Best Bars In Hoi An

Hoi An is mostly known for its quietude and relaxing atmosphere, and people associate it with its charming shops and riverside bistros. Rarely do people think “nightlife” and bars in association with Hoi An and, for the most part, establishments do close early.

Hoi An does have a nightlife scene, that—like the city’s booming prosperity—grows more diverse and present with each passing month. Compared to many other towns in Vietnam, with their penchant for turning the lights off early, Hoi An caters to travellers who want to carry on having a good time.

Hoi An’s nightlife is comprised of some of the best romantic cocktail lounges, energetic bars, live music venues, and trendy cafes, so numerable they can’t all be catalogued. In this comprehensive guide, we break down our favourite spots into 10 categories. Indeed, many of the most-frequented drink dens and well-trodden nightlife circuits are exposed on other web pages and do not merit mentioning beyond the cursory nod.

We, however, offer a look behind the curtain, into the backstage of this fascinating city to provide you with gems of insights other websites overlook, omit, or simply never discover. In this guide, Hidden provided everything you need to know about the best bars in Hoi An. You’ll find a list of the go-tos for the perfect night out.

An Overview of Hoi An’s Nightlife

Hoi An’s nightlife is concentrated in two neighbourhoods, the Old Town and An Bang Beach. It’s here that you’ll find some of the best bars.

The Old Town’s unique character attracts all sorts of visitors. When the sun sets, the city lights up with lanterns and welcomes everyone into its colourful venues. For instance, it’s a popular spot to enjoy everything from fancy cocktails along the riverside and listening to some chilled live music to drinking the cheapest beer in the world, 8,000 VND (0.35 USD), and dancing all night in backpacker-friendly bars.

in addition, on the other side of the city, An Bang Beach has less diverse bar venues and attracts a more homogenous crowd. So along the coast, you’ll find funky beach bars and a few late-night options. Almost every night, outstanding bands hold all sorts of live music parties, from jazz and soul to electronica and Latin, inviting you to dance to their beat.

Hidden Hint: Keep in mind that nightlife in Hoi An starts at 7 pm and things get a bit quiet at 11 pm. If you are used to going out after 10 pm, then there will only be a few late night options available.

These busy establishments offer happy hours, live music, and the occasional international DJ. Many places shut their doors at midnight, but there are a couple of after-hours pads that keep the lamps on and the beats pumping for as long as you need.

Best Cocktail Bar in Hoi An

Mango Rooms

Website – Address: 111 Pho Nguyen Thai Hoc – Opening hours: 9 am to 10 pm – Happy Hours: 50% off cocktails and local beers before 7 pm

Mango Rooms was the first Hoi An project of Vietnamese-American, Chef Duc Tran. It is a standout riverside restaurant, bar and lounge serving contemporary Asian flavours and signature cocktails. This colourful eatery offers some of the tastiest cocktails in Hoi An. Read more about Mango Rooms in our dedicated article.

For a killer view head to their small balcony, it will make you feel as if you are in the Venice of the East. Music lovers can also visit Mango Mango, another very popular project of Chef Duc, with an almost identical cocktail list and live performances every night at 7 pm.

92 Station

Website – Address: 92 Tran Phu – Opening hours: 6:30 am – 10 pm

This colourful, three-storey, rustic restaurant is the tallest building in the Old Town itself andin addition it has an unforgettable view. For the best experience, visit just before sunset. On its open-air rooftop, you’ll find yourself literally in the heart of the Old Town. Above the hustle and bustle, surrounded by historic clay roofs and the ambience of another era. The free finger food that comes with cocktails is a nice touch.

The Deck Hoi An

Website – Address: 39 Dao Duy Tu Street – Opening hours: 11 am to 12 am – Happy Hours: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm 2 for 1 cocktail

Hotel Royal is an elegant 5-star hotel a stone’s throw from the Old Town. But the hotel rooftop bar and pool area, The Deck Hoi An, is worth a visit even for non-guests. It’s a great place to enjoy a little luxury and panoramic views of the Old Town, Thu Bon River and has Hoi An’s best sunset view as a backdrop. The drinks menu is just what you would expect, excellent classic cocktails and innovative signature creations. During the rainy season, it might get a little chilly up there, so prepare accordingly.

Best Sports Bar in Hoi An

Hoi An Sports Bar

Website – Address: 505 Hai Ba Trung – Opening hours: 11 am to 11 pm

This is not your regular neighbourhood sports hangout in Vietnam. For instance, it has a massive lounge boasting multiple TV screens for match viewing, a large bar area with plenty of seating and standing space, a smoking area, and a shuffleboard table. Run by Gordon North, the long-standing Canadian expat behind Dingo Deli, this only means this pub’s menu is great quality—firmly giving it that “gastropub” feel, without being pretentious. You’ll also find a fine array of cold beers and delicious cocktails to accompany your favourite matches.

Best Live Music Bars in Hoi An

Fender Bar

Website – Address 15 Thoai Ngoc Hau, An Hoi – Opening hours: Live music: 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Open mic or live DJ: 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m

Fender Bar is run by Hoi An’s guitar virtuoso Tam Huu and replaces the much loved Guitar Hawaii Bar. Promising a special musical journey—from Vietnamese love ballads to Western rock classics—every night, this is one of the few places near Hoi An’s Old Town that travellers are outnumbered by locals.

Above all, what makes Fender Bar even more unique, is that guests are welcome on stage to play or sing with the band, creating an incredible live-jamming atmosphere. Tam is a true musical maestro, so it’s worth a trip purely to witness his guitar solos. So you never know what to expect here, and it almost feels like watching a live version of The Voice. For instance, on our visit, a talented Dutch singer stepped onto stage and absolutely rocked the place to pieces! If you’re up for great sounds, live jamming, and friendly vibes, then you shouldn’t miss this bar.

Soul Kitchen and Soul Beach  

Website – Address: An Bang Beach – Opening hours: 8 am to 11 pm – Happy Hours: 7 pm to 8 pm on live music days;  2 for 1 on local beers and rum planteur

Soul Kitchen and Soul Beach are sister businesses on An Bang Beach that offer relaxing live music experiences right by the sea. In other words, these are the beach bars you have been dreaming about ever since you booked your ticket. During the day, they provide great spots to swim, lay back, relax, and soak up some sun, all while savouring Vietnamese and international dishes and indulging in refreshing cocktails.

At night, they host an impressive array of local and international musical talent. Visiting musicians often pull in to perform as well, creating an electrifying jamming atmosphere. You will find a live performance at one or both venues every night of the week. Be sure to check their Facebook pages for the latest program (Soul Kitchen Facebook, Soul Beach Facebook).

Best Beach Bar in Hoi An

The Shore Club

Website – Address: An Bang Beach – Opening hours: 8 am to 11 pm – Happy Hours: 4 pm to 6 pm; 2 for 1 on selected drinks

The Shore Club is the largest and most glamorous spot you can find along Hoi An’s coastline. It is the kind of bar you would expect to see in Miami: panoramic sea views, rustic interior designs, beach lounge music, and a refined sense of luxury. This flashy beach bar whips up amazing cocktails alongside a menu of fresh Vietnamese and international tastes with a touch of Spanish and Mediterranean flair. But if you don’t exactly have extra cash in your pocket, then keep in mind that its food menu isn’t cheap—but boy it is worth it!

Best Night Club in Hoi An

Kukun

Website – Address: An Bang Beach – Opening hours: 8 am to 2 am

This newly renovated space is dedicated to housing techno and electronic music. It has a hefty sound system, spacious dance floor with views of the coast, and a line-up of local and international DJs. Therefore this is definitely the best place to end your night in Hoi An. On an epic party night, you will be dancing till the first joggers hit the beach. Open from 8 am through to 2 am, Kukun is a great spot for daytime sunbathing and relaxing as well as night time partying.

Best Late Night Bars in Hoi An

Dive Bar

Website – Address: 88 Nguyen Thai Hoc – Opening hours: 10 am to 12 am

Dive Bar is a popular late-night option among travellers and expats in the Old Town. This old Hoi An house has been transformed into a chillout space with a great vibe, that will make you forget about your phone for a while. There are three different seating areas, with lounge sofas, a pool table, and a small courtyard. Here you can enjoy electronic tunes, occasional acoustic live music, local and international cuisine, and shisha. However, if it gets a little crowded, then choose a seat in the courtyard out the back as it’s usually quieter.  

Sessions Bar & Restaurant – Reopened Jan 2020

Website – Address: Hai Ba Trung | Under An Bang Bridge – Opening hours: 5 pm to late

Sessions is another late night bar option at An Bang Beach that you shouldn’t miss—especially if you’re a single traveller. Right on the riverside, this atmospheric, funky bar, offers a solid selection of drinks at great prices in addition to weekly live music and special sunset BBQ’s. But, what really is priceless about this venue is how welcome it makes everybody feel. So get ready for some real customer interaction that will immediately make you feel part of “the group.” If you’re feeling sociable, then this can be one of your best bar experiences in Hoi An.

Best Backpacker Bar in Hoi An

Tiger Tiger

Website – Address: 35 Nguyen Phuc Chu – Opening hours: 5:30 pm to late – Happy Hours: 5.30 pm to 12:00 am 1 free drink on entry, or 2 for 1, or 3 for 2 (dependent on when you arrive)

Tiger Tiger sits on An Hoi island alongside Funky Monkey Bar, Mr Bean Bar and other bars very popular with backpackers. Sure they have cheap cocktails, extended happy hour deals and funky balloons, but it is the music that makes all the difference!  For instance every night, its vivid dance floor is packed with people dancing their hearts out to Shakira, Britney, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry. So even if you are not a big backpacker bar fan, it is difficult not to have a good time in Tiger Tiger. For a quieter night, sit at the outside tables along the river—but trust us, it won’t be the same!

Hidden Hint: It’s always Happy Hour in the Old Town! Hoi An offers some of the most generous Happy Hours you’re ever likely to encounter. Usually between 5 and 7 pm, though in many cases, it will stretch from 4 pm to midnight.

Best Craft Beer Bar in Hoi An

Hoi An Brewery

Website – Address: 10 Tue Tinh – Opening hours:11:30 am to 11 pm

The Hoi An Brewery is a spacious bar which includes expansive outdoor seating in a large garden bar setting. It’s a lovely oasis from the tourist crowds, invitingly decorated, just on the outskirts of Hoi An’s Old Town. The menu is based on a Texas smoke BBQ with the meat smoked and BBQ’d with oak wood and coconut for 10 hours.  Items include pulled pork burgers, ribs, brisket, and sausages—offering opportunities for the perfect pairing.

They have a decent wine list, but it’s their extensive range of exclusively Vietnamese craft beers that are the real pull. For instance, the beer selection includes Platinum, East West, Pasteur Street, Brew Dog, Heart of Darkness and 7 Bridges.  This, along with outstanding hospitality (these guys are behind Mia Coffee, the expat choice for Best Coffee Shop), make it a solid option for a bevvy. Located in a side street just off the main road of Hai Ba Trung, the Hoi An Brewery is popular among Hoi An residents since it’s one of the few places in the city that offer such a wide selection of craft beer in a relaxed open-air setting. Craft fans can read more in our guide to Craft Beer in Hoi An.

The Best Pub in Hoi An Old Town

The Shamrock Irish Pub Hoi An

Website – Address: 13-15 Nguyen Phuc Chu – Opening Hours: 7:30am – 12am

Irish expats, stout lovers, and beer enthusiasts alike rejoice! Guinness has finally made its way to Hoi An and The Shamrock Irish Pub is the only place in town to grab a pint. Located along the river in a bustling section of the Old Town, it’s difficult to miss this pub. Just look for the aptly coloured green, white, and orange lanterns strung across the exterior. Aside from draught Guinness, there’s an extensive wine list as well as a good selection of craft beer and ciders available. If you arrive hungry, there is something on the menu for everyone. The burgers, which are made with Australian beef, are a popular choice. If you arrive early, try the full Irish breakfast to power you through your day of exploring Hoi An.

The Shamrock is equipped with plenty of TVs, making it a premier destination to catch any sporting event. Depending on the night you visit, you may also be treated to the sounds of live music. Happy hour runs daily from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., so be sure to check out the specials before placing your order.

Best Hidden Gem Bar in Hoi An

Tadioto Whisky Bar

Website – Address: 54 Phan Boi Chau – Opening hours: 9 am to 11:40 pm

Descriptions of Tadioto simply don’t do it justice. In other words, this exquisite Japanese oasis must be experienced first-hand. It’s well hidden in the narrow alleys of the Old Town and can easily go unnoticed. However, you’ll be missing out if you leave Hoi An without dropping by.

Tadioto is the brainchild of poet, scriptwriter and journalist Nguyen Qui Duc. Its tagline, “For Thinkers and Drinkers,” puts you in the right mood for what is to follow. So expect sophisticated, minimalistic and artful taste in both decor and menu. The restaurant is a magnet for intellectuals and the perfect place to sip rare liquors and unlock new ideas. In addition, it serves a full range of whiskies, wines, cocktails, and some of the country’s best sushi. It has been featured on CNN, Travel & Leisure, Fodor’s, Le Monde, the New York Times, and other media outlets.

Hidden’s Thoughts

Undoubtedly this article has illuminated multiple options for you to explore in Hoi An’s nightlife scene. Hoi An is a dynamic and evolving city, with ever-more bars, venues and lounges springing up monthly. Fear not! We are your guys on the ground here in Hoi An, so this article will be regularly updated with the latest hot spots. But for now, enjoy our list, which was built to give you the best possible experience. We’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy it!