Gangnam cocktail bar where drinks-only is fine: Gin Fizz at Ugly

The area around Gangnam Station usually has a lot of loud, crowded bars, so walking into Ugly and feeling that calm atmosphere right away was such a nice contrast.

The dim lighting blended with the moody interior made it feel perfect for a date or a low-key chat. Sitting at the bar counter, you could watch the bartenders mix cocktails right in front of you, so it was a treat for the eyes too.

Where is Ugly, and what are its hours?

📍Ugly 5F, 5 Gangnam-daero 96-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea *Elevator available Hours Daily 18:30 - 02:00 Directions 3–5 minute walk from Exit 4, Gangnam Station (Sinbundang Line) 🚶

Being so close to the station made it super easy to get to by public transport, and since it's tucked into an alley, you get to step away from the usual busy, noisy feel of Gangnam Station and enjoy a quieter mood.

There are plenty of good restaurants and other bars nearby too, so it's a great spot to swing by for a casual cocktail as a second stop!

Inside Ugly: what the room and the seats are like

The overall vibe at Ugly was really great.

The lighting and interior work so well together that I think it'd feel even more atmospheric visiting after sunset!

There was a good variety of seating too — from two-tops to four-tops, seats good for couples, and group tables — so you could use whatever fit the occasion.

It's a good place to visit with friends, and also nice for spending relaxed time as a pair.

If you go up the stairs, there's another private two-seat spot up there!

Ugly's illustrated cocktail menu

The menu also had Ugly's own distinct mood to it. Each drink came with a cocktail illustration, so it was fun just to look through, and the design was pretty enough that browsing alone put me in a good mood.

Unlike a typical menu that just lists names, having illustrations alongside made it fun to figure out what each drink actually was!

* Pamplemousse * Berry Ugly

Can you order cocktails at Ugly without any food?

We'd already eaten before visiting Ugly, so we didn't order any separate food, but there wasn't any sense of being judged for it. The complimentary pretzels were kept refilled generously, so we could stay comfortably without feeling awkward.

Overall, the staff's service felt relaxed and the space had such a good atmosphere that it was easy to spend time there without any pressure.

The cup-shaped lights set on each table, haha — so cute, and so atmospheric!

The recommended Gin Fizz and my friend's Cosmopolitan

The staff were friendly and it was nice being able to get recommendations tailored to taste when choosing a drink. If you're visiting for the first time and can't decide, asking staff for a recommendation seems like a great option.

This time I was recommended the Gin Fizz by staff, and it turned out to be exactly my kind of cocktail. If you usually like a fresh lemon highball, please, please... just drink the Gin Fizz...🩵!

And this is the Cosmopolitan my friend ordered

Final verdict on Ugly, Gangnam

• Recommend visiting after sunset
• Wide range of seating from two-tops to four-tops to group tables
• Even the menu illustrations are stylish and fun to browse
• Staff are friendly and make it easy to stay comfortably

The atmosphere and the space were what I liked most overall, so I'd love to come back next time I'm looking for a date or meetup spot near Gangnam Station!