Best Bars in Hanoi for Your First Visit

Hanoi - a small city with street corners filled with little surprises is famous for its unique culture, street food, and French colonial architecture. But wait until dark to discover an entirely new face of the city. From an outdoor patio, in dark jazz music, give yourself a twist with a signature cocktail, and let Hanoi by night suppresses your feeling and brings your Vietnam trip to the next level.

1. The Alchemist Cocktail Bar

This bar is a hidden gem inside an old house with classic French architecture. The Alchemist doesn’t have a sign, so it may confuse or misdirect some visitors who first come. The first floor is another bar, you have to go through it to see a staircase, which leads you to the second floor where the Alchemist is located. 

The Alchemist is made up of two spaces. The outside has a classic European style with big brown leather sofas, while the trendy inside brings a romantic atmosphere with lovely candlelit tables. Both aim to bring warmness and classiness with a combination of fine drinks and great jazz. With true love and a thoughtful understanding of the art of mixology, the owner of Alchemist has created a place for cocktail lovers to gather, share the same passion, and indulge in a collection of 500 brands of spirits and liqueurs. So prepare to be delighted by amazing cocktails, a wonderful Whisky list, and friendly bartenders. They are very passionate and knowledgeable about what they do. 

Address:  25 Bat Su Str., 

Hours: 7 PM - 1 AM

2. Hanoi House Cafe & Cocktail Bar

A green signboard of “Hanoi” printed on the old yellow wall that is often seen in colonial houses in the Old Quarter seems nothing special but has become an iconic symbol of ancient Hanoi. That it is, Hanoi House - one of the most hidden coffee houses in Hanoi and also a vintage bar that you’d want to keep secret from everyone.

Go inside a small alleyway entrance then follow the light to slowly walk up the stairs to the second floor to enter the bar. A one-hundred-year-old small, gritty chamber is renovated into a hidden cafe and bar with a great vibe and skinny tree roots crisscrossed on a wall tinged with time. 

The cocktail list is cool, the soundtrack is, and the English-speaking staff is hospitable and friendly. Hanoi House’s mixologist will even make you a special cocktail based on your preferences. You can choose to sit indoors or outdoors on the narrow balcony to look down the street. Slow down with a drink in the nearby St. Joseph’s Cathedral’s bell rings bringing back memories of the bygone days.

Address: Level 2, 47A Ly Quoc Su St., Hoan Kiem Dist.,

Hours: 9 AM - 1 AM

3. Tadioto

From the paintings, and impressive decor, to the Bohemian ambiance and fabric lanterns, everything in Tadioto shows the aesthetic taste of the owner - a radio broadcaster and writer Nguyen Quy Duc. 

The bar itself is very reminiscent of a French-influenced speakeasy with the finest music playlist in Hanoi. From Anouar Brahem to Ibrahim Maalouf, the dark, soft jazz is played in hushed tones, in order to keep the vibe inside smoky, chilled out, and artsy. Some nights are dedicated to live-music and exhibitions. Tadioto offers great cocktails at truly affordable prices. This is the place you’ll want to come back to, again and again, every night.

Address: 24B Tong Dan Str.,

Hours: Wed - Friday & Sun - Tue: 11 AM - 11:45 PM; Sat: 4 PM - 11:45 PM

4. Sunset Bar

Think that nowhere in crowded Hanoi has a beautiful view of the sunset? Think again! As its name suggests and promises, Sunset Bar is built on the water, surrounded by three pavilions, and offers a great view of the sun as it sets over West Lake: an extremely romantic getaway from the hustle of Hanoi’s center. 

The design is sophisticated with rattan couches and velvet pillows. The ambiance is lovely, as well. If you come early, you can lay on the daybed, feel the breeze from the lake, and watch the sundown or the starry sky with a drink in hand. The drink menu is limited, but their six pages of cocktails are well-mixed to keep you feeling good all evening. In addition, contact them for a Vinoteca Night which is an exclusive night designed for wine lovers with a guest speaker who leads you through a selection of 6 fine wines. Don’t expect a cheap drink. You are drinking at a five-star hotel bar, and of course, considering its prime location, it’s definitely worth the extra money. 

Address: InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, 5 Tu Hoa, Tay Ho Dist.,

Hours: 4 PM - 12 AM

5. Summit Bar 

Renowned as Hanoi’s most beautiful rooftop bar, Summit Bar is an ideal destination for chill-out evening drinks. 

Perched on the 20th floor of the Pan Pacific Hotel’s luxurious penthouse suite, the Summit Lounge is divided into two areas. Inside is an upbeat lounge experience, complete with comfortable sofa settings, cocktails, and awesome house DJs, while the outdoor terrace has casual-chic decor with low tables, offering stunning views over the adjacent twin lakes and Red River landscape nearby.

Beyond the well-executed classics, mixologists can create real magic with their drinks. The extensive drink menu offers impressive selections of premium spirits, blended and single malt whiskeys, wines, and champagne for many kinds of options, in both glass and bottle.

Address:  20th flr., Pan Pacific Hanoi Hotel, 1 Thanh Nien Dist.,

Hours: 4 PM - 12 AM

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