PICS: Black Cat Tattoo anniversary at theVenue

Photos by Malia Leinau / HNLNow.com

Chinatown tattoo shop Black Cat Tattoo celebrated its anniversary last weekend with live music by local bands at theVenue.

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PICS: ‘We Value Hawaii’ at Fresh Cafe

Photos by Aaron Yoshino
Special to the Star-Advertiser

We Value Hawaii at Fresh Cafe.

PICS: ‘Sakura’ at Nobu Waikiki

Photos by Aaron Yoshino
Special to the Star-Advertiser

Sakura at Nobu Waikiki. September 25th, 2010.

PICS: ‘Ritmo Latino’ at Cafe Che Pasta

Photos by Jamm Aquino
jaquino@staradvertiser.com

“Ritmo Latino,” a weekly Latin party, on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010 at Cafe Che Pasta in downtown Honolulu.

PICS: ‘Oktoberfest’

Photos by Aaron Yoshino
Special to the Star-Advertiser

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PICS: ‘Chinatown Get Down’

Photos by Aaron Yoshino
Special to the Star-Advertiser

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PICS: The Hideaway Bar’s 8th anniversary

Photos by Malia Leinau / HNLNow.com

Star-Advertiser Staff
tgif@staradvertiser.com

The Hideaway Bar, a Waikiki favorite amongst nightlife industry and graveyard shift employees and those opposed to over-commercialized watering holes elsewhere in the neighborhood, celebrated eight years in business last weekend with free food, a lion dance and drink specials.

Owner Jonny Hernaez and his staff was on hand to both pour drinks and hang out with regular customers. Read more

PICS: Apartment3 celebrates first year in business

Photos by FL Morris / fmorris@staradvertiser.com

Star-Advertiser Staff
tgif@staradvertiser.com

Restaurant and lounge Apartment3 celebrated its first anniversary last weekend with a pair of parties on Saturday night.

The first was a VIP-only affair, with the doors opened to the general public later in the evening. Both events followed an all-black theme — which was strictly enforced.

(Word has it former NBA superstar Reggie Miller tried to get in with his friends that night, but weren’t dressed appropriately. According to a sources, they were turned away at Apartment3 and ended up at Pearl Ultralounge instead.)

“Apartment3 has exceeded our wildest dreams during its first year,” said co-owner Flash Hansen. “We have an amazing staff, friends, and guests and really couldn’t have gotten this far without everyone’s help.

“We look forward to making our second year an even greater one.”

DJs ESKAE and Bennie James were on hand to keep people moving until 2 a.m. The Bentos and Cherry Blossom Cabaret also entertained during the evening. Read more

In the Mix: Johnny Depp spotted at Apartment3

Courtesy Nikita Batic

Local designers Nikita Batic, left, and Serena Batic pose with Johnny Depp at Apartment3 last weekend.

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

Despite the departure of ABC’s hit television series “Lost” earlier this year, Honolulu continues to be a hotspot for Hollywood-type activity in 2010.

Oahu-based “Lost” fans were comforted to learn that Korean hottie — and genuinely nice guy — Daniel Dae Kim would be sticking around to co-star in “Hawaii Five-0,” set to launch on CBS this fall. Then, word came that filming for the fourth installment of the blockbuster “Pirates of the Carribbean” franchise would take place here as well.

For a lot of residents, that meant just one thing — Johnny Depp would be on the rock. And as it turns out, he likes to party just like the rest of us.

Depp, along with “Pirates” producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Rob Marshall and co-star Geoffrey Rush have all spent time at Apartment3 in the Century Center. According to co-owner Flash Hansen, everyone associated with the production has been incredibly nice to both fellow diners and the restaurant’s staff.

“Everybody from the movie loves this place,” he said on Monday. “This is definitely turning into their hangout.

“They roll right in through the back,” Hansen continued, adding that Depp’s personal security made an advance trip to scout out the venue before he ever set foot inside. “When he came in last Saturday, there were 200 people here and nobody knew he was there.

“You can be sitting right there,” he said, motioning towards the main bar area at Apartment3, “and you’d never know.” Read more

PICS: ‘Black Tie & Blue Jeans’ at Waialae Country Club

Photos by Jamm Aquino / jaquino@staradvertiser.com

A full moon illuminated partygoers on the beachfront veranda during “Black Tie & Blue Jeans” at Waialae Country Club.

By Nadine Kam
nkam@staradvertiser.com

It felt like there were five parties going on at once during last night’s “Black Tie & Blue Jeans” event , “Heart Rock,” at Waialae Country Club, the 13th annual fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

It was nice in a way that guests could choose the venue that made them most comfortable, whether kicking back for dinner in the Waialae Room, enjoying the beachfront views from tables set up outside, hanging out in the casino tent or playing E.K. Fernandez games.

The event seems to grow bigger and better every year, with more than 160 items, trips, hotel stays, meals, etc., up for bid at a silent auction, including handbags from Gucci and Prada, and a handbag raffle from Chanel, and “Balloon Surprise” with each $20 donation balloon containing a prize, with one grand prize winner receiving a Vacations Hawaii trip and five-night stay in Las Vegas. Read more

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