Food & Drink
Rooftop Bars & Nightlife
Hanoi's nightlife is more low-key than Ho Chi Minh City's, but between rooftop bars, Ta Hien's pavement beer culture, and a growing craft beer scene, there's plenty for an evening out.
Ta Hien: "Beer Street"
The corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in the Old Quarter is Hanoi's best-known nightlife strip — plastic stools spill across the pavement, bia hơi (fresh, cheap draft beer) flows, and the crowd is a mix of locals, expats and travellers. It's loud, cheap, and a good starting point for a night out.
Rooftop bars
Hanoi has a growing number of rooftop bars with skyline views over the Old Quarter and beyond — a good option for a sunset drink or a quieter evening than Ta Hien offers. Many hotel rooftop bars are open to non-guests.
Good to know
- Many bars and clubs in Hanoi have historically operated under informal curfews, with some areas quieter after midnight than in Ho Chi Minh City — don't expect an all-night scene everywhere.
- Bia hơi is brewed fresh daily and doesn't keep, which is part of why it's so cheap — and best enjoyed the same day.
- As with anywhere, keep an eye on your drink and bill, especially at busy tourist-oriented bars.