Spirit House occupies a French colonial villa on Fa Ngum Road, right on the embankment overlooking the Mekong. It is the most ambitious cocktail bar in Vientiane — well-mixed classics, a serious whisky list, and a few Lao-inflected concoctions using local spirits and herbs. Prices are higher than the average bar but still modest by any international comparison.
Come at sunset for a table on the wooden terrace. Snacks include charcuterie, cheese, and small plates of Lao bar food. It is the closest thing the city has to a sophisticated grown-up drinking spot.