[Independent Review] *Hanoi Cocktail Bar
Concept
Upscale Cocktail Bar focused on sustainability
Address
55 ngõ Huế, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi
Between its rooftop bars, five-star hotels, and hidden venues, Hanoi’s cocktail scene has a lot to offer.
That said, it’s not often that you leave a cocktail bar in the city thinking, “Wow, that was truly different.”
But that’s exactly the impression USEbar left on us, which is why we decided to return a second time shortly after our first visit—something we rarely do.
Founded by Nguyen Tuan Anh, the 2023 winner of Vietnam’s World Class Bartender of the Year competition sponsored by Diageo, USEbar has managed to create something unique in Hanoi by combining several clever ideas into a robust and well-executed concept.
Atmosphere
Hanoi’s cocktail scene has fully embraced the retro vibe. This is evident in the numerous speakeasies that regularly pop up, as well as in some of the city’s most established bars like The Haflington.
USEbar took a completely different direction, and we’re really glad they did.
Centered around a unique main room with a glowing bar, USEbar opted for a minimalistic and futuristic vibe. The concept is executed in a way that allows the space to retain the coziness and intimacy you want in a cocktail bar, despite its simple decor and glowing lights.
One small note: the bar is not located in the touristy part of the city and isn’t as famous as Nê or The Haflington yet. If you visit outside of peak hours, you might find yourself with little company.
Cocktails
For its drinks, USEbar’s identity is built around reusing local ingredients that are typically wasted.
This sustainable approach is increasingly labeled as a “gimmick” or “greenwashing” in current Western political conversations. Personally, I believe that simply bringing these terms into the conversation in a country like Vietnam is a net positive.
That being said, this approach only works if you create something genuinely great and original from these ingredients. Fortunately, this is exactly what USEbar does—we found all the cocktails we tried to be both original and perfectly balanced.
Note that USEbar’s concept is strictly focused on cocktails, so don’t expect to find beer or wine by the glass on the menu. As a side note, mocktails are available even if you don’t see them listed—just ask the bartender.
Tropical Old Fashioned
This cocktail was surprisingly original. It managed to maintain the core strength you’d expect from an Old Fashioned while adding an intriguing fruity sourness. The ingredients used to achieve this include caramelized pineapple and salted pistachio nutshells.
Good Old Days
This tequila-based cocktail from the Sour family was perfectly executed and impressively balanced. We also appreciated the touch of sesame oil and the extra kick from Charapita chili, which elevated the already great preparation.
Ratatouille
With a name like this and the fact that the cocktail included both Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, it was an instant must-try for me—and it did not disappoint! What made this cocktail particularly interesting was the saltiness and richness I discovered in this Sour, which are typically absent from this family of cocktails.
Chocovardier
An interesting take on the classic ‘Boulevardier’ : As the name suggests, this cocktail involves chocolate, but what I particularly liked is that USEbar chose not to turn it into a sweet treat.
The topping is made from ‘end-of-the-day leftover brownie,’ transformed into thin, crispy chips. The Vietnamese cacao added to the traditional Boulevardier base is complemented by a hint of apple vinegar, creating an overall nuanced but boozy cocktail that doesn’t fall into the trap of being too sweet.
Team and Service
I often see people ranting in expat groups about the level of service in Hanoi (or in Vietnam in general). I could discuss why such generalizations are unhelpful, but instead, I’d rather invite them to have a drink at USEbar.
We found the entire team, without exception, to be both professional and attentive, with a special mention to Cris Le – the Beverage Manager. He took the time to recommend the best cocktails based on our tastes and then explained various details about our drinks and USEbar’s cocktails in general.
Pricing
Given the quality on offer, you can expect USEbar to be pricier than the average cocktail bar in Hanoi. Most of the cocktail menu ranges between 280,000 and 380,000 VND.
That being said, these prices include both VAT and a service charge, making the overall cost quite reasonable given the quality of the drinks and the level of service.
If we decided to write this rather long review of USEbar, it’s not only because we like this place, but also because we believe Hanoi’s cocktail scene deserves more attention overall.
Vietnam is already a renowned culinary destination thanks to its street food, but there’s so much more going on in the country beyond that.
If you’re looking to try something local, modern, and creative in Hanoi, the cocktail scene is a great starting point:
- Vietnam’s mixologists have developed a unique local identity, rooted in traditional recipes and ingredients.
- The scene is gaining international recognition, with Vietnamese mixologists winning in numerous overseas competitions and being invited for guest shifts at some of Asia’s best bars.
If you are interested in other great cocktail bars in Hanoi, we have a full article for you below:
More: Hanoi’s Best Cocktail Bars: Recommendations from a Local
Practical information
📍 Address: 55 Ng. Huế, Ngô Thì Nhậm, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội, Vietnam
⏰ Opening Hours: 6 PM–12:30 AM Everyday
💵 Price: ~280k- 380k VND per cocktail
🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usebar.hanoi
🗺 Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8GShCXeJSTTmKihr8
All the places reviewed on this website have been personally tested by us and we pay for our meals and drinks. We are committed to informing readers clearly if there is any form of sponsored content.
