Bartenders redefine storytelling with dramatic cocktails in Vietnam’s bar scene

Layla’s setting preserves much of the villa’s French architecture, evoking nostalgia for Vietnamese patrons while intriguing visitors from abroad. The lively, culturally layered atmosphere reflects the way Zacapa channels Guatemalan identity into every note of its rum, patiently matured in the clouds through the exacting solera process.

As Zacapa achieves perfect balance through ageing under special conditions, so too do Layla’s cocktails. Handcrafted with finesse, they often reveal a measured harmony of sweetness, spice and herbal nuance, soothing after a long day or gently easing the nerves of a first date.

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Layla does not rely on theatrical displays. Instead, the bar offers the intimacy of a “small stage”, where bartenders step into the role of companion for each guest.

Disguised as a vintage cash machine, The ATM Cocktail Bar & Kitchen is a playground for bartenders to experiment boldly – from the choice of ingredients to the very structure of each drink.

Guests here can expect more than the menu. They are often treated to delightful surprises, as bartenders invite them to share moods and preferences before conjuring bespoke cocktails that feel as though they were written especially for them.

With Zacapa’s refined, balanced allure, familiar favourites like the Spicy Margarita take on new life, transformed with unexpected touches from unusual rim salts to a lingering spicy or bitter finish. It is little wonder that The ATM Cocktail Bar & Kitchen has become a beloved destination for the city’s younger cocktail enthusiasts.

For devotees of Zacapa, known for its meticulous craft and the long, patient journey each ingredient takes to maturity, the ATM experience is a perfect reflection. Here, cocktails and food are paired in reverse, creating surprising harmonies of taste, much like the way Zacapa’s rum slowly reveals its layered depths after the initial smoothness.

Read more: Portal Guatemala: Zacapa treats Southeast Asia with exquisite rum experience

Beyond the cocktails, the food menu is equally celebrated. From raw oysters to fried chicken with fish sauce, every dish is boldly flavoured, designed to stand alongside the drinks. This is one of ATM’s distinctive highlights: cocktails are not simply paired with food, but instead become the star around which an unexpected reverse pairing unfolds.

With its warm interiors and design inspired by the Vietnamese landscape, The Trieu Institute offers guests a “miniature Vietnam” in every visit.

The bar’s name pays homage to the national heroine Ba Trieu, and its drinks carry the spirit of her legend. Head bartender Nguyen Duong favours not the theatrical or over-elaborate, but a philosophy of “layered storytelling”: each cocktail becomes a cultural vignette, shaped by meticulous technique and thoughtful detail.

The Trieu Institute has also distinguished itself as a model of the contemporary bar scene: here, bartenders step beyond their traditional role to collaborate with the chef, creating a singular journey of taste and memory for every guest.

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Tatler Best is Asia’s authoritative guide to the region’s top 100 hotels, 100 restaurants and 100 bars, celebrating excellence in hospitality and dining. With 24 Best-in-Class awards – 10 hotels, 8 restaurants and 6 bars – Tatler Best honours the elite of the industry. Nominees are selected by Asia’s most discerning travel, food and beverage connoisseurs – voices that reflect the evolving tastes of the region.

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