Polite & Co

Polite & Co is a small speakeasy-style cocktail bar at 5B Bao Khanh, down an alley in the cathedral quarter of Hoan Kiem District, roughly 200 metres west of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. It was opened by bartender Pham Tien Tiep and is widely credited with starting the capital's serious cocktail scene. The room is intimate and dark, with wood panelling, low lighting and a long bar that is the focus of the space, so seating is limited and the mood is closer to a hushed drinking room than a party venue. The crowd is mostly adults in their mid-twenties and up: cocktail enthusiasts, couples, hospitality workers and travellers who have read about the bar. There is no formal dress code, though the setting suits smart-casual dress, and loud group behaviour sits oddly in the room. Music is a low-volume background soundtrack rather than a feature. The drinks programme runs to precise classic cocktails alongside house creations that lean on Vietnamese ingredients, and the bartenders work without theatrics, prioritising balance and technique. Cocktails are priced at about 180,000-280,000 VND, roughly USD 6.92-10.77, which is high by local standards but modest against Western cocktail bars. The bar opens daily from about 18:00 until 01:00. Early evening is quieter and easier for a seat at the bar, while Friday and Saturday nights fill the small room quickly. There is no cover charge and no bottle-service model. Reservations are worth attempting for groups or weekend evenings, since walk-in space is tight, but the booking channel is not confirmed here and visitors should ask on arrival or check the venue's own listings. The alley entrance is discreet, so first-time visitors should look for the small signage on Bao Khanh rather than expecting a street-front sign. Polite & Co pairs well with an earlier meal in the surrounding cathedral quarter, which has many restaurants and cafes within a few minutes' walk.