10 Best Nightlife in Hanoi Old Quarter

Nightlife in Hanoi Old Quarter is legendary, partly because of the inexpensive Vietnamese draft beer at Bia Joi Junction. However, you can also find plenty of proper sit-down bars and nightclubs offering a wide range of alcoholic beverages, live bands, and DJs spinning dance tunes until late.

Other parts of Hanoi might quiet down after sunset, but pedestrian-friendly Old Quarter is where late night revellers from all walks of life head to for a fun night out. There are also several family-friendly activities to enjoy, including a traditional water puppet theatre and a night market selling handicrafts, tee shirts, souvenirs, and street food at affordable prices.

1 Bia Hoi Junction

Set in the centre of Old Quarter, Bia Hoi Junction is widely regarded as the quintessential nightlife spot in Hanoi. This area is particularly popular with backpackers as they can enjoy the famous bia hoi (Vietnamese draft beer) for as little as VND 5,000. The atmosphere here is very busy, housing numerous shophouses with plastic stools spilling out onto the streets as well as makeshift stalls selling various snacks such as steamed peanuts, fried tofu, and beef jerky.

Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – late

Address: Ta Hien & Pho Luong Ngoc Quyen, Old Quarter, Hanoi 

2 Water Puppet Theatre

The Water Puppet Theatre is a ‘must visit’ if you're travelling in Hanoi for the first time, featuring live music and sketches of local lifestyle. This ancient art form of water puppetry is practiced in many venues throughout Vietnam, but the original – and widely regarded as the best – theatre in town is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre in the Hoan Kiem District. Puppets dance and slide gracefully over the water, depicting stories of ancient myths and folklore which are easy to grasp for foreign guests. Held several times throughout the afternoon and night from 15:00 onwards, booking your tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially on weekends.

Opening Hours: Daily 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 & 20:00

Address: 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: +84 43 824 9494

Price Range: VND 100,000 

3 Hanoi Weekend Night Market

The Weekend Night Market in Hanoi is a busy, bustling gathering of stalls and vendors that brings crowds in droves. Taking place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 19:00, the market runs through the Old Quarter, starting from Hang Dao Street and running north to the edge of Dong Xuan Market. The fashion items on sale won’t turn many heads and the souvenirs can all be found in the surrounding stalls, but there it is a fun environment and the endless food vendors have interesting and exotic things to try. Bartering is normal here and, as with all busy markets, be aware of your belongings.

Opening Hours: Friday - Sunday 19:00 - 23:00

Address: Hang Dao Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi 

4 Legend Beer Hanoi

Legend Beer Hanoi occupies the third floor of a building in downtown Hanoi, with a sweeping terrace that overlooks the bustling traffic and Hoan Kiem Lake. Great for unwinding after a day of exploring Hanoi, the bar serves lager, dark stout and wheat beers as well a decent menu of German-style dishes such as pork knuckles and sausages. As Legend Beer Hanoi brews its own drinks, the price range is slightly pricier than most bars within the Old Quarter. Most tourists usually come here for the view, as the chaotic streets below are almost at touching distance thanks to the low level of the terrace.

Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 - 23:00 Address: 01-03-05 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hanoi

Tel: +84 43 776 1666 

5 Dragon Fly Bar Lounge

Dragonfly Bar and Lounge is a longstanding venue in Hanoi Old Quarter where 20-something locals and expats come to mingle and dance. With a music policy varying between hip-hop and party pop music, the two-storey venue is fitted with a spacious dancefloor and pool tables on the ground floor while a hookah bar is set on the top floor. Happy hour promos are from 19:00 until 22:00, offering spirits and mixers for only VND 70,000.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 - 23:00 (may stay open later if busy)

Address: 15 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: +84 43 926 2177

6 Infinity Club

Hanoi Infinity Club is a local favourite in Hanoi’s vibrant clubbing scene, where the city’s stylish partygoers gather for a fun night out. Fitted with a spacious dancefloor, impressive lighting, affordably-priced alcohol, the small yet busy nightclub hosts local DJS spinning hip-hop, house, trance, EDM and electro tunes. Set along Hang Bai Street, Infinity Club is a short 10-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Do note that its clientele is mostly Vietnamese youths, so it’s a good idea to brush up on the local language before making your way here.

Opening Hours: Daily 21:00 – 00:30

Address: 45 Hang Bai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: +84 96 555 8998 

7 Le Pub Hanoi

Le Pub Hanoi attracts an international clientele thanks to its friendly vibe, live music, stylish décor, extensive drinks list, and attractive promotions. Just a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, the tavern-like establishment is also fitted with a rear courtyard, street-facing terrace, and plenty of TV screens, making it a great place to catch up with the latest sports matches. Le Pub Hanoi serves imported wines, beers, cocktails, and liqueurs at reasonable prices while bar snacks range from nachos and pizzas to Vietnamese spring rolls. Every Thursday, ladies get to enjoy free cocktails all night long and ice cold beers from 19:30 till 20:30.

Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 - late Address: 25 Hang Be, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Tel: +84 43 926 2104 

8 Rockstore Hanoi

Rockstore Hanoi, a small yet lively music bar in Old Quarter, features a spacious dance floor, elevated stage, and mural paintings of music icons such as Elvis, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. Its themed nights are especially popular, drawing in a good mix of locals, expats and travellers looking to mix and mingle. Drinks here are quite affordable, while the music policy ranges from classic rock and alternative to techno and house tunes. You can also enjoy a game of pool or catch up with the latest sports matches at Rockstore Hanoi.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:30 - late

Address: 61 Ma May, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: +84 165 333 6087

9 King Pirates Pub

Hanoi King Pirates Pub is a fun pirate-themed nightlife spot in Hanoi Old Quarter, featuring a satisfying selection of rum-based drinks, local beers, and house wines. The owners are very friendly and chatty, attracting tourists, locals, and expats to this small yet charming pub. King Pirates Pub offers local beers for only VND 20,000 while signature cocktails cost between VND 60,000 and VND 140,000. If you’re up for an adventurous night, we highly recommend the bar’s Walk the Plank! challenge (VND400,000), where you’ll get a free T-shirt upon finishing five shots of Captain Morgan’s rum.

Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 – 01:00

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

10 Polite Pub

Hanoi Polite Pub Hanoi is a sports bar that’s fitted with foosball and pool tables, serving a wide range of single malt whiskies, beers, cigars, craft cocktails and wines. Loud and laid back with plenty of low-cost drinks to be enjoyed over a game of pool at this nightlife venue, although be warned that some of the regulars are pool champions! Happy hour drinks promotions run from 17:00 - 20:00 daily. We highly recommend the Road to Kerala cocktail, which is a unique blend of vanilla infused cachaça, jackfruit-infused rum, crème de banane, tamarind paste, and spiced agave syrup.

Opening Hours: Daily 16:00 - 24:00

Location: 5B Bao Khanh Lane, Old Quarter, Hanoi