Kai

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101 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401

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(310) 434-1511
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Reviews
( 25 )
( 13 )
( 6 )
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( 13 )

Best

I love how the makai serves absinthe, and they do it with the sugar cube and the spoon and everything! i love watching their mixologists throughout the entire process of making th...

Worst

I came here for a friend's birthday with about 10 people, with a reservation. It was a crowded bar scene with people spilling over into the dinning area. The manager asked us to l...

Get new bouncers, Ma'Kai! 12/10/2005

The bouncers here have horrible attitudes. Don't bother w/making a reservation or being on the list; first you'll be rudely told there is no list, next you'll be told that you're not on it, and finally about 20 minutes later you'll be bitched at for arriving too late (even though your group paid $$ for bottle service). This place makes Hollywood clubs shine - when you're on the list for Cabana Club or Vanguard, the bouncers are cool, you don't have to wait, and the promoters bring in a much better crowd... more
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a spontaneous stop-in 10/21/2005

We wanted to chill on Thursday night and we happened upon Makai while walking. At the bar, we were immediately greeted warmly and attentively (all males bartending that night). Their martini of the day, mango, was generously fresh, w/good vodka, & no added sweetener. The rib appetizer arrived quickly- a full rack ($15)! Not over-sauced, perfectly cooked, falling off the bones, tasty, and abundant. Honestly, we were surprised. ALL the bartenders took such great care of us without prompting; extra cloth napkins were provided, complete with lemons for cleaning. Drinks were immediately replenished, and were always available for my silly questions. I mentioned to the bartenders how surprised I was to be in a ""trendy"" L.A. restaurant that was so friendly, attentive, and unpretentious. I can't say anything for the gals that worked there- they worked the restaurant side. They didn't smile as much as the bartenders, though. more
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Agua Luca Mojitos - Amazing!!! 10/6/2005

Ma'Kai is always on the cutting edge of what's hip and what's new. They probably have the best cocktail menu in the city with incredible appetizers. I highly recommnend their sushi. They have a very hard to find Brazilian rum (cachaca) called Agua Luca. Agua Luca mojitos are probably the best in town. The rum is made from fresh sugar cane apparently so it has more of a refined taste. I definitely recommend the mojitos here but if you want to be on the cutting edge ask for Agua Luca as this rum is imported from Brazil and they don't charge you more for the drink. Try and secure a spot on the Ocean Ave patio too. Pros: Agua Luca mojitos, patio, sushi more
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Avoid this Terrible Scene 9/2/2005

I decided to give the westside a shot and have a birthday gathering here - big mistake. We were booted out of our table by a sour faced cropped top hostess that literally said, ""whatever, I'll take your order now, I don't care what you do."" One friend had to eat his order sitting on a chair with the food in his lap while empty tables were available. For claiming to be laid back island style, this was the most uptight, uncomfortable and annoying experience I have had. Big disappointment. Oh, and the food is not even worth discussing. Lesson learned. more
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Nice atmosphere, awful food 7/14/2005

Went with friends for dinner and a few overpriced weak drinks. The food is terrible. The tropical salad was gross - with blueberries, strawberries and way too much goat cheese. The ribs were ok, the cod was bland and the lava chicken was dry. The asparagus wrapped in steak was interesting. Service was good and waiters were friendly, bartenders were surly. Overall it was a little too Hollywood for a laid back oceanview Santa Monica location. Pros: beautiful people Cons: beautiful people, crowded, overpriced more
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The beauty of it all... 7/4/2005

Here's the truth: If you want a night club, go to a night club, if you want Hollywood, go to Hollywood. If you want a hip place with great music and a nice atmosphere, go to Ma'Kai Lounge in Santa Monica. Everyone from the Doormen to the Bartenders are great. If you don't like waiting in line on a busy night, get there earlier. I have absolutely no complaints about Ma'Kai, it's a nice place to hang out. The food is good, the drinks are great. Pros: Good Drinks, Friendly Doormen, Good Music Cons: Too Many Guys, Too Few Women more
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A relaxing aftertoon at Ma'Kai 6/24/2005

I came to Ma'Kai around 4:30 on a friday afternoon to have some drinks. It was so great. We sat outside by the firepit and the ""island"" atmosphere set the mood. The people there were so mellow and the whole feeling was just relaxed. We had the signature mojito, the mandarin cosmopolitan, and pina colada which were all great! Especially the mojitos. The drinks were only $5.50 each because it was early and our server was so attentive, kind, and professional. We had a great afternoon and stayed for almost two hours! I would highly recommend this place because the atmosphere is cool, the drinks are great, and the staff is very nice! Pros: Staff, Value, Atmosphere more
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great new spot 6/15/2005

I went here to meet a friend, and was pleasantly surprised. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were really nice. I ordered asparagus wrapped steak as an appetizer, which was great!I have never ate anything like this before, and thought it was amazing. The scene was cool. It is a slightly older crowd (30s), but fun none-the-less. I would definitely go back here, despite the fact that it is a little pricey. Order the asparagus....you'll thank me! Pros: asparagus steak app., nice ambiance Cons: older guys more
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TERRIBLE! 6/14/2005

Absolutely the worst experience. This place thinks it can hang with the hottest, hippest Hollywood restaurants, but in reality is nothing more than another one of those crappy hotspots that will just fade away in the next year. The bouncers think they're God and feel it's necessary to hold a line when the place is 3/4 full. What a waste of time. You're better off heading over to Main St. so you don't have to deal with that L.A. attitude. Oh yes, the bouncers kept letting packs of dudes because they were desperate enough to grease them. The look they must have had on their face when all they saw were other desperate sausages. more
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Trendy and Expensive 6/8/2005

Eat before you get here, or bring a boatload of money to pay for food and drinks!! Pros: Wait Staff Cons: Food Prices, Drink Prices, Food portions more
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A Meat Market for the Average-Looking Older Crowd 5/15/2005

First of all, a beautiful bar/patio/restaurant. But the dance floor was too small, it was too crowded, and the people were an older, not-so-beautiful-but-OK-dressed crowd. But it's such a meat market. If you do want to go someplace on the Westside to pick up on average-looking 30-40-somethings, this is the place to be. The music was OK. Sitting on the patio with your friends around the firepit at sunset is highly recommended though. more
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Great night out with a great crowd 5/10/2005

A fun night out with a great place to have a drink and mix with celebs... this is the place t o be seen in Santa Monica more
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Skip dinner and go for the drinks 4/13/2005

My friends and I went here once on a Saturday night and the crowd was good, late 20s early 30s. Good drinks but they are a bit pricey. My second time at Makai I went for dinner and the food was bad, really bad, and the service even worse. So my reco, go for the drinks and skip dinner! Trust me on this one. more
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It's Hawaiian for 'seaward' 3/24/2005

The name of the restaurant, that is, and it gives a little indication as to the feel of the place. The fire pits outside and the tropical feel inside, along with its location near the beach, make it a relaxing place to go. It's also a ""see and be seen"" type of place, especially on weekend nights, when it can get packed, so arrive early if you want a good spot to take in the proceedings. more
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Terrific crowd, terrific scene... at a price 3/14/2005

And a steep price it is. Albeit complete with a great looking crowd at a wonderful oceanside location, Ma'kai has little to offer in terms of value for food. If you're hungry, do a little pre-dinner around the corner at Santa Monica Place, then get dolled up and go in for the steep drinks. Inventive and original, you'll get some good martini's and tasty mojito's to sip alongside the ready-to-mingle crowd. Looking good's a must, and make sure your wallet can handle this night out too. Two drinks, two really light appetizers came out stealing $50 from me! Pros: atmosphere, valet Cons: expensive more
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Went for dinner with a group 3/9/2005

Not one person enjoyed dinner. the majority walked away feeling too much salt in our mouths and dissatisfied more
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The Worst Food 3/1/2005

The food was really awful. 4 pieces of boiled chicken on skewers was $10 - the same chicken it seems, was used in the chicken lettuce wraps which tasted like your grandmother's fricasee...the sushi was the blandest, least favorful I've ever had. And to top it off, the cocktails are expensive. It may be a great bar scene, but not if you're hungry. AND no Saki. more
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Nice New Spot in SM! 1/10/2005

This review is for the bar, only! I heard the food is marginal, at best, but I won't be reviewing it for I have yet to try it. I definitely really like this place. Drinks are good and reasonable for a 'nicer' establishment. I went on a Saturday and was pretty impressed with the crowd..........lots of pretty, friendly girls, who were more on the professional side (not the hollywood actor/model wannabees). The line gets a little long, so i'd suggest you arrive prior to 10:30. Pros: crowd, atmosphere more
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AWFUL FOOD, LACKLUSTER SERVICE 1/5/2005

While this place has a nice ambience, great looking crowd and fun drink menu, the service and food leave a lot to be desired. I'd be interested to read what food critics think of the place. The salad I had was limp and fishy tasting, and the entree had an awful, overwhelming sauce. My husband's food was similarly unsatisfying. Our waitress was really not concerned about the poor food quality and taste, however--she did not come by to inquire about it until after we'd finished. This might be a nice place for a happy hour (as long as you don't mind $10 drink prices), but go someplace else for food or you'll be very disappointed. Pros: decor, drink variety Cons: , bad service, bad value more
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Very nice! 12/4/2004

I went to Kai last night and had a blast. very crowded, cool people to chat with. great atmosphere, great people, great drinks. Nice bartenders that take care of you. Very cool new place to hang out. My friends and I agree, we'll go back for sure. Pros: valet, good drinks, great ambience more
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Menu for Kai


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Located in the former Rebecca's location, this Polynesian lounge is close to trendy bars, the Promenade and the Pacific. There's now an open fire pit and a water screen on which...

  • 10/22/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, West LA
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