June Meet Up on the Riverside

A summer greeting to New Hanoians one and all. As mid-June has rolled around, it's time to get the word out about the latest meet up of Hanoi's most dynamic community. We'd been working on a multi-venue affair along the lines of a pub crawl, but the increased police pressure around the Old Quarter lately seems to have many bars wanting to keep a low profile. Never fear, as we've always got a whole string of happening venues chomping at the bit to entertain you all. The month's festivities will be going off this Saturday, June 21st, on the banks of the Red River at one of Hanoi's newest nightlife destinations, Stones 1. Egyptian proprietor, Hany, is ready to show off a space that he's crafted to add a bit of a unique twist to Hanoi's existing scene. On top of the cold drinks, dance floor, and river view you've come to expect from a night out in that part of town, he's got the grill fired up with a variety of Halal BBQ dishes not found anywhere in Hanoi. Dining specials will be ready for your arrival, as will their full range of authentic Egyptian tobacco and shishas. As New Hanoian members, however, there's far more than specials to be had. Any member will have free beer from 8pm~11pm, and early arrivals will have a range of liquor treats on hand, so get there early! From 11pm on, drink specials and a packed dance floor will keep the night going. Stones 1 doesn't close until the last people leave, so be ready for a long night.

Getting there is easy. Check the map on the site, or follow these easy directions: Head south from Hoan Kiem and turn left on Tran Hung Dao. Take it all the way to the end (toward the river) and curve around (to the left) to get on the dike road. Once on the dike road, take your first left (at the traffic light...directly across from Tran Hung Dao). Follow that road (on the other side of the dike road) until its end. Turn right, and look for Stones 1 on the left about 100m down the road. We'll be there waiting for you.

For those who have already been having themselves quite a month out and on the town, you maybe well on your way to winning one of these two top notch user contributions prizes:

Friday Fun for Four

First up, we've got an invitation to get your weekend started on a brilliant note. The work week is long, and unwinding can be a chore in itself. The Loft, however, is here to ensure you get it done right. Those who've been in an Old Quarter nightlife rut may not have noticed the recent opening of this bar, music venue, and restaurant on Ba Trieu Street. Those in the know, on the other hand, have been making it a regular after work destination. One of our distinguished contributors and three lucky friends will be making it more than that. They'll be getting the full Friday royal treatment. It will start with a Friday lunch for the foursome, pulled from their affordable menu of mid-day meal sets. But that is just to get them in the mood. After work, they'll be heading back for happy hour cocktails to the sounds of the house band cranking out retro-favorites from all over the musical spectrum. With properly whetted appetites, they'll be ushered to the upstairs Loft lounge for dinner in a space as mellow as the downstairs is lively. Now fed and pampered into a proper state of relaxation, The Loft will have readied all involved for what the weekend is all about.

An Urban Escape for Two

Whereas some need to be properly prepared for a weekend on the town in Hanoi, others simply need to get away. When time permits, everybody has their own list of favorite out-of-town destinations, but the schedule just doesn't always cooperate. Worry not. Green Mango is here to remind the TNH community that escape can be found right here in the middle of it all. One of our remarkable site members and a special guest will be shown exactly what they mean. To begin, they'll arrive on the evening of their choice. Their table in Green Mango restaurant will be waiting. Deep behind the building, far from the bustling streets, the dining room leaves Hanoi quickly fading into the background. Our two lucky diners will have their pick of the first-class menu of international fare, or perhaps just leave it up to the chef give them a full culinary tour. When dinner and drinks have passed, and the night feels at its end, the couple will be on their way to their plushly furnished room in the Green Mango's own boutique hotel accommodations. With a night in one of their finest rooms behind them (taking care to sleep in, of course), they'll be back to the dining room for a complimentary breakfast to finish off the affair. Top to bottom, beginning to finish, their Green Mango Urban Escape will be on the house, thanks to their great work bringing insights to the TNH community.

French Hip Hop Artist, Onra

Before we sign off, we need to give another heads up about our friends over at C.A.M.A. A week from this Saturday (June 28th), they'll be throwing down again at Nha San Ben Ho. Across the Red River in Gia Lam, this venue has played host to several of C.A.M.A.'s legendary nights. This promises to be one that even C.A.M.A. vets will be amped for. The C.A.M.A. crew is bringing critically acclaimed French underground hip hop artist Onra to Hanoi. Acts like this just don't make it to Vietnam very often, but Onra's own Vietnamese roots and the music it has inspired (such as the 2007 Chinoseries album) provides a pull that C.A.M.A. has been all about turning into a great night for all of you. Don't miss your chance to see something truly special in a great venue (a traditional Vietnamese stilt house). To get more details, check the C.A.M.A. group here on TNH or their website.

Have fun this weekend and next. We'll be looking for you at both events.
The Staff of The New Hanoian