As a part-time bartender at the MACC, I’ve seen my fair share of live music performances on Maui.

I also enjoy the chance to sit down and drink fancy cocktails and eat tapas whilst watching tunes, however, which is nonexistent at the Castle Theater (I still love you, Castle, but you know it’s true). Enter The Mill House at Maui Tropical Plantation, where drinking and eating and watching tunes is not only encouraged, but allowed! And superbly lovely.

HAPA, resident band for the Summer Music Series at The Mill House, puts on quite a show every Tuesday and Wednesday through August, and I highly recommend you go check it out for yourself.

Arrive early enough to stroll the Plantation grounds, watch the sunset, and perhaps enjoy a pre-show cocktail at the neighboring Mill House Bar before grabbing a seat inside. The dirty martinis are spot on, by the way.

The hand cut pasta with beef shank ragu, gremolata and cheese curd is my favorite thing on the menu, courtesy of the talented Jeff Scheer and Maui Executive Catering team that is now the new face and taste of The Mill House Restaurant.

HAPA sounded great, as usual, and I particularly love the addition of hula performances by Radasha Ho’ohuli, former Miss Hawaii USA. Beautiful!

Toward the end of the performance, they even did a special tribute to Bob Marley and B.B. King! For more information or to purchase tickets ($60 or $75 VIP option), please visit The Mill House online or call (808) 270-0333.