There’s a specific kind of Thursday that only happens in one courtyard in District 1. The gate at 74 Hai Bà Trưng swings open onto what used to be Saigon’s old opium manufactory, built in 1881, and by early evening the terrace fills with the kind of low, easy noise that means people are staying a while. Glasses catch the string lights. A DJ works the crowd from a corner of the courtyard. This has been happening every single Thursday for more than a year, and it has quietly become one of Saigon’s most iconic recurring nights out.
This is Wine Thursdays at The Refinery, curated by Saigon Music Family (SMF).
What is Wine Thursdays
Wine Thursdays is a weekly wine night held every Thursday at The Refinery, a French brasserie and wine bar set inside a restored 19th-century courtyard in the heart of District 1. It pairs The Refinery’s wine list, with both Old and New World selections available by the glass, against a rotating lineup of DJs booked by SMF.
It isn’t a one-off pop-up or a seasonal series. Wine Thursdays has run continuously for over a year, which by Saigon nightlife standards makes it something close to an institution. Regulars treat it as a standing appointment: work ends, the courtyard opens, and Thursday becomes wine night.
The setting
The Refinery occupies a hidden courtyard just off Hai Bà Trưng, tucked behind an archway that keeps the noise of the street out and the atmosphere in. The space was built in the greatest Paris bistro tradition, with custom-made furniture and lighting, and it still carries the charm of the building’s past as Saigon’s old opium manufactory.
The covered outdoor terrace is where Wine Thursdays lives, ringed by comfy armchairs and original architectural details that give the night its character. It’s a courtyard built for lingering, not rushing through a glass.
The music
SMF handles the sound. As a crew of DJs, promoters, and party people who have spent years inside Saigon’s music scene, they book the kind of sets that suit a wine terrace rather than a club floor, warm, groove-driven, built for conversation as much as for dancing.
Over a year of Thursdays, The Refinery has hosted a long list of DJs through this series. You can scroll back through past sets on their YouTube channel:
The Refinery’s Wine Thursdays DJ playlist on YouTube
Good to know
- When: Every Thursday evening
- Where: The Refinery, 74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- What to expect: Wine by the glass, live DJ sets, indoor and covered outdoor terrace seating
- Music starts: 18:00 to 22:00
More wine spots in District 1
The Refinery is also stop one on PinGuide’s District 1 wine crawl, a walkable route through the neighborhood’s best glass-pours, from hidden upstairs bars to a Spanish tapas counter.
Frequently asked questions
What is Wine Thursdays at The Refinery? Wine Thursdays is a weekly wine night held every Thursday at The Refinery, a French brasserie and wine bar in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It pairs wine by the glass with live DJ sets curated by Saigon Music Family (SMF).
How long has Wine Thursdays been running? Wine Thursdays has run every week for more than a year, making it one of Saigon’s longest-standing recurring nightlife events.
Who curates the DJs for Wine Thursdays? Saigon Music Family (SMF), a crew of DJs and promoters behind several of Ho Chi Minh City’s recurring nightlife events, books and curates the DJ lineup each week.
Where is The Refinery located? The Refinery is located at 74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, inside a restored courtyard that once served as the city’s opium manufactory.
Can I watch past Wine Thursdays DJ sets? Yes. The Refinery posts sets from past Wine Thursdays on its YouTube channel, @The_Refinery_Saigon.
Curated by SMF, the DJs and promoters behind some of Saigon’s best recurring nights out. Learn more about The Refinery at therefinerysaigon.com.