Top 10 Best Nightlife in Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi is a city with so many unique things to do at night, and is unlike any other capital in Southeast Asia or the even the world. While it won’t win over many plaudits for its nightclubs, there are a multitude of fun and interesting things to see and places to go.

Part of what makes Hanoi so interesting is the differences between each district, and in our list of the Top 10 Best Nightlife in Hanoi you’ll find all the interesting options spread out across town, with the best bars, clubs, live music joints and even family fun!

1. Twilight Sky Bar

A chic and intimate space living up to its name. This is one of the best spots in Hanoi to enjoy drinks as the sun sets over Hoan Kiem Lake. Offering 270-degree city views, the environment created is the best of all worlds.

The Twilight Bar is La Siesta Central’s pièce de résistance – with an extensive range of international wines, signature cocktails, beers and spirits a well as an exciting menu of non-alcoholic beverages.

• Open daily: 9:00 – 24:00
• Address: 1 Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 24 3938 0963

2. The Den Bar

Lying in wait in the basement of La Siesta Hotel Trendy Hotel & Spa on quiet Nguyen Quang Bich street, is The Den Bar.  The lower ground floor down, a short flight of steps, has been transformed into a secluded chic place to relax over a drink. It is like entering a small private drawing room, a quiet haven. A cool space to chill from the city’s summer heat and warm and cozy in the winter when Hanoi temperatures fall.

While The Den Bar is styled complement the hotel, it also sports its own identity. Part modern speakeasy style, part cigar lounge and part old English man’s club, The Den Bar incorporates the best of all personalities creating an intimate contemporary space.  Here, dark hard wood floors meet soft brown leather armchairs, trendy contemporary cocktails accompany classic fine whiskies and retro combines with classic.

The décor is stylish and hip.  A color palette of blacks, charcoal greys, chocolate browns, steely blues combined with leather, wood, glass and metal.  Layered lighting creates a balanced space while subdued lighting enhances the romantic soothing ambience.

• Open daily 14:00 to late
• Address: 12 Nguyen Quang Bich Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 24 392 340 26

4. Bia Hoi Junction

This junction in the centre of the Old Quarter is the absolute classic night time activity in Hanoi. You really haven’t seen the city until you have spent a few hours soaking up the atmosphere and maybe sinking a few beers at the most famous Beer Hoi (Fresh Beer) spot in Vietnam. Several shop houses have plastic stools spilling out onto the streets, with beers being served for as little as VND10,000 (less than US$1) and street vendors serving steamed peanuts, beef jerky and other exotic snacks.

The beer is quite weak compared to European standards, but for an all-round experience it is quite something. Open throughout the day and late into the night.

• Opening Hours: 11:00-Late
• Address: Ta Hien & Pho Luong Ngoc Quyen, Old Quarter, Hanoi

5. Water Puppet Theatre

The Water Puppet Theatre is a must-visit if you’re travelling in Hanoi for the first time, featuring live music and sketches of the local lifestyle. This ancient art form of water puppetry has a long association but the original – and widely regarded as the best – theatre in town is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre in the Hoan Kiem District. Puppets dance and slide gracefully over the water, depicting stories of ancient myths and folklore which are easy to grasp for foreign guests.

Held nightly from 15:00 onwards, booking your tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially on weekends.

• Opening Hours: Daily 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 & 20:00
• Address: 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 24 3 824 9494
• Price Range: VND 100,000

6. Binh Minh’s Jazz Club

Minh’s Jazz Club is unparalleled as a place to witness the finest musicians in Hanoi. Live music fans will love the dark interior, which leaves all of the attention squarely on the talented performers on stage. Minh himself – widely regarded as the best Vietnamese jazz performer in history – is sometimes here in person, jamming with his immensely talented band, as well as international performers. Drinks are not cheap, but when you factor in the quality of the live entertainment, prices are more than fair.

• Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 24:00
• Address: 1 Trang Tien Street, French Quarter, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 24 3 942 0400

7. Legend Beer

Legend Beer is a third storey bar with a sweeping terrace overlooking downtown Hanoi and Hoan Kiem Lake. There is no where better in Hanoi to enjoy an ice cold beer and watch the night time escapades of Hanoi’s inhabitants. Due to the low level of the terrace, the fervent action of the streets below is almost at touching distance so you can feel part of the city, yet relaxed at the same time. Legend Beer brews its own drinks, with wheat beer, lager and a dark stout all available in several sizes.

They also have a decent menu of German-style dishes such as pork knuckle and sausages.

• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – Late
• Address: 01-03-05 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hanoi Tel: +84 24 3 936 0345

8. Dragonfly Bar Lounge

Dragonfly Bar and Lounge Hanoi is a longstanding night spot in the Old Quarter of Hanoi that attracts a fairly even mix of young Vietnamese and youthful expats. The music varies between hip-hop and party pop music and there is space to dance if you get in the groove, although most people prefer to mix and mingle.

Perhaps due to the amount of backpackers that frequent Dragonfly, large cocktails are popular here and are noticeably good value. Head upstairs to enjoy a shisha pipe with a range of flavours available.

• Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 24:00
• Address: 15 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 24 3 926 2177

9. Hanoi Opera House

The stunning Hanoi Opera House is one of the most spectacular examples of colonial architecture in Vietnam, and spending a night of culture at a live opera or musical performance lives long in the memory. Shows aren’t on constantly but be sure to check with the concierge at your hotel to see if any performances are scheduled during your stay. Advanced booking is imperative. Located in the centre of the French Quarter of Hanoi, it is worth going to appreciate the Hanoi Opera House at night, even if there is no performance scheduled.

• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00
• Address: 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 24 3 933 0131
• Price Range: VND 100,000 – VND 2,000,000

10. Hanoi Press Club

Hanoi Press Club is an upscale bar offering excellent service and a sophisticated ambiance, both inside in their gentleman’s club style bar and out on the large, third floor terrace. A well stocked bar offers excellent wines and cocktails as well as some tasty bar snacks.

There is live music from Thursday to Sunday and a special buy-one-get-one-free on select drinks every Thursday.

• Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – 15:00 & 17:00 – Late
• Address: 59A Ly Thai To Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: +84 24 3 934 0888