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Hanoi has enough bars and clubs to keep you busy. They range from low-key drinking venues to more pleasant spots with extensive wine lists to raucous places where loud house music and cheap drinks keep dancers on the floor. Because many ventures are short-lived—Hanoi's nightclubs are curiously prone to electrical fires and other mysterious disasters—it is wise to call ahead when possible. For something a bit more casual, head to one of the cafés or bars in Old Quarter, where rooftop lounges, cocktail bars, and the popular bia hoi beer corner cluster about in a historical setting. Upscale hotels tend to have swanky bars of their own with live jazz to accompany a dry martini. For a mellow vibe and drinks with a view, you can go to waterfront bars near West Lake. Head into town early for happy hour since most joints close by midnight.
Ne is famous for its signature cocktails. The bartenders are professional and they take presentation seriously, so grab a seat at the bar for the full experience. The pho cocktail does not disappoint, and the blues and jazz will go on as long as customers keep up the orders.
At Standing Bar you’ll find a tempting selection of beers and ciders with which to wash down elaborate beer snacks, including smoked sausage, goat's cheese croquettes, and sun-dried tuna. The west-facing lakeside setting shines at sunset, and the second story plays host to comedy nights and live music.
Owned and operated by the late journalist and raconteur Nguyen Qui Duc, this Hanoi institution is now in its fourth incarnation near the Opera House. Expect a bohemian crowd, an eclectic music policy, and a decent selection of wine. Mr Duc, who passed away in 2023, also organized regular music nights, and the inheritors are keen to continue his legacy.
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