Apothecary – a clinic-themed bar
Nhau Nhau Bar – date back to Vietnamese “nhau” culture

Photo by Hello Jetlag.

Bars and clubs in Saigon may come in different forms and themes that may go beyond your expectations. Save our list and emerge on your next trip to the most authentic bar scene in Ho Chi Minh city.

Apothecary – a clinic-themed bar

Apothecary is instead a place to chill out, situated in a little old house on a small street in downtown Saigon. The bar has a very laid-back vibe, with relaxed music, perfectly dimmed lighting & packed with character to suit their scientific aesthetic.

Apothecary’s mysterious vibe. Photo by The Dot Magazine.

The name Apothecary, an archaic word for a chemist, is an apt name revealing what to expect from this bar. The space is quite dark, with shadowy corners and old sanitarium equipment as their decor.

From inside out. Photo by Apothecary.

The Apothecary did an excellent job of creating a calming green vibe with expertly crafted and innovative cocktails. Bartenders are attentive and up to explaining how signature cocktails are prepared and the steps involved in the process.

Apothecary’s signature Penicillin. Photo by Apothecary.

As a bar, Apothecary gives you diverse cocktails options from Sazerac to Margarita to Penicillin. However, the signature drinks of this bar are no other than the unique cocktails named after world-famous scientists. For vodka lovers, you can go for Isaac Newton and Marie Curie. While the former combines vodka with coffee and cocoa, the latter mixes the liquor with tea and elderflower syrup.

Address: 12 Phan Liêm Street, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
Opening hours: 5 pm – 1 am, Daily (Also open during daytime)
Telephone: 0898 530 447

Nhau Nhau Bar – date back to Vietnamese “nhau” culture

Inside the bar with a retro vibe. Photo by Vietcetera.

Tapping into Vietnamese’s “nhau” (drinking) culture, Nhau Nhau (drink drink) elevates the appeal of the wet market-inspired vibe, Vietnamese street food focuses on pho and the on-trend cocktail menu. Nhau Nhau is another brainchild of chef Peter Cuong Franklin, whose exciting Anan (Eat eat), downstairs, was named The Best Restaurant in Vietnam 2021.

Nhau Nhau’s signature Cotton Candy Old Fashion. Photo by Asia Bar.

True to “nhau” culture, the drinks are mostly local. Nhau Nhau’s signature menu combines of the champions of regional rice spirits and ingredients from central and northern Vietnam, like sake from Hue, Dalat lavender, local beers, and inventive pho, new-wave style bánh mì.