# Hongdae cocktail bar for a late-night second round: Sinclair at - By Moeun (https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-evening-stool-2/) - Written Sep 18, 2026 - Local places › Bars › Mapo, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written after receiving a complimentary visit from the venue. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-evening-stool-2/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@seoul-evening-stool-2/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/index.md) ## In short Bitters is a basement cocktail bar in Hongdae, Mapo, Seoul, 440m from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station. Visiting late at night as a second stop after a day out in Hongdae, the writer ordered the smoky Sinclair and the stronger Finklet, along with the basic platter that comes with drinks and a melon jamón plate. Between the hidden entrance and the quiet room, Bitters works just as well for solo drinks as for a date. ## Good to know - **Location**: 3-30 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, B1 / 440m from Hongik University Station Exit 9 - **Parking**: No parking at the building; use Hapjeong public roadside parking lot (770m, 10-minute walk) - **Ordered**: Sinclair, Finklet, melon jamón plate (basic platter included) - **Seating**: Bar-table group seating for 4–15, standing height, available for private bookings - **Amenities**: Sommelier, group bookings available, Wi-Fi, separate men's and women's restrooms, wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating - **Policy**: No-kids zone *as written by the visitor on Sep 18, 2026* 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. ![Main image of Bitters, a Hongdae cocktail bar](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-01-8kauq-1200.webp) ## 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 ![Exterior of the building housing Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-02-ci1fh-966.webp) 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. ![Entrance leading down to the basement at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-03-1dlek-966.webp) ## 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 ![Review photo from a visit to Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-04-13c0c-966.webp) ## The hidden entrance and the mood inside ![The hidden entrance at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-05-sys1f-966.webp) 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. ![Interior bar space at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-06-q5b3b-966.webp) ![Interior seating atmosphere at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-07-dr6b3-966.webp) ![Full view of the bar counter at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-08-169wv-966.webp) ![Interior of Bitters late at night](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-09-c8i9y-966.webp) 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 ![Detail of tableware on the table at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-10-1cdq0-966.webp) ![Detail of the basic side dish at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-11-j0j9c-966.webp) The staple cocktail bar side dish comes out by default, and every piece of tableware is so refined it's pure aesthetic vibes. ![Cocktail menu at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-12-1mzco-966.webp) ![A page from the menu at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-13-3s7ep-966.webp) 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? ![The Sinclair cocktail at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-14-1igez-966.webp) *Sinclair* 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. ![The Finklet cocktail at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-15-1yoe4-966.webp) *Finklet* 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 at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-16-r3sk1-966.webp) ![Table setting with the basic platter and melon jamón plate at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-17-xwlto-966.webp) The basic platter and melon jamón plate that came out. Honestly, this basic platter alone would have been enough. ![The melon jamón plate at Bitters](https://img.superchart.com/images/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters-18-1v97z-966.webp) *Melon jamón plate* 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 (♥) ## Where it is - Bitters (비터스) - 3-30 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, B1 - 서울특별시 마포구 홍익로 3-30 B1 - 37.5529378, 126.9230457 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%B9%84%ED%84%B0%EC%8A%A4/@37.5529378,126.9230457,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-evening-stool-2/hongdae-cocktail-bar-sinclair-pinklet-bitters/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt