European style nightlife comes to Waikīkī at the International Marketplace

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hey there, adventurers and local friends! Ready to dive into a fun and exciting experience right in the heart of Waikīkī?

We’re talking about something super cool that happening at the International Marketplace. And it’s perfect for visitors and residents alike!

Malia Zannoni was the marketing and sponsorship director at the International Marketplace in Waikīkī. She created fun events and promotions to attract both locals and visitors.

Plus, the marketplace was part of the Queen Emma Land Company, meaning the proceeds from its success directly benefited the Queen’s Health Systems.

What’s the buzz about?

Zannoni and her team came up with an amazing idea called the dining pass.

The dining pass can be customized for each group, and the price depends on what options the organizers choose.

When groups buy the dining pass, they get a big discount off the regular menu prices. However, the people using the pass won’t see the discount; they only redeem items at full value.

“Not only is this an easy way for groups to provide a fun meal experience, but the Dining Pass also enables visitors to select from multiple restaurants, cuisines and experiences in order to fully enjoy their time at International Market Place, explained Zannoni. “Our dining pass programs are quite effortless for all involved and highly popular with recipients.”

Imagine going to Disneyland, Epcot or a piazza in Italy, where you could hop from one delicious food spot to another.

This dining pass offered a similar adventure right in Waikīkī!

According Zannoni, hotels often reach out to the marketplace, asking for unique experiences for their guests. Many hotels don’t have full dining services and need something special to offer.

This got Zannoni and her team thinking: Why not create something that showcases the International Marketplace’s fantastic collection of restaurants?

A block party every night

Zannoni described the third level of the International Marketplace as “the grand lanai”.

It is the largest collection of open-air outdoor restaurants in Waikīkī. Every night feels like a block party!

You can hop from one restaurant to another, tasting different dishes and experiencing all that life has to offer. It was like a fun culinary adventure.

The dining pass was especially great for groups. Whether it was a local organization, a big convention or even a school group or family outing, the marketplace could tailor the dining pass to fit their needs and budgets.

Zannoni said, “The idea was to offer a discount to the group and benefit our restaurants by bringing in new people to try new things.”

Taste of the Grand Lanai

For locals, there is something special called “The Taste of the Grand Lanai”.

It is part of the Grand Lanai Restaurant Week and is designed for local customers.

Zannoni shared, “We found that locals love to eat, fellowship, talk story, and have a good time, so we built this program for them.”

The marketplace also hosted events like tasting stations in front of each restaurant, where you can get a stamp and a sample.

Zannoni explained, “It was like a night out in the piazza.”

Plus, there are amazing happy hour deals at places like Eating House and Moani Waikīkī. These deals are perfect for locals looking to enjoy a fun evening after work.

Mark your calendars!

The next big event, Taste of the Grand Lanai, is scheduled for October. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore and taste what the marketplace had to offer.

Keeping an eye on their website for more details as the date got closer was highly recommended.

How to join the fun

To join this culinary adventure, groups could reach out directly to the International Marketplace. Zannoni and her team would work with them to create something unique.

She said, “It was available year-round, and we created programs tailored to each group’s needs and budget.”

Whether you visit Waikīkī or are a local looking for a fun night out, the International Marketplace had something special for you.

With exciting dining passes, fantastic events and delicious food, it is the perfect place to explore and enjoy.

As Zannoni said, “We always had our locals in mind. What locals liked to do, what would locals think was fun and cool.”

Stay tuned for more updates and plan your visit to the International Marketplace. It was an adventure you wouldn’t want to miss. Aloha and see you there!