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THE MAGPIE — AN BANG

Some people come to Vietnam for a holiday.

Some come for the weather.

Some come because they’ve had enough of the life they were living and fancy rolling the dice one more time.

Nathan belongs firmly in the third category.

He was running The Magpie in Toronto, a proper little independent music bar where he managed the place and booked the bands. Then he came to Vietnam on holiday.

And something happened.

Vietnam got under his skin.

Instead of going home, moaning about how much better it was here and then forgetting about it six months later, Nathan went back to Toronto, sold up and eventually returned to Vietnam with a plan.

He put his money into opening a new Magpie in An Bang.

Now that takes a bit of courage.

Or madness.

Possibly both.

The new Magpie isn't actually sitting on the sand, but it's only a short walk from An Bang Beach and close to the Bungalow Bar. It's one of those little places where you can wander in for one drink and, before you know it, you're still there several hours later wondering where the bloody afternoon went.

It's got a relaxed feel to it, helped along by Marcus and Tina from Hoi An, who have been there to lend a hand as Nathan establishes the new venture.

And I like the story behind the place.

Because this isn't just another bar opened by somebody looking for a slice of the tourist dollar.

Nathan had a life in Toronto.

He had a music bar.

He booked bands.

He had a business.

Then Vietnam came along and changed the bloody plan.

So he did something many people talk about doing, but very few have the nerve to do.

He walked away from the old life and started again.

Different country.

Different language.

Different culture.

Different set of problems.

And his own money on the line.

That takes balls.

I genuinely hope The Magpie succeeds because people who take a chance like this deserve a bit of luck.

So if you're wandering around An Bang and fancy finding somewhere a little different, get yourself down to The Magpie.

Have a beer.

Meet Nathan.

And if you see him looking slightly nervous behind the bar, don't worry.

He's only just started again.

Five stars from me.

Good luck, mate.

Address: 120 Nguyễn Phan Vinh, Cẩm An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM (Daily)
Contact: +84 76 669 4975
Vibe: Craft cocktail lounge