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🗓 Last visited in May 2026
Among cocktail drinkers in Hanoi, The Haflington barely needs an introduction.
It is probably the best-known cocktail bar in the capital, not least because it became the first bar from Vietnam to enter Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2024, after several years as the only Hanoi name in the wider Top 100.
By 2025, The Haflington had slipped to number 87, but that has not made it any less popular, especially with visitors. The place is still often fully booked on weekend evenings.
After several visits ourselves, we also think it deserves its place in our list of cocktail bars worth trying in Hanoi.
More : Hanoi’s Best Cocktail Bars: Recommendations from a Local
Cocktails and atmosphere
What makes The Haflington work is a combination that is still not that easy to find in Hanoi’s cocktail scene.
First, the location and design do a lot of the heavy lifting. The entrance has that slightly hidden Old Quarter feeling, while the main space is warm, polished, and classic, with inspiration from European natural history museums. The large dinosaur skeleton above the main bar is obviously the visual signature of the place. If you want to see it properly, it is worth going early while there is still some daylight.
The cocktail menu is also solid, with a well-known bartender team behind it, from signatures to a broad range of classics.
On our latest visit, two drinks stood out in particular: the Coin Flipper, a herbal drink with Knob Creek Rye Whiskey, Dry Curacao, Fernet Branca, and chocolate bitters, and the Rabbit’s Habit, a smoky, earthy cocktail with Creyente Mezcal Joven, Green Chartreuse, cinnamon syrup, carrot, and lime.
This was not our first visit, and so far we have rarely been disappointed by what we’ve ordered here.
Crowd and caveats
That said, The Haflington’s popularity can also become part of the downside, especially for Hanoi cocktail regulars.
It is not hard to notice that the current crowd is largely made up of tourists. That is not necessarily a problem if you want a busy, energetic atmosphere, but it may not be the right fit if you are looking for something more intimate, local, or low-key. It is also very difficult to book a table on weekends, especially in the main bar area on the third floor, which is the best part of the venue.
Price and practical notes
Based on the latest menu we saw in May 2026, cocktails at The Haflington mostly range from 210k+ to 380k+ per glass. That puts it in the higher price range for Hanoi cocktail bars, but it also reflects the reputation and constant demand around the place.
The bar also has clear rules around photography, keeping conversations at a reasonable volume, and generally preserving the atmosphere. These are sensible rules, and honestly the kind of basic bar etiquette we are happy to see more places enforce.
The latest cocktail / food menu and our bill from May 2026:
The bar that helped put Hanoi cocktails on the map, even if its popularity now comes with trade-offs.
📍 94 Hàng Mã, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
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