Travel to the 19th century in the heart of Saigon
A giant globe hanging loosely from the ceiling.
The brass gears quietly shine in the soft golden light.
Located in the center of Saigon House of Merlin It’s like being lost in a steampunk mechanical device.
Here, a glass of cocktailThe journey of the fictional explorer "Merlin"It will be the first chapter of the series.
A world that is slightly different from reality
There are two main types of bars:
It is a place to drink alcohol and a place to experience the story.
In a small alley off Pasteur Street, there is a heavy brass-colored door.
From the outside, it looks more like a bar than a restaurant.The entrance to a workshop from the Industrial Revolution eraIt seems like that.
That's where House of Merlin。
When you push that door open and enter, the air of the 21st century is left behind.
It seems like a small gate that leads to another era.
Amber-colored lights spread throughout the store,Metal decorationやGear、An old clockIt shines quietly.
The ceiling is huge, weighing about 200 kg.Earth ObservatoryIt is suspended and slowly watches over the space.
On the wall, replicas of famous paintings, including Mona Lisa, are displayed in a steampunk-style interpretation.
SteampunkIn other words, it is a worldview that combines the aesthetics of the Victorian era with the imagination of science fiction.
It features motifs such as steam engines, metal, and mechanical devices.
It has a nostalgic yet futuristic air to it.
The two founders created this space. They didn't simply want to decorate the bar; they wanted to transform the entire store.A world of storiesI wanted to create something like that.
The cocktail is a story of a journey
In the world of House of Merlin, Merlin is portrayed as an imaginary explorer traveling the world.
That concept is also reflected in the details of the menu.
The illustrations, the names, and the composition of the flavors.
A glass of cocktail seems like a page from a travel diary.
For example: The Alchemist’s(319,000 VND).
It is a drink made with Brancotequila, coffee fenugreek, orange curassau, and sweet corn butter.
The first thing you feel is,A gentle and sweet corn aroma。
When you put it in your mouth, a soft sweetness spreads throughout.
EventuallyThe bittersweetness of orange curacaoThe flavors change as if a chemical reaction is slowly taking place.
Finally,The deep aftertaste of coffeeIt will remain quietly.
It creates a somewhat mystical feeling, as if you were drinking from the "Sacred Cup" in a story.
Another impressive thing is Memory in Glass(309,000 VND).
Wild Turkey 8 Year Old is a cocktail made with peanut butter, pineapple vinegar, and milk.
First, it spreads to:The mellow aroma of peanut butter。
Warm and somehow nostalgic.
There,The light acidity of the vinegarIt appears just a little bit.
Like the spark of a small experiment.
The refreshing acidity of pineappleTo balance the overall balance and finallyThe gentle aftertaste of bourbonThat remains.
It’s like a cup where a small memory is trapped inside the glass.
The concept is reflected in each glass, and it is meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail.
The Kingdom of Lambs
If I had to choose one drink that symbolizes House of Merlin, it would beLambMaybe.
While whisky is the main attraction in many bars, here the focus is on rum.
Jamaica, Barbados, Cuba, and Guyana.
A collection of rum collected from all over the world.
Some of them are rare rums that I got at an auction."Caroni"There is also one.
For rum lovers, it is truly a gem.
In the words of the founder,
If whisky is the classic Mercedes, rum is the BMW.
Free, strong, and energetic.
That personality is also very similar to the steampunk world view.
Steampunk pizza
House of Merlin is a cocktail bar as well as a restaurant.It is also a restaurant.The pizza is made from scratch in-house, and its light and fragrant crispy dough is a highlight.
The toppings are a bit unique and are recommended for those who want to enjoy a free and borderless approach.
Beef La Rotta Pizza(275,000 VND) andShrimp onion oil pizza(275,000 VND).
Furthermore, KiPizza with ham and truffle sauce(315,000 VND) is also a popular item.
The combination of European cuisine and Vietnamese ingredients is unexpected, but it strangely works well in this space.
Classic and modern. Europe and Asia. This mix is part of the story of this store.
Another side of the night
Around 9 p.m., the atmosphere at House of Merlin changes.
Held three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and SundaysLive jazz。
It almost looks like an old European secret club.
The sound of the keyboard, the bass of the bass guitar, and the comfortably resonant vocals. The bartender who shakes the shaker, the ice that clatters in the glass.
At that moment, this place is no longer Saigon. This is where...A small stopover where travelers gather。
It is a place where story and flavor meet.
There are many bars in Saigon.
However, there aren't many places where you can have your own world.
House of MerlinIt is one of those few special bars.
From the globe on the ceiling to the smoke rising into the glass.
Everything seems like a part of a big machine.
That is the engine of the imagination called steampunk.
If you open the small door on Pasteur Street,
Anyone can travel to that world.
INFORMATION
House of Merlin – Cocktail Bar & Eatery
House of Merlin
Address: 178/1 Pasteur, Phuong Sai Gon, HCMC
Phone: 096-665-6542
Open: 18:00 – 1:00 [Cocktail]
18:00〜24:00 [Food]
Facebook: House of Merlin
Instagram: houseofmerlin.bar
Website: houseofmerlin.com.vn
