Showing 1-11 of 11 results
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Apocalypse Now
This place has lost some of its lustre since moving a long way south in town. However, it remains a popular place of pilgrimage for Hanoi's hedonists. Definitely one of the more gay-friendly clubs in town.
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Au Lac Cafe
Au Lac's shaded front patio is a pleasant spot for an afternoon coffee. You've got a French villa behind you and, to keep you in touch with modern Hanoi you've got the blur of traffic whizzing before you. You can also order a light bite or the mixed drink of your choosing.
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Bia Hoi 68 Hang Quat
Generally, bia hoi (draught beer) is a watered-down product sold cheaply. Here, they don't water it down, and it's still damn reasonable (around ₫4500 a glass). The atmosphere is hardcore, with tiny tables and parked motorbikes sharing a covered alleyway. For company you have cadres of old men who seem willing to exchange a toast. Have a few rounds, skip the food.
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Cafe Des Artes
On a rooftop terrace overlooking the Temple of Literature, Cafe des Artes' Francophone owner has created a literary atmosphere. It's a literary salon of sorts, with a library, European espresso drinks and fine teas from Vietnam and China. Out the back, an appealing wooden house sits on the roof, providing a traditional environment for drinking tea.
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Lan Chin
This pavement beer hall has dozens of tables lined up beneath a corrugated tin arcade. It's just outside the Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution. The draughts are decidedly superior to the swill sold on Bia Hoi Corner, and you can also get decent food - hot pots, fried fish dishes and such. If you're travelling with friends and you like beer, you'll have a raucous time here.
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Le Club
With its twirling ceiling fans and 'Champagne bar' billing, Le Club, in the Metropole Hotel, harks back to the leisurely French period, as does its signature drink, the ruby-hued Graham Greene Martini. (Greene stayed at the hotel and doubtless drank at this bar.) Le Club's appeal broadens significantly at tea time ( to ) when it offers its irresistibly decadent chocolate buffet.
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Legends Beer
This is no bia hoi joint; rather, it's a microbrewery that produces decent lager, dunkel (dark beer) and weizen (wheat beer). It's in the homeliest building overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, offering a fine excuse to grab a table on its 3rd-floor balcony - you get to look at the lake instead of the building. You can also order from a decent menu.
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Mao's Red Lounge
With a relaxed vibe and unfussy décor, Mao's is a good spot to duck into for a few cold ones with friends. Its owner, Mr Mao, prefers to be addressed as 'the Chairman', and his refreshingly ironic attitude naturally adds to the atmosphere. Drop by Sunday night for a complimentary taste of Mao's hot-pot cooking.
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Moca
If the local drip coffee doesn't float your boat, head here to find the type of coffee you're used to. Moca roasts its own beans, and regulation-size tables and chairs are up to foreign standards - no squatting required. The atmosphere ain't at all bad, especially when staff stoke up a fire in winter.
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O Quan Chuong
Just down the street from the Old East Gate is this friendly spot for good coffee. It's a contemporary take on the classic Old Quarter coffee house. Western-scale tables and chairs make the foreigner feel welcome, but it's really a local hang-out.
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Paddleboats
From the boat launches along Thanh Nien you can sail out onto Truc Bach or West Lake in your own private plastic goose. It's a paddleboat, actually, so you'll have to do some work to get it moving. Locally, riding a giant goose is considered romantic, so bring along your honey-pie and paddle to bliss.
Showing 1-11 of 11 results
