# Espresso Martini and gambas bread at Bitters, a Hongdae cocktail bar

- By After-Party Receipt Keeper (https://superchart.com/en/@mangwon-second-tab/)
- Written Aug 9, 2026
- Local places › Bars › Mapo, Seoul
- Sponsored: This post was written as a sponsored store visit.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@mangwon-second-tab/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@mangwon-second-tab/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/index.md) · [日本語](https://superchart.com/ja/@mangwon-second-tab/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/index.md)

## In short

Bitters is a cocktail bar on the first basement floor of a building on Hongik-ro near Hongik University Station in Mapo, Seoul. Two friends opened with a Valheim and a Gimlet alongside gambas, then ordered a second round of Espresso Martini and Anne of Green Gables and added bread to the gambas. The Bitters bartender asked about their tastes before recommending, so every order was a hit, and the gambas bread with cocktails was the standout pairing.

## Good to know

- **Location**: B1, 3-30 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (basement of the Hongdae Mulgalbi building)
- **Hours**: Daily 19:00–02:00
- **Parking**: Ask the bar in advance
- **Seating**: Bar counter, regular tables and a group table for up to 15
- **Signature menu**: 12 signature cocktails (book-style menu)
- **What we ordered**: Valheim, Gimlet, Espresso Martini, Anne of Green Gables, gambas (with added bread)

*as written by the visitor on Aug 9, 2026*

I had plans with a friend in Hongdae. We usually go for brunch and cafés rather than drinks when we meet up, but you know those days... when you just want a drink 😌 So I went looking for a nice-vibe Hongdae cocktail bar for something sweet and delicious. Here's my very satisfying review of 'Bitters.'

![Featured photo of Bitters, a Hongdae cocktail bar](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-01-1w4sp-1200.webp)

## Bitters location, hours, and group seating

Bitters is a Hongdae cocktail bar located in the basement of 3-30 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It's open daily 19:00–02:00, parking requires calling ahead, and there's a group table that seats up to 15.

- Location: 3-30 Hongik-ro B1, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Daily 19:00–02:00
- Parking: Inquire with the store in advance
- Group table seating up to 15 available

![Exterior of the Hongik-ro building where Bitters is located](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-02-1a92a-900.webp)

Bitters, a Hongdae cocktail bar, is on the basement level of the building with Hongdae Mulgalbi! You take the elevator down 😊

![Elevator going down to the basement level](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-03-1mell-900.webp)

![Bookshelf entrance you see right off the elevator](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-04-g0g99-900.webp)

## A bookshelf entrance when you step off the elevator

Bitters' entrance isn't a door — it's a bookshelf. I got off the elevator and there was a bookshelf instead of a door...!! There's a spot you push to open it, but I won't spoil it so you can have fun finding it yourselves haha. Fresh from the entrance already.

The interior caught my eye the moment I walked in. Even though it's a basement, the high ceilings meant it didn't feel cramped at all — actually felt airy. The music wasn't too loud and the playlist was great too, which made the vibe even better.

I debated sitting at the bar table but decided on a regular table this time! Perfect space for chatting 🤍

![Regular table inside Bitters with its high ceilings](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-05-osgqe-900.webp)

![Interior view showing the Bitters bar counter](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-06-hcwzu-900.webp)

I love that there's a variety of spaces to enjoy — bar table, regular tables, and even a group table. The group table can apparently seat up to 15. Would be so great for a gathering at a cocktail bar 😭

![Seating area with group table and bar table](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-07-1ahuk-711.webp)

## Can't decide on a cocktail? The book-shaped menu and bartender recommendations

Bitters' menu has 12 signature cocktails, each described with flavor notes and illustrations. Time for a proper menu deep-dive. I don't go to cocktail bars that often so choosing can be tough. The bartender recommended several based on the styles I liked and explained everything so kindly — loved that!

![Bitters cocktail menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-08-11hh5-m-900.webp)

![Book-shaped signature menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-09-15mkc-m-900.webp)

![Signature cocktail page with flavors shown through illustrations](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-10-1pcii-900.webp)

What especially stood out was this book-shaped menu — the 12 signature cocktails are expressed with illustrations alongside their flavors, which made choosing more fun.

![Table with the menu open while choosing a cocktail](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-11-1sd7o-855.webp)

![Page showing the 12 signature cocktail menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-12-a7uf4-900.webp)

## First round: Valheim and Gimlet

For our first round, my friend chose the signature cocktail Valheim and I chose the Gimlet. The recommended cocktails arrived along with the gambas we ordered. So pretty, right..✨ The bread came out beautifully golden-brown and the shrimp were generously portioned too — totally satisfied.

![Two cocktails and a serving of gambas](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-13-16xh3-900.webp)

![Gambas served with golden-brown bread](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-14-gr93u-900.webp)

My friend's signature cocktail order, 'Valheim.' Not too sweet, refreshing, with the herb notes blending in nicely (has a bit of a kick, though).

![The signature Valheim cocktail](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-15-nvrlj-875.webp)

![Valheim cocktail topped with an herb garnish](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-16-11sp4-853.webp)

What I ordered was the 'Gimlet,' which was refreshing but not too light — just right. How did they recommend something that suited my taste so perfectly?! They asked each of us carefully about what flavors we preferred, so both orders were a hit 👏👏

![A classic Gimlet cocktail](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-17-cjzqj-894.webp)

![Gimlet placed on the table alongside gambas](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-18-1312i-900.webp)

## Bitters' gambas — why we added the extra bread

For anyone who loves gambas, come here to Bitters, a Hongdae cocktail bar..!!!! This place is a gambas hotspot ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

![Bitters' gambas loaded with shrimp](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-19-y7koe-900.webp)

With gambas, good bread matters, and this bread was great too — golden-brown and warm, dipped in the oil with shrimp and garlic on top, there's no better bar snack..😭 It was also a perfect match with my Gimlet hahaha.

![Dipping bread into the gambas oil](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-20-1f8lu-900.webp)

![Bread topped with gambas shrimp and garlic](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-21-1tqp4-900.webp)

While eating, I realized — the music playing at just the right volume with a great playlist, plus delicious food, would make this a perfect date spot.

![Table at Bitters with cocktails and food](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-22-8356t-900.webp)

## Second round: Espresso Martini and Anne of Green Gables

For our second round, we chose the Espresso Martini and Anne of Green Gables. We were in a good mood and the food was great, so we ordered another cocktail each. (Added more gambas bread too...^^) The names Espresso Martini and Anne of Green Gables are so pretty too.

![Espresso Martini and Anne of Green Gables cocktails](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-23-k6ydy-900.webp)

The Espresso Martini... visually amazing. If you love coffee, you absolutely have to try this!!! Slightly sweet with a rich coffee aroma that made me want to come back for it again. The Anne of Green Gables had a sweet-tart flavor that put you in a good mood the moment you tasted it — a flavor anyone would like.

![Extra gambas bread with the second round of cocktails](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne/hongdae-cocktail-bar-espresso-martini-anne-24-1y4r3-966.webp)

## Why Bitters works for solo drinks, dates, and gatherings

We enjoyed the extra bread just as much. It had been a while since I'd been to a cocktail bar, and the quality of both the cocktails and food, plus the relaxed yet upscale vibe, made for such a happy time 💕 I'll definitely be back!

Bitters, a Hongdae cocktail bar I recommend for solo drinks, date nights, and gatherings alike. If you're craving a good cocktail, you have to visit!!!!

## Where it is

- Bitters (비터스)
- 3-30 Hongik-ro B1, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 마포구 홍익로 3-30 B1
- 37.5529378, 126.9230457
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%B9%84%ED%84%B0%EC%8A%A4/@37.5529378,126.9230457,17z

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