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An Evolving Hub for Ho Chi Minh City's Nightlife

Phạm Viết Chánh, a street in Ho Chi Minh City’s Bình Thạnh District, has, over the past eight years, quietly developed into a distinct precinct for dining and nightlife. What was once a more subdued stretch has transformed into an area notable for its concentration of craft beer taprooms, cocktail lounges, and diverse eateries. This guide offers a survey of ten establishments that define the neighborhood’s contemporary character, from intimate counter bars to expansive listening rooms.

The evolution of Phạm Viết Chánh reflects a broader shift in the city’s urban landscape, presenting a focused exploration of where to experience some of Ho Chi Minh City’s notable craft beer and cocktail offerings. The establishments here cater to varied preferences, from those seeking a classic drink in a quiet setting to patrons looking for a more vibrant, musically-inclined evening.

The Pins

01

To begin an evening along Phạm Viết Chánh, one might consider Birdy, a venue that embodies the street's evolving character with a measured approach to cocktail service.

Birdy

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

18:00-02:00 daily 0938818156

Birdy sits as an intimate counter bar. It is on Phạm Viết Chánh in Bình Thạnh District. This Ho Chi Minh City venue operates with eight seats. It focuses on classic cocktails. The bar occupies street level in a local neighborhood. It neighbors a noodle stall and a coffee shop.

The bar’s physical space measures only 16 square meters. This compact footprint fosters patron and staff interaction. The menu lists classic mixed drinks. The beverage program emphasizes well-executed traditional recipes. It avoids elaborate signature creations. The establishment plays vintage and contemporary music. This provides a distinct auditory backdrop for the small room. Birdy fills a neighborhood need. It offers a small, friendly meeting place.

Its limited size dictates the simple interior design. A single counter is the room’s main feature. Seating is exclusively on stools facing the bar. The atmosphere is warm and informal. It attracts local residents. Visitors exploring Bình Thạnh also frequent Birdy. Locals know it for its specific and limited capacity.

Birdy offers a neighborhood-focused bar experience. It stands apart from larger city center venues. The establishment maintains a consistent focus on its core offerings. It has become a recognized spot on Phạm Viết Chánh street. Its location integrates with local street life.

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78/1 Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Birdy

Birdy operates as an intimate counter bar, offering a focused experience with its eight-seat capacity. Its emphasis on classic cocktails provides a setting for concentrated conversation. This street-level establishment is suited for those who appreciate precision in drink preparation within a small, dedicated space.

02

Just oppiste Birdy, Khoai offers a different sensory experience, moving from the precise to the eclectic with its distinct aesthetic.

Khoai

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

17:00-02:00 Mon-Thu, Sun; 17:00-03:00 Fri-Sat 0902390575

Khoai, also known as Nông Trại Khoai, sits on Phạm Viết Chánh. This ruin bar is in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The bar embraces a ruin-style concept. It features eclectic decor throughout its space. Khoai operates from a multi-level building. This building is in the Phạm Viết Chánh neighborhood. The venue includes a ground floor. It also has a mezzanine. An upper level offers additional seating for guests.

The bar pours a wide selection of beers. It features both local and imported options. Its beer menu lists about 100 craft beers. These are available bottled and canned. Khoai also offers a list of wines. Patrons can choose from various cocktails. The bar provides a casual setting for drinks. It is a popular spot for late-night gatherings. The atmosphere remains informal. It draws a mix of local and expatriate patrons.

A food menu complements the drink selection. The kitchen prepares dishes for beer pairing. Guests often call these offerings bar or pub-style food. The menu includes Vietnamese items. It also features Western-influenced options. Guests can order food all evening. The kitchen serves until closing time.

The bar sits in a vibrant area. This neighborhood sees a growing number of eateries. It also has many beverage establishments. Khoai maintains late operating hours. It often serves customers until early morning. The venue offers a relaxed alternative. It stands apart from more formal cocktail bars. Locals consider it a well-established spot. It plays a key role in the local nightlife scene.

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89 Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Khoai

Known locally as Nông Trại Khoai, this establishment embraces a ruin-style concept through its decor. The venue's eclectic design elements contribute to an atmosphere that invites casual observation. It serves as a relaxed destination for those interested in a less formal bar environment.

03

The neighborhood’s soundscape broadens with Luu Bar, an establishment that shifts its identity from a local haunt to a venue for electronic music as the week progresses.

Luu Bar

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

17:00-05:00 daily +84888395058

Luu Bar sits on Phạm Viết Chánh street. This spot is in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City. It serves as a cocktail bar. It also functions as an electronic music venue. During the week, Luu Bar operates as a neighborhood bar. It offers a menu of classic cocktails. Patrons also find signature creations. The drink list includes the Smoky Negroni. Another popular choice is the Hoi An Express. The bar provides a selection of spirits. Wine and beer options are also available.

On weekends, the venue transforms into a late-night club. It focuses on non-commercial electronic music. Luu Bar hosts a schedule of DJs. Both local and international artists perform here. The music genres prominently feature house. Techno and disco are also common. The bar’s interior suits casual drinks. It also accommodates DJ-led events.

The space creates a relaxed lounge early in the evening. Later at night, its energy shifts. Fridays and Saturdays bring a more energetic environment. The bar attracts a diverse crowd. Its cocktail program draws many visitors. The music curation also brings people in. The Pham Viet Chanh area hosts Luu Bar. This neighborhood features many bars and restaurants. Luu Bar opens daily from evening. It operates until the early morning hours.

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108 Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Luu Bar

Luu Bar functions as both a cocktail bar and an electronic music venue. During weeknights, it maintains a more subdued neighborhood bar atmosphere. Patrons should note its transition to a setting focused on electronic music as the weekend approaches, offering varied experiences depending on the evening.

04

For those inclined toward fermented grains, RetroSaigon - Craft Beer Pham Viet Chanh introduces a specific focus on craft brews within the district's Japantown area.

RetroSaigon – Craft Beer Pham Viet Chanh

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

RetroSaigon – Craft Beer Pham Viet Chanh is a multi-level bar on Phạm Viết Chánh in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue operates within the area locally known as Saigon’s second Japantown. It offers a selection of local and international craft beers. The bar also serves a menu of handcrafted cocktails and other beverages.

The establishment occupies a building with several floors. Each level provides a different setting for guests. The space includes indoor seating areas, a rooftop terrace, and dedicated entertainment zones. The rooftop offers views of the surrounding neighborhood skyline. The interior design incorporates elements intended to create a retro atmosphere.

Beyond drinks, RetroSaigon provides various forms of entertainment. The venue has a collection of board games available for patrons. It also features facilities for billiards, darts, and video games. A private karaoke room is available within the building. The bar serves a food menu to accompany its drink selection, offering snacks and larger dishes.

The bar is located down a small alley, or hẻm, off the main street. This area of Bình Thạnh District sits adjacent to District 1. The neighborhood is characterized by a high concentration of Japanese-influenced restaurants and bars. RetroSaigon attracts a diverse clientele, including local residents, expatriates, and tourists exploring the dynamic street.

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85/6 Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · RetroSaigon – Craft Beer Pham Viet Chanh

This multi-level bar on Phạm Viết Chánh provides a selection of craft beers. Located within the area colloquially known as Saigon's second Japantown, it caters to those seeking a diverse array of local and international brews. The venue's multiple floors offer different spaces for patrons to enjoy their chosen beer.

05

Continuing the exploration of craft beer, Steersman Brewery presents an opportunity to experience a taproom that also functions as a kitchen, established in 2019.

Steersman Brewery – Pham Viet Chanh

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

Steersman Brewery sits on Phạm Viết Chánh. This craft beer taproom and kitchen is in Ho Chi Minh City. Specifically, it is located in Bình Thạnh District. The brewery opened in 2019. This area is known for many Japanese restaurants and bars. Steersman Brewery offers its own craft beers. It also makes fruit-flavored hard sodas.

The beverage menu features several core beers. These include the Flying Bee Honey Ale. Patrons also enjoy the Dark Horse Brown Ale. The Hoppy Monster Session IPA is another popular choice. The brewery also produces hard sodas. Mango, pink guava, and tropical punch are some flavors. Steersman brews all beers and sodas in Vietnam. It uses selected ingredients. Guests can enjoy these products on tap at the venue.

A full food menu complements the drinks. The kitchen prepares Vietnamese fusion dishes. It offers a beer-roasted pork shank. Various styles of chicken wings are available. Guests can also order potato wedges. Other menu items include fried chicken cartilage. The kitchen also makes sauteed shaking beef. The menu pairs well with the brewery’s beverages.

The taproom occupies a multi-story building. It features several distinct spaces. Open-air seating areas welcome guests. An indoor room has air-conditioning. This room also contains a pool table. The venue includes a rooftop deck space. This setting accommodates both small and larger groups.

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84 Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Steersman Brewery – Pham Viet Chanh

Steersman Brewery operates as a craft beer taproom and kitchen. Opened in 2019, it contributes to the area's developing reputation for specialized beverages. Its dual function allows for patrons to pair their beer selections with food items.

06

The auditory landscape shifts once more with Legato, where the focus moves to live jazz performances and a refined selection of spirits.

Legato

Jazz Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

17:00–03:00 daily +84 70 731 5866

Legato is a bar and jazz club on Phạm Viết Chánh in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue specializes in whiskey, cocktails, and live music performances. It presents a setting focused on jazz, featuring regular live sessions. The bar offers a wide selection of international whiskeys. The menu also includes a list of classic and signature cocktails. A food menu is available to accompany the drinks.

The interior design creates an intimate atmosphere for guests. The space functions as a listening bar where music is a central element of the experience. Live jazz performances are scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights. These events feature local and visiting musicians. The venue attracts a clientele interested in both the music and the curated drink selection.

Legato is situated in the area of Phạm Viết Chánh, known for its concentration of Japanese-influenced bars and restaurants. The bar maintains a late-night schedule, operating into the early morning hours. It provides a space for small groups and individuals. The establishment combines elements of a classic cocktail bar with a dedicated live music venue, contributing to the neighborhood’s nightlife scene.

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126 Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Legato

Legato serves as a bar and jazz club, offering regular live music performances. Its specialization in whiskey and cocktails is complemented by a dedicated jazz setting. This venue is suitable for those seeking an evening defined by live music and curated drinks.

07

Venturing slightly off Phạm Viết Chánh to Trần Quang Long street, La Scène offers a synthesis of French culinary tradition and high-fidelity sound.

La Scène – French Bistro x Listening Bar

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

Tuesday-Friday 08:00-00:00, Saturday-Sunday 09:00-00:00 +84369349294

La Scène is a French bistro and high-fidelity listening bar on Trần Quang Long street in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue combines a restaurant and café with a space dedicated to listening to vinyl records. It operates across two main floors of a renovated building. The ground floor functions as a French bistro, serving classic dishes and wine. This area also contains a DJ booth equipped with turntables.

The upstairs floor houses a dedicated listening lounge. This room features a vintage hi-fi sound system, including JBL 4343 speakers and Accuphase amplifiers. The venue’s collection contains over 3,000 vinyl records. The listening room provides a focused environment for music and is available for private bookings. The overall design aesthetic blends mid-century modern and retro styles.

La Scène’s food menu offers French home-style cooking. The bar serves a selection of wines and classic cocktails. Co-owner Toni, a long-time lawyer and DJ, founded the space with his partner Vi Nguyen. The concept draws inspiration from Japanese “jazz kissa” listening bars. The venue hosts regular DJ sets on weekends, focusing on analog sound from vinyl records. It also schedules deep listening sessions and events dedicated to specific musical genres.

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27 Trần Quang Long, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · La Scène – French Bistro x Listening Bar

La Scène combines a French bistro and café with a high-fidelity listening bar. Patrons can experience a curated selection of vinyl records played through a specialized sound system. This establishment provides a unique environment for both dining and appreciating music in a dedicated audio setting.

08

Returning to a more expansive view, Jolly Jumper offers an elevated perspective of the neighborhood from its rooftop setting on Mê Linh street.

Jolly Jumper – Quán bia lỗi thời

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

17:00-23:00 daily 0906678504

Jolly Jumper – Quán bia lỗi thời sits on Mê Linh street. This rooftop beer garden calls Bình Thạnh District home. It occupies the sixth floor of a building. The space provides views of the surrounding neighborhood. Its name means “Old-fashioned Beer Shop.” This reflects the bar’s retro theme.

The bar operates as an open-air space. It offers outdoor seating. A dedicated smoking area serves patrons. The beverage menu focuses on imported beers. It provides a variety of international brands. Jolly Jumper emphasizes Belgian beers. Besides bottled and canned options, the venue serves cocktails. The food menu offers a small selection of simple snacks. These items pair well with drinks. Choices include chips and sausages. The venue does not serve full meals.

Jolly Jumper features casual and simple decor. Music creates a key part of the atmosphere. A playlist includes older songs. The seating arrangement accommodates small groups and individuals. The beer garden sits in a mixed commercial and residential area. It borders District 1. This location offers a vantage point. It stays away from the main city center’s busiest streets.

Jolly Jumper attracts guests seeking a relaxed setting. It opens in the late afternoon. The beer garden serves customers into the late evening. The venue provides free parking. It offers a casual alternative. This contrasts with larger, formal rooftop bars in the central business district.

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Tầng 6, 42 Mê Linh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Jolly Jumper – Quán bia lỗi thời

Jolly Jumper is a rooftop beer garden located on the sixth floor of a building. It provides patrons with views of the surrounding Bình Thạnh District. This venue offers an open-air environment for enjoying beer and the urban landscape.

09

Also on Mê Linh street, TORISHO - CON GÀ CƯỜI extends the neighborhood's culinary diversity with its focus on Japanese izakaya fare.

TORISHO – CON GÀ CƯỜI

Ho Chi Minh City

Mon - Sat 17:00-23:00, Sun - Closed 02822410707

TORISHO – CON GÀ CƯỜI is a Japanese izakaya restaurant on Mê Linh street in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant specializes in Japanese-style grilled chicken skewers, known as yakitori. Its name translates to “Laughing Chicken,” reflecting a focus on poultry dishes. The menu extends to other izakaya staples. These include sashimi, tempura, takoyaki, and okonomiyaki.

The restaurant’s kitchen prepares a wide variety of grilled items. The yakitori selection features different parts of the chicken, such as skin, heart, and cartilage. Combination platters offer a variety of skewers. Beyond chicken, the menu also lists grilled seafood and pork skewers. Cooks prepare dishes to order in an open kitchen setting, often in view of the counter seats.

The venue occupies a multi-story building down a small alley. Its interior design evokes a retro Japanese atmosphere from the 1970s and 80s. The space contains a bar counter for solo diners or pairs. It also has tatami-style floor seating for small groups on its upper level. The decor includes vintage Japanese posters and other period-specific items, creating a distinct nostalgic setting.

TORISHO operates with a format typical of an izakaya, a type of informal Japanese bar. It serves food intended to accompany alcoholic drinks like beer and sake. The establishment is a popular dining spot for both Japanese expatriates and local residents. It maintains an affordable price point for its dishes and drinks.

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48/17 Mê Linh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · TORISHO – CON GÀ CƯỜI

TORISHO - CON GÀ CƯỜI is a Japanese izakaya restaurant specializing in yakitori, or Japanese-style grilled chicken skewers. Its name translates to 'The Smiling Chicken,' reflecting its focus. This establishment offers a setting for a traditional Japanese dining experience.

10

Finally, The Rabbit Hole Irish Bar offers a familiar international alternative within the Phạm Viết Chánh vicinity, rounding out the neighborhood's diverse offerings.

The Rabbit Hole Irish Bar

Cocktail Bar · Ho Chi Minh City

Monday-Friday 15:00-02:00, Saturday-Sunday 10:00-02:00 +84774815080

The Rabbit Hole Irish Bar is an Irish sports pub on Phạm Viết Chánh street in Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue provides a setting for watching international sports. It serves a menu of classic pub food and a range of drinks. The bar opened its Phạm Viết Chánh location in 2021.

The beverage selection includes draught beers like Irish stout. The bar also pours Kronenbourg Blanc and offers Magners cider. A variety of local and imported craft beers are available. The food menu lists traditional pub dishes. Offerings include shepherd’s pie, beef pie, and Australian beef burgers. The kitchen also prepares a classic Sunday roast dinner.

The establishment features multiple forms of entertainment. It has two pool tables, a foosball table, and a shuffleboard. The space also contains a dartboard for customer use. The bar hosts events during the week. These events include a weekly pub quiz and live music performances on certain nights.

The interior offers a casual pub atmosphere. The space is designed to accommodate both small and large groups. It sits in the Phạm Viết Chánh area, a neighborhood known for its concentration of restaurants and bars. The venue operates late into the evening seven days a week.

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111 Phạm Viết Chánh, Ward 19, Bình Thạnh, Ho Chi Minh City

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · The Rabbit Hole Irish Bar

The Rabbit Hole Irish Bar provides an atmosphere characteristic of its name. Visitors can expect a selection of beverages commonly found in such establishments. This venue offers a straightforward setting for those seeking a traditional pub experience.