Solo drinking bar in Nowon, Seoul with QR ordering: Yahwa

The look and vibe of Yahwa, a solo drinking bar in Nowon

Tonight I had a satisfying first round for dinner and wasn't quite ready to head home, so I came to Yahwa, a solo drinking bar in Nowon, for round two. Down a side alley, once it hit past 8 PM the yellow-lit sign was glowing just right, and I was already excited before even walking in.

Have you guys ever been to a solo drinking bar? I hadn't either until this visit — apparently it's the kind of place people in their 20s and 30s go to make friends. A different vibe from a hunting pocha (pick-up bar)? Rather than going to meet a couple's match, it's more like, "let's casually make a friend or a connection."

Walking in, it was decorated like a small cocktail bar with real atmosphere. There was just this one table, and pretty much only chairs to be seen.

You get greeted right when you walk in and shown to your seat. Usually they seat you facing each other haha, good for chatting away.

Once we sat down there were a bunch of little toys in front of us. There was that thing where you press it and it bites, and a flick-punch machine too. Since it was just the two of us we didn't get to try the cards, but I think they'd be great for breaking the ice if you came with a group or were chatting with other people.

Complimentary snacks, the QR menu, and the anonymous chat room

These snacks came out casually before we'd even ordered drinks. This is totally the kind of snack nobody dislikes haha. Chicken drumstick bites and Ghana chocolate came out — I saved the chocolate for later and happily ate the chicken first.

At Yahwa, the solo drinking bar in Nowon, each table has its own QR code. Scan it and you can check the menu right there. Interestingly, there's also an anonymous chat room. Obviously personal attacks or swearing aren't allowed. You sit where you're first assigned, and if you want to move seats, you should just ask first.

What's the cocktail menu like?

There were way too many cocktails to try, so I only captured a few. Both the names and the visuals are pretty enough that I'd recommend this as a Nowon bar. Some are lower proof than soju, so you can drink according to your own tolerance. The cocktail actually called Yahwa looks amazing in particular — I wanted to try it but, well, the price got in the way haha.

If you can't handle bitter drinks, the Peach Crush is mainly peach, so I'd recommend it if you like sweet drinks. The Kahlúa Milk has milk in it just like the name says, so it's smooth and tastes like coffee milk.

They also have popular options like Earl Grey highball and peach highball, so you can go with something safe and familiar too. A familiar taste is a good taste.

Cheesecake and cocktails — what did we actually drink?

I usually drink with water when I'm out, but if I had to pick, I love crackers with cream cheese or a cheese platter. And they happened to have cheesecake here. I got excited and ordered it right away.

But the visuals — wow. The price was decent too, and it was soft and just sweet enough, the kind of dessert you keep eating endlessly after drinks. If you've already eaten dinner before coming, I highly recommend getting a slice haha.

I don't remember the name, but I think it was a fairly strong long island tea, and then my favorite, a Midori sour. Looking at it like this, it feels like a Nowon bar and a dessert café at once haha.

This one was drunk by my friend who can really hold her liquor. For me it was too bitter and a struggle, but she said it was delicious and kept drinking it happily. Guess it's all about drinking to your own taste. It kind of tasted like cola too, somehow.

My beloved Midori sour~ whenever I go to a cocktail bar I always get this one. It barely tastes like alcohol at all, just like melon soda, so it's delicious.

Last up is the Black Russian. Even one sip and that strong vodka scent hits you hard — I really respect people who can drink this stuff well.

Who is Yahwa, this Nowon solo drinking bar, good for?

Next time I'd like to try some prettier-looking drinks too, and try more variety instead of the usual — that's how this Nowon solo drinking bar visit felt. It has a good atmosphere, so if you go with friends you might make some good connections or new friends too. The owner and staff were all young and looked close with each other, which made for a friendly mood.