Hongdae cocktail bar for a late-night second round: Sinclair at

Bitters, located near Hongik University Station and Hapjeong Station. I visited as a second-round cocktail bar after feeling like the Hongdae outing wasn't quite over yet. It was late so I kept it light, but I was so satisfied I've already picked out what cocktail I'll order next time.

Where is Bitters, and where can you park?

Bitters is located at 3-30 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, B1. It's 440m from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station.

There's no parking at the building itself. You can use the Hapjeong public roadside parking lot (770m away), which is about a 10-minute walk from Bitters.

What the Hongdae building looks like from outside

Even though I've been going to Hongdae constantly since moving nearby, this was my first time at a Hongdae cocktail bar, so I was full of excitement.

Seating and amenities at Bitters

• Sommelier
• Group bookings available
• Wi-Fi
• Separate men's/women's restrooms
• Wheelchair-accessible entrance
• Wheelchair-accessible seating
• No-kids zone
• Reservable bar-table group seating (4 to 15 people), standing

The hidden entrance and the mood inside

From the moment I walked in and saw the hidden entrance, I knew I'd definitely be back again. "Hidden gem" is the phrase that fits this place perfectly.

Even on a late weeknight, there were plenty of people drinking solo, and since the staff have signage saying they can communicate in English, there were a lot of foreign guests too.

The complimentary snack and the drinks menu

The staple cocktail bar side dish comes out by default, and every piece of tableware is so refined it's pure aesthetic vibes.

The listed cocktail menu is already varied, but if they have the ingredients, they can make drinks that aren't even on the menu, so if you have a favorite cocktail in mind, feel free to ask separately!

How did the Sinclair and Finklet taste?

Yoon-i ordered the Sinclair. The smoky aroma was stronger than expected, which ended up making it even more to her taste than she imagined.

I was torn between the Anne of Green Gables and the Finklet, but since I don't love low-ABV cocktails, I went with the slightly stronger Finklet. The combination with the garnish served alongside it was truly perfect — I really recommend trying it.

The basic platter and the melon jamón plate

The basic platter and melon jamón plate that came out. Honestly, this basic platter alone would have been enough.

I'd always been curious about the melon + jamón combo but kept putting it off, wondering if they'd really go together. I finally tried it this time and it was genuinely perfect... When both the cocktails and the side dishes are this on point, this is officially a regular spot for me now.

What was good, what fell short at Bitters

If you're looking for a cocktail bar in Hongdae with great atmosphere, this is the place. The staff were super friendly too, so it was a pleasant visit overall. Great location, great concept — somewhere I'll definitely come back to.

Nothing to complain about.

If you're looking for a great-vibe date spot in Hongdae, I recommend Bitters, the cocktail bar (♥)