Bar in Gwangalli, Busan for a rock-paper-scissors rematch: Ganppa Beer

Why I came to Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 after the Seomyeon branch

I stopped by Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 (간빠맥주 광안2호점) because I had such a good time at the Seomyeon branch, and I happened to be in Gwangalli. Last time at Ganppa Beer Seomyeon, I ended up having way more fun than I expected. The staff were really friendly and entertaining, and everything from the way you order beer to the various events felt a little different from an ordinary bar.

Above all, I kept thinking about the draft beer, with its soft foam and cool, smooth finish. So while I was in Gwangalli this time, I dropped in at Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 too.

Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 hours, parking and directions

• Hours: daily 18:00–02:00 (next day)
• Last order: 01:00
• Closed: no regular closing day announced
• Parking: no private lot; use a nearby paid car park
• Getting there: about 9 minutes on foot from Gwangan Station, Exit 3

Branches of the same brand can feel different, so I was curious, but to cut to the chase, the Gwangalli 2 branch did not let me down. The staff's overflowing energy and fun way of talking to customers had me laughing for a good while again this time. Haha

What kind of bar is Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2?

Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 is a standing bar, with no chairs, not far from Gwangalli Beach.

The Sapporo beer logo and Japanese-style signboard catch your eye from outside. It feels less like a typical izakaya (Japanese pub) and more like a Japanese tachinomi, a place where you stand and have a casual drink. Its biggest feature is the standing tables without chairs.

If it's your first time, drinking on your feet might feel a bit unfamiliar, but that also gives the place a free, lively atmosphere. You can enjoy simple snacks with your beer, so it seems like a nice place to drop in for a light drink after a meal.

Ordering at Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 and how the draft beer is handled

At Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2, you choose your menu items and pay first, then receive your beer. I was impressed that while pouring the beer you ordered, the staff explain how the draft beer is managed and how to enjoy it at its best.

Ganppa Beer is introduced as an official collaboration store with Sapporo, and they reportedly take care of everything from keg management to glass temperature to keep the draft beer fresh.

In particular, they store the beer kegs in a dedicated refrigerator at about 2℃, and the rule is to finish a keg within 24 hours of opening it. Since freshness matters so much for draft beer, how fast kegs get used up and replaced is one of the things that shapes the taste. There really is a reason places with great draft beer are great!

They also keep the length of the tubing the beer travels through short, and rinse the glass with ice-cold water first (pre-rinsing). Because the beer is poured through all this, watching it go into the glass is a bit of a show in itself. Even if you don't know much about beer, listening to the staff explain, you can see why they are so careful.

The staff at Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2

And above all, the staff who explain everything are so kind, haha. They even asked for permission to appear in photos while explaining the process, but they're so good-looking, and look so much better on screen than... no no! Better in person than on screen! Anyway, I'll keep their faces safely protected.🤣

They chat naturally with customers and lead the mood in a fun way, so even on a first visit it wasn't awkward and I felt comfortable. Haha. I loved this atmosphere at the Seomyeon branch, and at Gwangalli 2 too, the staff's friendliness is what stuck with me.

How are the Sapporo draft beer and butter-grilled octopus?

What I ordered at Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 this time was Sapporo draft beer and butter-grilled octopus.

I fell for the draft beer at the Seomyeon branch, and the Gwangan branch is just as good 👍 The cool, smooth finish and soft foam were delicious all over again. Haha

The butter-grilled octopus is octopus sautéed in butter for a rich, savory flavor, and it's presented as a good match for beer. There's a nice variety of other snacks on the menu too.

The individual snacks are fairly reasonably priced, so ordering one or two after a meal seems fine. Looking at the other tables, lots of people were eating the meat-loaded yakisoba (Japanese stir-fried noodles). I wanted to try it but I was too full, so I'll definitely have it next time. If you're full, you can also order just beer without any snacks.

Photo machine, prize draw and the rock-paper-scissors rematch

Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 also has a machine that prints photos, so you can keep a memento of your visit.

It's not every day you go to a bar and leave with a printed photo, and with little extras like this, going with friends or a partner to capture a special moment sounds like a good idea.

And of course, the big prize draw event! Haha If you write a visitor review, you can take part in the draw, and first prize is a ₩100,000 voucher.

At the Seomyeon branch, the staff member kept chatting to me mid-game, which seemed to be the strategy, so this time I tried a rematch without giving them any room to talk, and I lost again. In just two rounds. Sob...rrr🤣

My competitive streak was on fire, so I said "Just try one more!!" and did it again, and lost again. In two rounds again. More sob..rrrrr At this point I can't tell whether the Ganppa Beer staff are good at rock-paper-scissors or we are just especially bad, haha🤔 What stayed with me more than the prize was the time spent laughing and chatting with the staff.

Seomyeon vs. Gwangalli 2: what I felt after visiting both

Visiting both the Seomyeon and Gwangalli 2 branches of Ganppa Beer, what I felt in common was how great the staff's vibe is. Plenty of places are friendly, but it's not that common to find one where the staff chat naturally with customers, trade jokes and create a fun atmosphere. On top of kindness, they explain the beer in detail and join in on the events enthusiastically, so it was more fun than simply eating and leaving.

I came to Gwangalli 2 because of my good memories of the Seomyeon branch, and it sticks with me even more that I had a satisfying time again. The staff were all bright and cheerful, which made the whole place feel livelier.

Gwangalli has so many nice bars and izakayas, but Ganppa Beer has a slightly different charm. The professional way they handle Sapporo draft beer is interesting, and with the standing-bar vibe, photo keepsakes and various events, the visit itself becomes part of the fun.

Above all, I had a great time again thanks to the kind and cheerful staff. The atmosphere, the beer and the snacks are all addictive and I keep thinking about them, so I plan to go back soon, haha. Next time I really want to win the rock-paper-scissors first. Haha