Seoul rooftop bar in Jongno-3-ga: cocktails by the window at Saeseoul

Was traveling around Seoul and found this rooftop bar with an amazing vibe! The drinks and the snacks were both so good I had to write a review right away.

Saeseoul

Where is Saeseoul? 3rd floor of an arcade building in Jongno-3-ga

📍 Location

Saeseoul sits in a hotspot in Jongno-3-ga. Oddly enough, the 1st and 2nd floors of the building are an arcade. Saeseoul is on the 3rd floor, and the view is unreal. If you spot this Super Mario, you're in the right place.

Made it to the Saeseoul entrance. The signage was noticeably clear so it was easy to find. Let's head inside.

Full-glass window seats and an outdoor rooftop at Saeseoul

At Saeseoul you can request a window seat in advance through Naver Reservation. I asked for a window seat and they set us up with a spot this good.

Whew, the mood from that full-glass view was next level. There's an outdoor rooftop too, but since it was hot we decided to be satisfied with the indoor full-glass view haha.

The sparkling city view was so beautiful. The kind of atmosphere that makes even mediocre food taste good — the vibe really did all the work here. Would be great for a blind date too. Honestly, 50% of the experience is the atmosphere haha.

Inside Saeseoul: the mood and the practical details

The interior vibe of Saeseoul was also fantastic. Soft lighting, just right for a cocktail.

Bartenders hard at work mixing cocktails. Their style was seriously cool.

There were coat hooks inside the store too,

and there's a men's restroom on the 3rd floor and a women's restroom on the 2nd floor haha. Seems to be exclusively for Saeseoul, which felt nice and private.

The posters scattered around were memorable. Saeseoul's interior is full of character.

What to order at Saeseoul: PAC-MAN, PLOP and truffle fries

On the staff's recommendation, I ordered Saeseoul's most popular items: the cocktail PAC-MAN, the non-alcoholic cocktail PLOP, and truffle fries haha.

PAC-MAN, the vodka-based cocktail

PAC-MAN came out first! A vodka-based cocktail with pineapple and vanilla — the pineapple's tangy sweetness combined with the soft vanilla aroma made it well balanced and delicious. I expected the vodka base to taste strong, but the fruity sweetness comes through first, so anyone who likes cocktails could enjoy this comfortably.

PLOP, the non-alcoholic cocktail

Then came the non-alcoholic PLOP that arrived alongside it. A non-alcoholic cocktail with peach and orange — the sweet peach aroma and citrusy brightness of the orange blend together, making it light and easy to drink. Perfect for my fiancé who can't drink haha. If you're looking for a date bar in Jongno-3-ga with a friend who doesn't drink much, it's a nice touch that they have non-alcoholic options — and quite a few of them too.

Truffle fries at Saeseoul

The truffle fries I ordered as a side also showed up. Crispy fried potatoes with a truffle aroma added on top gave it a salty yet fragrant taste — a great light snack to pick at between sips of a cocktail. This is exactly my style of fries so I highly recommend this one. Perfect as a light snack after dinner haha.

Who is Saeseoul best for?

Personally, I'd recommend Saeseoul more as a date bar in Jongno-3-ga for a second round or casual drinks rather than a full meal! Sipping a cocktail while chatting, with that great atmosphere, makes it perfect for a date. Would also work well for a blind date haha. Highly, highly recommend >_<