Across Vietnam’s most dynamic cities, a new generation of bars is reshaping the drinking culture, not with excess, but with elegance, creativity, and storytelling. From Saigon’s skyline sanctuaries to Hanoi’s heritage hideaways, each venue brings its own philosophy: Med’s spirited mocktails, Oculus’ sensory performances, Somme’s urban retreat for wine lovers, Hai Tô’s Mekong soul, Workshop14’s crafted dialogues of terroir, and The Picker’s nostalgic cocktails. Together, they compose a mosaic of experiences where flavor becomes memory, and every glass is a journey.
Med - Mocktail | Non-alcohol | Virgin Bar
In the heart of Vietnam’s vibrant dining scene, Med stands as a pioneering non-alcoholic bar, where every glass tells a story. Far from the ordinary, Med transforms familiar Vietnamese ingredients—betel leaf, dracontomelon, even the comforting notes of phở—into extraordinary mocktails that balance creativity with cultural heritage. Here, the bar experience isn’t about intoxication, but elevation.
From the smoky sophistication of a Highball without spirits to the playful freshness of the Betel Leaf Mocktail, Med crafts beverages that feel indulgent, refined, and distinctly Vietnamese. Complementing the drinks is an innovative menu where tradition meets modern flair, such as the Omakase-style braised fish, reimagined with theatrical presentation. At Med, the artistry lies not only in the drinks but in the philosophy: to offer a sanctuary where flavors spark conversation, music fills the air, and guests find joy in a bar culture that is spirited yet alcohol-free.
Adress: 45 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 708 880 093.
Oculus
Step inside Oculus, and every detail whispers intention. From the velvet arcs of the walls to the symmetry above, design becomes a quiet prelude to what awaits in the glass. Here, cocktails are composed, each a study in balance, texture, and revelation. The tasting journey, The Eye Opens, showcases this artistry. A drink like Steady Look arrives beneath a misted cloche, where Roku Gin, dill-kissed sake, and osmanthus limoncello unfold like a garden after rain—still on the surface, profound beneath. Or the Forest Beckons Mocktail, where flame-kissed cucumber and yuzu slip into coco foam, offering creaminess that fades into a refreshing finish. Pairings elevate the experience: Side Glance’s smoky black tea reshaping Hokkaido uni into delicate waves of umami, or Lava Ember’s charred bell pepper essence igniting Earl Grey brightness. At Oculus, cocktails are meant to be seen, felt, and remembered.
Adress: 54 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, District 3, HCMC, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 928 993 993.
RAW + Atelier
RAW + Atelier has quickly become one of Saigon’s most versatile venues — café by day, cocktail bar by night — and what’s remarkable is how convincingly it pulls off both identities. Conceived by Jimmy Nguyen of Drinking & Healing and Julia Doan of Floralpunk, it’s a space designed for shifts in rhythm. By daylight, the second floor is all bright light, clean lines, and the soft buzz of laptops and conversation. Espresso, matcha lattes, and Vietnamese coffee dominate, while a developing brunch menu suggests there’s more to come beyond caffeine. Come evening, the transformation is complete. Upstairs, lights dim, playlists deepen, and bartenders with award-winning credentials take over. Classics are present but restrained, while signatures reveal the bar’s personality. A gin drink structured with cheddar whey shows playful precision, and a reimagined 20th Century balances cacao with citrus. Nothing feels like novelty for its own sake; instead, cocktails and food move with the same intention. RAW + Atelier thrives in duality. It is a daytime refuge and an evening destination, as comfortable for solo work sessions as for late-night gatherings — proof that in Saigon, one space can carry two lives seamlessly.
Adress: 3rd Floor, 97B Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 989 149 976.
Hai Tô Bar
Hidden behind an old-fashioned grocery façade, Hai Tô Bar is a soulful journey into Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by thatched palm roofs, bamboo walls, warm yellow lights, and the nostalgic charm of hibiscus hedges and red brick tiles. It feels less like a bar, more like stepping straight into the heart of the countryside.
Here, cocktails are memories in a glass. Inspired by family meals, folk songs, and childhood treats, each creation carries the flavors of the Delta: the tang of Canh Chua Lá Giang, the delicate sweetness of Bánh Da Lợn and Bánh Pía, or the golden blossoms of Điên Điển. Every sip recalls river breezes, floating markets, and the soulful strains of Đờn Ca Tài Tử. At Hai Tô, Saigon’s energy meets the Delta’s spirit, familiar, heartfelt, unforgettable.
Adress: 49B Huynh Man Dat Street, Thanh My Tay Ward, Binh Thanh District, HCMC, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 888 843 394.
Workshop14
Tucked away in the historic weaving village of Nghi Tàm, on land once belonging to Princess Từ Hoa’s royal palace, Workshop14 reimagines Vietnamese heritage through modern cocktail craft. Here, every drink is a dialogue between past and present, terroir and technique. From the misty slopes of Mộc Châu, oolong leaves are distilled into liquid narratives; from H’Mong artisans, dó paper traditions spark new layers of inspiration. Under the discerning hand of co-founder and beverage director, these raw stories transform into cocktails that are as evocative as they are precise. Techniques like vacuum distillation and rapid infusion are not used for novelty, but to reveal purity, depth, and emotional resonance. The space itself feels like a fourteenth craft village: warm woods, clean lines, and a veranda that opens to the rhythm of nature. At Workshop14, every glass carries the weight of tradition, clarity, and care.
Adress: No. 6, Alley5, Tu Hoa Street, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 934 446 669.
The Picker (Picker)
Nestled in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, The Picker is not just a cocktail bar but a sanctuary of memory and conversation. Step inside and you’ll find golden light, the scent of aged wood, and music that drifts like echoes from another time. Each cocktail here recalls an era, a city, or a fleeting encounter. An Old Fashioned speaks of 19th-century elegance; a Manhattan carries the poise of early 20th-century New York; a Long Island Iced Tea captures the audacity of the 1970s. Even a simple Highball whispers of both American saloons and post-war Tokyo bars. At The Picker, cocktails are fragments of history, polished with care, and poured as invitations to connect. Quietly nostalgic yet vibrantly alive, The Picker is where timeless encounters begin.
Adress: 20 Hai Ba Trung Street, Trang Tien Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 817 892 020.
