Gangnam cocktail bar with a starry ceiling: Ugly

A must-visit cocktail bar by Gangnam Station A Yeoksam-dong bar with a wonderful atmosphere

How do you find Ugly near Gangnam Station, and what is it like?

I visited Ugly, a lovely cocktail bar near Gangnam Station~ It is in a popular spot that gets incredibly busy with after-work crowds.

I had actually been here once before, but it had been so long that I was a little confused about the entrance. Luckily, I found it right away~

Go in through the entrance with the famous paintings and head up to the fifth floor. The directions are clear from there, so it is not difficult to find~

As soon as you reach the fifth floor, you come across a space with a fantastic atmosphere. From the photo spot to the waiting seats, everything felt very upscale and full of its own distinctive mood.

Once inside, the glamorous space I remembered appeared before me, like a night with stars falling from the sky.

It is busy even on weekdays, so I tried to arrive as early as possible. Even so, quite a few people were already seated.

There were semi-private, room-like seats on the first floor, and the atmosphere behind the curtains looked so nice.

There is terrace seating too, but after being shown in, I first went upstairs to the second level.

Up the stairs, you can enjoy the view from the second level—or perhaps half a floor up? It was the perfect place to really take in the glamorous atmosphere of Ugly Bar.

Unless you are terribly afraid of heights, I think this is exactly the place to enjoy the view~ I liked it enough that I would want to sit above the stairs again next time.

A storybook-like menu and a night-sky ceiling

The menu was designed a bit like a storybook.

The lighting on the table added to the mood too.

The ceiling here is especially spectacular, making it a joy to look at. It felt like a night sky, or perhaps outer space, and the high ceiling made the room feel even more comfortable and atmospheric. It is not only a great cocktail bar by Gangnam Station, but also an ideal date spot with a lovely mood.

Hookah, shisha, and outside-food rules

Open the storybook-like menu and you can read the detailed guide to using the bar. Hookah and shisha are available only at designated tables, and the only outside food allowed is a birthday cake. The call bell is under the table, and the smoking area is on the terrace outside, so do keep that in mind.

Apple Martini, Moai, and melon & prosciutto

Ugly Bar offered its signature cocktails alongside a wide range of drinks. There was plenty to choose from, including whiskey, wine, beer, and even non-alcoholic options.

For food, I chose melon & prosciutto for the first time in a while~

For cocktails, I went back and forth between the Apple Martini and a Gin Fizz. I love them both, but after some deliberation, I had a glass of Apple Martini.

My companion, who was visiting for the first time, chose Moai from the signature cocktails. At around 8% ABV, it was relatively light and easy to drink without feeling like too much.

After we ordered, they brought over the receipt, which made it easier to check everything.

A little later, the cocktails arrived with the complimentary snack.

They were so glamorous-looking that they immediately caught my eye~ Here are the Moai and Apple Martini. Their contrasting colors made them even more striking.

The complimentary snack was salty pretzels, which were easy to pick at.

Moai's glass itself reminded me of a Moai statue, while the Apple Martini came topped with a crisp dried apple slice.

The food came quickly afterward too. As I mentioned, it was melon & prosciutto~ It had been a while since I had eaten it, and you could tell they had put thought into the presentation. Melon & prosciutto is basically impossible to make taste bad, of course.

I will share a few photos my companion took with a slightly film-camera feel too. Ending with these very MZ-style shots.

The melon was fresh, and eating it with the prosciutto gave that perfect sweet-and-salty combination, so it was even more delicious~

I took a photo of the Moai statue glass's high nose. As expected, the Apple Martini was exactly to my taste.

A look around the outdoor terrace

Before leaving, I stepped out onto the outdoor terrace. It looked like another great place to enjoy the atmosphere. It was not cold yet, so I thought it would be nice to come back again.