Hongdae cocktail bar with QR ordering and a fire show: BLab Hongdae

I had a proper Friday night out in Hongdae with my friends. The weather has been getting hotter, so I kept craving a cool, tasty cocktail. After some thinking, we went to BLab (비랩), the unlimited cocktail bar that's supposedly super hot in Hongdae right now. The vibe was perfect and the drinks were perfect, everything really, so I want to introduce it to you right away.

What is BLab Hongdae, and how much does it cost?

BLab Hongdae is an unlimited cocktail bar on the 3rd floor at 10 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. For ₩18,000, with no time limit, you can drink about 60 signature cocktails plus highballs, tequila and liquor shots without limit. BLab has been loved as an icon of Hongdae cocktails for over 10 years, since 2012, so I was even more excited.

There are so many bars as you walk around Hongdae, but the name alone already feels hip, right? Above all, the biggest charm is this reasonable price. Isn't it the best value ever?

BLab Hongdae atmosphere and board games

The inside of BLab Hongdae is spacious with hip interior design that gives it a unique mood, and board games are available for free on one side. Because it's so big it never felt stuffy, and it was perfect for chatting comfortably.

Sipping cocktails and playing board games with my friends, we lost track of time. I don't think there's a better place for couples or friends to make special memories.

What drinks are on the BLab Hongdae menu?

The BLab Hongdae menu had so many cocktails and other drinks. They even have soju, haha.

How do you order at BLab Hongdae?

At BLab Hongdae, you scan the QR code on the table and an order page pops up. Once you order there, you get a notification on KakaoTalk (Korea's main messaging app). When it comes, you just pick up your drink at the counter, and that's it.

How did the cocktails at BLab Hongdae taste?

The cocktails at BLab Hongdae tasted much deeper and richer than what you get at an ordinary bar. Maybe it's because the bartender has more than 20 years of experience, but the quality was truly outstanding.

It's not just famous classic cocktails. There were lots of BLab's own signature cocktails, born from the constant research of a working bartender who is also a competition judge, so choosing what to drink was a lot of fun. Even people trying cocktails for the first time can enjoy them without pressure, since the menu is so varied and the staff explain things kindly.

We kept ordering colorful cocktails in pretty glasses, one of each kind, and every sip tasted new and moving, so I was really happy.

Can you bring your own food to BLab Hongdae?

At BLab Hongdae, you can order delivery food to suit your taste or bring your own to eat there. That's another big plus of BLab.

The fire shot performance at BLab Hongdae

BLab's signature performance, the hwaju (화주, a flaming shot), feels like a fire show, and it was sooo cool, haha. It felt like we were taking home one more special memory.

Is BLab Hongdae worth going back to?

BLab Hongdae isn't just a place to drink. It felt like a multi-purpose cultural space where you can have a great time with board games in a comfortable setting. The staff were really kind and the place was kept clean, so I felt well looked after the whole time.

If you want to really experience cocktail culture in Hongdae, please give it a visit. I'm already thinking about which cocktails to try next time, that's how satisfied I was. This weekend, why not set off on a special cocktail journey with a dear friend or your partner?