Hanoi Nightlife, Vietnam

Hanoi is not really famous for its nightlife. Having said this, it must be admitted that things have changed a lot since the days of the Vietnam War (when people chose to visit other destinations like Ho Chi Minh City and even Udon Thani in Thailand in order to enjoy nightlife). Today, Hanoi nightlife means drinking cheap booze (indeed Hanoi beers are far cheaper than elsewhere), dancing to loud music, listening to live bands … simply enjoying yourself to the hilt whether you have company or not. But Hanoi nightlife is bound by government regulations and restrictions. Most of the Hanoi nightlife venues pull down the shutters much before midnight.

Before knowing about the individual nightlife venues in Hanoi, note that most of these can be found close to the Old Quarter and in the Hoan Kiem Lake surroundings.

Hanoi Nightlife – Watering Holes

Hanoi city has quite a few watering holes. Although some of the bars/pubs also offer live entertainment, they are generally calmer, quieter and are best for friendly gatherings. The drinking holes are the places to be in, if you are keen on knowing the locals and getting friendly with them.

As already said, Hanoi’s fresh beer (known as Bia Hoi locally) costs only a fraction of what you pay for beer in the west. Other than beer, you will get different drinks like Sambuca, Tequila, Vodka and many cocktails. And if price is a problem, it is better to go during the happy hours.

Top picks among Hanoi bars are Da Gino, Emperor Pub, Finnegan's Irish Pub, Funky Monkey, Polite Pub, The Met and The Spotted Cow.

Hanoi Nightlife – Nightclubs

Unlike drinking spots, Hanoi nightclubs are all about hustle and bustle. Hanoi nightclubs are ideal for those, who love dancing. Other forms of entertainment in the form of band music, foosball, pool tables, are also available but it is dancing (mostly to DJ-spun music) that make the Hanoi nightclubs special.

First, we will speak about Apocalypse Now. Be it weekdays or weekends, Apocalypse Now is a great hit with both locals and visiting crowds. The club has pool tables as well as a dance-floor and it is entirely your choice whether you would like to spend your time with your friends by the pool table or hit the dance-floor.

Hanoi’s other popular nightclubs include names like Club Q, Dragonfly, Funky Buddha, Ly Club and Spark Club. Clubs like Dragonfly and Funky Buddha are ideal for young people in their late teens or early twenties. Dragonfly also has a Shisha/Hookah Bar. Ly Club is a bit different; it has two different sections – the upper-floor is meant for dining while lending your ears to soft instrumental music, the lower floor is basically a cabaret hall with drinks flowing to your demand.

Live music is also a part of Hanoi nightlife and if you are really fond of music, you can check out venues like Minh's Jazz Club and Indochine Jazz Club. Seventeen Saloon is one of Hanoi’s famous pop music venues.

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