Bupyeong cocktail bar DJ lounge and roulette event: Columbus Lounge

Why we picked Columbus Lounge for round two after lamb skewers near Bupyeong Station

Columbus Lounge, a cocktail bar near Bupyeong Station, was our second-round spot that night. After a delicious dinner of lamb skewers, my sister and I were trying to decide where to go for round two, and since we hadn't had a proper evening together in a while, we wanted somewhere a little different from an ordinary bar.

We were looking for a place where we could sip cocktails, listen to music, and chat comfortably, and that's how we ended up at Columbus Lounge, a cocktail bar near Bupyeong Station. I wanted to catch up properly, and rather than a quiet drinking spot, I wanted somewhere with a good vibe and upbeat music to enjoy a cocktail and have fun. So that's how we picked Columbus Lounge for round two :)

Columbus Lounge floor layout and opening hours

Columbus Lounge has different spaces spread from the basement up to the 4th floor. Each floor has a slightly different concept, so you can pick the mood you want.

• B1 is a hookah & whiskey bar
• 2F is the cocktail bar & DJ lounge
• 3F is a cigar lounge
• 4F is the rooftop
• Hours: daily 18:00 – 06:00 the next day

The pirate-themed entrance and neon lighting

We decided to head up to the 2nd floor, home to the DJ lounge and cocktail bar. Even the walk up was lit with neon lighting creating a striking atmosphere, so before we even got inside, it already felt like we'd stepped into somewhere different.

The softly glowing lights gave the space a slightly dreamy feel, definitely different from an ordinary bar. I heard Columbus Lounge's pirate concept is meant to represent a voyage toward a new world. From the name to the mood of every corner, the concept really came through clearly, and it felt unique and fresh.

2nd floor seating and the dart area at Columbus Lounge

The 2nd floor of Columbus Lounge is split between table seats and bar seats, so you can pick whichever suits your mood. There's also a dart set on one side where you can play a game.

It was a completely different vibe from a typical bar, and honestly I felt a little excited the moment we walked in :) The interior carries the pirate concept throughout, with flashy lighting that kept the same distinctive atmosphere we'd felt at the entrance. It's not just a place to sit and drink — you can play darts with friends too, which made it a fun spot for a second-round hangout.

Cocktail performances seen from the bar seats

I sat at the bar seat that night. I chose it because I heard you can watch the cocktails being made up close.

I got to watch a variety of cocktails being made right in front of me, plus the staff's little performances in between, which made it a lot more fun than just sitting at a table drinking. Watching the cocktails come together while having a drink made even the waiting time enjoyable!

What we ordered: Godfather and Time That Never Returns

Looking through the menu, we ended up ordering two cocktails: Time That Never Returns and Godfather.

While we waited, the staff were warm and friendly, explaining each detail kindly. Between the great atmosphere and the attentive staff, there wasn't a single dull moment the whole time we sat there.

The restroom is inside the venue too, which was convenient.

Godfather: smoked cinnamon aroma and a heavy finish

For the Godfather, they smoke the glass with cinnamon before pouring. Bring the glass close and you get a subtle cinnamon scent, and the taste itself was heavy and rich with a quietly sweet edge.

There was also a welcome drink, served in a body-shaped cup as a little extra touch that stuck with me, haha. It was refreshingly sweet and easy to drink, almost like a soft drink, clean and something you kept reaching for. Since it was so easy to drink, I felt like I might get tipsy faster than expected, swept up in the mood.

Time That Never Returns: an oolong tea base with dry ice

Time That Never Returns★ is presented by opening a glass dome with dry ice pouring out — the moment it's revealed it looks so pretty that I got excited just looking at it before even taking a sip. They said to think of it as a cocktail with an oolong tea base.

It had oolong tea's clean, subtle flavor with a sweet peach note added, making it go down more smoothly than I expected. Rather than a strong alcohol taste up front, it was sweet with a clean finish, so I think it'd be easy to drink even for people who aren't very familiar with cocktails.

Free ice cream and a flaming high-proof cocktail

Midway through, they thoughtfully brought out ice cream on the house♥ Getting a sweet snack while drinking put me in a good mood without even realizing it. These little extras made the whole evening feel that much better.

At one point I ordered the highest-proof cocktail on the menu. They explained you're supposed to light it on fire and drink it quickly. The moment the flame went up, the whole mood shifted — it was fascinating to watch and fun in itself. I think it would really suit people who love strong liquor. One sip in, you could definitely tell it was high-proof — rich and heavy.

Columbus Lounge events: SNS snack and the roulette spin

If you take part in their Instagram event, they hand out a whole spread of chocolates and snacks. Getting to enjoy cocktails plus snacks felt like a nice little bonus. This place really lives up to being an 'event central.'

Two Lemon Drops won on the roulette event

Another fun part was the roulette event! You spin the wheel and win whatever prize the arrow lands on. We gave it a spin and got lucky, winning two Lemon Drops on the house.

Wait, are you really allowed to spoil us this much?

There was never a dull moment. And can we talk about how gorgeous the free Lemon Drop glasses were? Between how good the cocktail tasted and how pretty the glass looked, I ended up taking a photo before even drinking it.

What the DJ lounge played on the 2nd floor

I personally love hip-hop and upbeat music, so the music at Columbus Lounge's 2nd floor DJ lounge was right up my alley. They played nostalgic songs I used to listen to a lot, mixed in nicely with newer tracks.

It gave off a vibe like being in a Itaewon lounge, and the DJ seemed to curate the set so that both younger crowds and older ones could enjoy it. Sipping a cocktail while listening to music, whenever a familiar song came on I couldn't help getting into it. Hearing beats and songs I used to love almost took me back in time for a moment.

Every so often, music matching the venue's concept would come on too. Tracks that felt like the start of a voyage played, along with what seemed like the venue's signature 'setting sail' song, and with smoke effects layered on top, the whole mood heated up even more. The way the music and performance came together felt almost grand, giving a different kind of fun than just sitting and drinking cocktails.

Who Columbus Lounge in Bupyeong suits best

That's my visit to Columbus Lounge, a cocktail bar near Bupyeong Station. If you're in the mood for solo drinking sometimes, or want a distinctive experience beyond an ordinary bar, it's worth a visit.

With friendly, warm staff, games to play, and generous extras handed out throughout, there was a lot of fun packed into the evening. With so many different events lined up, there was never a dull moment at this bar. Best of all, each cocktail comes with its own distinctive performance, so it was a treat for both the palate and the eyes. If you're in the mood for a night out with cocktails, music, and performances in a different kind of atmosphere, this place is worth checking out.