Saigon Nightlife’s Best Bars & Clubs

• Find out where to go for the finest of Saigon nightlife’s best bars and clubs.

• Find out where to go for cheap beers and meet new people.

• Where the millennial “cool kids” go.

• Discover where the eclectic mix of socialites, tourists, ex-pats, and wealthy Vietnamese spend their nights out.

• Don’t miss a beat! We’re telling you where to go if you wanna dance the night away.

• For the musically inclined who loves live music.

 

Welcome to Saigon nightlife’s best bars and clubs guide!

With hundreds of Saigon nightlife best bars and clubs to choose from for a proper night out, this is the best city in Vietnam to be, if you like to party. However, the age-old quality vs quantity argument might not be necessary here as the Saigon nightlife best bars and clubs scene is quite possibly one of the most diverse in the region.

 

Whether you’re into eardrum-crushing Vinahouse music, fun nights with your friends at a dance club, a low-budget night out for some cheap Saigon beers, or some good, dark underground techno, Saigon nightlife best bars and clubs have something for you.

 

 

Backpacker nightlife in Saigon

Backpackers usually stay and drink in the Pham Ngu Lao ward, along Bui Vien Street in District 1. There, Saigon’s nightlife best bars and clubs are buzzing, chaotic, and sensory overload for friendly locals and travelers alike, this is where you want to go.

 

A slightly subdued version of the infamous Khao San Road in Bangkok, you won’t find a lot of stylish places here. Vietnam alcohol prices in this area vary depending on where you’re drinking. The good thing is most of the establishments here are inexpensive and great for meeting new people.

 

Although popular with tourists, the Pham Ngu Lao area also masquerades as a slightly low-key red light district, with its countless hostess bars and massage parlors with “extra” services. Just take a walk down the street and if you see an increasing number of pretty ladies smiling at you as you walk, there’s a good chance you’re in “that area”.

 

One of the most popular (or unpopular) bars in the area is probably Go2 Bar; famous for staying open until morning. It is one of the few after-hours clubs in Saigon although it’s one-star rating on TripAdvisor might be an indicator that it may not necessarily be the safest option.

 

 

T & R Saigon, a popular tavern along Do Quang Dau road is probably one of the best bars to check out. With an old-school American-styled interior, the ability to play the type of music you like thanks to its open keyboard option, and a crowd that’s made up of regulars, it’s a great place to make new friends even if you’re going solo.

 

For LGBTQI+ folks, two of Saigon’s most famous gay-friendly bars, Republic and Thi Bar, are located right by the main strip on De Tham street. Republic is a reputable venue with weekly drag shows, though their cocktails are notoriously pricey; Thi Bar features live music nightly and is a consistently popular hangout spot for local Vietnamese LGBTQI+ people (mostly gay men).

 

 

Backpackers with style often go to De Tham street to indulge in Saigon’s vibrant craft beer scene or some of the fancier liquors without leaving the area. Generally speaking, there are three kinds of ex-pats in Saigon: those who love the backpacker district, those who hate it, and those who pretend they hate it but inevitably end up there every weekend.

 

The second group will prefer more exclusive Saigon nightlife bars and clubs, which can also be popular with Viet Kieu’s (Vietnamese who’ve grown up abroad).

 

Where the Hipper Crowd Goes Out

Bam Bam only just officially opened in mid-August 2019, but the Bali vibes cocktail bar has set Saigon on fire for months during its soft opening. The central 360-degree bar is laid in the middle of a sunken pool and the rest of the space is dotted with lounge seating, beachy bar stools, and tropical plants.

 

Bam Bam brings all the pretty young things and instakids of Saigon out to play and has been a hot spot for some impressive International DJs. For those that want to proceed with partying a little harder, head upstairs to Commas for dance music and strict bottle service. A handy tip – Bam Bam and Commas are both super busy! We highly recommend reserving a table if you can.

 

The Observatory is back! Like so many other indie clubs, bars, and cafes in town, they’ve had problems later in the course of Ho Chi Minh City’s redevelopment campaign but have overcome the worst.

 

The Observatory remains a venue that attracts a hip and music-conscious crowd. Both a rooftop bar and a nightclub, the new location at Cach Mang Thang 8 in District 1 is spacious and boasts an excellent sound system.

 

They routinely host foreign guest DJs, as well as the recurring GenderFunk ball, which is one of Saigon’s biggest parties featuring a diverse lineup of DJs and legendary international drag performances. Be sure to visit The Observatory later on in the night: the crowds only start to arrive after midnight.

 

More quality party spots for lovers of underground music include The Lighthouse in District1. Boasting both a lounge space and a chillout area on their roof, they tend to attract a more relaxed and less affluent crowd than higher-end places like Social Club.

 

The Lighthouse is also the spot to check out Saigon’s roster of extremely talented DJs playing with international acts with increasingly-popular events like Heart Beat, TripWire, and HRBR.

 

Another newly established venue for those who really love underground electronic music is Arcan. Located in a residential zone in Binh Thanh District, the establishment features a restaurant and lounge called the ArcanStone that’s open during the day.

 

The sound-proofed club on the second floor comes to life after dark with a generous array of music you will be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Asia with genres such as psytrance, raggatek, drum&bass, and many others.

 

On Saturday Afternoons, they used to host a weekly poolside chillout day party called Hazy Lemons, it was a great way to chill and laze away on a Saturday afternoon. Not so sure if it survived the pandemic.

 

You have several bars and clubs where you will meet the same groups of people. The most popular is Broma in District 1, which has hosted the popular Vitamin D after-party that starts every Saturday and Sunday morning up to mid-day; Saigon Outcast in Thao Dien is another eclectic venue that hosts a flurry of activities all year.

 

Colloquially known as “Outcast”, it is a must-visit for anybody staying in the city longer than just a few days. They organize all kinds of events, have regular movie nights, open mic/DJ nights, farmers’ markets on the weekends, shows and live theatre… and a climbing wall! It takes about 20 minutes by taxi to get there from the city center.

 

If you’re looking for a similar atmosphere that’s more centrally located, go for Indika, central Saigon’s unofficial indie bar. It’s tucked away in a backyard off Nguyen Van Giai in District 1, but meandering through two restaurants to get there is half the fun. Reasonable prices and frequent live events make this the perfect place to start your night (but not to end it, as this bar closes at midnight).

 

Their free flow of craft beer and rum punch for a mere VND 250,000 is available from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday nights. They also host Monday’s Got Talent, a recurring open mic event by Saigon Funny People. Check it out for a night of impressive local talent and more than a few jokes along the way.

 

Lastly, for craft beer lovers, Saigon’s thriving craft brew scene is no longer just an underground curiosity, with breweries like Pasteur Street Brewing andEast West Brewing Co at the helm. Here and in other craft breweries like Rogue Saigon Craft Beer, Heart of Darkness, BiaCraft, The Winking Seal, andBelgo you’ll find a similar vibe to the venues mentioned above.

 

For a tucked-away local gem that offers a variety of local craft and imported brews, a unique spot in Binh Thanh district called Khoai is a popular watering hole for young locals and in-the-know ex-pats. This bar is a self-described “Hungarian ruin bar” with eclectic decor and a chill neighborhood feel, worlds apart from the messy chaos of Bui Vien street. 

 

 

The Best Places for a Fancy Time out in Saigon Nightlife Best Bars and Clubs 

Rooftops are king in Saigon, and among the most renowned are Social Club and Shri. Social Club is without a doubt the most exclusive rooftop bar in Saigon.

 

On the top floor of the Hotel des Arts, it attracts an eclectic crowd of international business people, socialites, tourists, ex-pats, and wealthy Vietnamese. The view might be one of the best in the city, especially when the sun sets, which coincides with happy hour.

 

Social Club Rooftop Bar is on top of the Hôtel des Arts Saigon, not far from Turtle Lake in District 3. The music here tends to be more mainstream. Drink prices are not cheap, but their extensive craft cocktail menu is perfect for discerning drinkers. Gin lovers will be delighted to find an entire page on the menu dedicated to variations on a gin & tonic.

 

 

If you can afford it and dress appropriately (no flip-flops or Birkenstocks), it’s perfect for a classy drink or a date. The music gets louder later on weekends after 11:00 p.m. and you’ll see people dancing in the bar area well after. Though Social Club is relatively expensive by Vietnam’s standards, a typical drink will cost you just above US$10.

 

They also have a rooftop pool (for hotel guest use only) and for the thrill-seekers, a “sky bridge” with a transparent walkway that connects to the neighboring Shri restaurant (for a rooftop dining experience).

 

 

Now, what about the ground-floor venues in Saigon? Qui is one of the most trendy places to spend your money in style. Its assets: good music, often paired with little dance interludes by professional dancers, and a great location in Saigon’s endlessly entertaining “Little Tokyo”. You can expect a typical variety of standard cocktails, and proper dress is required.

 

Other options are the classics Xu Bar and the well-known Blanchy’s Lounge, one next to the other and centrally located on Hai Ba Trung street. They won’t be too crowded during the week, but on Fridays and Saturdays, you can expect a full house and a lively atmosphere. The music is generally more mainstream, but Xu especially has some great drinks to offer.

 

I Just Wanna Dance All Night Long in Saigon

Lush is probably the city’s most famous nightclub among foreigners. It is known to be a good pick-up place for both girls and guys. In particular, Lush’s ladies’ night every Tuesday is one of Saigon’s best events for single people. Don’t even think about sipping on a free ladies’ drink here though – they have quite a strict policy!

 

Live Music in Saigon

The best options to listen to live music are located inside or next to 5-star hotels. The recommended venues are Catwalk near New World Hotel. If you want to listen to local bands, there are some alternative venues as well such as Snuffbox, MZ Club, RockFanClub, and Yoko.

 

Acoustic Bar is also worth checking out, but they’ve recently changed their focus to cater to a more mainstream audience.

 

 

Vietnamese Nightclubs in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnamese nightlife scene is huge, yet attracts few foreigners. In District 1 alone, there are at least 15 popular nightclubs, 30 karaoke bars, and twice as many beer bars. If you dare to venture out to other districts, you will easily discover hundreds more.

 

These clubs can be great for meeting Vietnamese people. The atmosphere is usually crazier than in more Western clubs. The way they operate is quite different than other venues as well.

 

Typically, you will be ushered inside by the bouncers as if you were royalty (or promptly shooed away if it’s a “Vietnamese only” club). They will make space for you to stand at a table and summon a waiter to bring you a menu.

 

Naturally, they expect a generous tip for their services. Most likely, you will have to buy at least one bottle of alcohol as they don’t typically sell drinks by the glass.

 

For this reason, it is best to come with a small group. The bouncers and waiters might offer you the company of ladies/hostesses who will expect some tips as well. They may also offer you an expensive fruit platter—a staple for any Vietnamese night out.

 

Venues like 030 Club, 212 Club, orFOX beer lounge tend to get pretty wild, with many locals playing drinking games and clinking their glasses in loud chants of một, hai, ba, YO! If you are looking for more “tame” Vietnamese clubs, you can try Canalis, located in District 1. Note that as you may be the only foreigner inside, it is possible that you won’t be allowed entry.

 

 

Beer bars and beer gardens are other crazes in Vietnam. You would need a spare liver to try all of them. Vuvuzela Beer bars (several locations), a concept most similar to Hooters in the States, are probably the most famous and popular in the city.

 

You could also check out Kingdom in District 1 and Poc Poc Beer Garden in District 3. All of them have very loud music. For a quieter spot to enjoy a beer, there are always sports bars such as Phatty’s Pub.

 

Now you know why Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s definitive party town.

 

As the Saigon nightlife scene is always rapidly changing, we invite you to send us your comments on this page to share your favorite spots with us, too!

 

Click Here to view our large selection of Clubs in Ho Chi Minh City

Click Here to view our large selection of Bars in Ho Chi Minh City