Vietnam’s best-kept secret is an award-winning illustrated cocktail art menu

Each drink is anchored in a story either of a historical landmark or lesser-known corner of Old Saigon such as Le Thanh Thonh and effortlessly captures the sights, scents, sounds and stories of Ho Chi Minh City (Source: The Studio Saigon)

A timely tribute as Saigon slowly reopens to the world, The Studio Saigon welcomes thirsty drinkers from around the world for an evening of bespoke cocktails, art and stories of Ho Chi Minh City’s mercantile past through its award-winning ‘illustrated cocktail art menu’.

Launched by self-proclaimed ‘bartist’ Richie Fawcett (Bartender-Founder of Studio Saigon and former judge of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars Academy), The Cocktail Art of Saigon serves as a menu at The Studio Saigon, Vietnam’s singular by-invitation-only speakeasy bar masquerading as an art gallery flanked by Fawcett’s highly-acclaimed artworks of Vietnam.

Part-bar part-gallery (Source: Studio Saigon)

Here, thirsty travellers and cocktail aficionados enter the hidden entrance of Fawcett’s art gallery, tucked behind the motorbike parking hall of a 1930’s residential block, in the heart of Saigon. A secret door unveils an unassuming speakeasy bar that mirrors a private home bar decorated with Vietnamese ornaments and antiques, a brown leather sofa and a fireplace. And while the setting lends itself to a menu laden with classic drinks, Fawcett’s bar trolley filled with colourful concoctions and traditional oriental herbals suggests otherwise.

Guests are invited to a six-seater bar where they are entertained with Fawcett’s decade-long personal anecdotes of Vietnam, as well as stories of the country’s mercantile past, through a tantalising slew of drinks perfectly captured in the Cocktail Art of Saigon (nominated World’s Best Cocktail Menu 2017 by the Tales of Cocktail Foundation).

Source: The Studio Saigon

The menu pays tribute to Vietnam’s colourful history from past to present, as well as its culture, city characters and coming-of-age bar industry. Each drink is anchored in a story either of a historical landmark or lesser-known corner of Old Saigon such as Le Thanh Thonh. Borrowing inspiration from the idiosyncrasies of the streets, each cocktail effortlessly captures the sights, scents, sounds and stories of Ho Chi Minh City and is accompanied by its origin story, ingredients as well as a panoramic hand-sketched illustration of the respective street or landmark. 

Bestseller Bason Shipyard is inspired by the race to the tropics by the European sea powers of France and Britain and takes the form of a Gold-rum based cocktail seasoned with cinnamon, cloves as well as lime and ginger. The zesty, zingy and spicy nature of the cocktail pays homage to the rocky and tumultuous historical event.

Similarly, crowd favourite Ben Thanh Market with its playful combination of local fruits and harmonious herbs muddled together with spices is a nod to the colourful array, diversity and mystery of local produce available at the market. Keeping with the ethos of staying true to Vietnamese roots, local premium spirits, housemade specialities and ingredients hand-picked at the wet market often make an appearance in the bar’s repertoire of cocktails. 

Bespoke cocktails created by self-proclaimed ‘bartist’ Richie Fawcett in his speakeasy cocktail bar (Source: AsiaLife Magazine, photos by Vinh Dao)

Last but not least, having cut his teeth in some of the best bars in the world (Hush Mayfair and Home House in London) and trained many budding bartenders during his two-decade long career, Fawcett advocates a healthy and sustainable approach to the night-life profession through a dedicated two-pager talking about the importance of mental health as well as common signs and symptoms faced in the industry. 

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