Yeah, an expat bar. Hanoi is one of the most exciting cities in the world, but it can wear you down. I loved dropping into the Polite Club at night after a day of exporing the Old Quarter and surroundings. Nice feel, AC, good music, and the friendliest staff and patrons I have found in Vietnam. There is a strange competition between the Tiger and Calrsberg beer companies, where waitresses dressed in company uniform, seem to compete for their respective companies, patron by patron, beer by beer. No sooner does your empty Tiger Beer glass hit the table, the Carlsberg girl is there offering you her beer. But they are very friendly and once you get the idea (I alternate), they seem to have a sense of humor about it too. Be careful of those bar peanuts though. Very addicting.

My mate and I had a very good time at the polite while we were in Ha Noi. Excellent staff and music, with the essential wooden bar feel. Cheers!

Nice little place, mostly filled with expats. When dealing with insistent Vietnamese peddlars gets to be too much, spend an evening at the Polite Pub. Strike up a conversation with the person next you - always an interesting way to meet someone new. Watch out for the waitresses - very busy pushing their particular brand of beer.