Located in Kaimukī, The Surfing Pig is known for its contemporary cuisine with Island flavors, but it’s also home to a speakeasy.
The IYKYK — “If you know, you know” — speakeasy is tucked away within the Kaimukī eatery. It opened last fall.
You can make reservations for the speakeasy by calling the restaurant directly; online reservations are not available.
Non-speakeasy members are limited to a 90-minute reservation time. Memberships to the speakeasy cost a one-time fee of $250; the physical membership card must be presented at each visit. Benefits include priority reservations for the speakeasy, priority seating, birthday perks and surprise offers, priority access to exclusive experiences (wine and bourbon tastings and curated culinary events), and more.
The speakeasy also features a IYKYK Thursday special, in which customers can get the membership for a discounted price of $150 (the offer includes a guided tour of the speakeasy and complimentary “I Know” cocktail with the purchase of any featured food item).
The speakeasy has its own tapas menu, which features a rotating selection of dishes. During our visit, tapas included Molten Bay crab cakes ($19.50), truffle fries ($13.50), Catalan albondigas ($15), and spicy cucumber salad ($13).
The Molten Bay crab cakes were fried to a golden brown and were served with Old Bay aioli for dipping. The savory truffle fries were topped with shaved Parmesan, truffle oil and a fresh herb mix.
Meanwhile, the Catalan albondigas ($15) — hand-rolled Spanish beef meatballs — were simmered in a saffron-tomato sauce with roasted mac nuts and parsley. The spicy cucumber salad ($13) boasted a kick, thanks to the housemade Gochugaru sesame soy marinade.
The tapas menu changed since our visit. It now includes dishes like midnight musubi arancini ($12) — crispy fried rice arancini with a filling of Spam and molten cheese, served with Gochugaru-spiced marinara — the cellar board for two ($38) and shrimp skewers with a miso butter glaze ($14). The cellar board is a charcuterie board that includes sliced meats and baked brie; it’s designed to complement wine, whiskey and late-night cocktails.
You can still order from the restaurant’s full cocktail menu. Choose from signature options like the Smoking Pig ($19.50) — house branded specialty Crooked Crown bourbon that’s aged in wine barrels and garnished with a crispy bacon strip and cherry — Aperol Spritz ($17.50), and smoked rosemary mezcal margarita ($19).
The Smoking Pig boasts notes of oak and subtle fruit. It’s a crowd favorite due to its complex flavor and “smoking” presentation. The Aperol Spritz is ideal for those who prefer effervescent flavors, as it comprises Aperol, elderflower liqueur, fresh strawberries and champagne.
Even if you’re enjoying cocktails in the speakeasy, you can still order food from The Surfing Pig’s dine-in menu. Popular options include creamy brussels sprouts ($15), Billionaire bacon ($14), and center-cut boneless pork loin ($36).
The IYKYK speakeasy is open during the restaurant’s regular business hours (4 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays, 4 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays).
CONTACT
The Surfing Pig – IYKYK speakeasy
3605 Waiʻalae Ave., Honolulu
808-744-1992
thesurfingpighawaii.com/page/iykyk
Instagram: @thesurfingpighawaii
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
