In the early 1870s, there were five original “Retail Spirit” licenses issued on the Island of Oahu. Murphy’s and Two Jack’s (on Hotel Street) are the only two remaining. Murphy’s was first known as the Royal Hotel and the original owner was W.L. Green. Because the Hotel was located in the center of the waterfront, it was a gathering spot for merchants, ship captains, and gentlemen, including royalty. Although King Kalakaua died in 1891, history tells us that the King frequented the Hotel, as did Robert Louis Stevenson.

From Green, to Lanahan, to Walters, to “Scotty” Meston, to Sullivan, to Bollman, to Gillis, and on and on, ownership changed hands frequently. Thoroughout the years from Monarchy to Republic, to Annexation, then to Territorial status, the building remained the same in the ever-changing waterfront environment.

Then, in 1987, Don Murphy purchased what was then the Royal Hawaiian Saloon and opened Murphy’s Bar & Grill.

Murphy had a dream of opening a downtown saloon that catered to the business lunch crowd, the evening cocktail crowd and the weekend sports crowd. (He also figured if all else failed, he would have somewhere to drink.) With the support of all our clientele, we will be celebrating our 24th  St. Patrick’s Day this year.

The rest is history.