THE TOP 5 NIGHTLIFE OF HOI AN (Center Vietnam)

The Ancient streets of Hoi An paint a picturesque sight during the day, but when the sun sets, the old town acquires an entirely different vibe. Trendy bistros, cafes, live music bars and artistic lounges come to life, and the bustling streets of the Ancient Town and the Riverside transform into a vibrant display of colourful lanterns, traditional folk dance performances, street-side stalls and lit candles floating on the river. 

Though not on the scale of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, Hoi An has its share of nightclubs and bars. Hoi An is a city that arguably serves the cheapest beer in the world and also offers spectacular happy hour deals. While a lot of Vietnamese cities have regulations on closing time, Hoi An is not one of them, and this makes it easier for travellers who wish to party the night away. Take a look at this list for some of the best nightlife options in Hoi An. Remember not to dress too flashy as Hoi An is a town that stills hold steadfast to its traditional values.

💯 1-Before & Now $$:

Before and Now attempts to be an all-in-one venue for ‘everyman’ with coffee, cake, beer, cocktails, pizza and large pull-down sport screen. There are plenty of specials – free fruit plate with breakfast; free San Miguel with pizza – offered throughout the day. Centrally located on Le Loi, a high percentage of the clientele are young and transient.

A little cheaper than some of the other venues there’s a slightly harder edge than found in the bars in Nguyen Thai Hoc – the music’s more likely mainstream rock than cruisy – and the ambiance screams beer or vodka cruiser more than cocktail.

Before and Now. Hoi An bar restaurant. cocktail_optThe extensive pub menu is more affordable than many competitors (thick crusted pizza 115,000 vnd) and with large bottles of Saigon at just 30,000 vnd we weren’t complaining. Upstairs, the restaurant has a splendid-people watching aspect overlooking the intersection of Le Loi and Nguyen Thai Hoc and there’s an extensive international menu dominated by Italian options.

Later in the evening, Before and Now can get lively if its central location has attracted enough punters and the music is ramped up to energize the crowd.

Happy hour: 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm | Hours: 7am – midnight | Add: 51 Le Loi | Tel: +84 (0)235 3910 599 | Email: beforeandnowhoian@gmail.com

💯 2-Pure Coffee - Bar & Coffee House $$:

Overwhelmed by the countless coffee shops and bars in Hoi An? Seek out new kid on the block, Pure Coffee, and you won’t be disappointed. It provides a complete package that will suit all tastes: modern tasteful décor, relaxed ambiance, killer coffee, experienced, well-trained staff, world-class cocktails at bargain prices, affordable quality Vietnamese cuisine, exemplary customer service and music from chilled cafe lounge to deep house.

NORMAL HAPPY HOUR

• Buy 1 Get 1 For All cocktails – Time : 4pm to 8pm
• Buy 1 Get 1 For Beer by Bottle – Time : 4pm to 8pm

LONG HAPPY HOUR

• Buy 2 Get 1 For House Wine – Time: 12pm to 8pm
• Buy 2 Get 1 For Mixed drinks (include a soft drink) – Time 12pm to 8pm

SPECIAL HAPPY HOUR

• Get 1 Bottle House Wine For Any Bill > 1.999.000 vnd – Time: All Day

Hours: 7am – 10pm | Address: 62 Nguyen Thai HocTelephone | +84 (0)91 710 41 14 | Email: purevinacoffee@gmail.com

💯 3-Q Bar $$$:

The Q Bar is the classiest bar in Hoi An’s old town. It’s a blend of two worlds with its contemporary Western chic housed in a beautifully preserved, traditional Hoi An Chinese house. Deep red wall lights dominate a low-lit scene that could be in Sydney, New York or London but pricing is top-end too. 

A great vibe is set by a superbly chosen playlist of chill-out lounge, funk and electronica. Cool and well-ventilated, mostly tourists gravitate to the comfortable street-side seating but it’s also a favourite of discerning expats towards the end of the week.

If it’s not crowded the staff hover, a touch too close for newcomers to Vietnam, trained to pounce on any empty glass or used refresher towel.

The only catch, as mentioned above, is that for Vietnam it’s pricey with beers starting at 50,000 VND and cocktails firmly in the 120,000 to 200,000 VND range. One single malt has a 500,000 VND price tag.

The Q bar is a great place if you’re cashed-up or if you want to get away from the hoi poloi. Otherwise, try out the cocktail happy hour between 11am and 7pm for one of Hoi An’s most stylish experiences at reduced prices.

Hours | 11am to midnight | Add: 94 Nguyen Thai Hoc | Tel: +84 (0)235 391 1964

💯 4-Dive Bar $$:

Once Upon A Time Dive Bar was a dedicated live music venue with singers, duos and occasionally even small bands every night of the week from 8.30pm. Not long ago it was Hoi An Now’s favorite bar with just the right blend of music and good conversation. Dive Bar still attracts punters of all ages and in all of its three different settings there’s a wonderful energy but alas, the live music is no more. 

Informal cane furniture and pool table set the scene in the red-lit front bar where the music was once performed. Here, there’s usually a solid group on stools around the bar and the mood is very relaxed. There’s an al fresco Caribbean-style bar out the back and in the center of this old Hoi An house there are lounges and big cushions where there’s more intimate lighting.

Hours | 9.30am – midnight | Add: 88 Nguyen Thai Hoc | Tel: +84 (0)235 3910 782 | Email: info@chamislanddiving.com

💯 5-Tap House Hoi An $$:

True to its name, Tap House Hoi An specializes in local brews and craft beers, featuring 12 at a time in rotation from Vietnamese suppliers. Think Pasteur Street and Heart of Darkness to name a couple … 

but there’s good coffee too and it’s a nifty breakfast option as well.
The beers and wines are well complemented by deli-style tucker like ploughman’s lunches, cheese platters, foot-long ham and cheese baguettes and smoked salmon with cream cheese on toast.
A must for all who take their beer seriously.

Hours: 8am – 11pm | Add: 3 Phan Chau Trinh

💯 BONUS NEW PLACE: FENDER BAR - Live music in Hoi an $$

Regardless of  the new operation, Fender Bar Hoi An is mentioned a lot in any gossip among the visitors. It’s located on the intersection between Thoai Ngoc Hau and Cao Hong Lanh street. Besides that, stone’s throw away from Quang Truong bridge across Thu Bon river, after going down the bridge, it’s about 5 minutes walking on the right. Additionally, it’s just far approximately 600 meters from the heart of the lantern town. 
That is, its favorably convenient location is within 15-minute walking distance to picturesque gem.
To be more precise, the simply unpretentious appearance may not catch your attention as it looks as a normal house with low, metal gate, glass door, brick wall. Especially, the guitar with blurred the title:” fender bar” hanging on the wall above the door shows you’re in right place.

Hours: 6am - midnight | Add: 15 Thoai Ngoc Hau street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city | Tel:  +84 (0)935 116 147 | Email: fenderbarhoian@gmail.com