Discover the handful of local bars awarded Top 500 status, as decided by AI from the reviews of industry experts, journalists and influencers.
Powered by Le Cocktail Connoisseur, a social media blog dedicated to the world’s best bartenders and cocktail bars, a new definitive list has emerged of this year’s best 500 bars across 122 cities around the globe. See if your favourite bar made the cut, as we feature Vietnam’s eight entries.
Machina Bar
Ranking in at 237th in the world, Ho Chi Minh City’s Machina Bar captivates with its futuristic library aesthetic, discreetly tucked away in one of Hai Ba Trung’s alleyways. The innovative design propels you to the Year 3000, as if you were suddenly on board a luxury space colony far far away. The bartenders bewitch and beguile with their 30 signature cocktails, creatively crafted using locally sourced ingredients such as Hoa Loc mango, Dak Lak sarsi and Tay Ninh shrimp salt.
10 Alley 74 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: +84 966 747 410
Layla Eatery & Bar
Founded by Australian bartender Jay Moir and a Vietnamese partner, Layla Eatery & Bar came in at 279th place. Overlooking the bustling area of Ho Chi Minh City’s Dong Khoi boulevard, the modern venue is located on the second floor of an old building on Dong Du’s dynamic strip. An inviting hideaway, the venue features a cosy garden terrace, decked out with wooden furniture and verdant foliage.
2nd Floor, 63 Dong Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: +84 283 827 2279
The Haflington
At 296th position, The Haflington occupies an attic of an old house on Hang Ma Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and is a special find indeed. Its lavish design mirrors a private museum, with quintessential European architecture, a whiskey-tasting counter and a Gentleman’s club-style smoking lounge. Suspended in the air above the chic wooden bar, a three-metre long dinosaur skeleton beckons your awe, and so does their cocktail menu. Inspired by cultural stories around the world, their divine concoctions are worthy of their well-deserved praise.
94 P. Hang Ma, Hang Bo, Hoang Kiem, Hanoi. Tel: +84 879 499 094
Rabbit Hole
Inspired by an American speakeasy aesthetic, Ho Chi Minh City’s Rabbit Hole ranked 394th on the list. The stylish bar features an L-shaped counter, soothing dim lights, mid-century style armchairs and plush banquettes. Open until 2am, this Nam Ky Khoi Nghia bar is a hot destination for creatures of the night.
138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: +84 283 823 4896
Polite & Co
Nestled in an alleyway in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District, Polite & Co took the 398th spot. Reimagining the classy gentleman’s clubs of the 1920s, its interior exudes opulence, while also being cosy. Their rotating cocktail menu revamps itself every six months, incorporating 25 cocktails from around the world, as well as bringing forth Vietnamese flavours in their own creations
5B Ng. Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Tel: +84 968 949 606
Firkin Bar
Ranking 418th, winning another top spot for Ho Chi Minh City, Mac Thi Buoi Street is the home of Firkin. A narrow stairway leads to the dimly lit bar space, which takes inspiration from the classic whisky bars of Tokyo. Adorned with dark timber and luxurious leather furniture, the true treasure is their bespoke cocktail services, served along with a collection of hundreds of Japanese and Scottish single malts, American whiskeys and bourbons.
20 Mac Thi Buoi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: +84 931 312 723
Summer Experiment
Close behind at 422nd, Summer Experiment is located on Ho Chi Minh City’s Ly Tu Trong Street. Succeeding to create a cool and relaxed ambiance, the bar is decorated with ornamental plants, with more outdoor garden space outside for smokers. The cocktail menu celebrates the seasonality of local ingredients, and features botanicals and herbs grown on the premises. Besides cocktails, they also have a range of tasty snacks, such as grilled calamari.
2nd Floor, 77-79 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: +84 283 521 0789
STIR
Finally, STIR resides on the first floor of an apartment building on Le Thanh Ton, opposite Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh Market, and was ranked 456th. Overlooking the busy night market, those who come here can be prepared to party hard until 2am, or simply enjoy the skyline view with a cocktail. The bar serves innovative concoctions, such as a Jasmine Negroni and a Truffle Martini, as well as selected traditional Vietnamese dishes.
136 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: +84 962 602 080
