Dongmyeong-dong bar in Gwangju for after-dinner cocktails and dessert

It's the weekend 🙌🏻 With the weather cooling down these days, I had dinner in Dong-myeong-dong, Gwangju and was trying to figure out where to go for round two — so this time I dropped by Chomyeon, a spot a lot of people go to for solo drinking in Dong-myeong-dong.

At first I thought a 'solo bar' meant somewhere quiet for one drink alone, but once I actually walked in, it was way more relaxed than I expected — and a great vibe for a group to hang out together too! Let me walk you through the atmosphere, menu, and taste of Chomyeon, from my own visit 🍹

Where is Chomyeon in Dongmyeong-dong, Gwangju?

Chomyeon in Dong-myeong-dong sits on the 2nd floor of a building near the busy bar street behind Haneulmadang, above Tanyo bar. The black-toned Chomyeon sign catches your eye from outside, so it's not that hard to find!

Even from the outside, the dark tones and soft lighting give it exactly that moody Dong-myeong-dong cocktail bar feel!

Inside Chomyeon: interior and seating

Stepping inside Chomyeon, the low lighting plus a chandelier and small lamps scattered around make for a calm, atmospheric space. The tables are naturally connected, so solo visitors can sit comfortably like at a bar, while couples or groups can sit facing each other and chat easily.

From the look of the place, there were tons of different kinds of liquor, plus a dart area you can enjoy with other people. That overseas-pub vibe I love..🩵

Each table also has its own little lamp and simple cards or games set out, so while waiting for your order you can play a balance game and lose track of time,, 😌

Chomyeon menu and how to order by QR code

You order at Chomyeon using the QR code on the table. There's a wide range — cocktails, highballs, whiskey — plus Chomyeon's signature menu, and a simple dessert menu to go alongside.

Since it was my first visit, I was curious about the signatures named after the bar, but the First Impression cocktail caught my attention just from the name, so I picked that one haha. Excited excited

What does the First Impression cocktail taste like?

The First Impression cocktail I ordered at Chomyeon is a fruity cocktail with peach, berry, and lime. It's pretty just to look at, and the sweetness of the peach with the tartness of the berry and the fresh scent of lime made it light and clean to drink.

Rather than a strong alcohol smell, the sweet, tangy fruit flavor comes through first, so even people who aren't great with alcohol can enjoy it without much pressure 🙆🏻‍♀️ It felt like a waste to just drink, so I ordered a few desserts along with it.

Desserts at Chomyeon: olive vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, iced shine muscat

The olive vanilla ice cream takes that familiar sweet vanilla ice cream and adds olives and pepper — a can't-go-wrong sweet-and-salty combo!! The cheesecake was soft and sweet, perfect alongside whiskey or a cocktail, and the iced shine muscat was cool and refreshing, great for refreshing your mouth bite by bite as the alcohol starts to hit.

Overall, instead of heavy, spicy bar food, there were a lot of light options that pair well with a cocktail or a drink — a great lineup for a round-two hangout ❗️

Can you drink alone at Chomyeon?

Beyond the drinks and menu, what stuck with me most about Chomyeon in Dong-myeong-dong was the atmosphere. There were people who came alone as well as groups, and the owners chatted with everyone so easily that even an introvert like me could have fun without any awkwardness!

They'd run simple games like song-guessing here and there, so people naturally ended up hanging out together. When I visited, quite a few people had come alone — at first everyone was just drinking on their own, but once the games started and conversation flowed, before long people of all ages and jobs were laughing and chatting together like it was some kind of group retreat haha. I felt a little awkward at first too, but blending in through the games, I ended up having a way more fun time than expected 👍🏻

When ordering drinks, they also ask about your preferences and make recommendations, so you can drink to your taste and preferred strength. If alcohol feels like too much, they'll make something lower-proof that still tastes good, which I really liked. If you want to try going to a bar alone but feel awkward just sitting and drinking by yourself, I'd definitely recommend giving this place a visit!👍🏻

Chomyeon address and opening hours

• 📌 Chomyeon Solo-Drinking Bar, Gwangju Dong-myeong branch
• 📌 Location: 2F, 8-1 Dongmyeong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
• 📌 Hours: Daily 20:00–03:00
• 📌 Rating: ★★★★★
• 📌 Would revisit: ★★★★★
• * There's also a review-event benefit on Naver Place, so make sure to grab it~

That wraps up my introduction to Chomyeon, a great bar in Dong-myeong-dong for a light drink. If you've been looking for a solo-drinking bar or cocktail bar in Dong-myeong-dong, Gwangju, this one's worth a stop.🍸