Gyeongju craft beer pub by Hyangilmun Gate: dark stout at Round Two

Want to skip the crowds of Hwangridan-gil and enjoy a calm, quiet night in Gyeongju, but can't find the right hangout? Here's a spot where you can sip cold craft beer while facing Gyeongju Eupseong Fortress head-on, majestic under the blue sky by day and romantic under soft lighting by night. It's a hidden gem among locals: Round Two (Round2).

Where is Round Two in Gyeongju?

Round Two is a pub at 112 Bukseong-ro, 1st floor, Gyeongju, a one-minute walk from Hyangilmun Gate of Gyeongju Eupseong Fortress. Before heading in, start your date with a light stroll around the fortress right in front. Gyeongju Eupseong was first built in 1012, in the 3rd year of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo, and after Silla's Wolseong it served as the administrative and military center of Gyeongju through the Goryeo and Joseon periods.

Round Two is one minute on foot from this Hyangilmun Gate, literally a stone's throw away.

• Address: 112 Bukseong-ro, 1st floor, Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, South Korea (right in front of Gyeongju Eupseong Fortress, 1-minute walk)
• Hours: 17:00–02:00 (last order 01:00), closed every Thursday
• Parking: public roadside parking in front of the pub (free on weekends and at night)

What is the atmosphere at Round Two like?

Round Two feels like a moody cocktail pub you'd find abroad. Step inside and the owner in a Hawaiian shirt, green plants, Round2 flag decorations and a wood-toned bar counter all come together for an exotic vibe.

One wall has a surfboard and an ocean mural, adding a tropical mood.

Dart machine and projector

Round Two also has a dart machine. It's not just a place to drink but a place to have fun. With friends you'll lose track of time, and for a first meeting or a date it's perfect for breaking the ice.

There's a projector screen, so you can watch sports, and the tables are spaced comfortably, which felt relaxed.

Window seats and a bar table for drinking solo

My favorite part of Round Two was the window seats. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass you can see the fortress wall right there. From outside the glass looks like it has a painting on it, but from inside the view is wide open. The layout means coming alone feels totally natural, so it's perfect for solo drinkers too.

If you sit at the bar table, you can watch the owner make the drinks himself.

What are the menu and prices at Round Two?

The Round Two menu is split into a food/burger/soft drink side and an alcohol side. Food includes egg in hell (₩16,000), Korean beef cheeseburger (₩12,000), special fried platter (₩21,500), buffalo wing sticks (₩19,000) and melon & prosciutto (₩13,500), with extra sausage at ₩4,000. Most dishes are around ₩10,000, so it's good value.

For drinks, the craft draft beers alone are varied: Handsome Lager (5.4%), Round Two Bam, Dutch beer, Belgian wheat, Round Two Dark (5.9%, a peanut butter stout) and Gyeongju Eupseong IPA (6.7%). On top of that there are cocktails, bottled beer, house wine, highballs, shots and non-alcoholic drinks. Pretty much everything.

This is the daytime view of Gyeongju Eupseong from a Round Two window table. Come as the sun starts to set and you can watch the sky color over the fortress wall. Quiet and relaxed like this, I can see why Gyeongju locals come to this neighborhood.

Is there a non-alcoholic option if you're driving?

Round Two has non-alcoholic drinks too, so if you can't drink today or came by car, there's no reason to feel left out. The non-alcoholic Peach Shine has a clear red color topped with a fresh lemon slice, so you enjoy it with your eyes first.

What does Round Two Dark stout taste like?

Dark beer fans must order Round Two Dark. The rim of the glass is generously coated with cinnamon sugar, so the sweetness on your lips and the smooth, nutty finish of the stout strike a fantastic balance.

Is extra sausage a must with the egg in hell?

The dish that gets raved about in many reviews of Round Two is the egg in hell (₩16,000), eggs poached in tomato sauce. Tomato sauce, cheddar, sausage and egg come together, and the sauce isn't harsh, is seasoned just right and has a slight kick, so you keep reaching for more.

It comes with 6 pieces of bread, enough for a meal, and it's soft, buttery bread rather than hard baguette, which I liked even more.

The extra sausage (₩4,000) is practically a must. Snappy and salty, it's a perfect match for beer. Put sausage and stretchy cheese on the bread and take a bite: total dream combo.

Korean beef cheeseburger and fries

The Korean beef cheeseburger (₩12,000) at Round Two has a whole piece of grilled beef instead of a patty. Cut it in half with a knife and you see a cross-section of rich-tasting beef, melting cheese and sauce. It wasn't tough at all, with just the right amount of fat and really good flavor.

One bite and you can't help saying, "This beats most burger specialty shops." With fresh lettuce, onion, tomato and cheese, the balance is excellent too.

The fries I ordered as a side were generous in portion too.

Thin and crispy on the outside, they're a sure hit for anyone who likes famous franchise fries. Dipped in ketchup and enjoyed with beer, they were perfect.

Gyeongju Eupseong at night from Round Two

After sunset you can see the lit-up Gyeongju Eupseong through the Round Two window. We were catching up on all sorts of backed-up chatter, and when I noticed it had gotten dark outside, the lights came on all over the fortress. A beer while looking through the window at the softly glowing wall and Hyangilmun Gate at night, I couldn't ask for more.

As night deepens, the pub plays videos on the projector and the mood gets even better.

An unrivaled head-on view of the Eupseong wall, a juicy handmade burger, deeply savory egg in hell, a thoughtful non-alcoholic lineup and great music selection: all three boxes ticked, a perfect hangout.

Thanks to the kind owner's care, I felt warm and happy the whole time I was there. If you want to record a special night of your own during a Gyeongju trip, I recommend stopping by Round Two.