Bar hopping in Hanoi – Vietnamese cocktail innovations

Bar hopping = special drinks at selected places. The beer street in Hanoi is well known, one pub next to the other, street vendors selling beer from giant tubs for little money. However, Hanoi also has a sophisticated bar scene with meticulously designed and curated interiors and innovative cocktails.

Why go bar hopping in Hanoi?

When people talk about a pub crawl, I think about too many drinks around too many people, where the main focus is getting drunk. Meanwhile bar hopping to me means special drinks at selected places in good company or even alone. I have been informed that the two phrases are actually interchangeable, but for the sake of this blog post I will talk about moving from bar to bar with the latter intention.

Of course, if alcohol isn’t your thing there are many other things you can choose to do during a week in Hanoi.

Where to go bar hopping in Hanoi?

The Haflington

This bar can be found as a photo op on some niche Instagram accounts, with it’s fantasy dinosaur skeleton hanging from the ceiling and the glass roof, illuminated by a bar shelf that reaches up the entire height of the back wall. The Haflington was designed with European natural history museums in mind. Their menu remind of an old book, with golden lettering “A Guide to Fantastic Cocktails & Wonders” on the leather bound cover. They created their own signature drinks, but also offer the classics.

Cocktail: Song of the Birds – 290k VND
Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Juice, Lime Juice, Grenadine Syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters

Location: 94 P. Hàng Mã, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Nê Cocktailbar

Nê is treated as one of the “inventors” of modern Vietnamese cocktail culture. The bar opened in 2017 and it’s founder has even won an award for his Phở cocktail. The cocktail, as the name suggests, is inspired by Phở, Vietnams de facto national dish – a hearty beef soup. Watching the cocktail being made is an experience in itself, since the alcohol is set on fire and then poured through three stages in a tower like contraption, specifically invented for this cocktail. It smells like Phở and is served in a bowl, together with a small dish that has the same additions you will see at every restaurant and street vendor serving Pho.

To build on the sucess of this first modern Vietnamese cocktail they created several more, inspired by other foods, herbs and regional fruits. One of theses cocktails is Áp Thổ, inspired by “Vietnamese pizza” – grilled rice paper with different toppings.

Cocktails: Phở – 260k VND
Gin, Cointreau, Cinnamon, Black Cardamom, Star Anise, Coriander, Sweet & Sour – it’s served with lime and chili, try it by itself first, then add the chili and lime

Áp Thổ – 230k VND
Chicken Fat Washed Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Lemongrass Syrup, Lime Juice – it’s served with a slice of ricepaper pizza

Location: 3B P. Tống Duy Tân, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Rabbit Habit

A bar hidden at the end of an alley, in the maze of alleys of the Old Town. This bar gives off the vibes of a speakeasy. You have to ring a doorbell to be let inside, the stairs are light up with candles and nothing else, most windows are covered with newspapers and don’t allow any light inside or outside. Dark and heavy leather couches surround dark wood tables.

Sitting at the bar you get the feeling that people here know each other, the barkeepers and customers are familiar with each other and you have barely any tourists making a scene or any loud noises. It truly feels like a cozy space away from home.

Cocktail: Cheesy Movie Night – 300k VND
Irish Whisky, Infused Caramel Popcorn, White Cacao Liqueur, Lime, Cacao Bitter, Salted Cheese and Butterscotch Foam – my recommendation: try it creamy!

Location: 4 P. Trần Phú, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Bar Dinh Rooftop Bar & Lounge

On the 12th floor of the Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture you can find the Bar Dinh Rooftop Bar & Lounge. From this rooftop you have a great view over Ba Đình and the eastern part of the West lake. They do classic cocktails and alcohol free ones, as well as serving some select dishes and snacks. I recommend the Crème Brûlée and the Hanoi Corner cocktail.

Since this bar is close to the old town where most of you who are reading this will be staying, this can be a perfect “last spot” to visit on your trip. To end it on a high note time your visit around 30 minutes before sunset.

Cocktail: Hanoi Corner – 250k VND
Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau, Sweet & Sour Kumquat Mix, Fresh Orange Juice, Ginger, Lemongrass, Chili, Orange Peel – my recommendation: normal spice level, more sour

Location: 105 P. Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam – inside the Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture

Bar hopping in Hanoi – my experience

I went to most of these places (with the exception of the last one) with a friend and we had a great time. Of course this is something I’ll only recommend if you drink alcohol at all and while you can also enjoy your time and drink (maybe even spread out over several days) by yourself, as I usually do, I have to admit that exploring these places and making memories with another person was very special.

The cocktails I tried carried their heritage well and I am most certain that you won’t be able to get them outside of Vietnam any time soon. Despite their novelty they also tasted great, with a focus on each singular ingredient, which at the same time supported the overall taste when all came together.