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| Bars Downtown | Bars Elsewhere | Cafes | ||
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| Happy Hours | Music Venues | Nightclubs |
Allez Boo
271 De Tham / 195 Pham Ngu Lau, Q1
Recently reopened on the opposite corner to its original resting place, one of Saigon’s best known and most stalwart bars continues to rock into and out of the night. Constructed mainly out of bamboo, the open-plan, ground floor area has the feel of a tropical bar, while a DJ spins a mixture of tunes on the aircon second level. A breezy balcony area on up above gives great views over the city. Open 24 hours.
Bread & Butter
40/24 Bui Vien, Q1 Tel: 3836 8452
An old favourite especially among the ESL crowd, this every-one-knows-your-name spot serves up tasty pub grub and well-priced drinks in a homely setting.
Crazy Buffalo
Cnr Bui Vien and De Tham, Q1
Located opposite Go2, it is impossible to miss the Crazy Buffalo Bar four floors of late late night partying madness to be had. The first level is a trendier looking bar, with a disco room on the second level, a hip-hop room on the third level and a BBQ grill rooftop sure to keep the party going all night.
Go2
187 De Tham, Q1 Tel: 3836 9575
Fronting one of the major junctions in the backpacker area, this popular all-round place is lively throughout the day and even busier at night when the music fans pile upstairs for the DJ. Has live music and sport at weekends. Popular with tourists.
Hoa Vien Brauhaus
28Bis Mac Dinh Chi, Q1 Tel: 3829 0585
Large venue well designed to resemble a central European bierkeller, even more noticeable when you begin to quaff the excellent home-brewed Hoavener beer. Popular with stout burghers from both the local and expatriate communities.
Ice Blue
169B De Tham, Q1
Late-night grog outlet, whose customers range from the manifestly downtrodden to the temporarily disoriented. Has sidewalk tables from which to view the street side mayhem while drinking very cheap bottled beer and ignoring break-dancing street kids.
Le Pub
175/22 Pham Ngu Lao, Q1 Tel: 3837 7679
The formula is right here – cosy yet hip, a pleasant terrace, cheap cold beer, a good selection of wine and a very accessible food menu. Nightly drinks promotions and a DJ who matches his sounds to the special drink of the day. Known also for the quality of its service.
Long Phi
325 Pham Ngu Lao, Q1
Popular bar well patronised by expats. Cocktails, beers, spirits and tasty French-inspired food are all on offer. Long Phi also features a foosball table and occasional live music that ensures the joint is jumping till the early hours.
Lucky Café
224 De Tham, Q1 Tel: 3836 7277
For anyone obsessed by televised sport, especially the English Premier League, Lucky is the place to come. On football days five TVs spread over two bar areas broadcast two or even three matches at the same time. Interestingly, the menu here is Japanese-inspired, although sandwiches, pizza and pasta also make a showing.
Oasis
29 Pham Ngu Lao street, Q1
Newly opened bar, modern and bright perky design. The bar stocks all the usual beers, spirits and wines. Food is also available. Pool table and darts, wide screen T.V’s screening sporting action. Open every evening at 5pm till late.
QD Bar
138 Ton That Dam
Tel: 3821 5338
This ultra-trendy wine bar and lounge is located on the third level in the building opposite FTV Bar and has one of the top selections of wines and spirits in the city. The elegant design includes comfy leather couches, romantic dining options and a beautiful wine cellar in the middle of the room. The food is equally eye-catching ranging from sushi to delicious cheese platters.
The Sundowner
A107 Conic Garden A
Nguyen Van Linh, Binh Chanh
Tel: 01227 782 499 (James)
Out of the way but attractive bar ten minutes away from RMIT servicing a group of expats and locals living in the new apartments in Binh Chanh. Outdoor seating area, large San Miguel bottles for VND25,000 and an excellent but simple food menu. Call James for directions.
T&R Tavern
57 Do Quang Dau, Q1 Tel: 3838 9839
Featuring good, alternative music in a comfortable, welcoming setting, T & R is home to Playstation gaming nights, drinks specials and happy hours. Also has a pool table. Shows live premiership football as well as American football. Tell the management your favourite team and they can record the games for later viewing.
The Tavern
SB8-1 My Khanh 2, Nguyen Van Linh, Q7
Tel: 5412 0867
Probably Saigon South’s most popular bar, with refreshing pints of beer, service that never lacks attitude, good food, sports on TV, and usually an array of recent Australian newspapers. Just off the main street past Lotteria.
ViBE Billards and Lounge
102 Suong Nguyet Anh, Q1
Tel: 3925 2599
This newest billiards bar in town has a unique combination of high-class professional pool tables and a spacious lounge. Here, guests can choose not only tasty food and drink but can also customise the billiard table lights from the special lighting system which is exclusively designed for the place. Also have one full-size snooker table.
Cantina Central - Provided by vietnam720.com
Blue Gecko
5pm to 7.30pm daily
Tiger Draft VND20,000
Foster’s Draft VND15,000
20% off all drinks except imported beers
Café Latin
4pm to 7pm daily
Tiger Draft VND25,000
Cantina Central
10am to 8pm Fridays
Happy hour prices on selected drinks
5pm to 9pm Tuesdays
Drinks discounts and free appetisers
Gartenstadt
2pm to 8pm daily
Soft Drinks VND14,000
Draft German Beer VND70,000
Red Wine VND40,000
White Wine VND40,000
La Habana
4pm to 7pm daily
Tiger Draft VND20,000
12pm to 6pm daily
All cocktails VND35,000
Sundays until 8pm
All cocktails VND35,000
Le Pub
Daily happy hour promotions
Tuesdays – Vodka and Mixer VND17,000
Wednesdays – Gin and Tonic VND17,000
Thursdays – Cocktails VND34,000
Fridays – Tiger Draft VND20,000
Long Phi
5pm to 9pm daily
Tiger Draft VND18,000
O’Brien’s
3pm to 7pm daily
Tiger Draft VND20,000
Pacharan
5pm to 7pm daily
All drinks half-price, including wine by the glass (but not wine by the bottle)
Polo Bar
4pm to 7pm daily
Tiger Draft VND19,000
Sheridan’s Irish Bar
4pm to 7pm daily
Tiger Draft (small) VND25,000
Tiger Draft (large) VND40,000
Foster’s Draft (large) VND35,000
Foster’s Draft (small) VND20,000
The Deck
5pm to 7pm Monday to Friday
Cocktails only VND50,000
The Refinery
4pm to 7pm daily
30% off all drinks
Underground
10am to 8pm daily
Tiger Draft VND20,000
Heineken VND25,000
Vasco’s
4pm to 8pm daily
Buy one drink, get one drink free
ZanZbar
5pm to 8pm
30% off selected beers
6E1 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, Q3
Tel: 3930 2239
Cover-version heaven, as Vietnamese and foreign talent play familiar U.K. and U.S. covers to an eager audience of young Vietnamese and a sprinkling of expats. Both the drinks and food are reasonably priced at this friendly venue and the décor is tasteful and well thought out.
City Opera House
Lam Son Square, Q1
Tel: 3829 1249
This ornate and attractive building hosts all manner of events such as classical concerts, choral works and ballet. The schedule is posted at the box office near the entrance.
La Habana
6 Cao Ba Quat, Q1
Tel: 3829 5180
The self-styled place for the Cuban-Spanish lifestyle has live music two nights a week performed by a variety of musicians and also hosts regular dance classes for salsa.
Level 23
23rd Floor, Sheraton Hotel, Dong Du, Q1
Tel: 3827 2828
Swanky venue with the best views in the city. Hosts an impressive international resident band from 8pm every night except Mondays. A beer costs over US$4 in here, which is not bad considering the location and ambience.
Saigon Saigon Bar
9th floor, Caravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square, Q1
Tel: 3823 4999
Good live music seven nights a week and panoramic views across the city from the open-air bar make this a very popular stop for business travellers and tourists, with prices on a par with those in other high-class venues.
Sax N’ Art
28 Le Loi, Q1
Tel: 3822 8472
One of the few, if not the only, places in Saigon you’ll find live jazz, Sax N’ Art is home to Vietnam’s best jazz musicians as well as hosting guest musicians from around the world. The brainchild of saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan, drinks are pricy but the music comes free.
Sheridan’s Irish House
17/13 Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Tel: 3823 0793
A roster of well known local and expat musicians perform at this atmospheric Irish pub, with styles ranging from acoustic rock and blues to more traditional Celtic sounds, making this one of the most popular small music venues in the city.
Yoko
22A Nguyen Thi Dieu, Q3
Tel: 3933 0577
A showcase for undiscovered Vietnamese music talent in a variety of often eclectic styles, this small and seemingly makeshift place is a favourite hangout for young Vietnamese, who enjoy music ranging from jazz to rock.