An alfresco pau hana with pupus, drinks

B&T Ceviche ($5 happy hour, $8.50 regular) and Berry Bourbon Smash ($5 happy hour)

BY KAREN IWAMOTO

There’s no shortage of happy hour options in Honolulu, but Bakery & Table at the corner of South King and Piikoi streets is the only one in the area that boasts relaxed, airy outdoor seating that’s perfect for unwinding after a long day of work.

The restaurant’s ground-floor bakery offers Japanese-style baked goods and pastries, but head to the second level to find a spacious terrace complete with water walls, floor-to-ceiling art and a cozy lounge area with comfy couches and a fire-pit table for the pau hana crowd.

“It gets magical around 5:30 when the sun sets,” describes restaurant manager Royce Arakaki. “You don’t feel like you’re on Piikoi Street.”

Seared Tuna Poke Tartare ($5 happy hour, $12 regular)

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During happy hour, beer is $2; wine and cocktails are $5. The cocktails rotate monthly. Featured this month are Berry Bourbon Smash, with a mix of blackberries, raspberries and other berries on hand; German Chocolate Cake, a blend of vodka and Godiva chocolate; and Gold Mango Margarita, with Jose Cuervo Gold tequila and lime.

All pupus, including Fried Calamari, Shrimp Cocktail and Chilled King Crab Legs (two pieces per order) also are $5 during happy hour.

But the highlight is the chilled seafood bar: Oysters ($5 for three during happy hour; $15 half-dozen, $27 dozen); B&T Ceviche ($5 happy hour, $8.50 regular), a daily selection of seafood in lime juice and a secret marinade that imparts it with a subtle Japanese flavor; and Seared Tuna Poke Tartar ($5 happy hour, $12 regular) served on a bed of avocado with the restaurant’s original truffle sesame sauce.

Oysters ($5 for three during happy hour; $15 half dozen, $27 for a dozen)

The emphasis is on fresh ingredients that change daily depending on what’s available from the market.

Be sure to come early — happy hour runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday — because the lounge area fills up quickly. Those who want to linger longer should consider booking a dinner reservation and exploring more of the eatery’s Pacific Rim dishes.

Bakery & Table

938 Piikoi St., Honolulu
592-7777
Restaurant: Lunch: Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner: Tuesday-Sunday, 5:30-9 p.m.
Bakery: Tuesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Mondays