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Saigon Travel

Top 15 Bars in Saigon

2026-01-09

Ho Chi Minh City, or simply Saigon, is known as the city that never sleeps. One of the biggest reasons behind that reputation is its nightlife: vibrant, chaotic, stylish, and always evolving. From rooftop sunsets to hidden cocktail dens, the best bars in Saigon are where city life slows down just enough to enjoy a good drink and great company.

Whether you’re searching for laid-back bars in Thao Dien, an energetic brewery in District 1, or some of the best rooftop cocktail bars in Saigon, the city delivers far beyond expectations. The only real challenge? Having enough nights to try them all.

Below is our insider-picked list of 15 of the best bars in Ho Chi Minh City, including one featured on our Bia & Bites tour. 

1/ Banana Mama: A Cozy Rooftop Bar in Saigon District 1

Banana MaMa best bar in saigon

Tucked away at the quieter edge of Bui Vien and Cong Quynh St., Banana Mama feels worlds apart from the backpacker chaos below. Despite being located right in Saigon District 1, the bar stays relaxed, intimate, and refreshingly chill, especially during sunset.

With its comfy lounge seating and tropical beach-style decor, this rooftop is perfect for casual drinks, friendly catch-ups, or even a low-key date. As the night rolls on and the DJ starts spinning, the vibe shifts just enough to keep things lively without turning overwhelming. It’s easily one of the most approachable rooftop bars in Saigon District 1.

2/ Nong Trai Khoai: A Hidden Ruin Bar in Saigon

Nong Trai Khoai best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

A Vietnamese ruin bar sounds strange, until you step inside Nong Trai Khoai. Inspired by Budapest’s famous ruin pubs, this bar takes chaos and turns it into character.

The decor looks like a controlled accident: mismatched furniture, unexpected art, and creative use of space that somehow works perfectly. Add a massive beer list, solid cocktails, and satisfying comfort food, and you’ve got one of the most distinctive best bars in Saigon.

Located on Pham Viet Chanh in Binh Thanh District, it’s also ideal for bar hopping, a rare gem among bars in Saigon that still feels genuinely local.

3/ Le Café des Stagiaires: Sunset Bar in Thao Dien, District 2

Le Café des Stagiaires best bar in Saigon

If you’re exploring bars in Thao Dien, Le Café des Stagiaires is a must. Sitting above the Saigon River, this Euro-style bar offers one of the city’s most photogenic sunset views, with Landmark 81 glowing in the distance.

The rooftop is breezy and relaxed, while downstairs feels like a European living room: warm, social, and welcoming. Craft beers, cocktails, wines, and fusion dishes make it easy to settle in for hours. On weekends, DJs bring the place to life, attracting a stylish mix of expats and locals.

Among all bars in Thao Dien, this one balances atmosphere and location beautifully.

4/ Steersman Brewery & Restaurant: Craft Beer Garden in District 1

Steersman Brewery & Restaurant best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Craft beer has been part of Saigon’s DNA longer than most people realize, and Steersman is one of its proud veterans. Located near the Jade Emperor Pagoda, this open-air brewery offers a rare garden escape close to central Saigon.

Award-winning craft beers are the main draw, but the surprise hit here is their hard sodas: fruity, tropical, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink. Pair them with East-West fusion tapas and tasty dishes and you’ve got one of the most relaxed entries on our best bars in Ho Chi Minh City list.

Perfect for early evenings, casual nights, or starting your bar crawl gently.

5/ Acoustic Bar: Live Music Bar in Saigon District 3

Acoustic Bar best bar in Saigon

Located in a small alley in district 3 is one of the most popular live music bars in Saigon. Even though the place is not too fancy or spacious, it’s definitely a very young, vibrant and lively hangout spot. Although the place serves good drinks, Acoustic bar has always been known for its live music scene and is the go-to place in the city when someone wants to enjoy a good live music night.

The bar offers a good mix with both local and international artists. 100% guaranteed you cannot sit still with the energetic band and their bombastic playlist, from top-covered hits to kick-ass originals. One quick tip: the place gets crowded quickly so you might want to get there early to have a good seat in the house.

If music is food for the soul, Acoustic bar must be the kitchen that serves the top food with an unrivaled atmosphere.

6/ Layla Eatery & Bar: Saigon’s Underground Cocktail Institution in District 1

Layla Eatery & Bar best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Hidden beneath an unassuming doorway on Dong Du, Layla feels like Saigon’s worst-kept secret. Dim lights, vintage couches, and a soundtrack that slides between funk, soul, and late-night electronica set the mood instantly.

This is a cocktail-first bar, where the bartenders actually care about balance, technique, and presentation without making you feel intimidated. It’s intimate, moody, and effortlessly cool, the kind of place where conversations stretch longer than planned.

Perfect for date nights, small groups, or when you want to slow the city down for a moment.

  • Address: 63 Dong Du, District 1
  • Price: 100,000 - 300,000+ VND (food & drinks)
  • Opening hours: 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM

7/ Shri Restaurant & Lounge: High-End Rooftop Bar in Saigon District 1

Shri Restaurant & Lounge

Perched on the top floors of Centec Tower, Shri Restaurant & Lounge delivers an elevated skyline energy but with a more refined, grown-up edge.

This is a full rooftop experience: sweeping city views, polished cocktails, and a crowd that comes dressed well and ready for a proper night out. Early evenings lean toward sunset drinks and conversation; later hours bring DJs, mood lighting, and a social buzz that still feels upscale rather than chaotic.

If you’re looking for stylish bars in Saigon District 1 with panoramic views, strong cocktails, and a classy party pulse, Shri is one of the most reliable rooftops still standing, and firmly earns its place among the best bars in Saigon.

8/ Summer Experiment: Where Cocktails Meet Creativity

Summer Experiment best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Summer Experiment is not just a bar, it’s a playground for ideas. Tucked away from the usual nightlife chaos in district 1 in an old apartment, this place constantly reinvents itself through themed cocktail menus inspired by art, science, and pop culture.

Drinks here are playful but serious, creative without being gimmicky. Expect unexpected ingredients, storytelling behind every glass, and bartenders who love explaining what you’re about to drink.

Ideal for curious drinkers, creative minds, or anyone bored of standard gin-and-tonic menus.

9/ Qui Cuisine & Mixology: High-End Drinks with a Dining Soul

Qui best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Qui sits at the intersection of fine dining and top-tier mixology. The space is elegant without being stiff, and the drinks are crafted with the same care as the food.

Cocktails here lean refined, balanced, and complex. Think subtle infusions, premium spirits, and flawless execution. It’s not loud, it’s not rushed, and that’s exactly the point.

Best suited for sophisticated evenings, business catch-ups, or when you want a polished Saigon night.

10/ Apocalypse Now Bar: Late-Night Party Bar in Saigon District 1

Apocalypse Now Bar best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

If there’s one bar in Saigon that refuses to sleep, it’s Apocalypse Now Bar. Sitting right in the heart of Saigon in district 1, this legendary late-night spot has survived decades of changing nightlife trends and still packs out nightly.

The drinks are simple, the music is loud, and the crowd is a wild mix of locals, expats, and travelers who are clearly not ready to call it a night. This isn’t about craft cocktails or skyline views. It’s about energy, chaos, and dancing until unreasonably late.

For anyone mapping out high-energy bars in Saigon District 1, Apocalypse Now remains one of the most iconic and enduring party bars in the city.

11/ Social Club Rooftop Bar: Elegant Rooftop Bar in Saigon District 1

Social Club Rooftop Bar

Located on top of Hôtel des Arts, Social Club Rooftop Bar offers a more refined alternative to the old club-style rooftops, without losing nightlife appeal.

Early evenings here are all about sunset cocktails, city views, and relaxed conversations by the infinity pool. As the night progresses, DJs take over and the atmosphere shifts into a stylish, social rooftop scene rather than a full-on club.

Among current bars in Saigon District 1, Social Club Rooftop is one of the most reliable options if you want skyline views, polished drinks, and a crowd that feels upscale but approachable, easily earning its place among the best bars in Saigon.

12/ Rabbit Hole Sports Bar: Irish bar in Saigon

Rabbit Hole Sports Bar best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Walking into Rabbit Hole feels like stepping into Ireland. This intimate cocktail bar takes inspiration from classic Irish Pubs, with cosy interiors and a strong focus on atmosphere and vibes.

This is one of the very few places in Vietnam where you can find a tasty glass of Guinness (although in a can). The bartenders don’t just serve. They explain and engage with the customers just like an old friend.

Whether you’re visiting by yourself, or with a group of friends, looking for a night when conversation matters as much as what’s in your glass, this is THE place.

13/ Zion Sky Lounge & Dining: Sunset, DJs, and Social Energy

Zion Sky best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Zion Sky Lounge offers a polished rooftop experience that balances dining, drinks, and nightlife. Early evenings are relaxed and social, with great sunset views over the city.

As night falls, the DJs step in and the atmosphere shifts into a lively, upbeat scene. It’s stylish without being overwhelming, making it accessible for both first-time visitors and regulars.

Ideal for easing into the night before heading elsewhere, or staying put if the vibe hits right.

14/ Snuffbox: A Quiet Classic for Serious Drinkers

Sunffbox best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Snuffbox is understated, elegant, and refreshingly calm. Tucked away in the oldest apartment complex in District 1, it focuses on classic cocktails done properly: no smoke machines, no gimmicks, no distractions. Just a pure passion for great cocktails

The atmosphere encourages conversation, and the bartenders know their craft inside out. It’s the kind of bar where regulars return again and again because consistency matters.

Best for cocktail purists, thoughtful evenings, or a refined pause between louder venues.

15/ Carmen Bar: Latin Rhythms and Old-World Passion

Carmen bar best bar in Ho Chi Minh city

Carmen Bar feels like a love letter to Latin music and old-world charm. Stone walls, warm lighting, and live flamenco or Latin performances create a deeply atmospheric experience.

The drinks are solid, but the real star is the band with their music: raw, emotional, and impossible to ignore. It’s intimate, intense, and unlike anywhere else in Saigon’s nightlife scene.

Perfect for date nights, music lovers, or when you want a bar experience that feels truly transportive.

Anh Pham - General Manager

Anh Pham - General Manager

After exploring Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as I love to call it) on a motorbike for over 10 years, these streets feel like my playground. I believe the best travel moments happen when you discover something unexpected. My goal is simple: to share my favorite parts of the city with you, so you can experience the real, everyday magic of my home.


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