In recent years, Da Nang has witnessed a boom in Cocktail culture. Gone are the days of entering a bar just to drink bottled beer or hasty mixed drinks. Nowadays, Speakeasy Bars are popping up everywhere, bringing along Bartenders (or rather Mixologists) with profound knowledge and skilled hands.
In today's "grand battle," I will take you to 3 "arenas" with 3 completely different styles. My scoring criteria are based on:
Creativity: The ability to transform ingredients.
Technique: Movement, meticulousness, style.
Storytelling: The connection with customers.
TE BAR – LOCAL "ALCHEMISTS"
Address: 3rd Floor, 39-41 Nguyễn Thái Học, Hải Châu.
If life is a game of hide and seek, then Te Bar is the best hiding spot. Nestled within an old building, the entrance is a narrow spiral staircase, and Te Bar welcomes you with the scent of wood, warm yellow lights, and a logo that reads "Te" (in Te Giác, or Te Tái – depending on how you understand it).
The artist behind the bar:
The Bartenders at Te are not like those performing flashy tricks. They resemble scientists, or more romantically, alchemists. The "art" here lies in honoring local ingredients.
I once challenged a Bartender here: "Make me a cocktail that tastes like... Bun Bo Hue". Can you believe it? He didn't laugh. He took out a base spirit that had been infused with lemongrass, chili, and a bit of secret herbal spices. The drink placed before me was amber in color, with a lightly salted rim.
First sip: A pungent spiciness hits the nose.
Second sip: The mellow sweetness of aged Rum.
Aftertaste: A hint of saltiness, fragrant with lemongrass.
It is not the broth from Bun Bo, but it subtly evokes the essence of that dish.
Highlights:
The Bartenders at Te are extremely skilled in using various tropical fruits of Vietnam: Jackfruit, wild Sim berries, and sour guava... The "Fat-washing" technique or "Clarification" is executed seamlessly. Watching them work, you see an intense focus, with each drop of bitters measured as if weighing the universe.
Score: 9.5/10 for Creativity & Honoring Vietnamese agricultural products.
THE CRAFTSMAN COCKTAIL BAR – GENTLEMEN IN CLASSIC STYLE AND JAZZ
Address: 48 Phan Tu, Ngu Hanh Son.
Leaving the enchanting atmosphere of Te Bar, I take you to the downtown area to meet the elegant gentlemen at The Craftsman. If Te Bar is a laboratory, then The Craftsman is a miniature Broadway stage.
The artist behind the bar:
The "art" here lies in style. The Bartenders at The Craftsman always appear in waistcoats, crisp white shirts, and sleeves held up by garters, embodying the 1920s style.
Here, I ordered an Old Fashioned – the most classic test for any Bartender. This drink consists solely of sugar, Whiskey, Bitters, and orange peel. Easy to make, but extremely difficult to make delicious.
The young Bartender began his performance. He was not in a hurry. He used a sharp knife to peel the orange in a seamless motion, and the essential oils burst out with fragrance. The ice in the glass was not regular ice cubes but a hand-carved block of ice shaped perfectly right before my eyes.
The sound of the spoon clinking against the glass rang steadily like a metronome. He looked at me, smiling gently while his hands stirred to chill the drink without melting the ice too quickly.
The Old Fashioned was presented on a leather coaster. The whiskey was smooth as velvet, not harsh, with a hint of orange aroma. Drinking here, you feel like the main character in The Great Gatsby. The Bartenders here are not just mixers; they are great storytellers. They remember your name, they remember your drink preference even if this is just your second visit.
Score: 9.5/10 for Technique & Hospitality.
BAR LIBRE DA NANG – THE BUSHIDO SPIRIT IN A GLASS OF LIQUOR
Address: A quiet little corner on Thai Phien Street (or a new location depending on the time).
This is a representative from Japan. If you didn't know, Japanese-style Bartenders are considered to uphold the strictest standards in the world. Bar Libre Da Nang is the brainchild of those masters.
The artist behind the bar:
The "art" here lies in absolute precision and tranquility.
Upon entering Bar Libre, the atmosphere becomes hushed. There is no blaring music, only the distinctive sound of the shaker. The shaking technique of Japanese Bartenders is called "Hard Shake" – a wrist dance that helps introduce air bubbles into the liquor, making the cocktail fluffy and smooth.
I ordered a Gin Tonic. Sounds simple, right? But at Libre, it's a ritual.
They select a special type of Gin (either Roku Gin or Ki No Bi).
They choose a premium Tonic.
But most importantly: Temperature. The glass is chilled, the ice is rinsed in water to remove ice dust, and the liquor is kept at the right temperature.
The way they pour the Tonic into the glass does not break the gas bubbles. Finally, a twist of Yuzu peel is added.
The Gin Tonic here is not just a refreshing drink, it's a cleansing of the palate. The Bartenders here are quiet; they observe you as you drink, watching your facial expressions to adjust the next drink. This is the art of "Omotenashi" – serving customers with heart without waiting for a request.
Score: 9.5/10 for Refinement & Standards.
RESULT OF THE GRAND BATTLE: WHO IS THE WINNER?
After 3 intense rounds (and quite... tipsy), it's hard to award the championship trophy to a single bar.
If you want surprises, a burst of flavors, and a mystical atmosphere: Go to Te Bar.
If you want to play the elegant gentleman/lady, listen to Jazz, and share: Go to The Craftsman.
If you want to find tranquility and enjoy perfection to the smallest detail: Go to Bar Libre.
The real winner is YOU – the one who gets to enjoy those artistic creations right in this beautiful coastal city.
LOCAL'S ADVICE ON FINANCES WHEN GOING TO BARS
Dear friends, enjoying the art of Cocktail is a "sophisticated" pastime. A cocktail at the top-tier bars mentioned above usually ranges from 250,000 VND to 400,000 VND (not including service fees and VAT). A night of bar hopping through 2-3 bars, plus snacks (Cold cuts, Cheese platter) can easily set you back several million dong.
And here is my hard-earned experience so that the fun is not interrupted by financial issues:
Don't bring too much cash: The lighting in Speakeasy bars is often very dim (to create the vibe). Taking out your wallet to count money or receiving change in the dark can easily lead to confusion and... is not classy. Not to mention the risk of losing your wallet when you've had a few drinks.
Delicately split the bill: When out with friends, the issue of who pays is always a matter. It’s a buzzkill to sit and calculate costs per person while having fun.
PayD’s solution:
This is when my "treasure" comes into play. I always keep some digital currency (USDT) in my PayD wallet.
When needing to pay, scan the QR code of the bar (most modern bars in Da Nang have QR codes on the bill).
Ting ting! Done immediately.
If friends also use PayD, I can transfer money (tip) to them.
Going to bars is to enjoy art; let your mind be free and float with the aroma of liquor, and let technology handle the payments!
I wish you all find your "true love" cocktail in Da Nang. If you happen to see me sitting at some bar, don’t hesitate to clink glasses! Cheers!
Note: If you've been drinking, do not drive. Please book Grab or a taxi to return to your hotel safely!
