New this week: 3 bars you won't find on Google Maps →

SMF’s picks for free drinks, proper music, and rooftop views

We’re Saigon Music Family – we throw parties all over this city, so we know where ladies night actually delivers. Midweek in Saigon, ladies night means free drinks for the girls, proper music, and rooms that go off on a Tuesday. We made this guide to skip the guesswork: no tourist-trap filler, just the five ladies night spots we’d send our own friends to. Below you’ll find which bar, which night, and what to expect. Most run Tuesday to Thursday – build your week around them, and where we say it’s packed, book a table. See you out there.

The Pins

01

Start the week on Tuesday — this rooftop is where young Saigon kicks off ladies night.

Papaya Papa – Rooftop Restaurant, Bar & Club

Nightlife · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Tuesday–Thursday 17:00–02:00, Friday–Saturday 17:00–04:00, Sunday 17:00–02:00 +84337638982

Papaya Papa is a rooftop restaurant, bar, and club on Hai Bà Trưng street in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue occupies the 13th floor of the L’mak Building, offering views of the city skyline. It combines a dining space with a lounge and late-night music events. The establishment features both indoor seating and an outdoor terrace area. Its design incorporates tropical-inspired elements with wooden decor and soft lighting.

The kitchen applies French culinary techniques to a menu with Mediterranean and Asian influences. The restaurant serves a range of dishes intended for sharing. Signature items include octopus with corn purée and chimichurri, and hummus with lamb and pickled cherries. A French chef leads the culinary team. The bar serves a list of signature cocktails, including the Whisper of Bến Tre and the Nømad, alongside wine and spirits.

The venue transitions from a restaurant and lounge in the evening to a more energetic club atmosphere later at night. A DJ booth is a central feature of the indoor space. The music programming often includes genres like Afro House during weekly events. The space is configured with various seating options, from bar seats to larger sofa tables for groups. The establishment operates from the late afternoon until the early morning, with extended hours on weekends.

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13th floor, 147 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Võ Thị Sáu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

1 insider tip

SMF · curator · Papaya Papa – Rooftop Restaurant, Bar & Club

Come for the view and the dancefloor; the crowd skews young expat and the music leans Afro house, house, R&B and hip-hop. Get there earlier if you want food and a good rooftop spot before it fills up.

02

Still Tuesday, still District 1 — swap the rooftop for a bar hidden behind a grocery store.

Bodega Saigon

Nightlife · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 22:00–04:00 +84981551811

Bodega Saigon is a nightclub on Thi Sách street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue features a speakeasy concept with an entrance designed as a retro convenience store. Inside, the space transitions into a modern nightclub environment. The club’s interior design incorporates neon lighting and street art-inspired decor.

The main club area has a dance floor, a bar, and several seating sections. The layout includes options for standing tables and larger sofa areas designated as VIP or VVIP sections. The venue offers bottle service for groups. Its capacity accommodates approximately 200 guests. The music programming focuses on electronic and urban genres.

Resident and guest DJs play a mix of Hip-Hop, R&B, EDM, and Melodic Techno. The club hosts specific event nights, including a weekly Ladies Night. In addition to its beverage program, Bodega Saigon serves a food menu. The menu lists international dishes such as pasta, beef steak, sushi, and sashimi. The venue operates primarily in the late evening and early morning hours.

The club’s entrance presents a vintage storefront facade, concealing the main venue within. This design creates a contrast between the exterior and the interior atmosphere. The internal space is characterized by dim lighting and an energetic ambiance. The establishment requires a smart casual dress code for entry.

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2 Thi Sách, Phường Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

SMF · curator · Bodega Saigon

Half the fun is the entrance: you walk in through a working grocery store to reach the club. It's on the touristy side and plays R&B, hip-hop and open format, making it an easy, no-attitude second stop.

03

Come Wednesday, everything points to Bam — the biggest ladies party in the city.

Bam

Nightlife · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

19:00–02:00 daily +84937099033

Bam is a Bali-inspired bar and nightclub on Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, that provides a nightlife experience centered on music and cocktails. The venue’s interior design uses tropical aesthetics to create a vibrant atmosphere. The space contains a central bar, standing tables, and reserved sofa areas for groups.

The music program at Bam features a mix of genres. Resident and guest DJs play techno, house, commercial top 40, R&B, and hip-hop. The venue hosts both local Vietnamese and international DJs from the underground music scene. A notable weekly event is the Ladies Night held every Wednesday, which includes drink specials for women.

The bar serves a wide range of beverages, with a menu of creative cocktails and bottle service options. Bartenders prepare drinks at a prominent central counter. The establishment offers table service for reserved areas. While the focus is on drinks, the venue sometimes provides fruit plates with bottle service.

Bam operates seven days a week, opening in the evening and closing in the early morning hours. The dress code is smart casual. The venue is a project by HypeAsia, a hospitality group with other establishments in Southeast Asia. It attracts a diverse crowd of local residents, expatriates, and tourists.

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41-43 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

SMF · curator · Bam

This is the big one, with a queue that can stretch to the end of the street — book a table if you don't want to wait. Expect an all-ages, mixed Vietnamese-and-Western crowd, open-format music and frequent international guest DJs.

04

For a grown-up Wednesday, trade the queue for a five-star hotel bar.

2 Lam Son

Nightlife · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

17:00–00:00 daily +842838241234

2 Lam Son is a martini bar. It sits on Lam Son Square in District 1. The Park Hyatt Saigon hotel houses the bar. It operates from the hotel’s lobby level. The bar faces the Saigon Opera House directly. It specializes in world-class cocktails. Bartenders craft exceptional martinis here.

The bar’s menu features signature drinks. The “Wonders of Vietnam” collection stands out. It offers cocktails inspired by Vietnamese landscapes. These drinks use local ingredients. Guests find jackfruit, pandan, and regional spices. The menu also lists classic cocktails. It offers premium spirits and international wines. A bar snack menu includes spring rolls. Guests can also enjoy wagyu beef sliders.

Its interior design is contemporary and stylish. Guests choose from plush couches and tables. Seating is also available at the main bar. A lofted level provides a private area. This space sits above the main floor. The venue maintains a smart casual dress code. It offers a smoke-free atmosphere. Live DJ performances often enhance select evenings.

2 Lam Son hosts weekly themed events. These nights focus on whisky or champagne. Other events feature tequila. The bar serves diverse guests. Hotel visitors and local residents frequent it. It provides a sophisticated setting for evening drinks. Its location is central to the city. The bar is a key outlet for the Park Hyatt Saigon.

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2 Lam Son Square, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

1 insider tip

SMF · curator · 2 Lam Son

The more refined option, inside the Park Hyatt — the crowd runs 35-plus and drinks aren't cheap, but the room is polished and the music stays on the house side. Good for a classier midweek night.

05

Round off the week on Thursday across the river in Thao Dien, the expat side of town.

The Racha Room

Nightlife · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

The Racha Room sits on Xuân Thủy street. This Asian fusion restaurant and cocktail bar is in Thảo Điền. It is part of Thủ Đức City. The venue offers modern Southeast Asian cuisine. Diners find a strong focus on Thai flavors here. The kitchen prepares dishes with seasonal, local produce. It lists both small plates and larger shared dishes. Popular items include Massaman curry with US beef short rib. The grilled pork jowl salad is another favorite.

The bar forms a central feature of the establishment. Mixologists craft a menu of signature and classic cocktails. The drink list includes Asian spices and seasonal fruits. This bar program helps define the venue. It complements the food menu. The restaurant belongs to the Tribe Hospitality group. This group operates several city venues.

The space features a modern-industrial aesthetic. Inside, exposed brick walls create a distinctive look. Carefully managed lighting adds to the ambiance. Seating options include comfortable booths and standard tables. Guests can also sit at the bar counter. A specific music selection matches the dining room’s mood.

The restaurant occupies a compact, low-lit space. It primarily offers evening service. The atmosphere attracts a diverse clientele. Local residents, expatriates, and visitors all enjoy it. The Racha Room sits in a prominent Thảo Điền dining area.

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105-107 Xuân Thủy, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

1 insider tip

SMF · curator · The Racha Room

Out in Saigon's most expat-heavy neighbourhood, so it's the natural pick if you're based across the river. Mixed Vietnamese-expat crowd and open-format music — a relaxed way to close out the week.