{"id":9755,"date":"2021-11-24T12:15:44","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T04:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=9755"},"modified":"2022-05-12T15:04:59","modified_gmt":"2022-05-12T07:04:59","slug":"the-mechanic-saigon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/the-mechanic-saigon\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mechanic: A Saigon Cocktail Bar Serving Drool-Worthy Snail Burgers & Healthy Poke Bowls"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Mechanic is a swanky bar with unique, healthy food<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n

In the eyes of many, cocktail bars are where people go to for captivating alcoholic drinks, pampering table service, resulting in hangovers. For this reason, watering holes are rarely associated with a healthy lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, <\/span>The Mechanic<\/b>, a cocktail bar in Saigon is here to alter some mindsets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only is it a posh place to enjoy tasty cocktails, but it also dishes out a variety of healthy dishes to fill your stomach. Snail burgers, the house\u2019s signature menu item, are all the rage with local foodies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Industrial designs and modern vibe<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>The Mechanic<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Nestled on the second floor of a well-weathered building on the bustling L\u00ea Lai Street in District 1, The Mechanic, a compact and cosy cocktail bar, is a gem hidden in plain sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>The Mechanic<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Drawing inspiration from garages, The Mechanic is decked out with industrial-style elements, featuring grey walls, wooden floors, and exposed pipes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dartboards and bike models on the walls add a casual and relaxed touch to the venue, making it look like a friendly get-together place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>The Mechanic<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

There is a small balcony and a window with views over the streets, allowing decent lighting and ventilation into the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over all, this cosy den makes a great refuge for a momentary escape from the hullabaloo of District 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A variety of drinks from cocktails to coffee<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span><\/em>The Mechanic<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

From coffee to cocktails to wine, the house whips up a satisfying array of beverages for you to stay awake and hydrated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fans of classic cocktails won\u2019t be disappointed with the zingy and pleasantly bitter <\/span>Mai Tai (VND165,000, ~USD7.28)<\/b>, which features rum, amaretto syrup, cointreau, and fresh lime. Faintly salty and crispy, the<\/span> super tonic (VND150,000, ~USD6.62) <\/b>featuring a whiskey drink with tonic and soda is a refreshing option to beat the heat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nBeetroot latte<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>The Mechanic<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If nothing calls out to you from the booze selection, check out the aromatic caffeine drinks from<\/span> VND60,000 (~USD2.65). <\/b>You\u2019ll find elusive latte flavors such as the earthy and rich<\/span> beetroot latte.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Caramelly (VND69,000, ~USD3.04<\/b>), a delicious coffee cold brew with salty caramel sauce, is highly recommended for those who don\u2019t drink alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n

Foodwise, the eatery has a good selection of burgers, poke bowls, and pasta that will surely satisfy your tummies. This is hands down one of the very few cocktail bars in town that can rival any restaurants in town in terms of food offerings and quality.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A broad array of healthy food to fill your stomach<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nA <\/span>bamboo charcoal burger, poke bowls, and pasta with egg yolk sauce and cheese.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>H\u00e2n Nguy\u1ec5n<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As strange as this dish sounds, it has an enjoyable rollercoaster of flavors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>The Mechanic<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Creamy and sweet,<\/span> spaghetti dunked in thick egg yolk sauce and molten cheese<\/b> (VND75,000, ~USD3.31) <\/b>is also a decadent dinner treat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nRice dishes here are made from brown rice, which are rich in dietary fiber.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>The Mechanic<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Fans of rice should check out the house\u2019s delectable menu of poke bowls, featuring incredibly filling healthy brown rice topped with vegetables, fruits, shrimps, and meat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A sumptuous bowl of beef poke, which consists of beef plate, kimchi, avocado, and shallots, is priced at <\/span>VND80,000 (~USD3.53).<\/b><\/p>\n

\n

Why you should visit The Mechanic<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

With a tastefully designed space that reminds us of a tricked-out bar in a Western home garage, this cocktail bar is a great place to wind down and chat with friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If whiling away an afternoon<\/span> with a gooey snail burger paired with a latte or downing zingy drinks before heading off to the land of nod<\/span>, sounds good to you,<\/span> look no further than The Mechanic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>176 L\u00ea Lai, Ph\u1ea1m Ng\u0169 L\u00e3o Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City<\/span>
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b> <\/span>096 8777 965<\/span>
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/span> <\/b>Mon\u2013Thu 10AM-1AM | Fri\u2013Sat 10AM-2AM | Sun 10AM-12AM<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mechanic’s Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n

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