Mauis best beach bars

​Bumbye Beach Bar at Andaz Maui

Located steps from secluded Mokapu Beach on Maui's south-west coast, Bumbye Beach Bar epitomises casual chic with its sleek beechwood exteriors, surf-inspired art and toes-in-the-sand appeal. Throw in trendy young clientele – it's located at the hip Andaz Maui resort – and serious artisan cocktails, and you've got the coolest beach bar in Wailea. Though it's located within the hotel's sprawling beachfront pool area, non-guests are welcome to drink and dine, too: the bar menu offers crowd-pleasing tapas like pork fries and summer rolls to complement a long list of signature cocktails. Order the Honua'ula, a delicious but potent blend of Amaro, tequila, rum, pineapple, lime and raspberries.

Ohia Bar at Duke's Beach House

The Maui outpost of the infamous Duke's Waikiki waves its kitsch flag proudly: thatched umbrellas, tiki torches, a live ukulele band crooning "Aloha Oe" – and that's precisely why you're here. Duke's is classic Hawaii, from the lilikoi shrimp to its coconut-based cocktails, crafted strictly using ingredients from local Maui farms. Though it's located on buzzy Ka'anapali Beach – mere steps from its ultrafine white sand – it's on the beach's quieter northern end and far enough away from tourist-congested Whaler's Village to feel fairly secluded. Insider tip: Pop in between 3pm and sunset to enjoy Ohia Bar's half-price Aloha Hour.

Serenity Pool Bar at Four Seasons Resort Maui

With sweeping views over Wailea Beach and a swim-up bar, the Serenity Pool Bar at Four Seasons Maui takes relaxation to a whole other level. Guests can enjoy their cocktails either inside the ocean-facing pool (which, for the record, plays music underwater) or on a sprawling poolside terrace overlooking the West Maui mountain range and the island of Lanai. The bar offers a formidable wine and beer list and 18 cocktails – think classics like mojitos and margaritas, but with a Hawaiian twist. Though it might sound clichéd, don't skip the Mai Tai, served in a scooped-out pineapple garnished with a lime wedge and cocktail umbrella.

Hula Grill and Barefoot Bar

Built in a 1930s plantation house accented with hula figurines and koa-wood canoes, Hula Grill attracts tourists and locals alike with its throwback Maui vibe, kitschy charm and prime Ka'anapali Beach location. Guests can drink and dine barefoot in the sand beneath roomy palapa umbrellas or at the thatched roof bar itself (get there before 5pm in order to snag a decent sunset viewing spot). The menu, created by the legendary Hawaiian chef Peter Merriman, highlights seasonal local cuisine and plenty of fresh seafood to pair with the bar's selection of light, fruit-forward cocktails. Don't miss their signature Lava Flow, a piña colada laced with homemade strawberry or mango purée.

Sea House Restaurant and Bar

Sea House might be known for its great food and picturesque oceanfront setting – it's perched on the edge of peaceful Napili Bay – but you don't need to commit to an entire meal to soak in the view. From 2pm-5pm every day, you can enjoy $6 happy hour cocktails and upscale bar bites like crab cakes and poke nachos on the outdoor terrace overlooking the beach. Though the vibe here is more semi-formal than barefoot-on-the-sand, it's far from stuffy: bartenders are chatty and easygoing, and local crooners bring the aloha vibe nightly with soothing renditions of "White Sandy Beach" and "Kaleohano".

Relish Oceanside at Westin Ka'anapali

Relish is the closest thing to a sand-in-your-toes experience without actually getting, well, actual sand in your toes: tables are set up on a manicured lawn directly in front of Ka'anapali Beach (so close you can touch it). Tiki torches, swaying palms and live ukulele add to the low-key, beachy ambience, which quickly turns romantic as the sun dips into the horizon. Cocktails sound cutesy – Lilikoi Love, Maui Beach Babe – but are dangerously potent so skip the rum and go for a beer cocktail instead. The Li Hing Longboard blends Kona Brewing Co. lager with elderflower liqueur, fresh muddled watermelon, lime, mint and li hing powder for a refreshingly tart, crisp, hoppy drink that goes down perfectly with the sunset.

Lanai Bar at Kimo's

Overlooking picturesque Lahaina Beach, the laid-back Lanai Bar is located on the downstairs lanai of Front Street's most popular casual eatery, Kimo's. The bar menu is essentially the lite version of the regular dining menu – think burgers and luau plates – but come during their 3pm-5pm Aloha Hour to get the really good stuff: Kalua pork cheese fries, pork sliders, macadamia nut calamari and $5 cocktails, wine and beer. The vibe is unpretentious, casual and fun, and the bartenders are some of the friendliest (and most generous) on the island, so ignore the tourists and go.