Solo drinking bar in Sillim, Seoul with owner-led games: Sijeom Sillim

New to solo drinking bars? How about Sijeom Sillim?

Sijeom Sillim (서울혼술바 시점 신림점) is a solo drinking bar between Sillim Station and Danggok Station, and I could mingle there without feeling awkward at all, even though I came alone. I usually love drinking by myself, but I'd never been to a solo drinking bar, so I searched for a nice one in Sillim and ended up at Sijeom. I went alone with half worry, half excitement, and I had such a good time that I want to introduce it to you all!

How to get to Sijeom Sillim

Sijeom Sillim is about a 7-minute walk from Exit 7 of Sillim Station and about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Danggok Station in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. I took a bus instead of the subway, and since you can just head for Gogo Cheolpan (a teppanyaki spot nearby), it wasn't hard to find.

Will it feel awkward to walk in alone? Seating and first impressions

The bar has one long table, and the owner assigns your seat. You can't see inside from outside and I was going alone, so I was a little nervous at first, but once I opened the door the atmosphere was more relaxed than I expected and I felt at ease. Other guests had come alone too, so it wasn't awkward at all. There was another woman who came alone besides me!!

Cocktails at Sijeom Sillim: Faust, Long Island iced tea, Peach Crush

You order by QR code. I wanted to get a little tipsy that day, so I started with Faust, a high-proof cocktail.

I'd enjoyed Faust before, so I ordered it again. The aroma was subtle and well balanced, so it was nice to sip slowly.

Next I ordered a Long Island iced tea, then a Peach Crush. The Long Island was clean and went down easily, I'd say? The Peach Crush, which I had last, had a sweetness that made it a perfect finish. Each one has its own personality, so it was fun to try them one by one.

Games run by the owner: when drinking alone becomes a get-together

The best thing about Sijeom Sillim was how naturally the owner leads the mood.

After a few drinks I'd started talking with the people around me and the awkwardness had mostly faded, but the owner kept preparing different games and helping everyone join in, so I quickly forgot I'd come alone. It was amazing and fun to laugh and chat with people I'd just met without any pressure.

It wasn't just one game either, there was a variety, and I really lost track of time. I thought, "I'll just stay a little while," and before I knew it I was laughing and chatting away. It felt like I'd come to a small get-together rather than a solo drinking bar, which made it even more memorable!

It's not just a rowdy place

Another thing I liked about Sijeom Sillim is that it isn't merely noisy, it's a space where people are considerate of each other and relax. On top of that, the guests that day were all introverts (I types) yet chatted naturally, and our MBTIs were all similar, so our sense of humor and conversation clicked. So amazing!!!!!

If you're looking for a bar with a good vibe in Sillim

If you're looking for a bar with a nice atmosphere in Sillim, I'd recommend Sijeom Sillim. It's a 7-minute walk from Sillim Station Exit 7 and 5 minutes from Danggok Station Exit 1, so it's easy to reach, and between the tasty cocktails and the variety of games the owner runs, I had a special time. Even though I came alone, there was no awkwardness at all, and I got to laugh with new people, so it was a really satisfying day.

This was only my second solo drinking bar, but I had such a good time at Sijeom Sillim that I'll come back next time I want a drink! (TMI: the owner here is handsome,,,,,)