Bars and pubs in Ho Chi Minh City
With a plethora of ritzy cocktail bars and avant-garde beer pubs, Saigon is home to one of the most booming drinking scenes in Southeast Asia.
Before you hit the buzzling streets of Saigon for a late night tipple, check out our list of bars and pubs in Saigon for some of the city’s must-visit drinking spots. Bottoms up!
1. Yugen Bar – classic cocktails, with take-home options
Image credit: Yugen Bar
A relatively new, quiet bar in town, Yugen Bar offers a relaxing ambience with chic decor and ample seating.
Image adapted from: Yugen Bar
The bar menu features a good selection of classic drink-inspired cocktails such as the whiskey-based Highland Cooler with strong malty notes that bloom in your mouth.
Aphrodite cocktail for the Valentine’s menu
Image credit: Yugen Bar
New drinkers should try American Beauty, a flowery and tasteful brandy-based cocktail that is not too strong and ends with a pleasant minty finish.
Image credit: Yugen Bar
Yugen Bar also has a selection of take-out cocktails for those who want to sip the drinks in the comfort of their own home.
Address: 95/32 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 6PM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 077 767 1831
2. Rabbit Hole – upscale vibes and bespoke drinks
Image credit: Rabbit Hole
If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a truly unique drink tailored to your own preferences in a relaxing environment, Rabbit Hole is the place to be.
At Rabbit Hole, you’ll be attended to by a team of passionate and knowledgeable bartenders whose exquisite craftsmanship is showcased in every drink they make.
The infused gin mixed with premium tonic
Image credit: Rabbit Hole
Boasting elegant decor and an intimate ambiance alongside catchy jazz tunes, this swanky place draws couples as well as work partners talking business over drinks.
However, the prices here are known to be relatively pricey compared to other bars.
Expect to pay VND260,000 (~USD11.22) for a classic gin and tonic, and VND300,000, (~USD12.94) for a bitter, and prickly whiskey-based Moby-Dick.
Image adapted from: Rabbit Hole
Address: 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 6PM-2AM, Daily
Telephone: 028 3823 4896
3. Indika Saigon – centrally located yet hidden in plain sight
Image credit: Indika Saigon
Indika Saigon is one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pubs located inside a chic District 1 alley.
Hidden beneath B.O.C Homemade BBQ Restaurant and a fashion outlet, Indika Saigon is popular among expats and office workers looking for a relaxing night out in a rustic and artistic space.
Rum Punch
Image adapted from: Indika Saigon
India Saigon has a big menu with plenty of drinks ranging from beer to cocktails as well as tasty grub. Visitors checking in every Friday night from 7.30PM-10.30PM can enjoy free flow rum punch and craft beer at VND250,000 (~USD10.79) per pax.
Image credit: Indika Saigon
For a quick bite to go with your drinks, order the Bread Platter with House Dips & Pickles (VND90,000, ~USD3.88), which is good for 2 diners.
Image credit: Indika Saigon
Indika Saigon is also a great venue to enjoy live music. It usually hosts live music performances and comedy acts on weekends, allowing participants to register in advance and encouraging them with free drinks in return.
Address: 43 Nguyen Van Giai, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10AM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 0356 581 648
4. Lagom Café – the first Belgian beer lounge in Vietnam
Image adapted from: Lagom Café -The first Belgian beer & Coffee Lounge in Vietnam
Lagom Café is the first watering hole in Vietnam that specializes in Belgian beer, known for its harmonious balance of fruity, spicy, and earthy flavors.
Image adapted from: Thùy Dương
With its extensive collection of 70 types of beer, beer connoisseurs can always find one that suits your taste buds especially if you’re not into strong, dark ales.
Image adapted from: Van Pinky
For a drink that’s honeyed and crisp, try the Belgian Amber Beer.
Spiced with zesty notes of coriander and orange, Belgian Wheat Beer goes wonderfully with an orange wedge or a slice of fresh lemon.
Lagom Café has Fruit Beer with a low alcohol concentration, which is suitable for light drinkers.
Image adapted from: Thinh Nguyen
For a rich, creamy, and chalky treat that goes perfectly with the complex flavor of beer, order the highly recommended Trappist Cheese (VND119,000, ~USD5.13/100 g). The refreshing and savory Greek salad soaked in Balsamic sauce (VND89,000, ~USD3.84) also makes a tasty between-meals bite and hearty accompaniment to a bottle of beer.
Painted in dark colors and ornamented hanging lamps made from beer bottles, Lagom Café is a quiet and cosy place for beer lovers to drink in serenity.
Address: 87 Vo Thi Sau, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10AM-11.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 0919 000 745
5. Tê Tê TapHouse – self-brewed quality craft beer with plenty of tapas
Electric IPA, Mellow Red, Serious IPA, So Co La Porter, Strange Brew Mead & White Ale
Image credit: Tê Tê TapHouse
Featuring a broad spectrum of tastes, Tê Tê TapHouse is one of Saigon’s most trusted bars that offers signature tasty beer straight from its own brewery.
Image credit: Tê Tê TapHouse
Tê Tê TapHouse boasts a tranquil drinking space, complete with stylish decorations and plenty of seating spanning 2 levels.
Image credit: Tê Tê TapHouse
Some of the tasty beers you can try here include Tê Tê Cloudy Kolsch (VND120,000,~USD5.18), the house’s lightest and one of the most ordered options. Earthy, bitter, and marked with a rich body, Mellow Red (VND120,000,~USD5.18) is also worth quaffing.
Philly Cheesesteak with a Tripppin’ Tripppel
Image credit: Tê Tê TapHouse
This beer house also dishes out a plethora of local snacks and fusion bites, such as burgers, banh mi, and chicken curry to serve with the beer.
There is a music band performing live over the weekend, making it worth checking out on a lazy weekend evening.
Image credit: Tê Tê TapHouse
Address: 90 Nguyen Van Thu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Mon-Thu, 5PM-12AM, Fri-Sat, 4PM-1AM, Sun, 4PM-12AM
Telephone: 0774 707 182
Website
6. BRIX – bar with a walk-in wine cellar
Image adapted from: Younjin Choi
BRIX has breathed new life to the now-defunct colonial space in District 1 with an industrial-looking wine bar cum restaurant, featuring exposed brickwork walls and a pleasant dining space.
Image credit: getlstd_property_photo
Customers can explore its walk-in wine cellar to select from a wide range of wine, ranging from white to red to rosé.
Image adapted from: BRIX Wine Bar & Kitchen
For a fruity and fresh taste with a hint of citrusy acidity, go for a glass of Mussel Bay (VND170,000, ~USD7.33), best served with seafood dishes such as the spicy and semisweet Shrimp Spanish Style (VND310,000, ~USD13.38) or the lean and sweet Grilled Red Snapper (VND210,000, ~USD9.06).
Image adapted from: BRIX Wine Bar & Kitchen
A glass of Yalumba Y Series (VND160,000, ~USD6.90), which smells like orange blossom and fresh ginger, marked with hints of honeysuckle and a silky texture, makes a great pairing with a chicken or prawn dish.
For desserts, the moist and bright-tasting Frozen Orange Liqueur Souffle (VND140,000, ~USD6.04) is a real show-stopper.
Image credit: BRIX Wine Bar & Kitchen
While BRIX is quite small, it is tastefully designed for intimacy and comfort.
Address: 42 Pasteur, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 11AM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 028 3825 6300
Website
7. Apt852 Bar – retro Hong Kong-inspired decor
Image credit: Apt852
Boasting colorful neon signs and a drinking space steeped in a soft red color, Apt852 Bar is a must-visit spot for drinkers who are fans of old-school Hong Kong aesthetics and drinking culture.
Image credit: Apt852
Aside from stunning interiors, Apt852 Bar also dishes out aesthetically pleasing cocktails.
Image adapted from: Apt852
The drinks menu is divided into 3 categories, including classics, signatures, and spirits.
Those who prefer their drinks less sugary but are not fans of straight liquor either can go for the complex and classic Whisky Sour (VND150,000, ~USD6.47), which is sour in taste but well-balanced with a strong note of vanilla, oak, and caramel.
Meanwhile, house creations such as the captivating Old Town Road (VND165,000, ~USD7.12), a combination of gin, apricot liqueur, orange bitter, and plum bitter, will engage all your senses.
Address: 31 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 6PM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 039 829 6919
8. Tamarind – Hidden Cocktail Bar – happy hour from 5PM to 9PM
Image adapted from: Tamarind – Hidden Cocktail Bar
Tamarind – Hidden Cocktail Bar serves a wide array of cocktail offerings, from shot bombs to negroni to old-fashioned cocktails. It’s also known for its friendly and skilled bartenders who can please even the most discerning drinkers.
Image adapted from: Tamarind – Hidden Cocktail Bar
Traditionalists can sip on earthy-tasting and healthy classics such as the Bloody Mary (VND220,000,~USD9.49), a mix of vodka, tomato sauce, lime, and tobacco.
Packing a powerful punch, the floral-tasting and bittersweet Absinthe Drip (VND180,000, ~USD7.77) makes an ideal choice for a Friday night.
Image adapted from: Tamarind – Hidden Cocktail Bar
Remember to check in the venue during happy hour from 5PM-9PM to get 50% discount off all drinks.
Aside from low-hanging chandeliers and vintage photos that make it look like a retro New York speakeasy, Tamarind also has large and open windows overlooking the streets.
Address: 33 Nguyen Trung Truc, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5PM-2AM, Daily
Telephone: 0909 002 037
9. Renkon – Izakaya-inspired bar
Image credit: Renkon
Inspired by izakaya, a type of casual snack bar in Japan, Renkon specializes in authentic Japanese drinks and food. Decked out with wide windows and lighting, this place is bright and airy, and easy to find.
Maki rolls, nigiri, and sashimi
Image credit: Renkon
Since Renkon also serves Japanese food, you can warm your belly with some tangy and flavorful sushi and sashimi.
Image credit: Renkon
After stuffing your stomach with traditional Japanese treats, move to the bar for some Japanese-style cocktails.
Image credit: Renkon
What sets Renkon’s Japanese cocktails apart is that the ice cubes used for the drinks are made from filtered water that is heated up to 40°C before being frozen, hand-cut, and stirred with a spoon so that they take more time to melt, thus better retaining the flavors of the drinks.
Image credit: Renkon
For a malty and citrusy drink brimming with strong notes of black cherry, vanilla, and oak, order the Akashi White Oak (VND180,000, ~USD7.77).
Drinkers looking for a strong fusion of classic and contemporary flavors can go for the bright and bitter Clear Negroni (VND220,000, ~USD9.49), which consists of Fernet Hunter, gin, and dry vermouth.
Address: 74/10a Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 5PM-12PM
Telephone: 0283 939 0011
10. Qilin Cocktail Bar – ornamented with red lanterns
Image credit: Qilin
Tiny and homey, Qilin Cocktail Bar boasts trendy decorations with a festive touch with hanging red lanterns, vintage pinups, and muted lighting.
Image credit: Qilin
The bar also ticks with Saigonese drinkers thanks to its knowledgeable and humorous staff who perform impressive bar tricks and chat freely with customers about anything cocktail-related.
Image credit: Qilin
Fans of classic cocktails can give Margarita (VND158,000,~USD6.82) a shot – this drink tastes salty, bitter, sour, and savory at the same time.
Image credit: Qilin
The bar’s signature cocktail – Qilin The Art (VND178,000,~USD7.68), is also worth checking out. Packed with the bitterness of vermouth, the cocktail is balanced by the sweet aroma of caramel and vanilla, marked with a lingering chamomile taste.
Address: 214A Nguyen Cong Tru, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5PM-2AM, Daily
Telephone: 0933 880 822
Website
11. MA Espresso & Bar – serves both coffee and cocktails
Image credit: MA Espresso & Bar
MA Espresso & Bar is one of the few bars in town that specializes in both coffee and cocktails.
Brighten up your morning with a bittersweet cup of cold brew latte (VND45,000,~USD1.94).
Espresso
Image credit: MA Espresso & Bar
For a vibrant night out with your friends, gulp down the innovative espresso-flavored Dark Red Macchiato (VND70,000,~USD3.02), or the light-tasting and refreshing Watermelon Fizz (VND65,000,~USD2.80).
BUDS, a combination of coffee bianco, pineapple, and syrup
Image credit: MA Espresso & Bar
You’ll also find scrumptious and eye-catching food here, from sandwiches to Vietnamese-Japanese fusion food entrees, that make a filling brunch.
Image credit: MA Espresso & Bar
Drinks and food aside, MA Espresso & Bar boasts a unique drinking space decked out in solid orange and grey colors, looking warm and edgy at the same time.
Image credit: MA Espresso & Bar
The curved shapes and metal texture that make up the furniture add a futuristic touch to the space, giving it a modern spa-like feel.
Address: Multiple locations in District 2 and District 3. View location list here.
Opening hours: 8AM-12PM, Daily
Telephone: 093 349 23 23
12. LABAR – innovative bespoke cocktails
Image credit: LABAR
There are plenty of cocktail bars in town, but LABAR is unfailingly on the top of every adventurous drinker’s list when it comes to trying bespoke cocktails.
The skilled bartenders here can whip up cocktails that look like drinkable artwork and taste just exactly how you order them. Simply let them know what flavors and kinds of alcohol you usually like, and they will concoct something for you.
Image credit: LABAR
Start with the light-bodied, grassy-flavored, and sweet Saigon Sensation (VND220,000, ~USD9.49). go for the classic 80’s New York Sour (VND195,000, ~USD8.41), which is known for its nice balance of citrusy sourness and the sweetness of sugar syrup.
L’ Lộc – Sweet & Sour, a concoction of Gin Bosford, beefeater, bubble gum, watermelon, and lime
Image credit: LABAR
If you’re not sure what you want, order a bespoke cocktail that is customized to your preferences, which ranges from VND250,000-VND290,000 (~USD10.79-USD12.51) per shot.
This trendy spot also has an extensive range of mains and tapas to pair with your drinks, ranging from fried tofu with beef stew (VND120,000, ~USD5.18) to ice cream (VND60,000,~USD2.59/scoop).
Image adapted from: LABAR
Address: Level 2, 52/3 Dong Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 6PM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 090 300 76 60
13. Snuffbox – sophisticated speakeasy with regular DJs
Image adapted from: Snuffbox
A casual and hip speakeasy hidden inside a run-down apartment building, Snuffbox is a hot spot for no-frills music performances where local DJs and bands showcase their gigs.
Image adapted from: Snuffbox
The bar is small and intimate, letting the audience be less than a meter away from the performers. In addition to its vibrant music offerings, Snuffbox is also famed for its wide range of cocktails and beer.
Autumn swing
Image credit: Snuffbox
For a fiery starter, try the bright and crisp Bikens Gin (VND100,000, ~USD4.30), with gingery spiciness and flowery notes.
Order a punchy shot of Margarita (VND130,000, ~USD5.61) if you’re keen to enjoy a whole gamut of tastes in one drink, such as the sourness of tequila, sweetness of agave, and salted lime.
Address: 14 Ton That Dam, Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 6PM-2AM, Daily
Telephone: 094 1701 888
14. The Gin House – a go-to place for gin lovers
Image adapted from: The Gin House
As the name suggests, The Gin House specializes in different concoctions of gin, a spirit that bursts with strong notes of juniper berry.
Image adapted from: The Gin House
For a refreshing and spicy with a chalky mouthfeel, try The Gin House’s signature cocktail Havana Cobbler (VND255,000, ~USD11).
For something that’s fizzy, nutty, and with a creamy texture, try the Black Pearl (VND250,000, ~USD10.79), which is flavored with coffee, hazelnut, soda, dry gin, and orange.
Compact, intimate, and always pulsating with riveting music, The Gin House is hands down every wine-lover’s go-to leisure spot to drink and chill.
Image credit: The Gin House
The place can be jam-packed after 6PM, so book a table in advance if you visit in groups.
Address: 28/3A Ton That Tung, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5PM-2AM, Daily
Telephone: 0908 893 660
15. Manfolk – bar with a men’s fashion store
Image credit: Duy Khánh
Manfolk is one of the rare places in HCMC that combines F&B and fashion in one single establishment. It has a small retail space dedicated to suits, blazers, chemises, ties, and shoes.
Image credit: Manfolk
The urbane, timeless charm of the space with earth-tone furniture makes it an ideal place to meet with your business partners over a cocktail or a cup of coffee. In case you want some fresh air, move to the balcony for seats with views over the cityscape.
Image credit: Manfolk
Great interiors aside, the place serves up postcard-worthy and innovative cocktails as well as coffee.
Image adapted from: Manfolk
While you’re here in the morning, order a cup of creamy and foamy Latte (VND70,000, ~USD3.02) to go with a sumptuous dish of Carbonara Spaghetti (VND110,000,~USD4.75) for an energizing breakfast.
Pump “King”
Image adapted from: Manfolk
When the sun goes down, come back for a glass of Pump “King” (VND220,000,~USD9.49), boasting a powerful mix of whiskey and chocolate bitters for a warm and complex flavour.
Address: 69 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 8.30AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 089 875 89 58
Bars & pubs in Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s epicenter for nightlife entertainment and drinking culture. It is packed with stylish beer bars perched on the rooftops of downtown shophouses with views over the city, as well as quaint pubs hidden in stylish valleys that cater to discerning drinkers.
Out of the plethora of choices, the above-mentioned bars and pubs in Saigon are a few gems that have gained rave reviews from local drinkers. From aesthetically entertaining cocktails to enjoyable classics, they offer great treats for tipsy drinkers of all kinds.
Also check out:
- Saigon Outcast Guide: from shopping at flea markets to indoor rock climbing
- BLOQ Lifestyle Retail Park: from al fresco dining to getting a Japanese-style hair treatment
- Saigon Zoo Guide: Things to do
- 9 riverside cafes and restaurants in Saigon for a chill weekend dinner
Cover image adapted from: MA Espresso & Bar, Tê Tê TapHouse, and Yugen Bar
Enjoying The Smart Local Vietnam? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more stories like this.
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
