Gwangjin bar for Friday cocktails and games: Yahwa

A second- or third-stop spot near Konkuk University Station Exit 2

As you can see on the map, it is quite close to Exit 2. I recommend it as a good place to stop by for a second round.

Today, I was meeting former coworkers after work. It had been a while since we had talked, so after a first and second round, we ended up going for a third too. Waking up this morning with a scratchy throat, I wondered if it was because I talked too much yesterday. I have not had many plans lately, and I do not talk much at work either, so I think I had even more to say.

It was not far from Konkuk University Station, so it was easy to find. Konkuk University feels like it is getting busier and busier. The hot spots in Seoul have changed over time, but the Konkuk University commercial area feels as though it is drawing more people. When I was in my early twenties, pickup bars were famous around Konkuk University, then the area was quiet for a long time, but lately it feels busy again. Or maybe it is just because I moved from Sinchon to Seongsu and live closer to Konkuk University now, so I visit more often.

Maybe because it was Friday evening, there were so many people. Everyone was sitting facing one another and talking about their own different stories. Even with so many people, it did not feel especially noisy, so it was a good place for conversation. The evening temperature, which made me feel that fall had arrived, made the air-conditioning feel cold.

Hwanyeong and Godfather, drinks for the third round

This was my second visit to Yahwa Solo Drinking Bar Konkuk University Branch (야화 혼술바 서울 건대점), and they now had a drink called Hwanyeong. It seemed to be made from on soju, and it had a pear scent; I ordered it first and it was nice. I do not know exactly what kind of liquor it was, but thinking about what I drank yesterday, it is amazing that I have no hangover today.

Maybe because it also has darts, the Konkuk University branch feels a little busier. I think it would be great for people who enjoy meeting others.

I saw what another table had ordered, asked a staff member what it was, and ended up ordering it. The scent of burning cinnamon was so lovely. Of course, it was a little strong to put your nose right up close and smell the cinnamon burning...! True to its name, the Godfather was much stronger than I expected, so it was nice to sip slowly.

Games that make solo visitors feel at ease

Since this is a solo drinking bar, it has several games prepared so people who come alone can play with the people seated in front of them without feeling awkward. This game gave two extremely dramatic examples and made you choose one of them. The scenarios were so dramatic that many of the questions made my friends gasp.

When we first came in, we played the crocodile tooth-pressing game. It was funny how whoever got the third turn was guaranteed to get caught.

It had been so long since I played One Card that I could not remember the rules. The internet was not working well, but one coworker looked it up online while going upstairs for a cigarette, then we gave the game a try.

After our last drinks, it was getting later and later, so we paid and left. Even though it was midnight, Konkuk University was full of people as if it were broad daylight. It was such a fun Friday evening after a long time. I think it would be nice to come to this solo drinking bar alone too. Coming on an evening with no plans makes you feel hopeful that you might spend time with some good people.