Chinatown Galleries

On the first Friday evening of every month Honolulu's Chinatown transforms itself in the evening hours as local businesses, galleries, and restaurants open their doors for the First Fridays celebration. Many galleries offer wine and refreshments while local vendors and artisans open up street stalls to display their wares. This short walking tour takes you through a few of the Chinatown’s best galleries, although there are many others scattered throughout the route. First Fridays run from 5-9pm, but this walking tour is also a great way to spend any afternoon.

1. Louis Pohl Gallery, 1111 Nuuanu Ave. (808-521-1812, www.louispohlgallery.com). This space displays original artwork by a wide variety of Hawaiian artists. Open Tu-Sa 11am-6pm.

2. thiryninehotel, 39 N. Hotel St. (808-599-5009, www.thirtyninehotel.com.) This all-white lounge and bar offers modern and alternative exhibit space to local artists. Open Tu-Sa noon-6pm.

3. Ramsay Museum, 1128 Smith St. (808-537-2782). A long-time resident of Hawaii, Ramsay displays her truer-than-life pen-and-ink drawing in the upstairs museum and features local artists’ work on the 1st-fl. gallery. Open M-F 10am-5pm, Sa 10am-4pm.

4. The ARTS at Mark’s Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave. (808-521-2903, www.artsatmarks.com). The unofficial epicenter of First Fridays, the ARTS at Mark’s Garage is a gallery and performance space that hosts workshops in theater, dance, sculpture, and painting. Open Tu-Sa 11am-6pm.

5. Studio of Roy Venters, 1160 Nuuanu Ave. (808-381-3445). This vanity gallery displays mixed media works by artist Roy Venters and others. On First Fridays, vendors of vintage jewelry and accessories take over the space. Open First Fridays and by appointment.

6. rRed Elephant, 1144 Bethel St. (808-545-2468, www.rredelephant.com). More a cafe than gallery, rRed Elephant serves delicious espresso to energize the rest of your afternoon or evening while doubling as an exhibit space and live music venue. Open M-Sa 7am-9pm, Su 9am-9pm.

7. Bethel St. Gallery, 1140 Bethel St. (808-546-8000, www.bethelstreetgallery.com). Hawaii’s largest artist-owned and -operated gallery, Bethel St. Gallery features rotating art by local artists in a variety of media.