{"id":258319,"date":"2022-12-08T14:19:53","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T06:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=258319"},"modified":"2023-04-21T17:29:48","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T09:29:48","slug":"the-alchemist-cafe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/the-alchemist-cafe\/","title":{"rendered":"The Alchemist Cafe, Saigon: Gothic-Style Cafe & Tattoo Shop With Skulls And Taxidermy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Alchemist Cafe – a gothic-themed cafe with taxidermy and body art<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s not often that the words \u201cgothic\u201d and \u201ccafe\u201d would go together, but <\/span>The Alchemist Cafe<\/b> has managed to make this combination work flawlessly \u2013 as a wild, yet hauntingly beautiful cafe with taxidermied animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

This coffee shop with a tattoo parlor feels like a hidden gem in Saigon\u2019s District 1 waiting to be found.<\/p>\n

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An alfresco-style patio and a creepy cabinet with strange oddities<\/h3>\n
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\"The<\/p>\n

The Alchemist Cafe is hidden on the second floor of an apartment building inside an alleyway, a sight that would be easily missed by many passers-by.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The patio area of the cafe is an open balcony that offers a quaint environment, with green plants, patchwork flooring, and metallic furniture \u2013 giving the place a vintage vibe. However, the real items of interest lie inside the cafe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"interior\"<\/p>\n

Through the door and into the cafe is a different aesthetic entirely, with neon signs, walls adorned with skulls and creepy paintings, and a big cabinet filled with skulls and taxidermied animals \u2013 one of the cafe\u2019s most striking features.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Not only is this an excellent backdrop for photos, but it also makes for a great conversation piece if you\u2019re into biology and want to guess the animals from the shapes of their skulls. We suggest bringing friends or even a date to this place if they\u2019re interested in this subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sit and chill with coconut coffee<\/h3>\n
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\"The<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, being a cafe, this place also offers some quality concoctions that will keep you company, be it for work, or just hanging out with friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheCoconut coffee<\/em><\/p>\n

We had the pleasure of trying out the cafe\u2019s <\/span>coconut coffee<\/b>, a refreshingly cold concoction with a strong taste of coconuts that would dispel the heat of Saigon for <\/span>VND55,000 (~USD2.28).<\/b><\/p>\n

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Get a tattoo alongside your drinks<\/h3>\n
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\"Tattoo<\/em><\/p>\n

A surprising fact about this cafe is that it started as a tattoo parlor known as <\/span>Ti\u1ec7m x\u0103m Alchemist <\/b>\u2013 one of the more recognizable names in Saigon\u2019s tattoo scene. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>Even when this space expanded into a cafe, the tattoo service remains, so you can browse for some unique ink designs the next time you want to get some gorgeous art on your skin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"tattoo\"<\/p>\n

According to Nhut B\u00e9 \u2013 the shop\u2019s owner and an experienced artist himself \u2013 tattoo services usually start from <\/span>VND500,000 (~USD20.83)<\/b> and increase depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo. If you\u2019re looking for a specific design but don\u2019t know the cost, be sure to contact them first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Alchemist Cafe – ideal hangout spot for goths in Saigon<\/h3>\n
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The Alchemist Cafe is a great hangout spot for people who love all things edgy and gothic, as well as people who are interested in tattoo art. If you want to enjoy a little bit of Halloween all year long, check out this location!<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> Left side of the alley, on the second floor of 158D Pasteur Street, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Ward, District 1, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City
\n<\/span>Price:\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n