You will be amazed at how many bars in Hanoi Old Quarter they manage to pack in to a compact area. And, after many hot and humid hours of sightseeing in Hanoi… Paul and I were dying of thirst. Plus, our feet needed a rest!
And what better way to quench our thirst then with some beers, which would hopefully be cold.
Yet, what was going to be a couple of drinks… ended up being an impromptu bar crawl! So in this We Drink Eat Travel blog post we’ll go through 7 bars in Hanoi Old Quarter that we went to.
So, let’s get right into it…
1. Hanoi Draft Beer & Traditional Foods
Address: 64 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm
So, we’re surprising you with a non-traditional bar from a Western type viewpoint. Yet, from a Vietnamese standpoint, drinking the local Bia Hoi is like having beer at a bar!
There were only 2 other people here at the time, which was great as it does get busy.
We took seats out front rather than inside. And, this would allow us to watch all the action unfold on the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Plus, this had a relaxing atmosphere in comparison to when you’re in the heart of beer street. Thus, it was a welcome change.
The owner is lovely. And, while he doesn’t speak much English, he was helpful in helping with choosing food and drinks. Now, while he does have a variety of beers on offer, we were here to try his bia hoi.
To our surprise it the beers were very cold. At many other bia hoi places the beers were barely cold, if not warm! Blah, not to our liking.
We also had a round of delicious fried spring rolls with our bia hoi.
One glass of bia hoi was 15,000 VND each (about USD $0.60, 0.50 Euros, 0.40 GPB, 3.90 CNY). Ridiculously cheap. Though, in case you’re not aware, the alcohol percentage is only about 3.5%-4%.
It was enjoyable there and needless to say, we went there several times during our stay. And, it sure is one of the most memorable bars in Hanoi Old Quarter.
2. Warning Pub
Address: 8 Đào Duy Từ, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm
From the outside, Warning Pub looked like it’d be cold inside… as the doors were shut. And we thought, or rather hoping there’d be some air conditioning on.
So we tried our luck and the air conditioner was blasting! And our bodies were appreciating being cooled down by the cold, refreshing air con.
We decided to order Hanoi beers again, which were in cans this time. The beers were chilled, as was the staff and atmosphere!
It looked like there was an upstairs section too. There was a small darts board as well as other things you could do!
All in all a great environment for drinking cheap local beers.
Tailor Activities for Your Next Trip
Checking out the bars in Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the many things you can experience here. But what else can you do? Michelin-Guide street food tours, explore hidden alleyways on bicycle, witness the iconic Train Street Hanoi… through to local food cooking classes, exciting trips to Ha Long Bay, and more. CLICK HERE or below to find your adventure!
3. A Random Bia Hoi Bar
Address: Corner of Phố Mã Mây and Đào Duy Từ streets.
OK, this was a must do in Hanoi Old Quarter that we had to tick off our list…
We had to have a bia hoi like the locals on the tiny plastic chairs! One glass of bia hoi was 7,000 VND (about USD $0.30), and we knew this one wasn’t going to be ice old. But who cares, it was for the experience!
It wasn’t the best bia hoi we’d had… yet it was funny seeing Paul on the tiny stool drinking lukewarm beer.
It goes without saying, we didn’t stay for another beer and moved on.
4. Local Bar
Address: 16 Tạ Hiện, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm
The Local Bar looked like a pretty cool little bar from the outside. So we decided to have a beer here.
When we went the staff member was really nice and she spoke English well.
Then she told us that it was happy hour. And she pointed at the sign behind her, and it was buy 1 get 1 free from 12pm to 9pm for certain drinks! Those sure are happy hours!
So we stuck to the local brews and chose Hanoi beers. The normal price would be 45,000 VND (about USD $1.95) for a bottle. Yet, during happy hour it was 22,500 VND each.
And the beers were ice cold! Awesome.
And even though the doors were open, they had strong air conditioning, which kept the place cool. So that was a bonus.
5. Tom’s Bar
Address: 2 Tạ Hiện, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm
There were 2 Tom’s Bars directly opposite each other! The owner or manager waved us into one of the Tom’s Bar, behind glass doors.
So we wanted to continue drinking the local Hanoi beer. Yet, when we asked the staff member what local beers they had, it was only Halida.
We had tried it before at a beer festival in Danang… But we couldn’t recall if we liked it or not, so we got one anyway.
It was cool inside as the doors were closed and the air conditioner was blaring. However, it was very smoky inside so it was unpleasant for us.
The beers were cold, and a bottle of Halida beer was 50,000 VND (about USD $2.15).
Plan Smarter, Travel For Less
Now that you have your trip inspiration, it’s time to start planning the logistics. To help you cut down on costs and stress, we’ve put together our top-tier travel tools in one convenient place. You can easily compare accommodation rates, secure reliable airport transfers, grab convenient eSIMs, and lock in peace-of-mind travel insurance. Head over to our curated travel resources to map out your perfect itinerary and keep your budget in check.
6. The Corner Beer Bar
Address: 27 Tạ Hiện, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm
The last bar in this blog post of bars in Hanoi Old Quarter, is The Corner Beer bar.
Now, by this stage Hanoi was bustling, with lots of people roaming the streets… and traffic weaving through the crowds. Plus, the sounds of motorbike horns was mixed in with thumping music from the bars.
At The Corner Beer bar, some of the staff can’t speak English well here… but they’ll get someone who does.
We chose Hanoi beer again and the great thing was it was cold! Plus, the beer here cost only 25,000 VND each. And we could enjoy them on those classic tiny Vietnamese stools!
Being on the corner, it was a great place to people watch and see the world go by. Yet, while we were sitting here and the night drew near, we saw a place upstairs. And, we thought we should check it out so we could look down upon the action. So, this our “Secret Little Bar” we’re exclusively telling you our readers and followers!
7. The Secret Upstairs Bar
Address: 41 Lương Ngọc Quyến, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm
You can literally see this tiny upstairs bar area when you look diagonally left across the road from the The Corner Bar. It’s a white building and in front will be heap of plastic tables and chairs set up the front. Many people will be here to try the delicacies of Bún cá Cô Thủy – a traditional fish noodle soup. But, not for us!
We did mention to the staff that we were wanting to have some drinks only, and was pointing upstairs. And, as we got there in the early evening we were able to get seats, as it’s a very small area. Needless to say, it’s one of the great bars in Hanoi Old Quarter to look over the action and activities down below.
And, as it got busier it was even more fun to watch!
The bar crawl was great fun, and it was great to explore! And after downing several beers each, we were ravenous. So it was the end of the bar crawl. Yet, we topped it all off with the best banh mi in Vietnam – of course.
So get out there – enjoy traveling, drinking and eating!
Need Accommodation in Hanoi Old Quarter?
To make your booking process easier, here are popular accommodations categorized by budget and location:
Luxury
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel – A sophisticated 5-star sanctuary in Hanoi Old Quarter blending classic Art Deco architecture with modern luxury. Featuring a tranquil rooftop infinity pool, the panoramic Ignite Sky Bar, an upscale wellness spa. Opulent suites with deep bathubs, plush bedding and refined interiors make this a top choice for luxury-seekers.
Mid-Range
Splendid Star Grand Hotel – A reliable mid-range choice offering clean, straightforward accommodations with traditional Vietnamese hospitality. It functions as a classic city hotel, complete with comfortable standard guest rooms, an indoor dining area for breakfast, and helpful tour-desk services right in the heart of the action.
Boutique
Apricot Hotel – Award-winning 5-star boutique property overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. It stands out for its unique neoclassical French architecture paired with a rich collection of Vietnamese art throughout the hotel. Featuring a stunning rooftop infinity pool, luxury spa for therapeutic care and massages, with a fitness center complemented by sauna and steam facilities.
Budget / Backpackers
Nexy Hostel – A modern, high-end social hub located near the edge of the Old Quarter, tailored for independent travelers and backpackers. Offers super comfy beds in dorms and private rooms, and a vibrant rooftop bar overlooking the city. Enjoy the outdoor terrace, co-working spaces, and daily social activities.
Families
Hanoi Nostalgia Hotel & Spa – A charming, budget-friendly hotel well-suited for families looking for a cozy, authentic stay. Featuring dedicated multi-room connecting family layouts, an enclosed courtyard and pool that is a huge hit with kids. Offering a breakfast buffet, and convenient location close to tourist atttractions.