The Saigon bar scene has a lot to offer, making it challenging for new establishments to stand out.
When House of Merlin opened its doors in late 2023, it set out to differentiate itself from the many pubs and speakeasies commonly found in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City.
This effort extends beyond its steampunk aesthetic and creative cocktails—it includes its food as well.
This uniqueness had placed House of Merlin (HoM) high on our “to-visit” list.
A sophisticated steampunk atmosphere
The massive entrance door immediately sets the tone for the entire place. House of Merlin (HoM) isn’t just a great spot for drinks or snacks—it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in a meticulously crafted atmosphere.
We hadn’t realized that the steampunk movement had a following in Vietnam, but we’re glad that Vũ Quang Huân and Phan Duy Nguyên, the founders of HoM, chose to pay tribute to this artistic movement when designing their bar.
For those who need a refresher: steampunk blends Victorian-era aesthetics with futuristic, steam-powered technology in a fantastical way.
This was the perfect fit for the bar they envisioned when they began sketching out HoM:
“We were looking for a concept that could capture the timeless essence of classic bars while creating something truly unique. It also had to provide a strong narrative foundation for our menu, allowing us to expand it over time.”
Importantly, this aesthetic has been consistently applied in every aspect of the bar. It’s evident in the massive 200-kg globe that hangs from the ceiling, but don’t miss the intricate creations on the walls. Each detail keeps reminding you that you’re not just “in another speakeasy” bar.
For Vũ Quang Huân and Phan Duy Nguyên, the creation of this space was “a true labor of love, requiring significant investment and meticulous attention to detail. Almost every decorative element in HoM is handcrafted and custom-designed specifically for this space.”
That being said, House of Merlin’s atmosphere isn’t defined solely by its decor. The layout, with its high ceilings and central bar, achieves a balance between cozy charm and an open, inviting ambiance, making it a key part of the venue’s appeal.
Cocktails
Crafting a unique identity through decoration is impressive, but if the drinks don’t deliver, the bar will never be a success.
The founders of HoM have anchored their cocktail menu in the rich steampunk narrative universe. “We’ve created a story around a fictional explorer named Merlin, whose global adventures inspire our cocktail creations. Each of our eight signature cocktails tells a chapter of Merlin’s journey, and we’re excited to continue adding new chapters—and new cocktails—in the future.”
We had the chance to sample two of these signature cocktails:
Wild Wild West (VND 299K++)
The Wild Wild West is an Old Fashioned-inspired cocktail that stands out with its use of aged barrel bitters and a smoke-covered presentation.
We recommend this drink if you enjoy cocktails with boozy, smoky, and earthy notes.
The secret of this best-selling item lies in a special ingredient: chamomile flowers. During preparation, each flower is carefully stripped of its pistil, leaving only the petals. These petals are then infused with lotus seed hearts and whiskey to create a distinctive, bitter flavor.
Chamomile flowers also play a key role in the smoking process for this cocktail. Unlike most bars that rely on wood chips, HoM uses dried chamomile flowers to create a distinctive smoke.
This floral smoke is used to treat the barrel before aging and is applied again during serving to enhance the cocktail’s earthy depth.
Jungle Book (VND 299K++)
This cocktail is a creative and intricate twist on the Whiskey Sour family, featuring whiskey infused with mushrooms. An additional layer of complexity comes from using sugarcane juice (instead of simple syrup) and kumquat (instead of lime).
If you’re hesitant to step out of your comfort zone, don’t worry—this cocktail retains all the balanced flavors of a traditional Whiskey Sour.
For those who prefer their cocktails “by the book,” House of Merlin has you covered with its “classics” section. This part of the menu features 20 timeless drinks, all reasonably priced between 200K and 300K VND.
Guest Shifts
On the night of our visit, HoM hosted Jerry Zhao, the head bartender of Dentree, Shanghai, who presented a selection of rum-based creations.
These collaborations are a regular feature at HoM, offering regular customers something fresh to discover with every visit.
Rum
No discussion about House of Merlin would be complete without highlighting its remarkable rum selection.
It’s refreshing to see rum take center stage in a bar, rather than being overshadowed by whiskey, as is so often the case elsewhere. At HoM, this focus is more than just a detail—it’s a defining part of the bar’s identity.
As the founders explained to us:
“In Europe, the birthplace of whisky’s global acclaim, rum is experiencing a renaissance. If you consider what has elevated whisky to its current status, you’ll find a rich tapestry of history and culture: years of patient aging in oak barrels, intricate flavor profiles, and the allure of limited-edition releases from distilleries that have since closed. Rum possesses all of these qualities—and more.
When we envisioned HoM, there wasn’t a dedicated rum bar in Ho Chi Minh City, and we wanted to share the depth of the rum universe with our community. Our collection is a testament to this passion, featuring bottles sourced from around the globe, some even acquired through auctions. We showcase rums from iconic regions like Jamaica, Barbados, Cuba, and Guyana, including renowned distilleries like Hampden and Foursquare. But the crown jewel of our collection is undoubtedly our Caroni rums, bottled by Velier.”
Snacks & Pizzas
An increasing number of bars are placing emphasis on the quality and originality of their snacks, and HOM of reflects this trend with a creative menu that blends fusion-style snacks and pizzas.
The pizzas feature fermented sourdough bases topped with ingredients inspired by Vietnamese dishes. During our visit, we tried the baby mussels and coriander pesto pizza as well as the bò lá lốt pizza, both of which delivered an interesting blend of flavors.
In addition to pizzas, the menu includes options such as bruschetta, nachos, and a “Must Try” Tropical Fruit Salad with Burrata, which we also had the chance to try.
Pizzas are priced between 189K VND and 259K VND, while snacks range from 99K VND to 169K VND.
Jazz Night
We cannot talk about the atmosphere at HOM without mentioning the Jazz Nights, held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday starting at 9 PM. Be sure to book your place for preferred seating.
Happy Hour and Ladies’ Night
We’re mentioning this last, but it’s far from a footnote. HoM offers promotions for those who come at the right time:
- Happy Hour | Buy 1, Get 2nd at 50% off (per person) | 6 PM – 8 PM
- Ladies’ Night | One special cocktail for ladies | Every Tuesday
Practical Info
- Address: 178/1 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
- Opening hours: 6pm to 1am everyday
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/M4GZaLxMgxacmCzJ9
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseofmerlin.bar
Disclaimer
This article is designed to give you a clear understanding of the concept and offerings at House of Merlin. As we were invited and compensated for this piece, it would be unfair to present it as an independent review. That said, HoM provided no specific direction for this article, allowing us the freedom to share our genuine experience.
You can always trust us to maintain 100% transparency.
