Hanoi Nightlife

Apocalypse Now

A staple for clubbing Hanoians and a must-try for visitors, Apocalypse Now recently moved downtown and has reputedly lost some of its edge. Smokey and atmospheric it’s the sort of place to see people with attitude rather than a friendly watering hole. Perhaps Hanoi’s most Gay-friendly bar.  

• Location: Star Bowl Centre, Pham Ngoc Thach, Dong Da
• Tel: +844 971 2783

A must-visit for any first-time visitor to Hanoi, Bia Hoi Junction is widely-regarded as the quintessential nightlife spot in Hanoi. Open throughout the day and late into the night, the ever-bustling beer haven is located at the corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in the Hanoi Old Quarter, where you can see hundreds

• Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – Late

Bia Hoi 68 Hang Quat

Bia Hoi or draught beer flows very cheaply at Bia Hoi bars across Hanoi that attract a mostly backpacker crowd. One of the more popular hangouts is 68 Hang Quat Bia Hoi where seating is provided on plastic stools perched on a floor covered in discarded peanut shells. It’s probably not the best beer in town and it’s certainly not a refined venue, but it is lots of fun at a very low price.

• Opening Hours: 09:00-Late
• Location: 68 Hang Quat
• Tel: +844 3933 3533

If the sometimes frenetic pace and crowds of Vietnam starts to get to you this is the perfect antidote. Real live jazz played by Quyen Van Minh, a locally celebrated saxophonist who also happens to own the club and is somewhat of a jazz catalyst. Coltrane and Charlie Parker downtown Hanoi? You bet.  

• Address: 65 Quan Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam (3rd floor).
• Tel: +844 3942 0400

Dragon Fly Bar Lounge

Young Vietnamese and youthful expats enjoy the hip-hop and dance music played at this laid-back venue. Shishas, foosball and inexpensive cocktails keep the party going in this friendly bar which has a weekly ladies night every Sunday. Stay downstairs to dance or play pool or head upstairs to lounge around and enjoy a game of Jenga and a smoke of apple and mint tobacco from the hookah bar.

• Opening Hours: 10:00-23:00
• Location: 15 Hang Buom, Hoàn Kiem
• Tel: +844 926 2177

Eté Resto & café

Famous for burgers, fresh fruit cocktails and imported beer, Eté is café bar culture at its best. Three levels including al fresco seating and a karaoke room are decked in local art efforts. Expect dancing and a fun, chic ambience with a diverse crowd. Make sure to explore all levels, each of which has its own unique design.

• Opening Hours: 08:00-24:00
• Location: 95 Giang Văn Minh, Ba Đình
• Tel: +849 7675 1331

Half Man Half Noodle

Another popular place with the expats and open until late, Half Man Half Noodle is run by a popular former barman and features an upstairs games room and quite a mellow atmosphere. 

• Address: 62 Dao Duy Tu, Hoàn Kiếm.
• Tel: +844 926 1943

Historic and elegant, The Hanoi Opera House first opened its doors in 1911 and is a breathtaking landmark created by the French in a neo-classical design complete with Gothic themes on the doors and domes. Pillars, shuttered windows, balconies and a glass room all add up to make a beautifully classic theatre in which musicians, actors

• Location: 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem
• Tel: +844 9330 113

Hero Club Hanoi

Hero Club Hanoi is an industrial-style nightlife venue where you can dance the night away with party-loving locals and expats. The establishment is decorated with colourful murals of popular super heroes and propaganda posters, while the DJ booth is set within an old Soviet truck. The music policy here ranges from EDM and deep house to hip-hop and R&B while drinks are priced at VND 75,000 onwards. A ten-minute taxi ride from downtown Hanoi, themed nights with great drinks promos and international DJs are held regularly at Hero Club Hanoi, resulting in a loud and fun party scene.

• Opening Hours: Daily 20:00 – Late
• Address: 42M Yen Phụ, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 98 926 4242

Ho Guom Xanh

Showcasing the slick, contemporary side of Hanoi’s nightlife, the cheerily uniformed bar staff tout steeply priced bottles of western spirits while the show is on the burlesque side borrowing heavily from Parisian revues. This is a good place to see the well-heeled locals as they really are when they come out to play.  

• Address: 32 Pho Le Thai To, Hoan Kiem Lake

Infinity Club

A local favourite in Hanoi’s vibrant clubbing scene, Infinity Club is where the city’s stylish partygoers gather for a fun night out. Fitted with a spacious dancefloor, impressive lighting, affordably-priced alcohol, the small yet busy nightclub hosts local DJS spinning hip-hop, house, trance, EDM and electro tunes. Set along Hang Bai Street, Infinity Club is a short 10-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Do note that its clientele is mostly Vietnamese youths, so it’s a good idea to brush up on the local language before making your way here.

• Opening Hours: Daily 21:00 – 00:30
• Address: 45 Hang Bai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 96 555 8998

King Pirates Pub is a fun pirate-themed nightlife spot in Hanoi Old Quarter, featuring a satisfying selection of rum-based drinks, local beers, and house wines. The owners are very friendly and chatty, attracting tourists, locals, and expats to this small yet charming pub. King Pirates Pub offers local beers for only VND 20,000 while signature cocktails

• Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 – 01:00
• Address: 24B Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Lan Chin

Another beer-swilling classic, Lan Chin is a pavement beer hall with plenty of tables and chairs under a corrugated iron roof. You can get good food here and the beer is markedly superior to the sometimes watered-down brew in the more average Bia Hois. Lan Chin has established itself as the place where locals head to.  

• Address: 2 Pho Trang Tien, French Quarter

La Salsa

La Salsa tapas bar is a great place to meet friends and enjoy some pre-dinner bar snacks and a few cocktails before heading out for a big night. The drinks list also features fine wines. If you want more than tapas then head to the restaurant on the second floor which also serves classic French cuisine.

• Opening Hours: 08:30-23:00
• Location: 25 Nha ThoHoan Kiem District
• Tel: +844 3828 9052
• Cuisine: Tapas Bar, French restaurant

Legend Beer Hanoi occupies the third floor of a building in downtown Hanoi, with a sweeping terrace that overlooks the bustling traffic and Hoan Kiem Lake. Great for unwinding after a day of exploring Hanoi, the bar serves lager, dark stout and wheat beers as well a decent menu of German-style dishes such as pork knuckles

• Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – 23:00
• Address: 01-03-05 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 43 776 1666

Situated a short stroll from Hoan Kiem Lake, Le Pub is superb place to sit and people watch from the outside terrace. There is an extensive wine list, local and imported beers and plenty of Western and Vietnamese pub food from roast dinners to spring rolls and even poutine. Drinks promotions are available according the

• Opening Hours: 07:00-Late
• Location: 25 Hang Be, Hoàn Kiem
• Tel: +844 3926 2104

Ly Club (Club 51)

Upstairs is super chic with brightly coloured sofas and divans with the heady scent of fresh flowers and live piano and violin music. Here you can indulge in fine dining. Downstairs, order a vodka martini and check out some of the best cabaret acts in Vietnam.  

• Address: 51 Pho Ly Thai To, French Quarter
• Tel: +844 936 3069

Mojito Bar & Lounge

Mojito Bar & Lounge is set within a heritage building along Old Quarter’s Nguyen Quang Bich Street. With a music policy that ranges from indie rock to house tunes, the cosy nightlife venue is fitted with unique artwork, exposed brick walls, locally-made furniture, and a koi fish pond. Mojito Bar & Lounge’s speciality lies within its innovative cocktails – definite must-tries include the pho and xoi cocktails, lychee martini, and wasabi shot. Mojito Bar & Lounge also offers great drinks deals, such as VND 50,000 for any cocktail on Thursday and two tequilas for the price of one every Wednesday.

• Opening Hours: Daily 16:00 – 00:00
• Address: 19 Nguyen Quang Bich, Old Quarter, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 96 753 7658

O’Leary’s Sports Bar Hanoi

A Swedish franchise chain, O’Leary’s Sports Bar Hanoi in Hoan Kiem District spans over two floors, featuring cosy seats, vintage sports memorabilia, 50 screens airing the latest sports events, and a breezy terrace that overlooks the busy streets below. As with most western-style bars in Hanoi, O’Leary’s Sports Bar serves the usual array of draft beers, whiskies, wines, and cocktails while its food menu features pastas, hamburgers, pizzas and salads.

• Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 10:30 – 23:30, Friday & Satureday 10:30 – 00:30, Sunday 10:30 – 23:30
• Address: 38 Ba Trieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 90 226 9938

Pharoah’;s Bar &; Upper Hanoi occupies the 63rd and 64th floors of five-star establishment Lotte Hotel Hanoi, where you get to enjoy expansive views of the city, electronic music, live bands, plus an extensive drink and food menu. Located in Ba Dinh District, this upmarket bar also shares a space with Grill 63, which serves

• Opening Hours: Daily 17:30 – 02:00
• Location: Lotte Hotel Hanoi, 54 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 43 333 1704

Playboy Establishment Hanoi

Playboy Establishment Hanoi is set below The Apricot Hotel in Hoan Kiem District. It’s the first official Playboy Establishment to open in Vietnam, making it a popular spot amongst affluent travellers. Styled in a theatre setting, this venue is divided into a lounge bar, dancefloor, and dining room. The drinks menu consists of imported champagnes, spirits, wines and cocktails. Every Wednesday, ladies get to enjoy free cocktails from 20:00 until midnight, followed with a 50% off on cocktails until 02:00. True to its name, dancers here are dressed in signature Playboy bunny costumes, while DJs spin a variety of music to keep the crowd dancing.

• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 19:00 – 02:00
• Location: 136 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 96 180 76 88

Polite Pub

A sports bar complete with foosball and pool tables. Loud and laid back with plenty of low-cost drinks to be enjoyed over a game of pool, although be warned that some of the regulars are pool champions! Happy hour drinks promotions run from 17:00-20:00 daily.

• Opening Hours: 17:00- 02:00
• Location: 5 Bao Khanh Lane, Hoàn Kiem
• Tel: +844 825 0959

Press Club Hanoi

Just a five-minute stroll from Hanoi Opera House is Press Club Hanoi, an upscale bar that’s known for its excellent service and sophisticated setting. Attracting a more affluent clientele, the gentleman’s club-style bar serves excellent wines, champagnes, and cocktails as well gourmet western delicacies while the spacious terrace offers great views of Hoan Kiem Lake and downtown Hanoi. You can also enjoy live rock music from Thursday to Sunday and a special buy-one-get-one-free deal on select drinks every Thursday.

• Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 – 24:00
• Address: 59A Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 43 934 0888

R & R Tavern

An older expat crowd frequent R&R (Rock & Roll) Tavern for a chance to catch up and relax to classic rock. Live music packs the tavern out every Thursday and Saturday. Drinks include cocktails, draft beer and the usual selection of spirits. There’s also a Tex-Mex bar menu and regular ‘all-you-can-eat’ specials.

• Opening Hours: 08:00-23:00
• Location: 10 Tho Nhuom St, Hanoi
• Tel: +844 6295 8215

Rockstore Hanoi

A small yet lively music bar in Old Quarter, Rockstore Hanoi features a spacious dance floor, elevated stage, and mural paintings of music icons such as Elvis, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. Its themed nights are especially popular, drawing in a good mix of locals, expats and travellers looking to mix and mingle. Drinks here are quite affordable, while the music policy ranges from classic rock and alternative to techno and house tunes. You can also enjoy a game of pool or catch up with the latest sports matches at Rockstore Hanoi.

• Opening Hours: Daily 10:30 – late
• Address: 61 Ma May, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 165 333 6087

Savage Club Hanoi, established in 2016, is an industrial-style nightlife venue where travellers can enjoy house and techno music spun by renowned international and local DJs during their holiday in Hanoi. Located in Tay Ho District, it is accessible within a 15-minute drive from the Old Quarter.

• Opening Hours: Daily 18:00 – 04:00
• Location: 112 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 46 686 6150

Seventeen Cowboys Club

Featuring a Filipino band churning out old favourites, Seventeen Cowboys Club takes its Wild Western style very seriously. There are cowboys and Red Indians galore entertaining a mostly tourist clientele. Drinks can be pricey but the ambience is certainly different and is always buzzing.

• Opening Hours: 17:00-Late
• Location: 98b Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoàn Kiem
• Tel: +84 4 39426822

Solace

Heavy house and techno music entertain weekend revelers whilst wannabe DJs have a go on the turntables through the week. Solace is a converted boat and good place to dance the night away as it quickly fills up with a young vibrant crowd. This is the place to come post-bar and pre-bed and is considered one of Hanoi’s best dance clubs.

• Opening Hours: 08:00-06:00
• Location: End of Chuong Duong Do, Hoan Kiem Lake
• Tel: +844 174 730

Studio Lounge & Restaurant

Quirky and eccentric, Studio is a sublime spot set in the midst of Hanoi’s downtown area. Black and white minimalist décor complements the laid-back lounge music and set the pace for a chilled out evening. Mixologists are on hand to deliver a superb cocktail as you sit back, relax and enjoy.

• Opening Hours: 10:00-24:00
• Location: 32 Ma May
• Tel: +844 3926 3882

Sunset Bar

Punters recline on the plush daybeds and woven couches on Sunset Bar’s chilled-out wooden deck complete with serene views overlooking West Lake. Nestled inside the InterContinental Hotel, this is a superb designer spot to enjoy a cool afternoon Martini far away from Hanoi’s crowds.

• Opening Hours: 16:30-24:00
• Location: 1A Nghi Tam St, InterContinental Hotel, West Lake
• Tel: +844 6270-8888

The Bank Hanoi

The Bank Hanoi is currently the biggest nightclub in Hanoi, boasting three venues that play different upbeat tunes until late. The nightclub is set on the sixth floor of Hanoi’s Capital Building, where you can enjoy a great view of Hoan Kiem Lake and downtown Hanoi. Attracting a well-dressed crowd of locals, expats and tourists, its music policy comprises hip-hop, top 40 hits, lounge, deep house, and house tunes while drinks here are relatively inexpensive compared to most nightclubs in Hanoi. Cocktails are priced between VND 150,000 and VND 200,000 while Budweiser and Corona cost approximately VND 120,000.

• Opening Hours: Daily 20:45 – 00:45
• Address: 6th Floor, Capital Bulding, 41 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 94 490 3232

The Sidewalk Bar & Grill

The Sidewalk Bar & Grill is a vibrant music and art venue in Tay Ho, where you can catch live performances by talented local artists whilst enjoying a pint or two during laidback evenings. Attracting a good mix of trendy youths, expats, and backpackers, the nightlife venue serves a good range of local and imported beers, ciders, spirits and mixers as well as a selection of Hanoi street food, sandwiches, and Western bar snacks. The Sidewalk Bar & Grill is also fitted with state-of-the-art sound systems, with DJs playing house breaks and techno tunes every weekend.

• Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 12:00 – 23:00, Friday & Saturday 12:00 – 00:00, Sunday 12:00 – 23:00
• Address: 199D Nghi Tam Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 97 503 9434

The Spotted Cow

Sporting events rule at The Spotted Cow with drinking, darts, football and rugby the order of the day. TV screens blast out English Premier League and Rugby games to a mostly male crowd. A friendly, casual watering hole, it’s also a top spot to make new friends.

• Opening Hours: 11:30-Late
• Location: 23C Hai Ba Trung
• Tel: +844 824 1028