Phu Nhuan is an extremely crowded district that is growing in popularity among expats. Despite bordering District 1, the entertainment center of Ho Chi Minh City, a few dining and drinking options have sprung up within Phu Nhuan so you don’t have to bother with the commute. Here are some of the best bars in the area.
Caribe Coffee & Pub is a café by day and an adventurous pirate ship/pub by night. The space is modeled to look like a pirate ship, with wooden interiors and all sorts of pirate-themed decor such as skulls and anchors. With good shisha (sometimes made from alcohol bottles), delicious cocktails and fun group games such as Uno, roulette, and cards, this is a fun spot to hang out after the sun sets over the horizon. Beer can be as low as VND$30,000 (USD$1.50) and cocktails are priced around VND$70,000 (USD$3.50), so we have a feeling you’ll stay a while and take advantage of the cheap prices. If by the end of the night, you find yourself swaying a little bit, it’s not the ship, it’s you.
Bar Cay Dan has been open for over 10 years in Ho Chi Minh City, and for a city where venues close down left and right, Bar Cay Dan can say it has succeeded. There are two floors — the ground floor is designed like a café/bar, and the upstairs a little more humble, like your ordinary restaurant. Bar Cay Dan is known for its open-mic nights where they let anyone get up on stage and sing their hearts out – and yes, we do mean anyone. So even if you can’t sing, we encourage you to go up and belt out a few classics. The older the song, the better, as the crowd is mostly composed of middle-aged men, rather than young ones.
Mot Hai Bar is a creative spin on an often used Vietnamese phrase: “mot, hai, ba, dzo!” This essentially translates to “1, 2, 3, drink!” and is something you will hear every night when you are out in a bar, club, or even restaurant. This joint is located on the ground floor of the Eastin Grand Hotel, and is a little bit more fancy than your average Ho Chi Minh City bar. Great for celebratory events, you can enjoy the creative menu of wines, cocktails, mocktails, and finger food with a fun bunch of people, starting (or ending) your night in style.
Ho Chi Minh City has plenty of rooftop bars, pubs and restaurants, with most being in District 1, the city center. Hippie Beer is the rare rooftop bar in Phu Nhuan district, and is a fantastic little spot with both indoor and outdoor areas. The menu offers plenty of imported beer, some with alcohol percentages as high as 12%, so we don’t recommend that you look down from atop the building. The venue is cozily decorated, using old bottles, bottle caps, and coasters, adding a creative spin. Despite being in one of the most crowded regions of the city, it’s peaceful up on the roof and you can enjoy a cool beer away from the congested streets that run through Phu Nhuan. Although, we do think it’s a bit odd getting drunk when there is a church right in front.
Gbeer Station is not only loved for its nice beer but also for its delicious food and good dance music. With indoor and outdoor seating, the venue is spacious — essential for when you go crazy as the DJs start spinning some awesome tracks. Gbeer Station is a popular spot for Phu Nhuan residents to end their night of party.
Pasteur Street Brewing Company is the most award-winning craft brewery in Vietnam, famous for its American-style craft beer made using the highest locally and internationally sourced ingredients. PSBC is served in many restaurants and bars, and is an expat favorite. Lucky for you, you don’t have to head all the way to District 1 as there is a PSBC bar that spans three floors right in the heart of Phu Nhuan. There are 70 different kinds of beer, making it essential that you visit more than just once. Try them all and if you’re having a hard time choosing, opt for a platter and let the staff recommend you their favorite flavors. Make sure you order some grub to go with it as it’s all very delicious.
