Gwangjin bar for solo cocktail mingling: Yahwa

A bar in Konkuk University where going solo does not feel awkward?

Solo-drinking bars have been so popular lately, and I kept seeing them on social media, so I had been curious. Friends around me said visiting alone was fun and a little different, too. I wanted to experience it at least once, so today I visited Yahwa Solo Drinking Bar Konkuk University Branch (야화 혼술바 서울 건대점), one of the popular solo-drinking bars around Konkuk University in Seoul.

The bar table is shaped like the Korean letter ㄷ, so people sit facing one another or side by side and can naturally strike up conversations with the people in front of or next to them.

Yahwa Solo Drinking Bar Konkuk University Branch has an atmosphere where even solo visitors can naturally talk with others. It feels like a Konkuk University bar I would recommend to anyone looking for a social bar to meet and connect with new people.

The Friday-night atmosphere

When I arrived at around 9 p.m. on Friday, the bar was about half full, but it became nearly packed before long. The number of women and men felt fairly even, and many guests seemed to be in their mid-20s to early 30s. Some had come for a drink alone, while others came with groups of two to four friends, so it felt comfortable both for visiting solo and for having a casual drink with friends.

Cocktail and whisky menu options

Here is the menu at Yahwa Solo Drinking Bar Konkuk University Branch. There are Yahwa-only options such as Won Soju collaboration drinks and signature cocktails, plus a really wide range of cocktails from classics to non-alcoholic choices, which I loved.

Here is the whisky menu. There was also a varied selection of whisky, and despite being a solo-drinking bar, the prices felt reasonable rather than especially expensive.

Table setting and simple games

They brought over chicken-leg-shaped crackers as the basic snack, and the table had simple things to do, including card games, crocodile roulette, and a guestbook.

• Flower Sleep ₩14,000
• Dalmore 12 Year ₩14,000
• New York cheesecake ₩8,000
• Peach Blossom ₩15,000

What I drank, from Flower Sleep to Peach Blossom

Flower Sleep

For my first drink, I ordered Flower Sleep, a Yahwa signature cocktail at 9.5% ABV—just the right strength for getting pleasantly tipsy. Delicate floral notes were paired with refreshing lemon, making it fragrant and fresh overall. The alcohol taste was not strong, so it was easy to drink. Still, it was not too low in alcohol, either; it was a delicious sweet-and-tangy cocktail for getting pleasantly tipsy, and one I would recommend even to people who are not great with alcohol.

Dalmore 12 Year

There were around 30 kinds of spirits available by the glass, including whisky, cognac, and tequila. It is a nice place to choose a drink according to your taste, and the atmosphere does not feel intimidating if you want to come alone and enjoy a drink slowly. You can naturally chat with new people, of course, but it also seems like a great Konkuk University bar for literally coming in for a drink by yourself.

Cheesecake

The snacks were mostly very simple items, but ordering them is not mandatory, and outside food is allowed. I thought it could be fun to order delivery food and drink together with friends or people you get to know at the solo-drinking bar.

Peach Blossom

For my final drink, I ordered Peach Blossom, a signature cocktail with an appealing fresh fruit aroma. At 8% ABV, it is on the lighter side and easy to drink—and it is a flavor women will absolutely love! Yahwa Solo Drinking Bar Konkuk University Branch has a great atmosphere, but the cocktails were so tasty that I think I will be craving them again.

A casual drink near Konkuk University Station

If you are looking for an atmospheric solo-drinking bar around Konkuk University in Seoul, I would recommend Yahwa Solo Drinking Bar Konkuk University Branch! It is right near Konkuk University Station, so it is easy to find, and everything from the atmosphere to the cocktail flavors was more satisfying than I expected. It was nearly full on Friday evening, so if you want a Konkuk University bar where you can naturally chat with new people over a drink, it is worth visiting at least once.