HONOLULU, HI
I am going to take my time on this one because I think it is important. We drive by the Varsity after most Volleyball and Basketball games at the Stan Sheriff Center on the campus of the University of Hawaii. What a great location to have a sports bar you would think. Just a short walk to the campus and sporting events. In any other city this would be a landmark destination for sports fan and University supporters. I have been on University of Hawaii Football road trips to Alabama, Florida, Nevada, Boise, Washington, Fresno, Oregon, USC and Las Vegas. All of these cities had one or two great sports bars where fans congregated before and after games. Hawaii has nothing like these other cities when it comes to college bars. The Varsity is the perfect place for such a venue but it is, quite frankly a dump. Dirty tables, filthy menus, lousy service, loads of junk in every corner and no sense of school spirit or identity. This is probably why the place is empty on a Friday afternoon right before a volleyball game that has 10,000 fans in attendance. We went in because it is the closest place to grab a beer near the University and the NCAA bans beer sales at NCAA Regional events. We sat at a table near the bar. The waitress and some other guy see us but don't offer service. After a few minutes, we approached the bar. The waitress looks right at us but does not ask to take our order or say anything. We take a menu from the side of the cash register and open it up. The thing is greasy, sticky and disgusting. This menu had not been washed in weeks. It was gross. The table was also dirty and sticky plus it was wobbling like a rocking horse. The floor was uneven and dirty too. We decided to order a pizza. The menu also features burgers, sandwiches and salads but when you have such a disgusting menu filled with dirt and grease it is difficult to think about ordering the food. Just think what the kitchen looks like I thought. We approached Ms. Personality at the bar and again got little response. I just blurted out that we wanted a pitcher of Coors. Got her attention. When she came to the bar, we said we wanted a Pepperoni, Onion and Jalapeno Pizza and some Chicken Wings. Total for food and beer was around $40. Not bad for Hawaii prices. We abandoned the wobbly table and ventured outside to tables that front the sidewalk on University. Great place to people watch. The first table we sat at was dirty and greasy. My friend said lets move. We went down one table and settled into a not so dirty table next to a row of dirty tables with very ugly and dirty looking chairs. We had our pitcher of beer so I just poured and enjoyed the refreshing moment. The Pizza and Wings came and I was surprised. The pizza was huge and actually looked good. The pizza slices were cut super big so that one slice is a meal. We both only ate two slices and there was still half a pizza left. We gave it to the people that look like they just came from an Occupy Wall Street event. We went back to the bar to order another pitcher of beer. Two guys were at the cash register. Both looked up and continued talking to each other. My friend waited for several minutes standing right in front of these two morons. He never was asked to be helped and we left without the second pitcher. I loved the pizza. Great crust that is not too thick. A nice crunchy and lightly charred crust, just enough cheese and good toppings. Probably one of the best pizzas in town. Cold beer and good pizza within walking distance of the University of Hawaii. This place should rock. Problem is it does not. The Varsity Grill needs a Gordon Ramsey makeover. It needs to be cleaned up, remodeled and set up to be "THE" place to be for all things U.H. Hawaii needs a clean, safe and fun place for students and fans. The Varsity has the location that could rock.
UPDATE 8/12 - TOOK A LOOK INSIDE AND LOOKS LIKE THE PLACE HAS BEEN TOTALLY REMODELED WITH NEW TABLES AND CHAIRS.
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