Updated August 2022
Happy Hours in Hoi An are everywhere, from the Old Town to An Hoi Islet and beyond. Depending upon the establishment, booze prices can veer from shockingly cheap to on-par with what you might pay at home. However, keeping an eye out for the happy hours can enable even the thriftiest backpacker to partake in a drink at one of Hoi An’s more upmarket establishments.
Around the Old Town you’ll find happy hours in most of the leading restaurants and there’s no harm in taking a quick livener after an afternoon’s shopping, on your way to eating somewhere less expensive. Party animals will love a stroll round An Hoi where drinkeries and late night bars with happy hours abound. Beachside, Hoi An’s happy hour scene is at its most plentiful at An Bang Beach. And in between the Old Town and the sea happy hour spots are popping up more and more. We’re truly spoiled for choice.
It’s worth bearing in mind that not all the liquor sold in the city is the genuine article. Cheap, grain-based alcohol may be passed off as a brand-name spirits in some places, and it’s not always so easy to tell amongst all that fizz and fruit juice. The difference is usually noticed in the rank of hangover.
In fact we experienced the ‘hangover test’ first-hand as we searched high and low for those places that serve the real deal, much to the detriment of our livers and the odd pounding head along the way. The result: our recommended happy hours in Hoi An below.
It’s also worth noting that some establishments that have ‘buy one get one free’ offers, for example, charge roughly double in the first place. There’s nothing really happy about them at all.
All prices below are Happy Hour prices and the hours indicate the Happy Hour period only.
Hoi An Old Town (or near)
3 Dragons Sports Bar & Restaurant
3 Dragons Sports Bar & Restaurant is the best sport bar in Hoi An. Huda & San Miguel draft 20k/glass; 40k pint. Buy 1 get 1 free cocktails. Watch your game or sit by the river.
The Deck Hoi An
The Deck Hoi An is a pool bar atop Hotel Royal Hoi An that offers the highest public vantage point in the city. Panoramas on three sides. Buy 2 get 1 – selected cocktails, wine, beer and spirits.
Braai Pit – Dive Bar
Old Town’s Braai Pit – Dive Bar has live music, DJs, pool comps – even bingo! More all-day specials than Happy Hour offers include gin @ 50k and 2 for 1 draft beer.
Market Bar
Recommended for locals and travelers of all tastes – chic and quirky. Great gin, gin infusions and cocktails. Signature G&Ts 60k; Gin Infusions 75k; Selected Signature Cocktails 75k
The Hoianian
This wine bar/restaurant has a great cellar, strong menu and one of the longest Happy Hours in Hoi An. Buy 1 get 1 free house wine and local beer. House wine is a cut above.
The Hill Station Hoi An
The setting is a magnificent old Hoi An shophouse. Highly recommended for lovers of good food and wine. European specialists. Craft beers and house wine half price.
Barconcu Bar
Stylish venue where Internationals and Vietnamese mix comfortably. Paint and sip and open mic nights. A convivial, comfortable, bohemian setting for after dinner. Cocktails 65k.
Shamrock Irish Pub
Shamrock Irish Pub has sport, live music, Irish pub grub and a huge range of drinks including draft Guinness of course. Buy 2, 1 free – local draft, craft, cocktails and wine.
Green Mango
Green Mango has a comfortable moody vibe in a traditional Hoi An long house in Old Town. Also a quality fusion-style restaurant. Buy 2, 1 free wine and cocktails.
Lim Dining Room
New Old Town venue that blends together innovative cuisine & modern art in one of Hoi An’s most unique traditional houses. All wine half price in a 4-hour Happy Hour.
Tank Cocktail & Wine Bar
Just near the edge of Old Town, Tank Cocktail & Wine Bar takes its cocktails very seriously and proudly boasts a number of signature concoctions. Buy 1 get 1 free signature cocktails & 20k/glass, 40k/pint Huda draft.
Between Hoi An Old Town & Beach
Uno Hoi An Restaurant & Bar
Uno Hoi An Restaurant & Bar sits about half way between Old Town and Cua Dai Beach. Can be a cruisy party venue some nights. Local beer 15k, mixed drinks 70k, cocktails 90k.
Hair of the Dog Bar Hoi An
Late night venue that doesn’t bother opening till 9pm. A dizzy array of different happy hour specials every night – from $2 shots and cocktails to buy 1, 1 free buckets. See their Facebook for full range.
An Bang Beach (or near)
Double Cat Bar
Double Cat is cruisy boutique spot with welcoming hosts, heavenly cocktails, delicious Japanese inspired ‘tapas’ and great toilets! House cocktails, wine (glass), mixed drinks 65k.
Red Lantern Cocktails
Red Lantern Cocktails is the new kid on the block at An Bang. Hit the road running with great cocktails and superb hosts in Brad and Dung. Live jazz Thursdays. All day – cocktail of the day 65k.
Best Bars by Category
There will be lots of different opinions on what makes a good happy hour. A lot depends on what the standard listed price is, how long the ‘happy hour’ is and whether the cocktails and mixed drinks are up to scratch in the first place. Above we have laid out the best contenders in our view by area. Below is a table which will help you if you’re looking for something in particular. Wine, cocktails, draft beer, a great view or a simply good long go at it.
Happy Happy Hour hunting! And don’t forget to let us know what great offers you uncover that we’ve missed!
| CATEGORY | BEST HAPPY HOUR BARS IN HOI AN |
| Longest Happy Hour | Shamrock Irish Pub Hoi An, Double Cat Bar |
| Best Wine Happy Hour | The Hoianian, Lim Dining Room, The Hill Station Hoi An |
| Best Late Night Happy Hour | Hair of the Dog Bar Hoi An |
| Most Scenic Happy Hour | The Deck Hoi An |
| Best Up-Market Happy Hour | The Deck Hoi An; Green Mango Hoi An |
| Best Cocktail Happy Hour | Double Cat Bar; Red Lantern Cocktails; Tank Cocktail & Wine Bar, The Market Bar |
| Best Draft Beer Happy Hour | 3 Dragons Sport Bar & Restaurant, Tank Cocktail & Wine Bar, Braai Pit – Dive Bar |
| Cheapest Bottled Beer Happy Hour | Uno Hoi An Restaurant & Bar |
| Best Gin and Gin Infusions Happy Hour | Market Bar, Braai Pit – Dive Bar |
Is there some alternate definition of “cruisy” I’m not familiar with? In the US this typically refers to places where you can go to pick up other gay men. Which is great if that’s what you’re after but not really my bag for a weeknight happy hour 😉
Yes, in Australia and New Zealand it just means relaxed and easy going. Thanks for pointing out the way the term is used in the US. We should be mindful of that in the future.