Ardbeg whisky tasting at Hanuk, a basement cocktail bar in Jongno

I've been on the lookout for good-vibe spots lately, and this time I went somewhere with a slightly different feel: Hanuk in Jongno. Even the name has a Korean ring to it, and once I actually visited, I was even more impressed — it's a space that takes traditional Korean atmosphere and reworks it in a modern way.

Where is Hanuk, and what are its hours?

Hanuk is located on the basement floor of 18 Samil-daero 19-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It's open every day from 7pm to 2am, with last order at 1:30am. Since it runs so late, it also looked like a good second-stop spot after dinner.

• 📍 Hanuk — B1, 18 Samil-daero 19-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰ Daily 19:00–02:00
• Last order 01:30

What is the Ardbeg whisky tour at Hanuk like?

What I tried at Hanuk that day was the Ardbeg tour. I already like trying new spirits, so I was curious how it would be run, and it turned out to be more fun than simply drinking — being able to enjoy the atmosphere of the space itself alongside the tasting made it interesting.

Is Hanuk a good date spot in Jongno?

Above all, the atmosphere at Hanuk was really great. The lighting was pretty and different corners of the space seemed designed for photos, so a lot of women seemed to come to chat with friends or get that perfect shot. I also saw plenty of couples on dates there.

So personally, I think it would suit anyone looking for a date spot in Jongno really well. The vibe is clearly different from a typical bar, so it's better for spending time looking around and taking photos than just having one drink and leaving.

Hanuk's interior: Korean style without the kitsch

What was especially interesting was that Hanuk is a bar that brings out traditional Korean atmosphere. Maybe because of that, quite a few foreign guests were visiting too. It has Korean elements but isn't decorated in a dated or corny way — it's expressed with a real sense of style, so I thought it would be great to visit with a foreign friend too.

Signature cocktails and the sujeonggwa welcome drink

Hanuk apparently keeps rolling out new signature cocktails, and every single one looks gorgeous. The cocktails themselves are pretty, and with the lighting added on top, they photograph beautifully. Honestly, when the glass arrives, it feels like a waste not to snap a photo first!

And it was pretty special that sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch) and yakgwa (honey cookie) are served as the welcome drink. You usually expect a simple drink or basic snack at a bar, so being able to experience a Korean dessert alongside the welcome drink made Hanuk's concept as a space come through even more.

I really liked these small touches. It didn't feel like they just built a traditional interior and stopped there — the Korean atmosphere carried through into the food and drinks too. And I liked that the drinks were good quality without being priced in a way that felt like a stretch. The space felt so upscale that I expected the prices to be steep, but that wasn't really the case, which made it easy to visit comfortably.

Hanuk lends a portable battery while your phone charges

There was one small service detail that personally stuck with me: if you hand over your phone to charge, they give you a portable battery to use. These days we take so many photos and videos that phone batteries drain fast, so I really appreciated that they thought of that.

Are the bar snacks at Hanuk worth ordering?

It's easy to assume a bar will only have drinks with simple snacks, but Hanuk's food wasn't skimpy at all. There was a proper menu to pair with drinks, so it worked well not just as a quick second stop but also for settling in and spending a relaxed amount of time.

Looking for a cocktail bar in Jongno, Seoul?

Overall, if you're looking for a cocktail bar in Jongno, I think Hanuk is worth a visit at least once. Being able to enjoy pretty cocktails, lighting, and a Korean-style space all together gives it a charm that's different from a typical Jongno bar.

I liked the atmosphere so much that I actually found myself wanting to come back with my dad. It's great for friends or a partner, but with Korean touches everywhere, it seems like it could be fun to visit with parents too. If you want to try a new kind of spirit or get some pretty photos, stop by Hanuk on your next trip to Jongno. I'd like to come back myself to try a different signature cocktail next time.