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The best spots for a glass of wine in District 1

You don’t need to leave District 1 to drink your way across the wine world. Within a few walkable blocks from a French-era courtyard to a hidden upstairs bar to a Spanish tapas counter, Saigon has quietly built a wine scene worth taking your time with.

The idea is simple: one glass in each bar, no rushing. Start with an aperitif as the heat drops, move on when your glass is empty, and let the evening carry you from stop to stop. By the last pour you’ll have tasted your way through the whole neighbourhood of old Saigon, new Saigon, and the people who pour for it.

Here’s the crawl, in the order we’d actually walk it, with a line on why we stop at each one.

The Pins

01

Where old Saigon still lingers: a French-era courtyard and a cold glass as the day winds down.

The Refinery Restaurant

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

11:00–23:00 daily +84 28 3823 0509

The Refinery offers French brasserie and wine bar dining. It sits on Hai Bà Trưng in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant occupies a courtyard space. This space once served as the city’s opium manufactory, built in 1881. An archway provides access from the main street. The venue features a large, covered outdoor terrace. An indoor dining room also welcomes guests. The interior design retains original architectural elements. The historic building’s charm remains.

The kitchen prepares classic French bistro cuisine. The menu lists dishes like steak frites. Guests can also enjoy pâté de campagne and onion soup. The restaurant offers cheese and charcuterie platters. A separate brunch menu is available on weekends. The bar provides an extensive wine list. It includes both Old and New World selections. Patrons can order many wines by the glass. The restaurant serves a daily set lunch menu with multiple courses.

The setting recalls a traditional Paris bistro style. Custom-made furniture and specific lighting create the atmosphere. The space splits between the main indoor area and the al fresco terrace. The courtyard location provides a quieter environment. It sits away from street traffic. The restaurant is near the Park Hyatt Saigon hotel. It ranks among several dining spots in the restored colonial compound.

The Refinery welcomes locals, expatriates, and tourists. It accommodates various dining formats. Guests enjoy casual lunches or more formal dinners. The venue regularly organizes food and wine pairing events. The restaurant maintains consistent operating hours. It has been a long-standing establishment in the city’s dining scene.

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74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

02

The intimate, low-lit stop for when you want to sit, sip, and stay a while.

The Living Room wine bar

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Monday–Thursday 15:00–02:00, Friday–Sunday 14:00–02:00 +84909280247

The Living Room is a wine bar on Lê Anh Xuân street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The establishment operates with a hybrid model. It combines a retail wine shop with a bar space. This allows guests to purchase bottles for takeaway. Guests can also select a bottle to open on-site. The venue sits in the Bến Thành ward of the city. It is a short distance from the Bến Thành Market.

The bar’s concept centers on a modern living room environment. The space is designed to function as both a commercial shop and a lounge. The selection includes a variety of international wines. The format provides a retail experience alongside bar service. Staff are available to assist with wine selections from the shelves. The venue serves wine by the glass and by the bottle.

The establishment offers a setting for tasting different wines. Its dual function as a retail outlet means the bottle inventory changes. The bar provides seating for guests who choose to drink inside. It caters to both individual patrons and small groups. The operating hours extend late into the evening every day of the week. The venue is one of several nightlife options in the immediate area.

This business model is present in many major cities. It allows patrons to browse a full retail selection. This differs from a standard bar’s limited menu. The pricing structure often varies between retail and on-site consumption. The Living Room provides a distinct format for wine service in Ho Chi Minh City.

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57 Lê Anh Xuân, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

03

Part gourmet grocer, part wine bar, where you can taste widely before you commit to a bottle.

Annam Gourmet

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

07:00–21:00 daily 0902668876

Annam Gourmet sits on Hai Bà Trưng Street. This location is in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. It offers a gourmet food market and a café. The ground floor holds a high-end grocery store. It sells many imported European and international foods. Shoppers find cheeses, cold cuts, and fine wines. The market also stocks various packaged goods. It provides organic produce and gluten-free items too.

French-Vietnamese entrepreneurs founded Annam Gourmet. It began as a small shop. Now it ranks among the city’s well-known retail chains. The building’s first floor houses the Annam Café. This space operates as a casual restaurant. It also functions as a coffee shop. The café serves fresh pastries and coffee. Its menu lists many light meals. Diners can buy wine or cheese from the market. They enjoy these selections at the café. The eatery prepares cheese and cold cut platters.

The café provides a dining spot for grocery shoppers. Locals know it for its daily lunch buffet. This buffet serves diverse dishes. It caters to many international tastes. The menu lists items like panini sandwiches. It also offers fresh, crisp salads. The space includes an indoor dining area. Large windows overlook the street intersection. This environment suits casual meals or coffee breaks. Expatriates and local residents frequent Annam Gourmet. They seek its specialty food items.

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16-18 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

04

A hidden upstairs hideaway that feels like a secret the locals are keeping.

The Old Compass Cafe and Bar

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Sunday–Thursday 09:00–21:00, Friday–Saturday 09:00–22:00 +842838232969

The Old Compass Cafe and Bar sits on Pasteur Street. This District 1 spot in Ho Chi Minh City offers a Vietnamese cafe experience. It also serves as a cultural hub. The venue occupies the third floor of a 1960s apartment building. Guests access it via a narrow alleyway and staircase.

Its kitchen prepares home-style Vietnamese meals. The menu lists set lunches that change daily. It also includes bánh mì and various noodle dishes. The bar serves wine, local craft beer, and coffee. During the day, it functions as a cafe. In the evening, it transitions into a bar. The interior retains many vintage elements. Guests will notice old floor tiles and decorative metal window frames.

Beyond food and drink, The Old Compass Cafe hosts cultural events. Authors and historians give talks on local art, history, and architecture. The venue also schedules intimate live music performances. A small library of books about Vietnam awaits guests. They can read these on-site. The cafe also starts a history walking tour, ‘Saigon – Tales of the City.’

Mark Bowyer, Rusty Compass founder, opened the cafe in 2016. He established it for travelers, expatriates, and locals. The cafe sits next to the Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel. It provides a quiet setting. This offers a peaceful escape from the busy street below.

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3rd Floor, 63/11 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

05

The dependable District 1 stalwart with a list deep enough for any mood.

Cork and Bottle

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Cork and Bottle is a wine bar on Thái Văn Lung in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The establishment offers a selection of international wines served by the glass or bottle. It sits in a central area known for its high concentration of restaurants and bars. The venue provides a quiet space away from the main street’s activity.

The bar’s collection includes wines from various global regions. The menu features red wines from France and white wines from New Zealand. Staff can also create custom beverages based on guest preferences. A food menu of light snacks is available to accompany the drinks. The kitchen prepares cheese and meat platters designed for sharing.

The interior space has an intimate and artistic design. Warm lighting and brickwork define the decor. The venue caters to small groups and individuals seeking a relaxed setting. It is part of a national brand with other locations in Hanoi and Da Nang. The bar also provides services for private events and wine catering.

Cork and Bottle is situated a short distance from prominent city landmarks. The bar’s facade features green climbing plants over antique-style brick. It aims to provide an accessible wine experience. The venue attracts both local residents and international visitors in the neighborhood.

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7 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

06

The dependable District 1 stalwart with a list deep enough for any mood.

Enoteca Vietnam – Wine Shop & Bar

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

09:30–21:30 daily +84906805560

Enoteca Vietnam offers a wine retail shop and bar. It sits on the second floor of Takashimaya department store. This location is in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The shop operates inside the Saigon Centre complex. Its address is on Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa street. This store marks Enoteca’s first Vietnamese location. Enoteca is a Japanese wine importer. Asahi Group Holdings owns the company. The establishment functions as both a retail store and a tasting bar.

The shop carries about 340 curated wines. Selections come from diverse global regions. Its portfolio includes bottles from established wine regions. These include Bordeaux and Burgundy in France. Wines also arrive from Italy, Spain, and the United States. The business serves wholesale clients. These clients include hotels and restaurants. It also caters to individual retail customers. Staff provide information on the various wines offered.

The space spans 87 square meters. It features a retail display area. This area showcases its extensive bottle collection. A small counter bar offers seating for nine. This space facilitates in-store tastings and events. The setting feels modern. It integrates well into the upscale Takashimaya shopping center. Enoteca opened its Vietnamese subsidiary in October 2023. This preceded the store’s opening.

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Level 2, Takashimaya Department Store, 92-94 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

07

The relaxed, unpretentious spot where the evening turns easy and fun.

Tipsy Wine Bar

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

16:00–23:45 Monday–Saturday; Closed Sunday +84837003131

Tipsy Wine Bar is a French-style wine bar on Lê Thánh Tôn street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The establishment focuses on a curated selection of wines. The venue presents a French-centric wine list, available by the glass or bottle. It serves a menu designed to accompany wine. Offerings include imported cheeses, charcuterie boards, and house-made pâté.

The bar provides an intimate setting with indoor seating. The decor aims for a classic Parisian aesthetic. French music often plays in the background, contributing to the atmosphere. The space is compact and designed for small groups and couples. It functions as a place for conversation over drinks and small plates. The bar is situated in an area with many restaurants and nightlife options.

The food menu features classic wine pairings. Guests can order platters of cold cuts and cheeses. The bar also serves fresh oysters and warm bread alongside its charcuterie. The staff can offer recommendations for pairing food with the available wines. The selection includes premium bottles from regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy, among over 100 different labels.

Tipsy Wine Bar operates in the evening, catering to an after-work and late-night clientele. It sits in the Bến Nghé ward, a central and busy part of the city. The bar maintains a focused concept, concentrating entirely on wine and complementary food items. It does not serve cocktails or a broader restaurant menu.

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31A Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

08

Spanish wine and proper tapas for a warm, generous night out.

iBERICO – TAPAS y VINO Thi Sach

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

iBERICO – TAPAS y VINO is a Spanish tapas bar and restaurant on Thi Sách Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant serves traditional Spanish cuisine with a focus on shared plates. It operates a second location in the Thảo Điền area of the city. The Thi Sách venue sits in a central district known for international dining options.

The menu features classic Spanish tapas, charcuterie, and larger main courses. The kitchen prepares signature items like Gambas al Ajillo and Ibérico ham croquetas. It also serves imported Spanish meats and cheeses, including Jamón Ibérico and Manchego. The restaurant offers several types of paella, a rice dish prepared in a large pan. The bar pours Spanish wines and mixes cocktails like Sangria.

The restaurant received the official ‘Restaurant from Spain’ certification. This certification recognizes authentic Spanish cuisine outside of Spain. The interior space has a warm color palette and a prominent bar area. Seating is available indoors and at tables on the sidewalk. The venue caters to both small groups and larger parties for dinner.

The establishment focuses on Iberian ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Staff carve the cured hams to order for service. The wine list provides pairings for the food menu. The restaurant offers a distinct Spanish dining format in the city center.

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20A Thi Sách, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam