Polite & Co
Polite & Co is a 1920s gentlemen's-club-inspired speakeasy at 5B Bao Khanh near Hoan Kiem Lake, serving craft cocktails and a deep whisky list in a cozy dimly lit setting. The format runs as one of the Old Quarter's most committed cocktail venues, with bartenders trained in classic technique and a menu that pulls from prohibition-era recipes. The space holds about 50 across the main bar room and a small mezzanine. Drink prices sit at the upper Old Quarter tier; the format is conversational and adult-leaning.
Where to stay near Polite & Co
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A 1920s-themed speakeasy with classic cocktail technique and serious whisky selection. Dim lighting, leather seating, and conversation-friendly volume.
Speakeasy, refined, and intimate. The Old Quarter classic cocktail option.
Background jazz, classical, and prohibition-era playlists. No DJ.
Smart casual. Closed shoes; collared shirts preferred.
Whisky enthusiasts, classic cocktail drinkers, date nights
Cards (all major) and cash
Price Range
Cocktails 180,000-300,000 VND, whisky pours 200,000-650,000 VND, beer 90,000-150,000 VND
Cocktails ~$7.20-12/€6.60-11, whisky ~$8-26/€7.40-24, beer ~$3.60-6/€3.30-5.50
Hours
Daily 19:00-01:00
Insider Tip
The whisky list is the deepest in the Old Quarter; ask the bartender for a flight. Reservations help for weekend nights. The mezzanine is the quieter alternative.
Full Review
Polite & Co sits on Bao Khanh near Hoan Kiem Lake, with the entrance set back from the street and a discreet sign that fits the speakeasy theme. The interior runs as a 1920s gentlemen's club: leather Chesterfield seating, dark wood, brass fixtures, and dim lighting that emphasizes the bar.
The cocktail program runs classic technique. Old Fashioneds, Negronis, Manhattans, Sazeracs, and Martinis are executed with serious attention to detail; the seasonal originals build on the prohibition-era foundation rather than departing from it. The whisky selection is the bar's identifying feature: 100+ bottles spanning Japanese, Scottish, Irish, American, and Indian producers.
The drink prices sit at the upper Old Quarter tier. Cocktails at 180,000-300,000 VND; whisky pours range from 200,000 VND for entry-level to 650,000 VND for premium pours; beer at 90,000-150,000 VND. The pricing matches the technique and the selection.
The crowd skews adult and conversation-focused. The format excludes the louder Old Quarter bar energy; the venue pulls couples on dates, business travelers, longer-stay expats, and cocktail enthusiasts.
Compared with Né Cocktail Bar (smaller, more experimental) and Tadioto (art-focused), Polite & Co is the most classic and most whisky-focused. For visitors wanting a serious cocktail experience near Hoan Kiem Lake, this is the consensus choice.
The Neighborhood
Polite & Co sits on Bao Khanh near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Getting There
Walk in from anywhere near Hoan Kiem Lake or Grab to 5B Bao Khanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Address
5b Bao Khanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
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