Hongdae whisky bar comparing Glenfiddich 15 and Balvenie 12: Rosetta

What kind of bar is Rosetta in Hongdae, Seoul?

Rosetta is a cocktail bar on the first floor of 35 Eoulmadang-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, tucked in an alley between Hongdae and Hapjeong Station. It's designed around a 19th-century European, French motif.

Wait, was there a place like this in Hongdae? Sure, I've been away from Hongdae for a while now thanks to the whole getting-older thing, but back in my day it was pretty much just pojangmacha (street food tents) and clubs, right? A cocktail bar this pretty definitely wasn't around when I used to hang out here... Anyway, tipsy on the atmosphere as much as the drinks, here's the info on this cocktail bar.

It's the kind of bar you'd walk right past not knowing what it was, then go 'huh, that's pretty' and turn back around. The red that could easily look tacky somewhere else actually caught my eye here haha. The weather's just starting to cool down now, so wouldn't it be great to sit at one of the outdoor tables? Also recommended if you're looking for an outdoor drinking spot in Hongdae!

Inside Rosetta: atmosphere and seating

Rosetta's interior was even more beautiful than its exterior — the red awning and antique lighting fit the 19th-century European style perfectly, so anyone who's traveled through Europe might get a wave of nostalgia haha. It didn't feel like a plain bar; it felt like walking into a small art gallery.

There's also group seating set up like a half-room, so it would work well for group gatherings in Hongdae too. They said it seats up to 9 people.

The bar table seats had decent spacing too, which looked good for solo drinking, and there was actually someone drinking alone there, which I thought was pretty cool. Made me think I should try solo drinking at a place like this someday...!

I sat at one of the indoor seats, which were as plush as a sofa, so I never felt uncomfortable the whole time I was drinking lol. It matched the classic wallpaper so well.

Rosetta's menu and what we ordered

The top of Rosetta's menu has the side dishes and standard whisky options, while the bottom section is Rosetta's own original cocktails, each inspired by a famous painting. These were all menu items I'd never seen before, and the combinations were so fresh that lol, after some deliberation, we ordered two whisky glasses and one art-inspired cocktail.

Fruit and cheese platter ₩18,000 Glenfiddich 15 Year glass ₩20,000 Balvenie 12 Year glass ₩19,000 Summer Sunlight cocktail ₩21,000

What comes on the 18,000 won fruit and cheese platter

Rosetta's complimentary snack, tofu crackers, arrived first, and it wasn't long before the fruit and cheese platter followed. The platter comes with two kinds of seasonal fruit — on our visit, that was Hongcheon plum and Shine Muscat grapes. Both are fruits I love, so I basically shouted 'yes!'

But it wasn't just fruit and cheese — there was also salty, tender jamón and sweet-bitter chocolate on top, so there was plenty to try. The jamón in particular was so good haha, I kept piling it on top of the fruit.

Seaweed on a cocktail? Rosetta's Summer Sunlight

Rosetta's signature art-inspired cocktail, Summer Sunlight, is ₩21,000 and 21% ABV. It's a mix of yuzu, Korean pear, lemongrass, kefir yogurt, soda, and seasoned gim (seaweed).

The cocktail comes out beautifully arranged with a rolled piece of gim-bugak (crispy seasoned seaweed) on top. I've had drinks in over 20 countries, but I'd never seen a cocktail like this in my life, so I got pretty excited taking photos. They also kindly explained the proper tasting order — take a bite of the gim-bugak first, then drink the cocktail. The seaweed melts away as the carbonation pops in your mouth, and it was honestly so good, ugh.

Glenfiddich 15 vs Balvenie 12: what's the difference?

At Rosetta we tried a Glenfiddich 15 Year glass (₩20,000) side by side with a Balvenie 12 Year glass (₩19,000) — Glenfiddich on the left, Balvenie on the right. We asked for ice separately, so we ended up with extra glasses haha. Next time I'll just drink it neat in one glass haha.

The difference between Glenfiddich and Balvenie starts with the nose — Glenfiddich has that signature bright pear aroma along with honey and dried fruit sweetness, while Balvenie, having gone through oak casks, carries a nicely balanced nuttiness and raisin nuance. Glenfiddich feels heavier overall haha, while Balvenie has a slightly silkier feel. Worth keeping in mind next time you're ordering whisky!

What are the restrooms like at Rosetta?

I was about to wrap up the post, but I really have to mention this!!! Rosetta somehow has a restroom inside the building, AND separate men's/women's restrooms, AND they're clean!!!

In Hongdae, it's hard to expect much in terms of hygiene no matter where you go, but this place had a pretty atmosphere on top of separate restrooms, which was such a plus. Inside, they had everything you might need — hair ties, cotton swabs, floss, hand cream, and more haha.

Who is Rosetta right for?

Ah, had a great time today! It's been a while since I've gone to Hongdae, gotten a taste of that youthful energy again, and drunk late into the night in a lively spot haha. Had a really fun time. These days I'd rather spend a bit more and seek out a pretty, quiet place like this than settle for somewhere that's just loud!

• Anyone looking for a quiet, pretty cocktail bar for a date between Hongdae and Hapjeong
• Anyone who wants to compare whisky aromas glass by glass
• Groups needing seating for up to 9 people
• Anyone who wants to drink at an outdoor table on a cool evening
• Anyone who wants to try solo drinking at a bar table