.69 by beersampler6 from Michigan

Oct 06, 2019
Photo of dave_ackbar
Reviewed by dave_ackbar from Hawaii

3.48/5  rDev -13%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Spent many a Thursday night here over the years. Always great selection of beers.

Unfortunately the staff don’t know much about the selections, so a little bit of knowledge about the beers helps.

Food is good because it’s Whole Foods so there are a ton of choices.
Oct 15, 2017
Photo of ManapuaMan
Reviewed by ManapuaMan from Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Ubiquitous beer section that reminds you you're at a Whole Foods. Not getting much character but you are getting quality, chilled beer. Nice to see most all beers were in the cooler. All the beers I checked out were dated within the past three months, which isn't easy for Hawaii. Great selection of West Coast brews - Lost Coast, Gigantic, Breakside, Sierra, Knee Deep, sixers of Deschutes and Coronado for starters. Prices are always a buck or two more but if they're bad the return policy is spot on. Lots of Japanese beers I never heard of. Great spot.
Aug 25, 2016
Photo of Roguer
Reviewed by Roguer from Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Pretty good selection of beer for a grocery store. Aside from a large selection of Japanese options, most brews are the same you can get on the mainland, albeit at slightly higher prices. However, there were some harder to find beers here, as well.

I wouldn't pick Whole Foods specifically for a beer run, with the close proximity to better liquor stores nearby, but it definitely is a good spot if you're on a grocery run. Having Puka's inside is excellent, too, if you want to grab a pint, some grub, and/or a growler to go.
Oct 29, 2015
 
Rated: 4.38 by Kerrrie from Hawaii

Sep 29, 2015
 
Rated: 4.43 by Abbbp from Texas

Apr 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.54 by JISurfer from Utah

Sep 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)

Aug 20, 2014
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Reviewed by JamLand from District of Columbia

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.25
A - It's a Whole Foods. If you've been in one, then you've been in most of them. I'm from Austin, so this store is on the smaller side.

S - I was not addressed by any Whole Foods employee while I was looking at their beer selection.

Sel - Of the groceries stores, I've been to on Oahu, they have the best selection. Nothing overly unique from Foodland, but just a better overall selection.

V - Depending on the beer, the cheapest on the Island. They had Black Butte XVI for $14.99. However, some of the local beers were more expensive than some of Honolulu's grocery stores.

Overall, I'd recommend checking this place out if you are in the area and looking for a better selection than Safeway, just don't expect to find anything too special sitting around.
Aug 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Resuin from Massachusetts

Dec 17, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by williamjbauer from Colorado

Oct 31, 2013
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Reviewed by Devi0us from California

4.14/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Upon coming to these islands, I knew there was a Whole Foods. Every store that I entered, I somehow ended up looking at the beer selection. I always left the stores empty handed and disappointed to say the least.

All I could think about was Whole Foods because I knew they had good beer there. By the time night was falling, I wanted a beer and I wanted one bad. I was like Fuck It, I ended up taking a cab there which ended up being a limo. Damn, I'm taking a damn limo to Whole Foods.

When I entered, I went straight to the beer section. I immediately seen some Cantillon Kreik and grabbed a couple of bottles for my girl. I grabbed a couple of Rochefort 10 for myself. As I searched all the shelves, something caught my eye. There were 6 Old Rasputin XI. Could this be? I had a hard enough time finding the Old Rasputin XII in Cali. This was definitely a surprise. I grabbed 3 bottles, 1 for the hotel and 2 to take home with me.

I've seen a better selection at other Whole Foods in Cali but you can't complain when your in the Hawaiian Islands. I don't think that there are too many BA's over here and the beer specialist said that the distribution was limited. Overall, my experience was a good one except for the damn cab fair...the price I pay for good beer.
Jun 04, 2011
Photo of mariner22
Reviewed by mariner22 from Hawaii

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
I buy beer mostly from Tamura's and Whole Foods. Tamura's is cheaper than Whole Foods but Whole Foods has many beers that Tamura's doesn't carry (particularly 750ml sizes or singles). Whole Foods frequently has the Deschuttes Brewery seasonals or reserve series beers that Tamura's either never gets or doesn't restock. During Craft Beer Week in July they have a beer tasting each day and put the beers they are tasting on sale. The guys doing the beer tasting vary in expertise (one was super informed and helpful, the next day the lady running the tasting confessed to be a "wine person"). I've never asked their employees for advice or assistance but I've heard that they have some guys who are knowledgeable and passionate.
Jan 25, 2011
Photo of hooliganlife
Reviewed by hooliganlife from Missouri

4.65/5  rDev +16.3%
this was my gem when i was on this side of the island. massive cooler selection with cases piled around. a nice shelf of belgian imports including trappist ales, cantillon, and other belgian ales. i as quite pleased to find Ballast Point Sculipin, and 2 cases of it, for $10 a piece. They still have Deschutes Mirror Mirror and Jubel 2010 in stock. tons of other Ballast Point and Deschutes offerings as well as Kona and Maui. prices were actually cheaper than most other places which is weird for whole foods. overall, best place i have been too on this island thus far.
Aug 08, 2010
Whole Foods Market / Puka's Bar in Honolulu, HI
Place rating: 4 out of 5 with 15 ratings