House of Merlin

House of Merlin is a cocktail bar and eatery on Pasteur Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue sits down a small alley and features a steampunk design concept. Its interior incorporates 19th-century industrial aesthetics with handcrafted decorative elements. The space has high ceilings, a central bar, and a 200kg globe hanging from the ceiling. The bar specializes in rum, offering a large collection of aged rums from around the world.

The cocktail menu centers on signature creations that use local Vietnamese ingredients. The bar also serves a list of 20 classic cocktails. The food menu includes Asian-inspired bar snacks and handmade sourdough pizzas. Specific dishes include Century Egg spring rolls and pizzas with Vietnamese toppings like bò lá lốt. The kitchen serves pizza until midnight, while the bar operates until 1 AM. Founders Vũ Quang Huân and Phan Duy Nguyên opened the establishment in late 2023.

The venue’s design uses brass fixtures, leather furnishings, and retro-futuristic art. The founders custom-designed most of the decor for the space. House of Merlin positions itself as a place for quiet conversation and a considered dining experience. It is located in the Bến Nghé ward, an area with a concentration of other specialized spirit and cocktail bars. The bar also hosts regular acoustic music nights during the week.