Hanoi doesn't give up its best bars easily. You'll ring doorbells in dark alleyways, solve riddles behind hotel lockers, and find yourself in candlelit rooms where the music is always vinyl and raising your voice is quietly discouraged. 

This is a city that rewards the curious and keeps its best secrets for those willing to look.

We've spent years navigating Hanoi's bar scene, and this is our guide to the places worth finding.

We continue to update this list as we discover new inspiring venues.

The Award-Winners

Workshop14

6 Ngõ 5, Phố Từ Hoa, Quảng An, Tây Hồ

Tucked down a quiet lane beside West Lake in the Tây Hồ district, Workshop14 occupies a space that once housed an architect's studio and the DNA of the place never really left. The bar was designed by architect-founder Hieu Long alongside cocktail veteran Richard McDonough (known in the industry as "The Mood Therapist") and hospitality director Cuong Nguyen. It opened in late 2024 and within months had won the prestigious Campari One To Watch Award at Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025, debuting at No. 83 on the list.

The cocktail programme draws on local Vietnamese ingredients and channels the spirit of the old Nghi Tàm silk-weaving tradition that once defined this neighbourhood. It feels less like a bar and more like a modernist studio, which is very much the point.

Track 61 at Capella Hanoi

Capella Hanoi, 11 Lê Phụng Hiểu, Hoàn Kiếm

Hidden behind The Hudson Rooms — itself one of Hanoi's finest hotel restaurants — Track 61 is one of the city's most coveted secrets. Named after the legendary clandestine New York train platform that once ferried presidents and generals, the bar is limited to just 16 seats and requires both a special ticket and the solving of an ever-changing riddle to enter. Getting in is half the adventure.

Inside: a whiskey collection that would humble most connoisseurs, premium cigars, and an atmosphere of 1920s opulence that feels entirely removed from the Hanoi outside. The Hudson Rooms and Track 61 were jointly recognised at No. 86 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025. 

The Institution

Tadioto

24b P. Tông Đản, French Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm

There are bars, and then there are places that become part of a city's soul. Tadioto is the latter.

Founded in 2008 by Nguyễn Quí Đức — Vietnamese-American writer, broadcaster, artist, and one of Hanoi's most beloved creative figures — Tadioto was never simply a bar. Over the years and several relocations, it became a gathering place for the city's artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. A café, a cocktail bar, an art space, a performance venue, and a community — all in one room.

Nguyễn Quí Đức passed away in 2023, his loss was felt deeply by everyone who ever sat at one of his tables, heard him hold court, or simply felt at home in the spaces he created. Tadioto holds a special place in our hearts and we're glad it lives on.

The Hidden Gems

Longer Than a Summer

2 P. Nhà Thờ, Hoàn Kiếm

The New York Times called it one of Hanoi's most characterful speakeasies — and they weren't wrong. Tucked down an alleyway beside St. Joseph's Cathedral, Longer Than a Summer describes itself as "a social club of anti-socials." No more than 15 seats. No menu. No advertisements. Just cocktails, whiskey, and vinyl records on a turntable. Guests are expected to speak quietly. On rare evenings, one of the owners will stop the music to serenade the room.

Ring the doorbell. Dress smart. Leave your volume at the door.

Rabbit Habit

4 Trần Phú, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm

Another alleyway. Another doorbell. This time, the stairs are lit by candles and the windows are covered in newspaper. Rabbit Habit channels the energy of a 1890s US speakeasy — heavy leather couches, dark wood, and the distinct feeling that everyone in the room already knows each other. This is the kind of bar where the bartender will remember your name on the second visit.

Liquid Store

12 Đường Thành, Hoàn Kiếm

Nestled in the heart of Hoàn Kiếm, Liquid Store is the kind of neighbourhood bar that feels immediately familiar — warm, unpretentious, and sharply executed. Happy hour runs from 7–9PM and the crowd is an easy mix of locals and in-the-know visitors. A reliable anchor for any Hanoi bar evening.

Risu

92B Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hoàn Kiếm

Risu is a cosy cocktail bar with a carefully considered drinks programme and the kind of warm, intimate atmosphere that makes you stay for one more round. Best discovered on a quiet weeknight.

Reno

B1 Floor, 7–9 Hàng Thùng, Hoàn Kiếm

Located in the basement of the CLASSYC Hotel in Hoàn Kiếm, Réno Bar opened in early 2025 and immediately stood out for its commitment to a concept that feels genuinely different: a 90s and 2000s musical universe, carried consistently through the décor, the playlist, and even the cocktail menu designed like a vinyl record. The drinks are original, well-crafted, and reasonably priced. Think whiskey with truffle handled with precision, or a gin-wine-yogurt cocktail that somehow works beautifully. Most nights, a DJ holds down a booth surrounded by cassette tapes and vinyl covers. Warm, unpretentious, and genuinely well-executed.

Use Bar

55 Ngô Huệ, Hai Bà Trưng

Use Bar has built a loyal following for its cosy, beautifully designed interior and a cocktail programme that leans into fizzy, refreshing creations without sacrificing craft. The atmosphere is consistently described as lively but intimate — cool enough to feel like a discovery, relaxed enough to stay all evening.

The Other Room

18 P. Nguyễn Trung Trực, Ba Đình

The name says it all. This speakeasy-style bar is tucked down an alleyway and up a set of stairs — the kind of place that takes a little effort to find and rewards you generously for finding it. Once inside, the atmosphere is cosy and unhurried, the cocktails are thoughtfully made, and the whole experience has the feel of a room that was never meant for everyone.

Let Us Take You There

If Hanoi's bar scene has one thing in common, it's this: the best places are rarely the easiest to find. That's where we come in.

Our Secret Cocktail Experience in Hanoi  is designed for guests who want to discover the city's hidden bar culture with a local host who knows where to go, what to order, and how to read the room.

For those interested in the craft behind the drinks themselves, our Craft Liquor Tasting in Hanoi offers a different way to explore the city's evolving spirits scene.

Secret Experiences operates across Vietnam — in Hội An, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Đà Nẵng. All experiences are led by local hosts and designed to take you beyond the expected.