Summer Experiment
A speakeasy-style cocktail bar on the third floor of an old apartment building, known for its inventive drinks and cozy, stylish atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Summer Experiment
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A speakeasy-style cocktail bar on the third floor of an old apartment building, known for its inventive drinks and cozy, stylish atmosphere.
"The cocktails here are well-crafted and thoughtfully balanced, with creative twists that still stay approachable."
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour (5-8pm) for discounted prices on their expertly crafted drinks.
Try Signature Cocktails
Sample unique creations like the Paper Plane or Caramel Ripple; reviewers rave about them.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cocktail Bar
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+84 28 3521 0789
Address
77-79 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Expertly Crafted Cocktails
Indulge in a menu of creative and expertly crafted cocktails that are considered masterpieces by visitors.
Cozy, Stylish Ambiance
Experience a cozy yet stylish ambiance, perfect for intimate conversations and a relaxing night out.
Innovative Menu & Presentation
Delight in a menu with clever illustrations and uniquely presented cocktails, offering a playful and engaging experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour (5-8pm) for discounted prices on their expertly crafted drinks.
Try Signature Cocktails
Sample unique creations like the Paper Plane or Caramel Ripple; reviewers rave about them.
Advance Reservations
Due to popularity, especially during peak hours, consider making reservations in advance.
Discover Hidden Entrance
It's on the 3rd floor and requires climbing a few stairs; look for the discreet entrance.
Tips
from all over the internet
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour (5-8pm) for discounted prices on their expertly crafted drinks.
Try Signature Cocktails
Sample unique creations like the Paper Plane or Caramel Ripple; reviewers rave about them.
Advance Reservations
Due to popularity, especially during peak hours, consider making reservations in advance.
Discover Hidden Entrance
It's on the 3rd floor and requires climbing a few stairs; look for the discreet entrance.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Summer Experiment is a highly-rated cocktail bar celebrated for its expertly crafted, inventive drinks and unique presentations. The ambiance is consistently praised for being cozy and stylish, making it ideal for relaxed evenings. While the cocktails are the main draw, some reviewers note that food can be a hit or miss, and the bar can get quite loud when busy.
"My most favorite bar of all time. ❤️ Needed to come back again after our last year’s visit. We spent 2 nights here this time, and the staff, the vibe, the drinks are as impressive as ever.
I and my friend ordered 16 drinks in total of 2 nights, and a staff kindly gave each of us 2 free shots on the second night.
🧾 Staff assisted us very quickly with the table and offered a smooth service in great manner throughout both nights. One even took a complimentary polaroid photo of us to decorate the drink, making the whole experience here became even more precious and special.
🍾 Words can’t describe how much I love the variety of menus here. The tastes, the stories & concepts are tempting, intriguing, and sensational. This time, I got to try as many drinks as I had planned, and all of them didn’t let my palate down!
🍹 My most favorite — Diggin’ That Soursop
🍸 My friend’s most favorite — Caramel Ripple
🌆 Most of the time, the place was packed and the ambience got quite loud that we needed to shout in order to talk. But it was surprisingly empty on our second night, so I got these photos.
(We’d have spent every night of the trip here if we didn’t need to take a rest for a flight home.)
I’ll definitely, surely, certainly come here again whenever I visit HCM. And of course, I’ll take every trip companion here. I miss this place every single day. 🤍"
Fang J.
"It is quite pleasant, not too crowded or noisy. If you enjoy experiencing taste buds with cocktails, this is a worthy return option. The menu is amazing!!! Extremely creative and easier to drink than expected. More importantly, the restaurant space is very relaxing, the staff is cute, the bartender is passionate about cocktails and has good taste.
Ultimately, it is suitable for both soothing the soul and bursting with emotions."
Uyen Tran
"Summer Experiment is my favorite bar in Saigon. I’ve been here so many times and could always find something – a familiar cocktail that I already know well, or something new and more creative, because their menu has a big variety of choices. No matter if at the bar or at a table inside or outside, I always had good talks with my company because the atmosphere here is kind of young, but not too hippy, and the noise of people talking is generally not too disturbing. Its sister, Layla, is way too loud for me, to be honest.
I haven’t ever tried the food here, but so far I’m very happy with my experience with the drinks.
The staff are very kind and supportive. I liked the barkeepers and their energy when they were working a lot. So I really enjoyed sitting by the bar sometimes to observe them."
Minh Trang Tran Phuong
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Experiment is located on the third floor of an old apartment building. Look for a discreet entrance and be prepared to climb a few flights of stairs.
Reviewers highly recommend 'Bee on Your Knees' for its chamomile flavor and 'Diggin' That Soursop'. The 'Paper Plane' and 'Caramel Ripple' are also frequently mentioned as favorites.
Yes, the cozy, stylish ambiance, warm lighting, and chill music make it a perfect spot for a quiet date or deep conversation.
Yes, they offer small plates. While some find them tasty, like the prawn fritters, other food items can be a bit of a hit or miss compared to the celebrated cocktails.
Happy hour runs from 5-8pm and offers discounted prices. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours, as the place can get crowded.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
36 Hours in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Things to Do and See
Summer Experiment is a softly lit, airy cocktail bar with a cleverly illustrated menu of handcrafted drinks, on the third floor of an old apartment building in District 1.
The Best Cocktail Bars In Ho Chi Minh City
Summer Experiment felt like a game changer when it opened in 2019, five years after Layla, from the same team. That’s because while lots of new bars were styled as generic speakeasies, Summer Experiment (2nd Floor, 77-79 Ly Tu Trong, District 1) was a conceptual space with a garden outside and fun, but savvy, and often sustainable cocktails served in watering cans. The Saigon craft cocktail bar presented a vibrant, refreshing menu filled with an array of enticing elixirs and exquisite craft cocktails.
50 Must-Know Women-Owned F&B Businesses in Ho Chi Minh City
Layla - Eatery & Bar, CTY Kitchen and Bar and Summer Experiment - Annie Vu: Last year, Summer Experiment made its debut on the World’s 50 Best Bars List when it placed 77th on the coveted industry list. Not long after, Layla and CTY Kitchen opened and similarly made waves amongst young Vietnamese professionals and expats alike in Ho Chi Minh City. Address: 72 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai D3 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
8 Vietnamese Bars Ascend To World’s Top 500
Close behind at 422nd, Summer Experiment is located on Ho Chi Minh City’s Ly Tu Trong Street. Succeeding to create a cool and relaxed ambiance, the bar is decorated with ornamental plants, with more outdoor garden space outside for smokers. The cocktail menu celebrates the seasonality of local ingredients, and features botanicals and herbs grown on the premises.
6 Craft Cocktail Bars for Your Next Date Night in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Summer Experiment was included on 2023’s 50 Best Bars List which is how it landed on our radar. While the bar can be difficult to find as it’s located up a crumbling building’s hidden staircase (although not a speakeasy), the bar is unanimously popular. The food here is okay in my opinion, but it’s really the drinks that shine.
Discovering Modern Vietnam: Top 11 Cocktail Bars in Ho Chi Minh City
Somebody can tell me that, but it’s Summer Experiment and that’s pretty new on the scene as well. I’ve only been there a couple of times and I really need my wife next to me right now because Adri can remember way more about this place. I can’t, my memory is so bad, but I do know it’s a really cool place.
Honeymoon in Ho Chi Minh City: What to See and Do
Another Australian connection can be found at the Summer Experiment cocktail bar in District 1, the brainchild of Aussie mixologist Jay Moir. Think moody yet upbeat bar vibes and playful, experiential cocktails with fruits, vegetables, and herbs plucked from the rooftop garden or sourced locally.
The 7 best-rated bars in Ho Chi Minh City
Address: 2nd Floor, 77-79 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Phone: 028 3521 0789. https://www.facebook.com/summerexperiment/
What to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Street food, bars, and Restaurants
Summer Experiment (Second Floor, 77-79 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam, Sun-Th 4pm-1am, F&Sat 4pm-2am)
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit