An Insider's Guide to Seoul's Best Bars

Housed in an unassuming traditional Korean house in the historical Jongno district, Bar Cham is the brainchild of owner Lim Byung-jin, an award-winning bartender and well-respected figure in the Seoul craft cocktail scene. Here, Lim and his team serve up exquisite cocktails using Korean spirits, regional flavours and modern techniques. This unique approach is what makes them “the true definition of a Korean bar in the modern day,” according to Abowd. “Their take on the Negroni using craft soju and local roots for bitters is an excellent example of what they are all about.”

“Cocktails in Korea can be expensive due to import taxes, but this is one place where they’re worth every penny,” Abowd notes of Charles H, a glamorous lounge concealed behind an unmarked basement door at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. With a menu concept inspired by the travels of culinary writer Charles H Baker (think of him as the Anthony Bourdain of the 1930s), the bar is a journey of flavours and stories from around the world. The Manhattan flight, for example, invites imbibers to experience the evolution of the classic cocktail, while a dedicated martini cart is equipped with all the ingredients necessary to customise the drink to individual palates. “The attention to detail is evident in every element of the bar and the hospitality from the team is unmatched,” says Abowd.

As the oldest LP bar in the university neighbourhood of Hongdae, Gopchang Jeongol is the place to visit to experience the Korea of the past. The decor is an eclectic mix of mismatched furniture and artwork seemingly plucked from a bygone era, while the menu is a mix of Korean classics including homemade bokbunja-ju (Korean raspberry wine), and chijimi (savoury pancakes). The real draw here, though, is the music. DJs spin Korean pop and classic rock from the ’60s, 70s and ’80s, while local musicians perform nostalgic hits on a weekly basis. “This is the place I take friends to get a true taste of retro Korea,” Abowd says. “You can see people of all ages dancing and enjoying the vibes.”

Nestled in the artsy neighbourhood of Haebangchon is Pocket, a small nook of a bar that’s out to make a big difference. Founded to reduce waste and bring sustainability to the forefront of the Korean bar scene, Pocket serves highballs made with upcycled ingredients. The Speedy Gonzalez, for example, is a coffee-flavoured rum and Coke made with used coffee grounds from neighbouring cafés. Its decor is just as creative. The bar’s furnishings were built using recycled materials, while colourful murals and paintings by local talent adorn the walls to provide a fun and relaxing atmosphere. “On the surface, Pocket is a great neighbourhood bar, but underneath it’s doing so much more to reduce its impact on the environment and lift up the community,” Abowd says.

Bar Old Fashioned owner Hans Lee means business when it comes to the art of crafting the perfect drink. Inspired by the cocktail culture of the pre-Prohibition era, Lee has spent years meticulously studying and testing different recipes to create his personal interpretations of the best versions of classic drinks. “As a bartender who’s had hundreds of classic cocktails a hundred different ways, this is still the place where I come to learn something new,” Abowd notes. There’s no menu at Bar Old Fashioned. Simply order your favourite cocktail – or let Lee recommend one for you – and watch the master work his magic.

Korean craft beer trailblazers Magpie Brewing Co serve up some of the tastiest beer on the peninsula. Opened in 2011, the brewery is known for innovating with its unique flavour combinations and for sourcing many of its ingredients from local farms. It’s not uncommon to see folks (many of whom are regulars) spilling out of this tiny, industrial-chic venue into the alley it’s situated on, but don’t let the crowd deter you. Excellent beer – and pizza if you’re keen – await. Abowd’s recommendation? The Ghost, a tangy brew – Korea’s first sour beer, in fact – made with coriander seed and tangerine peel from Jeju Island.

Established to make drinks as fun and accessible as possible, HoneyHole is an intimate neighbourhood bar that features a menu that changes monthly to reflect the micro seasons of Korea.“I love coming here because they are constantly doing something new with their menu and the bartenders are always up for a chat,” Abowd says. It’s HoneyHole’s proclivity to experiment that attracts adventurous drinkers who are drawn to the bar’s unique and quirky libations like its Ichi-Go-Ichi-E (gin, strawberry, lemon, cream and soda) and Milk Tea (Earl Grey-infused whiskey, milk and Earl Grey syrup) which are served nightly until 3am.