Cover PK Maltroom, a whisky bar designed for those who appreciate fine spirits and conversation. Photo: PK Maltroom
PK Maltroom, a whisky bar designed for those who appreciate fine spirits and conversation. Photo: PK Maltroom
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Before hidden bars trended, Minh Khanh and Phuong Huynh opened PK Maltroom as a sanctuary for Saigon whisky lovers
Seven years ago, before the hidden bar trend had truly taken off, Minh Khanh and Phuong Huynh opened PK Maltroom—an intimate sanctuary for whisky lovers in Saigon.
A place to come and go, PK Maltroom offers both whiskey as well as a wealth of hidden stories, quietly revealed each night as the red curtain falls and candlelight flickers. Nestled on Dang Tat Street, this discreet venue became a gathering place for kindred spirits who share a deep appreciation for whisky.
Stepping through its understated wooden door, guests find themselves transported to another world, far removed from the city’s relentless pace. Hundreds of rare whisky bottles line the space, set against warm yellow lighting, rustic brick walls and invitingly soft sofas—an ambience that whispers of quiet indulgence.
To start the interview, what is your definition of an ideal whisky and an ideal bar?
The ideal whisky flavour is found in a whisky yet to be tasted, and for me, the ideal bar is one with aromatic whisky, soft lighting, gentle music, and good company.
By that definition, how close does PK Maltroom come?
With aromatic spirits, ambient lighting, soothing music, friendly patrons, a weekly selection of new bottles and a well-rounded classic cocktail menu, I believe PK Maltroom is very close to my idea of an ideal bar. If there is one thing that makes it truly special, it is the spirit that each guest—each friend of PK—brings every night.
PK Maltroom was created as a collaboration between you and Phuong Huynh, with the vision of building a bar that could last for a century or more. In your opinion, what does it take for a bar to endure for over 100 years?
For something to last a century, it must have a legacy. After two years in operation, we identified the elements that could form PK Maltroom’s legacy and began to shape our 100-year dream.
It was also something of a fortunate coincidence that when we started the bar together, Phuong and I never stopped to calculate the usual five-year depreciation model (laughs).
Above Minh Khanh, whisky connoisseur and co-founder of PK Maltroom. Photo: Louis Wu for Minh Khanh.
Minh Khanh, whisky connoisseur and co-founder of PK Maltroom. Photo: Louis Wu for Minh Khanh.
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You once jokingly described yourself and Phuong as “an opera singer and a mathematician.” While Nguyen Minh Khanh is a well-known figure in Vietnam’s F&B community, Phuong Huynh remains more private. Could you elaborate on your respective roles in running the bar? How do the “opera” and “mathematical” elements manifest at PK Maltroom?
With our contrasting personalities and tastes, we were whisky confidants long before we co-founded PK Maltroom—and you can see that reflected in the bar’s extensive collection.
I feel completely at ease managing and bringing creativity to our work, thanks to Phuong’s meticulous and highly effective support when it comes to data—particularly our wine storage management system, which is quite complex and new to Vietnam. The interplay of art and science, emotion and logic, has given PK Maltroom its distinctive character. I truly believe that without Phuong, there would be no ‘X’K.
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What was Vietnam’s whisky and bar scene—especially hidden bars—like when you decided to open PK Maltroom?
Before PK Maltroom, there were already individuals and small groups who explored and appreciated whisky selectively. However, the majority of the market still drank mainstream bottles in a more casual, unrefined way.
People were not in the habit of visiting bars to discover new bottles or to savour whisky in small drams. Hidden bars were scarce, lacking diversity in style, with limited menus and notably lower-quality drinks compared to today. In the past seven years, both the market and Vietnam’s bar culture have evolved significantly—and we are proud to have been part of that journey.
Above The warm and intimate setting of PK Maltroom. Photo: Provided by the bar.
Above The warm and intimate setting of PK Maltroom. Photo: Provided by the bar.
The warm and intimate setting of PK Maltroom. Photo: Provided by the bar.
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In a market where alcohol remains somewhat taboo, is there a “backstory” to the founding of PK Maltroom that you would like to share?
If you are referring to the Vietnamese alcoholic beverage market, I can confirm that there is no prohibition. Of course, social prejudices against drinking still exist in certain circles—largely due to a lack of knowledge and the consequences of irresponsible consumption. Yet, historically, our ancestors have passed down a refined drinking culture, encapsulated in the simple yet profound toast “tien tuu”. [This means “Before drinking, a toast”, an acknowledgment of the refined social and ritualistic aspects of drinking.]
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From the outset, we have focused on educating drinkers and fostering a cultured drinking community. We are among the few whisky purveyors who consistently advise customers to drink less but savour more—”drink less, drink better”. Personally, I live by a philosophy akin to Winston Churchill’s famous remark: “I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me.”
Above Minh Khanh. Photo: Louis Wu.
Minh Khanh. Photo: Louis Wu.
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In your view, what is still lacking in Vietnam’s F&B industry, particularly in the bar scene?
Unlike the broader food and beverage sector, it is rare to find bars in Vietnam that have been around for over a decade—and even rarer to see a bar brand passed down through generations. This absence of legacy is not something that can be remedied overnight.
You previously worked in media and events before transitioning fully into F&B. How does managing large-scale events differ from running a bar?
Running a bar is a daily commitment, whereas events are temporary. Every bar patron arrives with a different mood and evolving tastes, whereas thousands of people at an event tend to share a collective energy. The key difference lies in the details—maintaining and refining the experience every single day.
PK Maltroom is home to Vietnam’s largest whisky collection, and you’ve said, “It would be a mistake to visit PK Maltroom without having a whisky.” Can you tell us more about this collection?
We hold the most extensive and distinguished collection of any bar in Vietnam, with nearly 600 bottles of whisky on display. The core selection is Single Malt Scotch whisky, representing a full spectrum of styles, distilleries, and vintages—including bottles from long-closed distilleries. We also offer whiskies from across the globe, such as America, Japan, Ireland, Taiwan, Australia and Sweden, alongside an impressive array of rum, cognac, and other fine spirits.
Above Every one of the nearly 700 bottles of spirits on our shelves has been carefully evaluated and curated by Phuong and me before earning its place. Many have been personally collected over years, some making only a fleeting appearance in our selection, while others are rare finds typically served by the shot in bars around the world. PK Maltroom also takes pride in being the first bar in Vietnam to select single casks for exclusive bottling. If you are a whisky lover, you are certain to find your perfect dram here. Photo: Louis Wu for Minh Khanh.
Every one of the nearly 700 bottles of spirits on our shelves has been carefully evaluated and curated by Phuong and me before earning its place. Many have been personally collected over years, some making only a fleeting appearance in our selection, while others are rare finds typically served by the shot in bars around the world. PK Maltroom also takes pride in being the first bar in Vietnam to select single casks for exclusive bottling. If you are a whisky lover, you are certain to find your perfect dram here. Photo: Louis Wu for Minh Khanh.
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You’ve spoken about how every tiny detail at PK Maltroom matters—from the nightly candlelight bill exceeding the electricity bill to the morning playlist you personally curate, even to the curved ceiling designed to create a more expansive feel. But what is your favourite thing about PK Maltroom—the one thing that brings you back night after night without fail?
Many guests have remarked on a sense of déjà vu when they first step into PK Maltroom. At times, I feel as if I am both the director and the spectator in a scene from a film of my own creation. Each evening, as I push open the stained-glass door, I am filled with the same quiet thrill—a blend of comfort, serenity, and an ineffable excitement. I love PK Maltroom, and sharing that love brings me profound happiness.
Published in Tatler Vietnam, October 2024 – Family & Legacy.
Credits
Photography: Louis Wu (portraits of Minh Khanh)
Photography: PK Malt Room
