Late-night standing bar in Changwon open till 2am: Ganppa Maekju

Ganppa Maekju in Sangnam, Changwon — a great second-round bar and a good spot for drinking solo too. Open daily 6pm to 2am, last order at 2am.

From lamb skewers to a whiskey bar, and then a third round

I was looking for somewhere to have a light drink in Sangnam-dong, Changwon, and that's how I ended up at Ganppa Maekju 🍻 Sangnam-dong has so many good restaurants and bars that it's honestly hard to decide where to go. For round one I had lamb skewers with soju-beer, then went to a whiskey bar, and after that I wasn't sure where to head next.

I still wanted one more drink but I was already full, didn't feel like a soju place, and definitely didn't want another solo bar or whiskey bar haha. So while looking for somewhere with a relaxed vibe and good snacks to go with a drink, I ended up at Ganppa Maekju.

Two glasses of Sapporo draft for 8,900 won

I ordered two glasses of Sapporo draft. 8,900 won of happiness... 🍻

These days a lot of people have dinner as round one and then head somewhere with a nicer atmosphere for round two. In that sense, Ganppa Maekju felt like a great second-round bar for Sangnam-dong. The vibe is easygoing, so it's good for a casual drink with friends, and it also felt comfortable for stopping by alone after work for one drink. It's the kind of place where I could have just one drink without any pressure, so I think I'll come back often whenever I'm out in Sangnam-dong.

What does the cream-topped draft taste like?

Think of it as a cream draft beer — a full glass of draft with a thick layer of cream on top, smooth and nutty and really tasty. I just kept gulping it down.

A standing bar with Japanese izakaya vibes

This place would really suit anyone who likes that izakaya atmosphere in the Sangnam-dong bar scene. It has the relaxed feel of a Japanese-style standing bar, so you can enjoy a variety of snacks with your drink while chatting slowly over the meal.

I tend to care a lot about the snacks when choosing a bar, and Ganppa Maekju has menu items that pair well with drinks, so it was fun just picking through the menu. I think it'd be even better to order a few different snacks and share them rather than sticking to just one. That night I was too full, so I only had a sip of beer.

Why it didn't feel awkward going alone

One thing I personally liked was that the atmosphere didn't feel awkward even solo! Since it's a standing bar, the vibe is super relaxed, so even alone you don't really feel like you're 'alone.'

These days a lot of people like to wind down the day with a nice snack and a drink by themselves, and I think this place would work well as a solo drinking spot in Sangnam-dong. It's not too loud or heavy an atmosphere, so it's easy to visit alone and enjoy a relaxed drink. It's lively without being too quiet, which makes it feel even less pressuring.

A blanket and non-alcoholic soda

I was a little cold and shivering, and a thoughtful staff member brought me a blanket!

They filled the beer right up to the brim, deliciously. I asked if they had anything non-alcoholic, and they recommended one, so I ordered the soda too.

When you're looking for a bar in Sangnam-dong, a lot of places tend to look similar and it's hard to choose, but after visiting this time I felt Ganppa Maekju was a comfortable place to enjoy drinks and snacks.

I'd especially recommend it to anyone looking for a second-round bar in Sangnam or a Sangnam-dong bar with a good izakaya atmosphere.

A rock-paper-scissors game that turned the night up

Partway through, they ran a rock-paper-scissors game as an event, and even though it's standing seating, stopping by for a draft beer and a quick game made the whole atmosphere super lively haha.

I'd recommend it whether you're going alone or just stopping by for one drink! If you're in Sangnam-dong wondering where to grab a drink tonight, give Ganppa Maekju a try for a comfortable drink with good snacks 🍺

Next time I'd like to come back with friends and try some of the other menu items one by one :)