Hongdae cocktail bar with a hidden door and story cocktails: Bitters

Hongdae’s Bitters, entered through a hidden door

I met up with a college friend in Hongdae for the first time in ages. We were looking for a Hongdae cocktail bar where we could chat over drinks at an easy pace, and this is where we ended up!

At first, I thought it would simply be a cocktail bar with a nice atmosphere, but the entrance was unique and every cocktail had a story behind it, so it was even more fun than I expected. It is especially a speakeasy bar where you open a secret door to get inside—it felt a little like visiting a hideout only we knew about.

Bitters location and opening hours in Hongdae

It is within walking distance of Hongik University Station, so getting there was easy enough.

Because it is underground, you need to look carefully for the entrance on a first visit. I wandered around for a moment too, thinking, “Where do I go in?” haha.

• Hours: Daily 19:00–02:00 the following day
• Last order: 01:30

A speakeasy bar behind the bookshelf

This is not a cocktail bar where you just open an ordinary door and walk in; it has a speakeasy concept, so I had no idea how to enter. This was definitely the door... but how do I open it?? Press one hidden book on the shelf and the door slowly swings open.

The mood changes completely on the other side of that one door, and I loved that it felt like stepping into a secret hideout only we knew about.

A cozy atmosphere for a quiet conversation

With its soft lighting and cozy space, time really slipped away while we had drinks and talked. I also looked up other reviews, and apparently Bitters is said to have the largest back bar in Hongdae.

It seems like a great fit whether you are looking for an atmospheric bar for a Hongdae date or want a quiet drink and a catch-up with a friend you have not seen in a while.

How to order and what is on the menu at Bitters

Orders are placed through a kiosk. I liked that you can pay right at your table too. Oh! One thing to remember: Bitters is a cashless venue!

Once we were seated, they brought over a menu and a book. There were plenty of options, so you can choose a cocktail that suits your taste.

The book contained detailed information about the signature cocktails. There were even drawings of them, so I could imagine their flavors while choosing, even though they were cocktails I had never seen before. We could have gone with something familiar, but decided to try cocktails that seemed worth having only here.

• Pereko No.2 ₩22,000
• Jeje ₩22,000
• Gamseon ₩22,000
• Gambas ₩25,000

When the cocktails were served, the bartender explained each one. They did not just taste different—each had a story inside it, so listening to the explanations while drinking made it extra enjoyable.

Pereko No.2 for a bright, refreshing flavor

I chose Pereko No.2. It has passion fruit on top, and the moment you take a sip, that passion-fruit-like aroma comes through strongly. I personally love this kind of bright fragrance, so it was right up my alley.

They melted the sugar with a torch, too. Another little thing to watch! haha.

Jeje, inspired by My Sweet Orange Tree

The bartender explained that this cocktail was inspired by My Sweet Orange Tree. Hearing the story suddenly made me even more curious about how it would taste. So I stole a sip of my friend’s, and ah...!!! I totally got it. It is a cocktail with a fresh orange aroma, and the fragrance was really lovely.

Gamseon, enjoyed with music

At first, I wondered why it was called Gamseon (“Electric Shock”) just from the name, but the bartender said it was inspired by Kenshi Yonezu’s song “Kanden.” And that was not all—they actually played the song while explaining the cocktail, hahaha. Being able to enjoy the music and the story together is Bitters’ charm!

Gambas with wonderfully plump shrimp

What I liked first about Bitters’ gambas was the large shrimp. They had a lovely bite, and it was just right to nibble on between cocktails. I wanted something that was not too heavy, but could still fill me up a little alongside drinks, and it was perfect.

An unusual cocktail bar I would like to revisit

More than anything, I loved that every signature cocktail had its own personality! Enjoying each one with its story made the experience more memorable. If you are looking for somewhere a little different from the usual drinking spots in Hongdae, an atmospheric Hongdae cocktail bar, or a bar that is nice for a date, I think Bitters is well worth a visit.