Although Vientiane may not rank highly on most business travel itineraries, the capital of the landlocked People’s Democratic Republic of Lao is coming into its own, with new hotels, air links and special economic zones generating a buzz on the streets of this quaint city.
Vientiane’s avenues and rues reflect both French colonial and Siamese influences, which combine to create an “old Asia” flavour that has attracted leisure travellers for decades. With the city beginning to host increasing numbers of corporate visitors, the old restaurants and pubs are now sharing space with suave lounges that suit even the most sophisticated urbanite.
The following bars offer a cross
section of the city’s venue mix, from reliable old pubs to secretive “high-so” bars and buzzing late-night rooftops. Located in downtown Vientiane, they are almost all within stumbling distance of each other along Setthathirat Road.
The Samlo Pub
This venue falls into the “old favoured haunt” category. Tucked away at the end of Setthathirat Road, near the intersection with Francois Ngin Road, the Samlo Pub has long been a mainstay among the more “rough and ready” visitors and expats.
Though dimly lit, the walls are painted yellow and decorated with paintings and items portraying the bicycle-based transport that is the bar’s namesake. The interior is best described as dingy, but it’s not without a certain charm, and the punters in this pub don’t mind either way. It’s a popular place to watch sports, have a pint and a game of pool or foosball with a friend, or return to after the clubs have closed to continue the night’s debauchery – there’s also a DJ booth.
Good for: Watching sports and after-parties
When to go: When there is a game on, and after midnight
Crowd: Rough and ready
Price of a drink: A vodka with freshly squeezed orange juice is 30,000 kip (US$3.82); beers are about 15,000 kip (US$1.90)
Location: Setthathirat Road and Francois Ngin Road intersection
Jazzy Brick
Walk down Setthathirat Road and diagonally across the street from Nam Phu Fountain Square you’ll find this cocktail lounge. Despite what the name suggests, jazz is not played here, though the vibe is certainly one that will appeal
to cool cats. Enter and you encounter a large wooden bar (with an even larger back bar) set against exposed brick wall and lined with wicker-backed chairs. This retro décor continues across two levels and some separate rooms – which are perfect for informal meetings with business associates.
The bar menu features over 160 cocktails and some light snacks, and the bartenders are skilled and friendly.
Good for: Relaxed post-meeting drinks with business associates
When to go: Happy hour is 6-8pm, but it gets more crowded later on
Crowd: Cool cats and suits
Price of a drink: An “Old-fashioned” is 50,000 kip (US$6.40)
Location: 47/1 Setthathirat Road
Khop Chai Deu
This three-floor venue provides all you need for a good night out: a street-level restaurant, a rooftop beer garden, a back room with live music and an upstairs nightclub called The Top. Perhaps this is why it has, for the past 14 years, hosted a steady stream of locals and out-of-towners, and acted as the epicentre of Vientiane’s nightlife scene. Games with giveaway prizes and promotions are often held here.
Khop Chai Deu – which translates as “thank you very much” – is housed in a former colonial residence, and its three floors are connected by an iron spiral staircase with a fish tank and water feature at its base. This quirky and colonial décor continues up in the club facility, with added dashes of contemporary colour such as leather seats, private alcoves and green lighting.
Good for: Listening to live music, drinks with friends and a dance
When to go: For dinner and onwards
Crowd: A genuine mix
Price of a drink: Cocktails from 28,000 kip (US$3.60)
Location: 54 Setthathirat Road
Open: 10am-midnight every day
Tel: +85 6 21 251 564
Dejavu Cocktail Bar
You probably won’t notice this bar unless it’s specifically pointed out to you. In a corner of Nam Phu Fountain Square, concealed behind a hedge and down a short path is a door with a sign that confirms “Yes, we are open”.
Inside, you find an intimate and softly lit bar, a limited number of high tables and chairs, and a sense that you have entered some sort of secret society. An effortlessly cool retro décor adds to the chic ambience. The back bar is impressive, and the Japanese bartender has a dedicated following. Although not the cheapest place in Vientiane, the drinks are world class, and were hands-down the tastiest sampled on this particular bar hop.
Good for: A quiet, quality drink away from the masses
When to go: 10pm onwards
Crowd: Those in the know
Price of a drink: 60,000 kip (US$7.70)
Location: Nam Phu Fountain Square
Open: Mon-Sat 6pm-11.30pm
Bor Pen Nyang Restaurant and Bar
To get to this Mekong riverside-rooftop venue you might have to hop in a
tuk-tuk, since although it’s on the street that runs parallel to Setthathirat Road, Vientiane’s roads are not very navigable on foot, even at the best of times. Name the bar though and everyone knows what you’re talking about. The open-air, third-floor locale is ideal as both a place to enjoy a chilled beer at sunset,
or somewhere to party into the small hours with pumping music and fellow revellers. It is always busy and a definite mainstay in Vientiane’s late-night drinking scene.
Good for: A sunset drink overlooking the Mekong, and late-night antics
When to go: Around 6pm, or at midnight
Crowd: Laotians, travellers and expats
Price of a drink: 10,000 kip (US$1.30) for a pint of draft beer
Location: Fah Ngum Road, Wat Chanh
Open: 11am–1am
Tel: +85 6 20 5580 8281
