Of all the downtown bars, Indigo is the chic, versatile star, the one that can play trendy or alternative, affected or young-professional. There’s no doubting its proverbial hipness—especially in relation to velvety imitators—but the question remains: is it really a place to have a good time? The answer, in the end, is yes and no. It all depends on what night—and what room—you roll in.

Indigo is arranged like a reality-TV house, the “Opium Den” and “Green Room” resembling separate establishments altogether, especially when the place is packed. We stopped by late on a Wednesday night, the crowd moderate, cultured, as if a classy dinner party had let out next door. But then we stumbled into the Opium Den, where a group of Australians had set up camp. We thought for a moment they’d reserved this space for a private party, but they welcomed us affably, and terrible-tasting Bud Lights were shared by all.

By closing time, these Australians were even pouring their own drinks, reaching behind the unguarded bar to make personalized martinis. Needless to say, this was a strange development, but it somehow seemed acceptable, or at least not-illegal, as if we’d been right about the private-party atmosphere all along. Regardless, it was a great time, the room’s sultry shadows and fusion décor feeling warm, inviting, the walls themselves like robes we could all slip on.

The same can’t be said for a Friday afternoon visit. We arrived in the Green Room craving the special: $3.50 martinis. These were deliciously strong. But the scene…I really can’t describe it, except to say that on the surface it looked normal, the young professionals tame and trendy, sipping their vodka after work. But something lurked beneath, a strange, struggling animosity, as if all the guys wearing open-collared shirts wanted to turn to their left and say, “You think you’re better than me?”—as if the women, smiling and laughing, were actually thinking, “These drinks just taste so cheap.”

In the end, I would say that Indigo is like a moderately attractive person surrounded by other, less-attractive friends. Sometimes it can be breezy and upbeat, a surprisingly fun time altogether, while on certain nights, you can’t help but feel the effort behind each detail.

It is a bar desperately wanting to be liked. That’s not necessarily bad, just something to keep in mind when choosing what night—and room—to stop by.

Indigo Eurasian Cuisine /1121 Nuuanu Ave # 105 / (808) 521-2900 / Map

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—Tim D., 12/07/06