Saigon On Film Book now: a private photo walk through Saigon's Chinatown →

Bustling rooftop to hidden speakeasies within a 5-minute stroll

A traveller checking into the Sheraton Saigon hits a small problem on the first night. The hotel sits in the middle of one of the city’s busiest drinking zones. Dozens of bars crowd the streets within a few blocks. Most are built for tourists. The good ones rarely announce themselves.

So the real question for a newcomer is not where can I get a drink — it’s where do the locals actually go. The bars on Đồng Khởi blur together fast, and the best room is often the one with no sign and a staircase.

This guide settles that. It maps the cocktail bars near the Sheraton that locals fill on a weekend — not the ones chasing room-key tabs. Every spot here pours a proper drink and sits a short walk from the lobby.

The list runs through Layla, Firkin Bar, and The Royal. It carries on to Malt Saigon, Koheis Bar, and Bloom. Each entry gives the location, the walk from the hotel, the hours, and what the bar is known for.

The Pins

01

Layla – Eatery & Bar

Cocktail Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

16:00–01:00 Monday–Thursday, 16:00–02:00 Friday–Saturday, 12:30–01:00 Sunday +842838272279
1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Layla – Eatery & Bar

That's my favorite bar in District 1 and mainly because it's honest with what it is and what it offers. It's not pretentious, good prices for cocktails and drinks. They always have cranberry juice for vodka cranberry, sounds like a normal thing to have in each bar, but some bars don't have it. I like how it's designed, table placed close to each other and it's easy to make friends. Pool table is a big plus. Don't be scared of the entrance it's a part of experience of old Saigon.

On the full profile
See full profile →
02
03
04
05
06

Bloom – Cocktail & Whisky Bar

Cocktail Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

17:00–01:00 daily 0775073816
1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · Bloom – Cocktail & Whisky Bar

This will be my least favorite cocktail bar, not because there's something wrong with, but just because it doesn't match with my personal taste. Overwise good drinks, walking distance from other places, okay service.