Encore Saloon

Go south of the border in Honolulu’s Chinatown

Opening in fall 2016, Encore Saloon was a welcome culinary addition to Chinatown’s flourishing bar and restaurant scene. 

The bar bills itself as a tequila- and mezcal-focused bar serving Mexican-inspired food. 

It’s worth a visit for both the drinks and food. 

Encore Saloon’s drink menu is impressive: There are more 30 varieties of tequila and mezcal, a type of Mexican liquor distilled from agave plants, not to mention house made cocktails, margaritas even slushies. 

The house-crafted Otra Salon is made with mezcal, spiced vermouth, curacao, grapefruit liqueur, lime and campari sea salt and goes down smooth. 

But the drinks aren’t all that’s notable. 

Both the pork carnitas and the chicken mole street style tacos are solid choices, and come in sets of two. 

If you want something more substantial, order the Grime Time Nachos with your choice of meat and fried beans, cheese, jalapeño and house-made salsa.