Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is one of the most mesmerising and fun cities  in Southeast Asia. The city is full of charm, beautiful architecture, good food, museums, and the nightlife is fantastic. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a beer or two, Hanoi is the city for you. Most of the bars are located in the famous Old Quarter, where most tourists and expats hang out. You can go out any day of the week and you will find the bars and clubs filled with people, even on Sundays.

But there are also more quiet and upscale bars in Hanoi, located close to Hoan Kiem Lake. There is everything here, you just have to make sure to find the bar that fits your expectations the best. Below is a list of some of the best bars in Hanoi. Make sure to visit some, or why not all, when you are in the beautiful capital city.

1. Bia Hoi Junction

This is the perfect place for backpackers who are looking for cheap beer. The atmosphere usually picks up at night, but you will find many places open during the day as well. You can expect to pay anything from VND 5,000 to 8,000 for a tall glass of beer here. You will see a ton of people sitting in plastic chairs by the small stalls where you can also find street food such as fried tofu, beef jerky and steamed peanuts. If you are coming to Vietnam with a strict budget, but still want to enjoy yourself, go to Bia Hoi Junction.

2. 88 Lounge

Address: 88 Xuân Diệu, Quảng An, Tây Hồ Hà Nội, Vietnam

For the ones who crave a glass of wine, you can get it here at 88 Lounge. The vibe is a bit different than at Bia Hoi Junction. 88 Lounge has a more chill atmosphere with four floors of bar and lounge spaces where you can either sit in the garden terrace or on the sofas on the upper floors, which offers a spectacular view over the lake.

3. Tadioto

Address: 24 Tông Đản, Tràng Tiền Hà Nội, Vietnam

This exceptional bar is a stone’s throw away from the Opera House and also serves as an art space. Tadioto is owned by the well-known Vietnamese-American Nguyen Qui Duc and is open all day. During the day it serves more as a cafe, but at night it turns into a bar which serves not only beer and wine, but also cocktails, single malts and premium spirits. Make sure that you try some of their specialty cocktails such as the Jade Margarita.

4. Le Pub

Address: 25 Hang Be, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Le Pub is a big hit amongst internationals thanks to its decór, live music, good atmosphere and good range of drinks such as wine, beers and cocktails. There is also finger food you can buy in the bar such as Vietnamese spring rolls and nachos. Ladies can go there on Thursdays and enjoy free cocktails from 19:30-20:30.

5. King Pirates Pub

Address: 24B Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

King Pirates Pub is a pirate-themed bar located in the Old Quarter. Although it is small, this bar is full of charm and attracts many locals and internationals. You can order rum-based drinks here, but also wine and beer.

6. Top of Hanoi

Want to get a 360 view of Hanoi while sipping on a delicious cocktail? It is not called Top of Hanoi for nothing! The bar is part of a 5 star hotel, which naturally makes the prices a bit higher. But it is very well worth it for the view and the atmosphere is usually always good. A bit more on the quiet side, but you come here to enjoy the views and see Hanoi from its best side. This bar is a hit amongst locals and internationals alike.

Getting visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam

Do not forget to apply for a Vietnam visa if you are planning on traveling here in the nearby future. Depending on where you are from, you can apply for a Vietnam visa in three ways: Visa on Arrival, E-Visa or go to your nearest Vietnam Embassy or Consulate and apply there. The E-Visa is only eligible for certain countries in the world, so if you are unsure if you can apply for one, contact your embassy.