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Best Bars 2026 No. 33

Paper Lantern

Descend the stairs beneath Ho Won Restaurant in Chinatown to discover an oasis of Vietnamese imagery, flavours and aromas. Red lanterns hover in this intimate below-street speakeasy. Cocktails lean tropical — the requisite Zombies and Daiquiris, sure, but also unexpected tweaks like the Boba Milk Tea Burnt Sugar Milk Punch; the Pandan Pain Killer; and the Morning in Hanoi, a tipsy Vietnamese coffee made with cold brew, condensed milk, coffee-infused vodka, coconut, pineapple and banana. The sizzle and sear of street food staples — bánh mì subs, thịt lụi nướng (skewers of pork belly, chicken or beef), bo lúc lắc (shaken beef) — will prompt even the most satiated guests to flip to the food menu.

The full gang: Kobe Tulloch, Ashely Vergara, Kaelee Waldner, Tanner Ennis, Nhi Tran (Owner).
Eat
“What’s the Kitchen Having?” rotating dishes, made by owner Nhi Tran’s mom for staff meals.

After
Wander down the street to Prosperity Bar, the owners’ other tropical spot.

Drink
Start with a refreshing highball, like the Coco Cabana, made with tequila and coconut soda.

Photography by Paper Lantern


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