Best bars in Itaewon

 

Is there any expression more sensual or fierce than “eat me?” In keeping with the name, the owner is no modest killjoy. Located across from the sweatbox that is Queen, Eat Me is the perfect place for break from the popular gay club, to sit down for a cool drink and meet people. Doors open from evening through 6am. Gay, straight, and every variety in between—all are welcome here.

In HBC, across from the Bonny’s Pizza line-up, there is a little basement bar that welcomes a great mix of everybody for good chats and great music. Jack Ahn, the owner, and local celebrity Pounamu from New Zealand, have teamed up recently and set the stage for the welcoming atmosphere. “It’s a safe place that is about interacting with other people,” Jack says, as Pounamu adds: “It’s also about cheap therapy.” The unusual thing about this bar is that the draft beers are only categorized, not named. When Jack opened in July of 2015, another neighborhood bar owner was slightly miffed that he was offering lower prices for the same beer. Wanting to be a good neighbor, this creative owner decided to keep his prices but not to show the brands of the beers. Customers, however, can always sample the beer to see if they like it before ordering, and Jack has come to enjoy the fact that people are not drinking for the brand but actually for the taste. Cocktails and sandwiches are also on offer now. Jack makes his own homemade hibiscus ginger ale that he pairs with Jameson for a Hotel Juliette, and there is also the popular Bunker on Vacation, which is a mix of Jäger, vodka, and pineapple juice. Another homemade specialty is the grilled cheese and pulled pork sandwiches — which, if I might say, are scrumptious both before and after a few Hotel Juliettes. The food and drinks are sound, but the Bunker also really loves to support the arts. Musicians come in for jam sessions on...

Brewed for centuries in Belgium and trending in the past few years in North America, sours are relatively new in the Korean market. And there’s no better place to start experimenting with your taste buds than at Sour Pongdang, the first bar in Asia to specialize in sours. Recommended by none other than Lee Inho, owner of Pyrus Taproom & Bistro, Sour Pongdang exudes a distinct personality in Seoul’s craft beer scene. Headed by BJCP- certified manager Jo Ye-lim, Sour Pongdang guides you through the infinite world of sour beer.  Serving as ‘comfort food’ of a sort for some and a new experience for others, the sour beer is not only diverse but also has a longer shelf life. While IPA’s with fragrant hops either lose their characters or change in a negative sense over a period of time, the sour beer can, in fact, develop a richer flavor and aroma over time. Sour Pongdang currently offers 10 different kinds of drafts and over 80 bottles of imports. While the taps change quite regularly, the usual line-ups showcase both domestic and imported selections (such as Boon and Brooklyn Brewery). And while some beers are sold out within a week, the bar tries to order enough supply to last at least one to two months—so you’ll be guaranteed a broader range of choices the more frequently you visit. One sour beer to check out is the ‘Jeju Island Tangerine Gose,’ which is created by exporting dried tangerines from Jeju to Oregon’s Upright Brewing, brewing such transnational, tangy batches...

BARN Lounge offers great drinks with dishes created by a skilled Maltese chef. The burger made with naturally leavened bread and lots of gouda cheese goes perfectly with the Heineken draft.