Hongdae cocktail bar with tablet ordering: Red-Haired Anne at Bitters

This is an honest review of Bitters, a Hongdae cocktail bar that's also great for drinking solo, with cocktails, whisky and snacks. I took the photos in July 2026, and everything here is my own firsthand experience.

If you're looking for a quiet place for a drink in Hongdae, I recommend Bitters. It's close to Hongdae's main street but run as a speakeasy, so there's real fun in visiting for the first time, and you can relax over everything from cocktails to whisky. This time I tried the signature cocktail Zezé, the Red-Haired Anne, and Glenfiddich 15, along with a melon jamón plate and honey cream cheese crackers. Shall we take a look together?

Bitters location and exterior: how to find the bookshelf entrance

Bitters is within walking distance of Hongik Univ. Station. It sits in an alley a little away from Hongdae's lively streets, so it suited a calm drink better than a bustling scene.

There's only a small standing sign in front of the building, so it's easy to walk right past.

You can't go in by the stairs. Take the elevator down to the basement and a bookshelf-shaped entrance appears.

Opening a bookshelf to walk in is the speakeasy concept, and it makes the visit feel special even for first-timers. You press a hidden button and the door opens.

It works as a date spot, and people looking for a quiet place to drink alone in Hongdae will also be very happy here.

Inside Bitters: is it comfortable for solo drinking?

The moment you step in, you get soft lighting and a classic mood, and it isn't too loud, so it's good for conversation. Bar seats and regular tables are nicely balanced, so you can pick whichever suits your mood. What impressed me most was how friendly the staff were.

I saw many solo guests passing the time naturally, so I thought it would be a low-pressure place to start drinking alone in Hongdae.

Bitters menu preview: ordering by tablet

You order Bitters' menu on a tablet, so even people who don't know much about drinks won't struggle.

Each cocktail comes with an illustration and an easy-to-read summary of aroma, taste and strength, and there's a wide range of whiskies too. Choosing a glass to match my taste was easy, and when I asked the bartender for a recommendation, they explained things in detail, which made choosing even simpler.

Besides drinks, there are also light plates and dessert-style snacks, so it suits a second round or a casual date.

How do Zezé, Red-Haired Anne and Glenfiddich 15 taste?

The first thing I had on this visit was Zezé. The first aroma is fresh, but the finish is surprisingly deep and easy to enjoy. It isn't overly sweet, so it was fine even after a meal.

Next was the Red-Haired Anne, which really felt as soft and sweet as its name. A faint fruit aroma rises and it ends crisply, so I think even people who don't drink much would find it easy.

The last drink was Glenfiddich 15, and it definitely had that deep whisky character.

Soft oak and a gentle sweetness came through in balance. It's a style to sip slowly, one mouthful at a time, so it was personally my favorite. With something for every taste, it's a lineup I'd recommend to anyone visiting a Hongdae cocktail bar.

Melon jamón plate and honey cream cheese crackers: snack review

The snacks I ordered with the drinks were also very satisfying. At Bitters, the melon jamón plate pairs salty jamón (cured ham) with sweet melon, and it worked much better than I expected. Eaten with whisky, neither overpowers the other's flavor, so the pairing was quite good.

The honey cream cheese crackers blend soft cream cheese with sweet honey and are nice as a dessert-like bite. With the crunchy crackers on top, they went especially well with cocktails, and I think they'd be popular with women too. The snacks were well made overall, which let me enjoy my drink even more leisurely.

An honest verdict on Bitters, with good value

If you're looking for a bar with a good atmosphere in Hongdae, Bitters is a choice you'll be quite happy with. Its biggest strengths are the stylish interior, friendly service, and the chance to enjoy a range of cocktails and whiskies together. I'd recommend it without hesitation to first-timers at a Hongdae cocktail bar and to anyone seeking a quiet spot for solo drinks in Hongdae.