# Solo drinking at a Jongno cocktail bar: 3 signatures at Gak Seoul - By Gahi (https://superchart.com/en/@alleyway-table-seoul/) - Written Sep 18, 2026 - Local places › Bars › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@alleyway-table-seoul/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@alleyway-table-seoul/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/index.md) ## In short Gak Seoul (각 서울) is a cocktail bar in Jongno, Seoul, on the basement floor of 1 Samil-daero 15-gil, about 462m from Jongak Station Exit 4. Drinking alone at the counter, three signature cocktails were ordered — Geudaeui Tomato (그때의 토마토, 22,000 won), Malty Salty (22,000 won) and French Connection (24,000 won) — each mixed right in front of the seat. Between the soft indirect lighting and the owner's explanations and recommendations, Gak Seoul works just as well as a Jongno date spot as it does for a solo night out. ## Good to know - **Location**: 1 Samil-daero 15-gil, B1F, Jongno-gu, Seoul - **Getting there**: 462m from Jongak Station Exit 4 - **Hours**: Daily 19:00–02:00 - **Seating**: Group tables, counter seats - **Restrooms**: Separate men's and women's - **Geudaeui Tomato**: 22,000 won - **Malty Salty**: 22,000 won - **French Connection**: 24,000 won *as written by the visitor on Sep 18, 2026* ![Main photo of Jongno cocktail bar Gak Seoul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-01-mgbur-1200.webp) Today I came to City Hall to meet with a council member after a while, toured the office, had a meal, and while walking along the Deoksugung stone wall path, I wasn't ready to go home yet, so I searched for a Jongno cocktail bar. One kept coming up as one of the best-vibe bars around Jongno, so I came here to drink solo! Every Naver receipt review mentioned the owner being handsome and cool, so I was so curious — and he really is that handsome!! If you're looking for a good-vibe date spot in Jongno, here's my highly recommended cocktail bar review, let's go!! ## Where is Gak Seoul, and what are its opening hours? Gak Seoul is located in the basement level of 1 Samil-daero 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 462m from Jongak Station Exit 4. It's open daily from 19:00 to 02:00 the next day, with separate men's and women's restrooms. ![Exterior of the building near Jongak Station where Gak Seoul is located](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-02-cdt1q-900.webp) ![Path to Gak Seoul on Samil-daero 15-gil](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-03-1kfl2-m-900.webp) When I first followed Naver Map here, I stood around wondering, is this really the right place? Until I spotted the standing sign! ![Gak Seoul standing sign](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-04-9oqgr-900.webp) ![Basement-level entrance door of Gak Seoul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-05-10uzp-900.webp) Jongno cocktail bar Gak Seoul is on the basement level, but open that door and it's a completely different world!!! A nice scent drifts out right from the entrance. The mood lighting is amazing, such a good atmosphere! I couldn't believe it was the same building — one door and it's a totally different place! ## Inside Gak Seoul: counter seats and group tables ![Interior of Gak Seoul with mood lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-06-1708i-900.webp) ![Gak Seoul group tables and bar area](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-07-1azxe-900.webp) Walking in, there are group tables so groups are welcome too! And there are counter seats perfect for drinking solo! I naturally took the seat right in the center of the counter, to watch the drinks being made and admire the owner's good looks at the same time haha ![The center counter seat at Gak Seoul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-08-11ut3-900.webp) ![A glass of water served after being seated](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-09-1676u-900.webp) After sitting down, they bring you a glass of water like this, and the mood is really so nice haha. Apparently this place gets crowded from late evening onward! Sitting there, I could definitely feel guests flooding in after 9 pm. ## Gak Seoul's cocktail menu and what three drinks cost ![Gak Seoul cocktail menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-10-1ov7y-900.webp) ![Page of Gak Seoul's signature cocktail menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-11-1tv77-900.webp) ![Another page of the Gak Seoul menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-12-tdnud-900.webp) ![Gak Seoul liquor menu section](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-13-8ewsz-900.webp) ![Last page of the Gak Seoul menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-14-cljca-900.webp) The owner also gives recommendations, and for the signature cocktails I'd definitely recommend ordering after hearing his explanation once!! ⭐What I ordered⭐ - Geudaeui Tomato (그때의 토마토) ₩22,000 - Malty Salty ₩22,000 - French Connection ₩24,000 ![The clear-colored Geudaeui Tomato cocktail](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-15-1x4cd-900.webp) ### 1. Geudaeui Tomato (tomato cocktail), 22,000 won Honestly, since it has tomato in it, I expected a red drink, but it's this clear!! They use a ton of tomatoes, strain them over and over, into what's called tomato water — and "tomato water" is really the perfect way to put it!!! Watching it get made right in front of me, I could tell just how hygienically it's prepared. ![Chips served alongside the cocktail](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-16-eq9fr-900.webp) They serve chips as a side snack with it, but the cocktail itself is sweet enough that you don't even really need a side dish! So good ㅜㅜ It doesn't feel like drinking alcohol at all, so I think people who don't usually drink would love it even more!! ![Close-up of the Geudaeui Tomato topped with pepper](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-17-i9shq-900.webp) The pepper in it is definitely the kick! Coarsely ground pepper you occasionally bite into, giving a cleaner finish to your mouth, if that makes sense? ### 2. Malty Salty, 22,000 won They said it tastes like Chorripong (초코) cereal soaked in milk, and I was so curious — it really is an adult version of that cereal milk! Super smooth, with a slightly spicy kick on the finish. Watching it get made is also fun. They shake it a lot, enough to build up fine, dense foam, and it's genuinely the smoothest thing!! ![The Malty Salty cocktail with smooth foam](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-18-5a7h2-900.webp) Even though it's the lowest-proof of the signature cocktails, I actually felt like this one hit harder than the Geudaeui Tomato!! When I said it felt strong, the owner asked if he should remake it for me. (So he could adjust it to my taste!) Such a sweetheart, so kind! ![A cocktail seen from the counter seat](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-19-1n8s3-900.webp) ### 3. French Connection, 24,000 won I ordered the cocktail the owner said he drinks often around this time of year. Apparently it's cognac-based, and cognac makes me think of Kim Jong-il only haha lol lol ![The cognac-based French Connection cocktail](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-20-1dkmd-900.webp) ![The French Connection being made](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-21-aw2g1-900.webp) ![The French Connection on the bar table at Gak Seoul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-22-129l5-900.webp) The French Connection has a pleasant sweetness and relatively simple ingredients — recommend it for anyone looking for a sweet, high-proof drink!!!! ![A sweet glass of French Connection](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-23-1y58d-900.webp) The drinks kept coming!!! I meant to drink just a little today, but talking with the owner was so fun that I ordered one more ㅠ ## Is Gak Seoul worth it for solo drinking or a Jongno date? ![Final verdict photo of Gak Seoul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo-24-oan74-900.webp) A hidden gem I found in Jongno! The owner is handsome and the cocktails are delicious, so I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good-vibe Jongno cocktail bar!!!! It's a total vibe~~~ I'll definitely be back haha 🙏Thanks for another delicious visit today.🙏 ## Where it is - Gak Seoul (각 서울) - 1 Samil-daero 15-gil, B1F, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 종로구 삼일대로15길 1 지하1층 - 37.5687907, 126.9873402 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EA%B0%81%20%EC%84%9C%EC%9A%B8/@37.5687907,126.9873402,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@alleyway-table-seoul/gak-seoul-jongno-cocktail-bar-solo/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt