The Discreet Gentleman
Whiskey & Wares, Lounge in Pham Ngu Lao, Ho Chi Minh City
Lounge

Whiskey & Wares

Pham Ngu Lao, Ho Chi Minh City

Whiskey & Wares is a cocktail bar at 196 De Tham with a curated whiskey list and dim lighting that draws a longer-term expat crowd. The format runs as the polished alternative to the surrounding backpacker bars; the bar is quieter and more refined than Bui Vien proper. The space holds about 60 across the main bar room and a small mezzanine.

Marco Valenti, Editor
Marco ValentiEditor & Lead Researcher
5+ years researching adult-nightlife districts. Updated February 2026.

Where to stay near Whiskey & Wares

Hotels close to Pham Ngu Lao, Ho Chi Minh City.

What to Expect

A polished cocktail bar with whisky focus. Quieter and more refined than the surrounding Pham Ngu Lao backpacker bars.

Atmosphere

Polished cocktail bar, conversational, and whisky-focused. The Pham Ngu Lao refined option.

Music

Background jazz, lounge, and acoustic. No DJ.

Dress Code

Smart casual. Closed shoes preferred.

Best For

Whisky enthusiasts, longer-term expats, anyone wanting a polished Pham Ngu Lao alternative

Payment

Cards (all major) and cash

Price Range

Cocktails 180,000-300,000 VND, whisky pours 150,000-650,000 VND, beer 80,000-150,000 VND

Cocktails ~$7.20-12/€6.60-11, whisky ~$6-26/€5.50-24, beer ~$3.20-6/€3-5.50

Hours

Daily 17:00-01:30

Insider Tip

The whisky selection is the deepest in the Pham Ngu Lao area; ask the bartender for flight options. The format is quieter than Bui Vien; perfect for escape evenings.

Full Review

Whiskey & Wares sits at 196 De Tham, one block off Bui Vien but markedly removed from the walking street chaos. The interior runs as a polished cocktail bar: dim lighting, leather seating, a long bar with whisky displays mounted behind it, and a small mezzanine for elevated seating.

The whisky list is the bar's primary identity. The 80+ bottle inventory spans Japanese, Scottish, Irish, American, and Indian producers; the by-the-pour prices range from 150,000 VND for entry-level to 650,000 VND for premium. The flight format covers the range; the bartenders explain the regions and styles for visitors interested.

The cocktail program runs classic technique. Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Sazeracs, and whisky-forward originals dominate; the bartenders trained in international standards handle the execution properly.

The drink prices sit at the upper Pham Ngu Lao tier. Cocktails at 180,000-300,000 VND; beer at 80,000-150,000 VND. The pricing matches the technique and the inventory.

The crowd skews longer-term expats and whisky enthusiasts. The format excludes the backpacker chaos; the volume sits at conversational level throughout. The venue runs as the escape route for visitors who want a polished evening near Bui Vien without the street energy.

Compared with the Bui Vien clubs and the casual Pham Ngu Lao bars, Whiskey & Wares is the most refined option. For visitors wanting whisky-focused craft cocktails in the Pham Ngu Lao area, this is the consensus choice.

The Neighborhood

Whiskey & Wares sits at 196 De Tham one block from Bui Vien.

Getting There

Walk in from Bui Vien or Grab to 196 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Address

196 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Get directions

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