Great Space for Events in Bucharest - The Alternative Cultural Center

Recently returned to Bucharest for the summer holiday, I visited the Alternative Cultural Center at 4 Dianei St. (Rosetti Square), opened by my very good friends Iulia and Costin Militaru. They leased and refurbished an old mansion, with the purpose of turning it into an alternative space for cultural events and more. Which they successfully did.
  

NO NOs: Allez Boo

'Billed as the "Entertainment Capital for Tourists" Allez Boo has been a favourite hang out for travellers and tourists since it first opened in October 1997. With its tropical, bamboo and thatch decor, open and airy atmosphere and friendly welcome, Allez Boo is certainly one of the busiest and most popular bars & restaurants in the Pham Ngu Lao / De Tham area, patronised by tourists and expatriates alike.' This is what the presentations claim online. However, it is definitely not my opinion. We entered this place by mistake and ran away as fast as we could.






Yes, it looks good and this is probably what attracts most of the patrons. We had a small canned 333 beer for three times the regular price. It's funny it was not packed with backpackers, but with Vietnamese teenagers who were taking advantage of the happy hour on cocktails. The music was awfully loud and most of the waiters bored. It stank of stale cigarette smoke. Nobody banged a gong when we entered, as rumor has it. In fact, I am happy they didn't.




I am sure it is a hot spot for expats, but I can't see why you'd agree to be ripped off for stuff that you can have in your home-country or for real Vietnamese food you can have for a decent price - there are so many nice places where you can hang out in Saigon. Maybe it used to be good, maybe it's because of its perfect location. As for us, this is definitely going to be a no no.

Billed as the "Entertainment Capital for Tourists" Allez Boo has been a favourite hang out for travellers and tourists since it first opened in October 1997. With its tropical, bamboo and thatch decor, open and airy atmosphere and friendly welcome, Allez Boo is certainly one of the busiest and most popular bars & restaurants in the Pham Ngu Lao / De Tham area, patronised by tourists and expatriates alike.'Billed as the "Entertainment Capital for Tourists" Allez Boo has been a favourite hang out for travellers and tourists since it first opened in October 1997. With its tropical, bamboo and thatch decor, open and airy atmosphere and friendly welcome, Allez Boo is certainly one of the busiest and most popular bars & restaurants in the Pham Ngu Lao / De Tham area, patronised by tourists and expatriates alike.''Billed as the "Entertainment Capital for Tourists" Allez Boo has been a favourite hang out for travellers and tourists since it first opened in October 1997. With its tropical, bamboo and thatch decor, open and airy atmosphere and friendly welcome, Allez Boo is certainly one of the busiest and most popular bars & restaurants in the Pham Ngu Lao / De Tham area, patronised by tourists and expatriates alike.'

Saigon Saigon Bar @ Caravelle Hotel

What do you know? We splurged on cocktails at Saigon Bar, at the 9th floor of the 5-star Caravelle Hotel, downtown Saigon. And we are definitely not sorry!

[caption id="attachment_1252" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Saigon Saigon Bar @ Caravelle Hotel"][/caption]



The place is awesome and so are the cocktails they serve. We had a ginger and basil Margarita and a French75, plus complimentary snacks (an exotic and tasty mix of nuts).This iconic bar has an elegant setting, comfy armchairs, and great 180° views to the city. They have live entertainment every night and quite a comprehensive menu with foods on offer.Being an open air bar, they don't provide A/C, but you won't miss it. Try to dress more classy when you go there - a 5-star place invites for something smarter than a pair of shorts.



[caption id="attachment_1256" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Sneak peek"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1259" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="One of the many views to the city."][/caption]

It's expensive, but not deadly expensive. We paid 168,000 VND for each cocktail (10% Tax not included). The service fee was written down on the tab - 5% or 10% I believe.

Great experience - recommended each time you want to impress friends coming over to visit you in Saigon :D.

[caption id="attachment_1257" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Main entrance - via the 9th floor"][/caption]



Saigon Saigon Bar @ Caravelle Hotel - 19 Lam Son Square, District 1 (access via the 9th floor); www.caravellehotel.com; Ph: 3823 4999 Ext 27100. All major cards accepted. Smart casual attire.

Storm P Saigon Bar and Restaurant - Nice Atmosphere

I don't think we would have ever gotten here if it hadn't started to rain heavily around noon. We were exploring the city, looking for the perfect area  to live in, and the rain caught us completely unprepared. No raincoat, no umbrella. Only this bar we entered immediately.



My first feeling was that it might be expensive, but it wasn't. We received wet napkins and they turned down the A/C when told we were cold. We ordered a couple of beers and a cup of freshly brewed coffee - it's neither cheap, nor expensive, and the atmosphere is really nice. There are huge TV screens that are set on sport channels and its customers are probably expats - English and Scandinavian, judging by the pictures stuck on the painted walls.



The place has a bar area and a 20-seat dining area. They also deliver food - mainly basics like sandwiches, salads, and pizza. There is a wide selection of spirits and wines, as well as local and foreign beers. Cocktails are pricey - 160,000 VND, while coffee is 30,000 VND, and the beers around 40,000 VND.



Storm P Saigon - 5B Nguyen Sieu St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, ph: 084-8-3227 4738, www.stormp.vn, A/C, Wi-Fi, all major cards accepted.