Hanoi’s Cocktail Scene Gets a Throwback Twist at Réno Bar

The Hanoi cocktail bar scene is thriving.

With more competition, any newcomer has to bring something different to the table—or risk blending into the crowd of average spots.

This is especially true in the Old Quarter, where many hotels have developed their own bars to serve in-house guests.

Some cocktail bars play the local card, building their identity around Vietnamese ingredients or iconic dishes—like the now-famous phở cocktail. Others lean into the now overdone speakeasy vibe.

Réno Bar, which opened in early 2025 in the basement of the CLASSYC Hotel, took a very different path—and fully committed to it, for the better.

We were invited to report on it.

Concept

If the ’90s and 2000s don’t feel that far away for people like me, it’s time to admit that era is long gone. For some, those years bring a sense of nostalgia. For younger generations, they’re more like uncharted territory.

You might not have thought Hanoi needed a place that channels the vibe of those decades—but that’s exactly what Réno Bar set out to do, with real conviction and impressive attention to detail.

Atmosphere

Despite being located in a windowless basement, Réno Bar has managed to create a warm and welcoming space.

Think of the café in Friends—everyone always looks so comfortable there, like they’re hanging out in someone’s living room.

Réno Bar gives off a similar vibe in its own way. It’s the kind of place where you’ll likely feel at ease, whether you’re at the bar, on a sofa, alone, with a date, or out with friends.

The atmosphere is elevated by a team that’s both attentive and genuinely professional—adding to the sense that you’re in good hands.

Music

Music plays a big role in shaping the vibe at Réno—but it’s far from just background noise. The bar uses it to pull you deeper into the concept, with a playlist that spans R&B, funky grooves, soul, Nujabes, pop, and more.

At the center of it all is a DJ booth, where local DJs perform most nights—like the one we caught during our visit.

This focus on music carries through to the décor, with vinyl records and cassette tapes displayed throughout the space.

Cocktails

A good bar concept comes down to following through on an idea—all the way to the details. Réno Bar does exactly that.

The 90s–2000s musical vibe isn’t just in the décor—it runs through the entire cocktail menu in a way that feels thoughtful and consistent.

For that reason, we recommend asking for the printed menu rather than just scanning the QR code. The menu itself takes inspiration from vinyl records: the signature drinks are presented like an album cover, with 12 cocktails split into four chapters—intro, chorus, bridge, and outro.

Prices range from 250,000 VND to 290,000 VND (excluding VAT and service charge).  We tried three cocktails, each one original and well-crafted.

We started our evening with the Midnight Eyes—a complex, fruit-forward cocktail that blends gin, wine, citrus, and yogurt for a rich yet balanced experience. It’s the kind of creativity you can expect from Réno Bar’s bartender team.

 The real standout from the menu in our eyes, though, was the Cocoa Maniac—a whiskey-based cocktail featuring truffle.

We were a bit skeptical at first, knowing how easily truffle can overpower a drink if not handled carefully. But the bartenders at Réno Bar struck the right balance. It ended up being our clear favorite.

Bonus points as well for not using the truffle as an excuse to hike the price—the drink remains reasonably priced at 290,000 VND.

If you prefer to stick to safe territory (which we don’t recommend), Réno Bar also offers all the classic cocktails, made with quality ingredients—the base spirits are clearly listed on the menu.

And if cocktails aren’t your thing, no worries—Réno Bar has you covered with a wide selection of whiskey, rum, gin, and vodka. We were even surprised to find a dedicated section of the menu for sherry and other fortified wines.

Disclaimer

This article is intended to give you a clear understanding of the concept and offerings at Réno Bar. As we were invited to write this piece, it wouldn’t be fair to present it as an independent review. That said, Réno Bar gave us no specific direction, allowing us the freedom to share our genuine experience.

You can always count on us to be fully transparent.