{"id":779,"date":"2020-02-21T17:03:26","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T09:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=779"},"modified":"2022-10-05T22:09:14","modified_gmt":"2022-10-05T14:09:14","slug":"hanoi-old-quarter-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/hanoi-old-quarter-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best Hanoi Old Quarter Bars To Experience Vietnam\u2019s Nightlife"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bars in Hanoi’s Old Quarter\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Aside from its rich cultural heritage, Hanoi is also known for its buzzing bars<\/a> and nightlife. And as the city\u2019s center of tourism, the Old Quarter is home to no shortage of great bars where you can befriend locals and enjoy a unique cocktail.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the 10 best bars in Hanoi\u2019s Old Quarter<\/strong> for a fun night out:<\/p>\n


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1. The Alchemist – a <\/b>Great Gatsby-<\/i><\/b>style bar<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: The Alchemist<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Located on the second floor of an old European-style building, The Alchemist<\/strong> has an aesthetic that matches what you\u2019d expect from a high-end cocktail bar, from its dimmed lights to its high ceiling and slightly smoky smell.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And while the bartenders here are not quite able to turn metal into gold like alchemists of myths and fairytales, they are adept at turning exotic ingredients such as Japanese gin and lotus flowers into creative drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThe Sloe Comfortable Screw Behind The Chef cocktail <\/em>
\nImage credit: The Alchemist<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s a hot summer night and you\u2019re looking for something refreshing, be sure to give their signature <\/span>\u201cSloe Comfortable Screw Behind The Chef\u201d<\/span> (VND350,000, ~USD15.06)<\/b> a try. Quite a mouthful of a name, we know, but it reveals the two primary ingredients of the drink: Sloe Gin and Southern Comfort. Complemented by absinthe and orange juice, it\u2019s sure to whisk the heat away instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"the
\nThe Le Jardin du Nil cocktail <\/em>
\nImage credit: @imbibeanonymous<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

For something lighter, <\/span>Le Jardin du Nil (VND220,000, ~USD9.47)<\/b> is our recommendation. Made from Roku gin, green tea liquor, and lotus flowers, the first sip will fill your mouth with a light yet pure fragrance, and the second will leave a lingering taste of tea on your tongue.
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Address:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>19 Nguy\u1ec5n Quang B\u00edch Str., Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 7PM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 096 871 3442
\n<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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2. Fat Cat Bar – where you can make friends with random strangers<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"hanoi
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit: <\/span>@stnewz<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Located at one of the busiest streets of Hanoi at night, Fat Cat<\/strong> serves a diverse clientele who gather every night for a beer and a chat. You could spot a young local man in his 20s having a good laugh with a white tourist lady in her 40s about how ridiculous the final season of <\/span>Game of Thrones<\/span><\/em> was. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Distance between individuals is non-existent here \u2013 literally and figuratively. Smile and say hi to the first person you make eye contact with and it\u2019ll be as if you were long-time friends who haven\u2019t seen each other in a while and have so much to catch up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"hanoi
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit: <\/span>@himann_hiso<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 25 T\u1ea1 Hi\u1ec7n Street, Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 9AM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 0<\/span>98 649 5221
\n<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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3. The Hill Station Bar –\u00a0 unique cocktails with homemade ingredients<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: Jo Molony<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Hill Station<\/strong> lies at the other side of the street from Fat Cat, and its aesthetic is also the exact opposite. It stands out amidst the chaos for its subdued atmosphere created by warm yellow lights reflecting on worn brick walls, a small, charming bar, candlelit tables, soothing music, and cute little ornaments adorning the place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drink-wise, you won\u2019t find your average gin and tonic or whisky sour here. Instead, the bar offers unique cocktail recipes using homemade rice wine coming from the mountainous province of Sapa.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n<\/span><\/i>The Sapa Sunset cocktail<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span>\u00a0The Hill Station<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to try the <\/span>\u201cSapa Sunset\u201d (VND85,000, ~USD3.66)<\/b> while you\u2019re here. Featuring rice wine, cranberry juice, blue curacao, grenadine, and lime, it\u2019s a unique drink that you can\u2019t get anywhere else.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 2T T\u1ea1 Hi\u1ec7n Str., Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 11AM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 0<\/span>91 513 1066
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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4. Warning Pub – a laid-back pub with a hippie, carefree vibe<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"hanoi
\nImage credit:<\/span><\/i> Warning Pub<\/span><\/i><\/a>
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As the middle ground between Fat Cat and The Hill Station, Warning Pub offers the best of both worlds. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"hanoi
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> Warning Pub<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

While the aged brick walls, wooden windows, and music instruments neatly kept at a corner still give the place a homely feel, it is also a nice place to make new friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"hanoi
\n<\/i>Image credit: Warning Pub<\/a><\/em>
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Even if you are not good at breaking the ice, all you need to do is drop the bartenders a hint. A simple question such as \u201cHow it\u2019s going\u201d would suffice. Once they know you are willing to chat, they will carry the conversation for you. These guys often try to get multiple customers involved, so before long you\u2019ll find yourself with no shortage of topics to discuss with complete strangers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 8 \u0110\u00e0o Duy T\u1eeb Str., Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 11AM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 097 835 3932
\n<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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5. The Kumquat Tree – an old Hong Kong-style secret bar<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"hanoiImage credit: The Kumquat Tree<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Ever watched one of those Hong Kong action movies where the protagonist goes to an obscure street in town, knocks on a mysterious red door, provides a password, and then gets welcomed into a secret bar where he meets his information source? That\u2019s pretty much what you\u2019ll be doing at The Kumquat Tree<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you manage to get past that door using the password you obtain by contacting them via Facebook or phone beforehand, you\u2019ll be greeted with an amazing interior that is a nice mixture of Eastern and Western designs. One moment, you can look up to bathe in the warm red light from the Chinese-style lanterns hanging from the ceiling, then the next, you might turn around to see a brightly-lit bar with an extensive selection of liquors on display.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:\u00a0<\/span>Tripadvisor<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The bartenders here sure know how to mix these liquors too, as there\u2019s a wide variety of creative cocktails on offer.\u00a0 <\/span>What The Duck (VND200,000, ~USD8.61)<\/b> captures attention with its interesting presentation – using absinthe as the main ingredient, it is served with a rubber duck inside the glass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 01 Nguy\u1ec5n Kh\u1eafc C\u1ea7n Str, Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 7.30PM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 0<\/span>98 268 5335
\n<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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6. King Pirates Pub – where your thirst for a pirate adventure is satisfied <\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"hanoi
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:\u00a0<\/span>King Pirates Pub<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Ahoy mateys! If yer looking to have yer thirst for a pirate adventure quenched, then hoist the colors and set sails toward King Pirates Pub. Established in 2013, this little quirky pub has garnered a loyal following of locals and expats alike over the years thanks to its wacky pirate theme.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> @pataverdita<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Given the premise, it comes as no surprise that the pub\u2019s menu has an entire section dedicated to rum-based cocktails, among which the <\/span>Captain Jack Sparrow (VND80,000, ~USD3.44)<\/b> is the highlight. This simple mixture of rum, amaretto, and coke will have you feeling like a true pirate, especially since you can enjoy it while wearing a captain\u2019s hat and an eye patch that you can borrow from the staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"king
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:\u00a0<\/span>King Pirates Club<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Any seasoned buccaneer worth their salt should also try Walking The Plank, King Pirates\u2019 signature activity. For <\/span>VND400,000<\/b> (~USD17.21)<\/b>, you get 5 shots of rum. Finish them all within 2 minutes, and you\u2019ll earn a T-shirt to honor your deed as well as the right to have your picture taken and displayed on their Hall of Fame board.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, if rum isn\u2019t your drink of choice, the bar boasts an expansive selection of local Vietnamese beer brands that cost as little as <\/span>VND20,000 (~USD0.86)<\/b> a pint, to ensure that no pirate has to walk away thirsty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 24B H\u00e0ng Gi\u1ea7y Str., Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i (Not to be confused with H\u00e0ng Gi\u1ea5y Str.)
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 10.30AM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 094 363 1998
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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7. Craft Beer Pub – For craft beer enthusiasts and sports fans<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"hanoi
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit: <\/span>Craft Beer Pub<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Decorated in the style of a French farm, Craft Beer Pub oozes a cozy vibe with its wooden interiors. And as you can probably guess from the brand, craft beer is the name of the game here. The bar offers 8 different types of beer on draft, 5 of which come from respected Vietnamese craft beer brands such as Barett, Platinum, and Pasteur Street.<\/span><\/p>\n

You definitely shouldn\u2019t pass on <\/span>Pasteur Street IPA (VND95,000, ~USD4.09)<\/b>. With dried jasmine flowers added during its brewing process, the beer comes with a wonderful aroma that lingers on the tip of your tongue for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"pasteur
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> Pasteur Street Brewing Company<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Craft Beer is also a popular destination among Hanoians during football seasons. Folks from all over the city gather here whenever there is a match to cheer for their favorite teams – usually from the English Premier League or the Vietnamese national team – over a refreshing beer, so if you want to truly grasp how big of a deal football is in Vietnam, be sure to drop by.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 26 H\u00e0ng Bu\u1ed3m Str., Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 9AM-2AM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 096 312 4838
\n<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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8. RockStore Bar – American-style rock music meets a diner<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"hanoi<\/span><\/i>Image credit: <\/span>RockStore Bar<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

RockStore might look like your average American diner at first glance, but the further you venture into its cavernous depth, the crazier things get. With vibrant lighting, a disco mirror ball hanging from the ceiling, and an elevated dance floor, the place will leave you feeling as if you\u2019d wandered into an actual rock concert.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fans of rock music are in for a treat at RockStore, as the bar has bands and DJs performing almost on a daily basis. There\u2019s a great variety here too. You could come here one night to find a local artist performing techno on stage, then return the next to be welcomed by some upbeat tunes coming from an up-and-coming band of Westerners in town for the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 61 M\u00e3 M\u00e2y Str., Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 9AM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 037 232 8715
\n<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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9. The Unicorn Pub – Ph\u1edf in drinkable form<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"unicorn
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> The Unicorn Pub<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Tucked away in a quiet corner far away from the heart of the Old Quarter, the humble building housing The Unicorn Pub is one you can easily pass by without a second glance. Little would you know that you\u2019d be missing out on a hidden gem, as the place is home to some of the best mixologists in town.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n<\/span><\/i>The Ph<\/span>\u1edf<\/span> cocktail<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Andrenelli Jess<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

While the venue is a comfortable space with warm red lights and brick walls adorned by pictures of Renaissance paintings, it is the drinks that take the real spotlight here. Just as you can\u2019t experience Hanoi\u2019s food culture without eating Ph\u1edf, you can\u2019t come here without trying The Unicorn\u2019s signature<\/span> Ph\u1edf Cocktail (VND150,000, ~USD6.46).<\/b><\/p>\n

\"pho
\n<\/span><\/i>The making of Ph\u1edf Cocktail<\/span>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@theunicorncocktails<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Made from Gin, Cointreau, and various spices also used in Ph\u1edf, this award-winning cocktail aims to capture the essence of one of Vietnam\u2019s most significant contributions to world cuisine \u2013 and does one hell of a job at it. The way it\u2019s made is a spectacular show, with the concoction being filtered through 3 layers of cups while on fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 2A H\u00e0ng Than Str., Ba \u0110\u00ecnh, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 5PM-1AM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> \u00a0098 121 0752
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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10. Northern Soul Rooftop Bar – enjoy the cool breeze at night<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"hanoi<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span>\u00a0Northern Soul Rooftop Bar<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Those lost in the chaos of the crowded streets and want some fresh air should look no further than number 31 T\u1ea1 Hi\u1ec7n. Actually, scratch that. Look a <\/span>little bit <\/span><\/em>further into number 31 T\u1ea1 Hi\u1ec7n, and you will find a lift leading to Northern Soul Rooftop Bar.<\/span><\/p>\n

Located right at the heart of Hanoi\u2019s nightlife and touted \u201cthe only rooftop bar\u201d in the area, Northern Soul boasts 2 patios on the 5<\/span>th<\/span> and 6<\/span>th<\/span> floor of the building, offering both indoor and outdoor seating options. Sitting in a comfortable chair above the hustle and bustle, you\u2019ll be able to soak in the cool breeze, enjoy a stunning bird\u2019s-eye view of the streets below, or gape at the vibrant skyline of the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> 5<\/span>th<\/span> Floor, 31 T\u1ea1 Hi\u1ec7n Str., Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 5PM-late, Daily
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Best Hanoi Old Quarter bars<\/h3>\n
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A trip to Hanoi wouldn\u2019t be complete without visiting the historic Old Quarter. And after you\u2019ve explored the attractions in the daytime, come to at least one of these bars to have a taste of the lively nightlife of the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n