7 Best Nightlife in Maui, Hawaii

This place redefines the luau by crossing it with Islands-style fine dining in an intimate beach setting. Each course of this succulent sit-down meal represents the Pacific Island cultures—Hawaiian, Samoan, Maori, Tahitian—featured onstage. Wine, spirits, and cocktail options are copious and go beyond the usual tropical concoctions. Lahaina's gorgeous sunset serves as the backdrop to the show, which forgoes gimmicks and pageantry for an authentic expression of Polynesian chants and dances. Lele, by the way, is the traditional name for Lahaina.

Considered the best luau on Maui, it's certainly the most traditional. Sitting either at a table or on a lauhala (mat made of leaves), you can dine on Hawaiian cuisine such as pork laulau (wrapped with taro sprouts in ti leaves), ahi poke (raw yellowfin tuna salad), lomi lomi salmon (traditional Hawaiian diced side dish), and haupia (coconut pudding). At sunset, the historical journey touches on the arrival of the Polynesians, the influence of missionaries and, later, the advent of tourism. Talented performers will charm you with beautiful music, powerful chanting, and a variety of hula styles, from kahiko, the ancient way of communicating with the gods, to auana, the modern hula. You won't see fire dancers here, as they aren't considered traditional. This luau sells out regularly, so make reservations before your trip to Maui.

By Kaanapali Beach, this luau shines in every category—convenient parking, well-made food, and a nicely paced program that touches on Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Fijian, Tongan, and Maori cultures. Some guests get tickled by the onstage audience hula tutorial. The finale features three fire-knife dancers. You'll feast on delicious Hawaiian delicacies like teriyaki steak, oven-roasted mahimahi (dolphinfish), and Pacific ahi poke (pickled raw yellowfin tuna, tossed with herbs and seasonings). The dessert spread consists of chocolate and coconut indulgences. An open bar offers beer, seltzer, wine, and standard tropical mixes.

Grand Wailea’s spectacular luau features traditional ceremonies, music, and dishes such as poi, kalua pig, poke, and haupia. Guests can sit at their own private table overlooking Wailea Beach for an unforgettable evening filled with interactive entertainment, hula lessons, and amazing performances that showcase the myths and legends of Maui all in their colorful, fiery glory. Seating includes standard and Alii premium seating.

Te Au Moana means "ocean tide," which is all you need to know about the simply breathtaking backdrop for this South Maui luau at Wailea Beach Resort. The tasty family-style dinner serves a three-course dinner that includes variety of local staples and desserts, as well as an open bar. Longtime local entertainment company Tihati Productions seamlessly intertwines ancient Hawaiian stories and contemporary songs with traditional hula and Polynesian dances, concluding with a jaw-dropping solo fire-knife dance.

The oceanfront Aloha Pavilion at the Westin provides a picturesque setting for this Polynesian feast. Seating is family style, and on a first-come basis, although premium tickets get reserved seating and slightly better views. A buffet of traditional dishes such as kalua pork and ahi poke (pickled raw yellowfin tuna salad) precede the dessert spread. The performance showcases stories of the demi-god Maui, traditional costumes, hula kahiko, and a pulse-raising fire-knife dance finale.