It's time to embark on a spirited sojourn through Seoul! 

South Korea's vibrant capital city is home to a mesmerising cocktail bar scene that uniquely blends traditional Korean spirits and flavours with modern mixology techniques. In fact, at the recent Asia's 50 Best Bars 2023 awards, a total of six South Korean bars captured the hearts and palates of the voters, and took home the coveted awards. 

If you're in Seoul and planning a night out, here are the six award-winning bars that you should hit up for tasty cocktails, immersive vibes, and wonderful hospitality! 

Zest

This sustainability-forward bar, helmed by Demie Kim, Sean Woo, Jisu Park and Noah Kwon, recently won the award for The Best Bar in Korea and was the highest climber on the 2023 rankings of Asia's 50 Best Bars. So you know you're visit a place with game. 

Zest takes pride in making minimal-waste cocktails from locally sourced ingredients, including the Jeju Garibaldi - made from the Jeju orange (called hallabong) and even Gujwa village carrot. Expect minimalist decor and a prep lab that you can't help but watch and observe as you sip on some of the best cocktails Korea has to offer.

Where to find them:

Bar Cham

This intimate and charming bar is operated out of a traditional Korean house, called a hanok. Led by Lim Byung-jin, the Bar Cham team serves up libations that celebrate native Korean spirits and flavors. Expect cocktails that draw on spirits like craft soju to blend Korean flavors with modern mixology techniques. The bar's commitment to showcasing local produce even extends to its use of bitters made from local roots. 

Where to find them:

Le Chamber

This hidden whisky and cocktail bar is concealed behind a library shelf that opens a hidden door when you push on a certain magical "book". Inside, you'll be greeted by an illuminated bar, live piano music and cozy sunken lounge chairs. This Korean bar is so handsome, it's even been featured in two different KDrama series before - the Seoul Mechanic (KBS2, 2020) and Touch Your Heart (tvN, 2019). 

A fan-favourite cocktail at Le Chamber is the Chamber Story, which is a combination of spiced rum, tropical fruits, hazelnut and bitters. In keeping with the theme, it's also aptly served inside a book. 

Where to find them:

Alice

Venture up a flight of stairs and a secret door at the back of a Gangnam flower shop, and you'll find yourself going down the rabbit hole of tasty wonderland-inspired cocktails at Alice Cheongdam. This trendy speakeasy is owned by Terry Kim and run by joint head bartenders Mason Park and Keo Kim, who whip up imaginative and seasonal cocktails named after the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Popular cocktails include Make Me “Bigger” - a blend of rum, amaro, banana juice and tonka, and Unbirthday Tea Party - a blend of whiskey, oloroso sherry, black tea and coconut. 

Where to find them:

Southside Parlor

An unconventional rooftop cocktail bar that brings Texan hospitality to Seoul - inspired by the Texan roots of Phil Abowd. Designed like an upscale American sports bar, this cocktail spot features unpretentious arcade game consoles and darts, but delivers premium cocktails that impress.The Chiquita Pepita is one of Southside Parlor's signature cocktails, bringing a Korean twist to the classic Tommy's Margarita with the addition of Korean green chilli and pepper powder. 

Where to find them:

Soko

This low-lit, moody speakeasy draws inspiration from the drinking culture of the Roaring Twenties. Inside, you'll find Son Soko and his team of bartenders - immaculately dressed and likely shaking their cocktail mixers in unison. Soko excels at nailing all the classic cocktails, but are also able to craft bespoke libations for every guest. 

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