In South Korea, drinking and eating go together like gin and tonic. Sure, you can drink gin straight with tonic. But it is so much better with tonic water. Or at least, that is how we like to explain Korean drinking culture, which is almost always tied to food.
In that sense, some of the bars on our list might feel a little unusual, since they put just as much (if not more) care into the food as into the drinks. But that does not mean the drinks are anything less than delicious.
Bartenders here get creative and win awards by serving cocktails built on traditional Korean spirits like makgeolli (a milky white Korean rice wine that was traditionally the drink of farmers) and soju (a spirit traditionally distilled from rice, though today many producers use other starches such as potato or barley).
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At the best bars in Seoul, you will find unusual and wonderful drinks you simply will not come across anywhere else in the world. Here are a few of our favorites:
Vinga, Apgujeong
The popular wine bar Vinga in Cheongdam-dong opened in 2005 and quickly became a favorite among Seoul's most devoted wine lovers.
"I especially love the atmosphere. It is laid-back yet stylish, and the interior makes you feel like you are inside either an ancient Greek castle or an old, rustic wine cellar," says CNN correspondent Rachel Han.
The name "Vinga" comes from French and Chinese: "vin" means wine in French, and "ga" means house in Chinese.
According to Vinga's sommelier, the bar keeps around 800 different varieties of wine, stored across three separate cellars depending on their characteristics.
"In 2010 and 2011, Wine Spectator magazine gave us its Best of the Best award," the sommelier says. "Vinga was the first to earn that title two years running."
The bar also offers a menu of side dishes and full plates that, much like the wine, are flawless. The crispy chicken thigh with mashed potatoes and grapes is excellent and comes in surprisingly generous portions, while the sea bass with sweet corn and diable sauce is a simple, classic dish.
Another highlight of the wine bar is the live music.
"If you love wine and a stylish setting, Vinga is exactly what you are looking for," says Rachel. "But one word of warning. A little stream runs through the middle of the bar, so do not get so drunk that you tumble into it."
B1 Podo Plaza, 634-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu; +82 2 516 1761
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Bar Da, Hongdae
"Finding the right dive bar can make all the difference," says CNN writer Maxwell Koll. "The drinks here are reasonably priced and poured with a heavy hand."
Set on the second and third floors of an unassuming building in one of Hongdae's back alleys, Bar Da offers a calm escape from the neighborhood's many bars and packed clubs.
With its Western-style bar, interesting and welcoming staff, a smoker-friendly deck, and a collection of instruments tucked into the far corner, this dimly lit, funky spot is a great choice for anyone who wants to sip a little whiskey and chat with strangers.
"In clubs it can be hard to have a real conversation, and in Hongdae you often run into the same crowd," says Maxwell. "Bar Da draws interesting characters, and if it is a dead night, the bartenders are always up for a chat."
7, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, (마포구 서교동 365-12 2층); +82 2 337 1818
Vinyl Street Bar, Hongdae
"In Korea, I quickly realized that a lot of important social events happen in bars," says CNN correspondent Jack Ackerman.
"That is all well and good, but I am not much of a drinker and I do not like sitting around for hours. So I needed to find a place that still had good drinks but was offbeat enough to keep me interested and give me more than the typical bar atmosphere."
With its colorful, portable drinks served in pouches, the Vinyl bar in Hongdae became one of Jack's favorite spots.
The drinks here are cheap but tasty, and their presentation gives patrons more to talk about than just the alcohol itself. Guests can settle into a cozy lounge area and pick from several options, but if they feel like heading somewhere else, they can simply take their drink to go, and look fashionable doing it. (Vinyl's colorful cocktails are, of course, a better look than a crumpled brown paper bag.)
In Hongdae there is, of course, plenty to do with drink in hand, from simply wandering the streets to browsing the shops. Most shop owners do not mind pouch drinks and, honestly, are quite used to them.
411-1, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu. (마포구 서교동 411-1) ; +82 2 322 4161
Party Station, Hannam-dong
Party Station is a small but well-stocked "live music bar" set in the quiet yet quirky Hannam-dong district in U.N. Village.
An unassuming street-level entrance leads down into an underground world of dark marble tables and excellent whiskey, where guests can sing karaoke or watch the host belt out lively renditions of his old songs.
"I love this place because it is cozy and comfortable," says Ron Lee, general manager of Turner Korea. "And it is always fun when Lim Byung-soo joins the party and starts singing, because he has an incredible voice. The evening turns into a private concert."
Since the tiny bar takes only two parties a night, be sure to call ahead to reserve a table.
Yongsan-gu Hannam-dong 28-12 (용산구 한남동 28-12); +82 2 518 9090
The Timber House, Park Hyatt Seoul
Although The Timber House may look thoroughly modern thanks to its large mirrors and elegant lighting, the interior of the lower-level bar and restaurant at the Park Hyatt is actually built around an old wooden hanok.
The traditional design concept becomes clearer on closer inspection. Among the details are Korean roof tiles, wooden sliding doors covered in paper and decorated with patterns, and traditional urns arranged throughout the bar.
"A lot of my friends love coming here for the cigars," says CNN correspondent Frances Cha. "But my favorite thing about the bar is the cocktails."
The Timber House's "Love in the Sky" cocktail, made with Hwayo 41 soju, schnapps, omija syrup, and chilled raspberry tea, took the top prize at the prestigious 2011 Korea Bartenders Championship, as did the "Pine Crane," another signature soju cocktail made with Dam Soul soju, Benedictine D.O.M., schnapps, yuzu marmalade, and pine needles.
606, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, (강남구 대치 3동 995-14) +82 2 2016 1290
