Live jazz with highballs at a Gwangjin bar: Kick Ass Jazz Club

A live jazz club I found in Gunja

Kick Ass Jazz Club (킥애즈재즈클럽), a bar in Gunja. An incredible place has appeared. I've been to Gunja plenty of times, but I never expected somewhere like this to open. Just like that, the neighborhood has gone up a cultural level too.

I once stopped in my tracks, startled by the sound of drums while passing by. A live performance?!! The day I finally made good on my promise to come back arrived.

Inside, it is practically New Orleans or Kansas City. The red lighting speaks for a desire to be carried away by the music. I took a seat about five meters in front of the red curtain. Sitting right in front felt like too much, so I left a little space. Psychologically, though, you could say I was practically glued to it.

The performance was at 7:30 p.m. I sat down 10 minutes early and looked over the menu. On performance days, there is an admission fee: ₩12,000 per person. It is amazing that you can see about an hour and a half of music for that price, but I won't be too amazed. I don't want it to go up.

Beer and cocktails. A cheese platter. To enjoy music, alcohol is essential. Is there a better ingredient for getting into the mood?

The Kim Da-hee Band. Ms. Kim Da-hee was on piano. Beautiful. I salute my own eyes for not looking away for even a second. It had been a long time since I had stared at anything for so long. As each player's skill shone, the ensemble gradually ripened.

Whenever a familiar melody came on, I even raised my arms up to shoulder height. Great courage plus a little buzz. No need to go to Itaewon. Both the atmosphere and the musicianship are top-notch. Says this older brother who has been to America, Itaewon, and jazz bars in Europe: listen and enjoy it here.

Entering Kick Ass Jazz Club before the show

This place sits on the way from Gunja Station toward Junggok-dong.

Kick Ass Jazz Club Gunja bar, cocktail bar A proper jazz club Kick Ass Jazz Club

Technically, it should be read “Kick Ass,” but let's add a spoonful of jazz and say “Kick Azz.”

I arrived 10 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. show. Manners make the person. You should get there early and wait. Really, though, it does not matter when you enter. Walk-ins and reservations are both welcome.

Wow, look at this atmosphere. Insane. It is practically New Orleans. I'd say it has surpassed even Itaewon, at minimum.

Those two by the door turned out to be today's performers—the instrumentalist and vocalist.

Looking only at this part, it is exactly like any other whiskey cocktail bar in Gunja.

Popcorn comes as standard. They also give you a welcome drink. I knocked it back in one shot and got mentally ready.

Live performance admission and menu

Menu

A notice from Kick Ass Jazz Club: live-performance admission is ₩12,000 per person.

We came to enjoy the music, so just a moderate amount of alcohol. To be honest, we had also arrived with our stomachs full from dinner.

What a lucky break. I did not actually take part, though.

Pre-show check, go go.

Meanwhile, a glass of beer appeared. Budweiser. It had been so long since I last had one that I thought, “This is what it tasted like?”

Added a highball.

Watching the Kim Da-hee Band live

And, start. Have a listen. It is about 18 seconds.

Then the cheese platter arrived too.

Since we were full, this was exactly enough to finish with.

Everyone held their breath and watched the performance. My gaze kept going to Ms. Kim Da-hee on piano. Another video drop.

The ceiling is covered in egg cartons. Soundproofing matters.

She can really sing. Her vocal power nearly rivals that of a Black female singer. This one is about 16 seconds.

Looking only at this area, it is an American jazz club. In reality, it is Kick Ass Jazz Club, a drinking spot in Gunja.

Next time, it would be nice to sit at the counter, tilting a drink while listening. Was that “Fly Me to the Moon,” or “Just the Two of Us”?

Ajio the music. Kick Ass Jazz Club, a Gunja bar and cocktail bar. A Gunja bar where you can enjoy high-quality jazz. Reservations or walk-ins, either is fine. If you love music. Applause for the Kim Da-hee Band for such moving performances.