3 Vietnamese Bars amongst this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars (51-100)

On the 14th of July, the Asia's 50 Best Bar committee released its top 51-100 picks in Asia and for the third year in a row, three Vietnamese bars (two in Saigon and one in Hanoi) made the coveted list.

Vietnamese bars began carving their niche on the acclaimed list only as recently as 2021, underscoring the nation's rising prominence in the cocktail landscape. That year, the spotlight warmly embraced both Hybrid and Ne Cocktail Bar as they debuted on the list, showcasing Vietnam's burgeoning mixology scene to the world.

However, the absence of these establishments from the current year's selection underscores the escalating competition. With an expanding array of innovative and dynamic bars vying for recognition, the judges are presented with an increasingly challenging task. This speaks volumes not only about the growing depth of talent within the region but also the ever-evolving sophistication of Asia's cocktail culture.

The grand reveal of the top 50 bars in Asia happened at 7:25 PM (Vietnam Time) on the 18th of July, 2023, in a live celebration broadcast from Hong Kong. Let's toast to the three Vietnamese gems that have sparkled their way into the initial cut of Asia's 50 Best lists for 2023.

Photo courtesy of Enigma

No.96: Enigma (Ho Chi Minh City)

Guided by the masterful hands of Vu Ngoc, a luminary in the industry, Enigma has emerged as a beacon of innovative design and vibrant nightlife since its inception in 2023. Radiating with a futuristic aura inspired by a French library, it perfectly captures the dynamic pulse of the youthful city. Ngoc's reputation precedes him; his mastery of mixology earned him laurels as the Diageo World Class Bartender 2021, etching his name into the annals of F&B media.

Before Enigma was a twinkle in his eye, Ngoc had stirred the industry with his first creation, Doozy, in Hanoi. His avant-garde approach to transforming chemical properties of ingredients, diversifying the flavor symphony of his cocktails, was a game-changer. Continuing his stellar journey, Ngoc was recently appointed the new brand ambassador for Suntory in Vietnam, further affirming his status as a key influencer in the cocktail landscape.

At Enigma, each cocktail is a vibrant tableau, a mélange of flavors that whisper tales of innovation and daring. Journeying further into the realms of sensory exploration, the Sarsi cocktail unfolds like a daring sonnet. Utilizing the resonating power of sound waves, the essence of pepper and sarsi wood are invoked, creating an aromatic dance with the deep tones of Zacapa Ambar rum. This spicy, alluring medley encapsulates the heart of Enigma - a place where local, seasonal ingredients find their voice in a vibrant symphony of cocktails.

Quite an achievement for a bar that’s only been open for about a year.

Photo courtesy of Haflington

No.85: The Haflington (Hanoi)

The Haflington, a cocktail time machine, transports patrons to the grandeur of Europe's museums. Suspended from the glass-paneled ceiling, a commanding faux dinosaur skeleton gazes down on the vintage scene unfolding beneath it, while rows of stories in old books paint a backdrop of wisdom and adventure. The bar, bathed in the warm glow of soft lighting and echoing with the comforting hum of timber, invites you to journey into a world of time-honored cocktails.

Renowned for its refined service and wise bartenders, The Haflington unveils a graceful dance of classic and modern cocktails. The libations menu, a seasoned narrator, takes guests from well-loved classics and curious unusuals to the bar team's own modern renditions. Seasonal menus lend a fresh beat to the dance, enticing the patrons to sway with the rhythm of changing flavors. This summer, the bartenders of Haflington hopped on the mangosteen trend with their seasonal drink featuring the succulent mangosteen fruit. Steeped in sugar for two days, the rinds release their moisture to form a syrup, a sweetly fragrant nectar with a whisper of tartness. Rosemary's earthy scent and layers of herbal nuances elevate the flavor, weaving together to evoke a panorama of sensations that embody the wild, rich spirit of the African delta.

Photo courtesy of Stir

No.82: Stir (Ho Chi Minh City)

Holding its reign from the previous year, Stir, with its 84th standing in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022, has gracefully twirled its way onto the list once again this year. Stir weaves the tapestry of Vietnam's past with a modern cocktail narrative, snuggled in a hideaway that echoes the 1960s and 70s, serving potions inspired by Vietnam's street drinks, amid a faithful homage to classic cocktail culture, and sober elixirs born of kombucha and cold-brew.

One standout from Stir's inventive menu is the Nuoc Mia Highball, a testament to the bar's dedication to local flavors. It deftly mingles fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, a street-side staple, with Zacapa 12 Rum, calamansi juice, pandan cordial, and soda, delivering a taste sensation as vibrant and diverse as the streets from which it draws inspiration. Alongside their signature creations, Stir also revives a collection of ten classic cocktails, faithfully reincarnated to enchant traditionalists. And for those abstaining from spirits, the bar offers a robust selection of non-alcoholic beverages, including intriguing renditions of kombucha and cold-brew coffee.

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