HO CHI MINH CITY | Layla Eatery & Bar is located directly across from the Sheraton Hotel, in an unexpected building atop a set of stairs that requires you to pass some dodgy looking establishments, complete with ladies offering “massages”. Don’t fret however, because once you reach the top floor of this unmarked building and turn the corner, you’ll find yourself in one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best bars.
The man behind the bar is Jay Moir, who hails from Adelaide in Australia and brings years of experience in F&B to the venue. Service is excellent, with staff who are always there when you need them, without being overbearing. The bones of the colonial building in which the bar is housed have been respected, making Layla feel like a modern venue with some old world charm. There are a few different zones – a side section with comfy couches, and the main bar with windows and seating overlooking Dong Khoi Street below. The 11 metre long bar is hard to miss, and features an impressive array of spirits, fresh ingredients, herbs and other botanicals, which are used to make some fantastic cocktails.
Highlights include the “Lady Jane”, made from home-infused Earl Grey gin infused with lavender syrup, freshly pressed lemon juice, egg white and dried red rose petals, and the “Not An Ordinary Gimlet”, which combines Bombay Sapphire with muddled cucumber, basil leaves, freshly pressed lime juice, yuzu puree, house made basil oil and shrimp salt. The wine list is also impressive, and features an array of wines from around the world. Probably the only disappointment is the beer list, which contains mostly uninspired commercial lagers. If you’re hungry, a menu of bar favorites like pizza, burgers, wings and the like, along with share plates and finger foods provides ample options.
A great space, and a fantastic happy hour (cocktails are VND95,000 between 5pm to 8pm Monday to Saturday) make Layla a great place to visit, whether just for a happy hour cocktail, or for a long afternoon or night with friends. If you do want beers, check out our Ho Chi Minh City Craft Beer Guide.
Layla Eatery & Bar
2F, 63 Đông Du
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3827 2279
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Sun – Thu: 4:00pm to 1:00am
Fri – Sat: 4:00pm to 2:00am