Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant

Gordon Biersch Brewery & RestaurantGordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant
Gordon Biersch Brewery & RestaurantGordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

1 Aloha Tower Dr
Ste 1123
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813-4815
United States

// CLOSED //
BEER STATS
Average:
3.58
Beers:
115
Ratings:
3,691
Linked Beer Listing
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.84
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
21
pDev:
9.11%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of BeerAndGasMasks
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
Great location! Good views to the sunset! Marginal service, at least while I was there, I waited and waited but did not get service until I moved and one of the folks nearby mentioned that I looked thirsty! Beer was decent and well presented.
Nov 09, 2019
 
Rated: 3.89 by beersampler6 from Michigan

Oct 06, 2019
 
Rated: 3.88 by Jason_cs from Florida

Apr 02, 2019
 
Rated: 4.18 by Mongoose1972 from Hawaii

Mar 23, 2016
Photo of kkawachi
Reviewed by kkawachi from Hawaii

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Great place for happy hour, not only for the beers but the ambiance. Sit outside and enjoy the sunset! Though it's not a beach view, it has a great view of the pier. It's not that "obnoxious crowded" feel, more like a "sit back, smile and relax" vibe, which I really appreciate. I haven't tried their regular menu food items, but the happy hour food is decent. The draft beers are good, handful of choices and it is their own brews. If you are looking for more of a craftsy and extensive list of other breweries, you're not gonna find it here. But still I suggest giving this place a try, it's good!. After sunset, head inside for pool or darts or watching sports, and of course more beer.
Oct 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.55 by JISurfer from Utah

Dec 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.58 by kamikazeokami from Oregon

Dec 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by yemenmocha from Arizona

Oct 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by joelambic from Illinois

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by klink40 from Massachusetts

Jan 24, 2014
Photo of malweth
Reviewed by malweth from Rhode Island

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
A: It's a beautiful location, but this was clearly supposed to be an upscale shopping center that just didn't make it. From what I saw, GB was the only major restaurant left, and almost all the stores were empty. I'm not sure GB can last much longer at this location.

Q: Overall, I thought this was mediocre for GB. I've only been to one other (Virginia Beach). The beer at GB is always great (German to style), but the food here wasn't as good. Overall, a solid 3.

S: The service was great. Very friendly.

S: The beer selection is reasonable. 6 beers are always on, one a seasonal. This is about equal to most brew pubs I've been to.

F: As mentioned, I think the food at this location was sub-par. Virginia was more upscale - this one was just greasier overall and not the best food experience. It wasn't bad - just average all around.

V: More expensive than I would have expected for the quality, but average to cheap for typical Waikiki prices.

The location isn't great here - it's cab, bus, or drive from any spot on Waikiki. Try the Yardhouse on Lewer's for a much better spot.
May 09, 2012
Photo of mariner22
Reviewed by mariner22 from Hawaii

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
I don't really like Gordon Biersch beer. It might just be me though, because a lot of my friends enjoy it. I usually have the Marzen or the Schwartzbier or the seasonal if it is dark or flavorful.

I really like the atmosphere though. Also it has easy and affordable ($2-3 with validation) parking. I always sit outside on the large lanai which a view of the harbor. The view, the beer, the decor - the lanai is just relaxing and pleasant. Unless they have live music, then it is loud. The music is frequently quite good but it changes the atmosphere. You can move inside if it's too loud.

The food is hit or miss. Some items (the tapas, seared ahi salad) are great and others (salmon salad) I couldn't bear to finish. The service has always been good. The prices are a bit high, even for Honolulu.

Also, football fans beware, they have a DirectTV banner that says they show ever NFL game. That might be true but it doesn't do you much good since they don't open in time for the majority of the games.
Jan 25, 2011
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Located at the end of a pier overlooking Honolulu Harbor and across from the HI Maritime Center & Museum. I transited said pier, ascended a few steps right, transited the restaurant seating area, and looked around, bewildered. The main entrance was on the outer side of the building (!?!) and had I come in through that entry, the m.d.s. would have been right, a T-shirt display case left, and the red-marbled topped, inverted "L"-shaped bar left and extending right along the back wall. The back bar was a curious amalgam of tiki masks, steins, wine storage, and in the back left corner, the brewhouse behind glass. I sat at the bar for a couple of beers, but the allure of the harbor became too strong and so I went outside for one more, just to gaze on the harbor and think about nothing in particular.
Dec 24, 2009
Photo of gruvn
Reviewed by gruvn from Canada (NS)

3.8/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I like this location a lot - right on the waterfront. It's a huge open place - a bit like a classy warehouse.

It gets a bit busy, and if you're there in the afternoon or early evening, you should sit on the lanai. Later on, there's often a band playing. At least twice when we were there, the music was so loud that we couldn't hear eachother across the table, so we got in the habit of asking if there was going to be "entertainment", and being seated accordingly.

The food is good. The garlic fries are indeed garlic-y. The sweet and spicy cashew chicken stir fry was my favourite.

The beer selection is good - I never had anything I didn't enjoy. Far and away my favourite was the Winterbock - a Doppelbock seasonal. In fact, it's so good that I'm starting a doppelbock myself this week. If that's not availabl, the Dunkles is tasty too!

The place is pretty pricey, even by Hawaii standards, but not enough to keep me from coming back multiple times! ;)
Jan 11, 2009
Photo of Bierguy5
Reviewed by Bierguy5 from Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Stopped in for dinner one evening while on vacation. There is some waterfront seating available. The place was pretty empty, which seemed a bit odd. Decorated like many other in the chain.

Beer was pretty good. GB seems to be pretty consistent from location to location. The standard blonde, marzen, hefeweizen, and dunkle were available. No seasonal present.

Our server was very friendly and efficient. Food was good, pretty standard GB menu, with a few different dishes suited for the location, such a ahi and kaula pork.

A bit pricey, but seemed to be worth it.
Sep 29, 2007
Photo of July2Nov
Reviewed by July2Nov from Virginia

4/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A: It's Hawaii for god's sake. We all set out on the lanai and were able to take in the scenery of the ocean.
Q: Quality? Everything seemed good.
S: Are waiter was very attentive and quick with suggestions. He helped me to score a beer mug...so he's tops in my book!
S: The Beer selection included: Golden Export, Hefeweizen, Marzen, Dunkles, Blonde Bock and thier seasonal, Festbier (september). Would have been nice to have a sampler though.
F: Pu-pus, burgers, salads, seafood, pasta, pizza and dessert.Had the fish and chips and the garlic fires (had huge pieces of garlic in it...I'm talking clove sizes). I can still feel the garlic on my breathe after 3 hrs.
V: A bit pricey: 2 beers, a main dish and a beer mug cost $35. Hey it's Hawaii, what else do you expect.
Sep 22, 2007
Photo of atigerlife
Reviewed by atigerlife from Hawaii

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
12/06 update: Just had their Winter Bock. Best of their beers. Quite nice and warming. On the food side, I can no longer recommend the calamari....really gone downhill. Service also going south.

Original post:
I've been to this GB many times. It is located right near downtown. No free parking, but welcome to Honolulu!

There is an outside bar which is usually crowded. They sometimes have live entertainment, which really makes the bar much better. Though outside, there is not a "view". It is an industrial harbor, so don't expect beach and palm trees.

The service has usually been good. It can get quite crowded outside, so occasionally the service has suffered. There is also seating for dinner inside as well as another bar inside.

The food is fine, though inconsistent. I would highly recommend the garlic fries and calamari. Unfortunately, they no longer serve regular cocktail sauce, so you have to go with some aioli [cocktail sauce is much better].

The beer is good, though nothing to get too excited about. I usually stick with the Marzen. The blonde bock is also fine.

Overall, a nice place to sit outside, have a decent beer, eat some fries/calamari and watch a local band. Not bad at all.
Nov 26, 2005
Photo of hopsaplenty
Reviewed by hopsaplenty from District of Columbia

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
Located right on the water with fantastic views all around. My first Gordon Biersch experience and I was pleased with both the beer and the food.

They only brew lagers, and we enjoyed their Marzen, Golden, Dunkles, and Blonde Bock. Nice and tasty on the warm afternoon we were there sitting on their outside patio.

We heard the garlic fries were over the top and they were. Perfect, with big chunks of fresh garlic in every bite. You could smell them before our waiter brought them. We also enjoyed the drunken poke which is basically ahi tuna sashimi with some julienned veggies.

Our waiter was good and not overly intrusive and did not seem to mind that we were lingering over our beers and appetizers, enjoying a perfect day.
Nov 02, 2005
Photo of HardTarget
Reviewed by HardTarget from Texas

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 3
The other reviews hit the highlights here.
Upscale place. There was a MAJOR yacht moored right next to the place. Our waiter, a good guy from Texas, told us it was Paul Allen's (co-Microsoft owner) boat. Easy 10 million, anyway....
Atmosphere is very upscale in an upscale area. My bank wasn't comfortable with me sitting down in the place. It is kind of pushing the clean stone look. Hard, cold, hard to really feel welcome, but nice. Our waiter started us with the complimentary sampler, all of which was pretty good. Waiter took the time to explain the styles, knew his beer stuff, and took good care of us. Selection was a bit limited. All lagers, only 5 styles.
Overall, I'd give the place a pretty good rating. If you are in the area, check it out. If you are elsewhere on the island, no need to make the trip, just pick up the bottles elsewhere.
Dec 10, 2004
Photo of Dukeofearl
Reviewed by Dukeofearl from California

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
I have visited a couple of Gorden Biersch breweries and tried their bottled beers on several occasions, and I have not yet been able to really fall in love with their products. Are they good? Yes. Are they something I want to go back for, not really.

Having said this, I really like this place. Yes, it's for tourists. But I worked in the building across the street for a while, and would bypass the much more crass and even more touristy Hooters and go here for pupus (appetizers) and beer after work, and what a place it is. Maybe my experience was different in that I was acting like a haole local, I was with locals, but I was treated pretty well.

There is little to improve in its atmosphere. It is in the historic Aloha Tower complex, where all the Cruise ships historically docked coming to Hawaii, and it's next to the major port area for the islands. So sitting outside in the tropical breezes watching the sunset and seeing all these huge container ships, foreign military ships docking for leave, etc. while the sun sets is a life-remembering treat.

And the food is pretty good- an island-induced variation on standard pub faire that is a lot of fun to try. And I can sip the Marzen and relax, which is what this place is really all about for me.
Mar 19, 2004
Photo of kunzbrew
Reviewed by kunzbrew from Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
This place was the best Brewpub in all of Hawaii. The garlic fries you could smell from 3 blocks away. Outdoor seating right on the water, but view was blocked by all the piers. The service was great the wait staff was very knowledgable of all beers that are brewed there. The beer was very good, all the styles matched very well. The beer was also very cheap for Hawaii standards.
Aloha
Oct 03, 2002
Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant in Honolulu, HI
Brewery rating: 3.58 out of 5 with 3691 ratings