In recent years, the birth of the Speakeasy Bar format has created a new highlight for this activity. So what is a Speakeasy Bar?
What Do You Know About Speakeasy Bar – Hidden Bar?
Speakeasy Bar – or Hidden Bar – is a term not unfamiliar to Saigon-ese, especially those who love good wine, uplifting music, and a space private enough to ponder life. This concept originated in the United States, specifically during the period 1919 – 1930. At that time, the US government issued a series of bans on alcoholic beverages. To continue to exist, bars must suspend all large-scale promotional activities, say goodbye to busy premises, and start a more closed business style.
And so the phrase Speakeasy Bar was born, referring to bars hidden behind less noticeable locations, such as a door, old apartment, basement, or hair salon. The advantage of Speakeasy Bars is that they convey their own aesthetic taste through interior design, music, and bartending styles, no longer influenced by popular entertainment trends. Rustic, toxic, and quality are accurate adjectives when talking about a Speakeasy Bar.
1. The ATM Cocktail Bar & Kitchen
Address: 27/10 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Da Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 17:00 – 00:00 | Friday – Saturday: 17:00 – 01:00 | Sunday is day off
Reference price: 150,000 VND – 500,000 VND
“Hidden in an alley” in the second busiest area of District 1, The ATM Cocktail Bar & Kitchen “fools” diners with a door that looks exactly like an ATM that has stopped working. Going through the courtyard “where darkness surrounds”, you will reach the dining space filled with high-quality wooden furniture, Jazz music, and the attractive aroma of many delicious dishes.
If you’re still confused between options, you can let the staff know your preferences. The staff at The ATM Cocktail Bar & Kitchen are ready to offer suggestions on the menu or mix up a completely new drink. Spicy Magarita and Gin Fizz are seemingly basic options but leave a pretty complete impression. Another factor that makes The ATM Cocktail Bar & Kitchen famous is the cuisine. From Vietnamese to Western cuisine, the delicious dishes here are all richly prepared to pair perfectly with drinks. Don’t miss raw oysters, grilled oysters with cheese sauce, fried chicken wings with fish sauce…
2. Firkin Bar
Address: 20 Mac Thi Buoi, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 18:00 – 00:00, all days of the week
Reference price: 150,000 VND – 8,000,000 VND
The shop has 5 best dishes that you should try, the most prominent are Whiskey Sour, Formula 20, Rye’s Up and Bronze Bullet. If the space inside Firkin Bar impresses with its classic and elegant design, the balcony area (for smokers) is equally attractive, equipped with air conditioning and city views. The sophistication in mixing style and space arrangement is undeniable at Firkin Bar.
3. Rabbit Hole
Address: 138 D. Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 18:00 – 02:00, all days of the week
Reference price: from 500,000 VND
Rabbit Hole is one of Saigon’s Hidden Bars famous for its wine quality and experience space. The shop is located in the basement; Therefore, the phone signal will not be too good, but you can devote your full attention to cocktails made according to your own recipe or chatting with your companions. There are only about 20 to 30 seats at Rabbit Hole, and each table is arranged far apart to create maximum privacy for customers. If you come to Rabbit Hole alone, you should choose to sit at the L-shaped counter to “see” the skillful mixing hands of the bartenders. Who knows, you might hear some interesting stories about alcoholic beverages.
Different from the bustle often found in bars, Rabbit Hole offers a quiet, contemplative space, allowing customers to fully enjoy the melodious music and unique flavors of signature drinks. Ramos Gin Fizz, with its intense orange flavor and creamy taste, is a great choice for a weekend evening. Don’t miss the time from 18:00 to 20:00, because that is Happy Hour when the menu is discounted by 30%.
4. Telephone Bar
Address: 41 Nguyen Van Trang, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 18:00 – 00:00, all days of the week
Reference price: from 150,000 VND
Even if you follow Google Maps, you can still get lost when looking for the Telephone Bar (truly achieving the elite level of a genuine Speakeasy Bar). This Hidden Bar Saigon is located behind two red-painted public phone booths,with no flashing lights, no nameplates, in general… nothing. Telephone Bar possesses an aesthetic and nostalgic interior design. According to many sources of information, the design of Telephone Bar is inspired by the famous Secret Service series Kingsman. Black and white photos hung in wooden frames on the wall, wooden wine cabinets covered with dark red paint, glossy leather seats, and patterned details on the ceiling,… remind of a Europe in the 20th century.
5. Layla – Eatery & Bar
Address: Second floor, 63 Dong Du, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 16:00 – 01:00, Sunday – Thursday | 16:00 – 02:00, Friday – Saturday
Reference price: 100,000 VND – 300,000 VND
Perhaps in this list of Saigon Speakeasy Bars, Layla – Eatery & Bar is the most familiar name to Gen Z. Located on the 2nd floor of an old apartment building, Layla – Eatery & Bar possesses a perfect atmosphere. Completely opposite of Rabbit Hole. Simply explained, Layla – Eatery & Bar is a place where you can come after a tiring day of work, take off your Western shoes, order a basic cocktail or a cold draft beer, and play billiards.
From on-trend music and a bar decorated with eye-catching LED lights to adjacent dining areas, every element at Layla – Eatery & Bar radiates the fiery energy of “youth”. For that reason, the majority of customers coming to Layla – Eatery & Bar are Gen Z, students or new workers. During Happy Hour – from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – the drink and food menu at Layla – Eatery & Bar is heavily discounted.
