Sunday 8pm raffle at Uu, a solo drinking bar near Konkuk, Seoul

I wanted a drink but didn't want to drink alone, and all my friends already had plans, so after some hesitation I headed to Uu, a solo-drinking bar in Konkuk. Before going I was like, what even is a solo-drinking bar — you go alone and hang out with strangers? But once I tried it, it was actually fun.

Address: 8-7 Neungdong-ro 11-gil, 3rd floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea Hours: Mon–Sun 20:00–03:00 (Fri/Sat until 05:00)

Uu has locations in Konkuk and Gunja. I'd been to the Gunja branch before and found the vibe comfortable even going alone, so I went in with high expectations that the Konkuk branch would feel similar.

How to walk to Uu from Konkuk University Station, and why 8pm matters

Solo-drinking bars usually open a bit later than regular bars, so I showed up around 8pm — a good time for a quick drink after dinner. It's also close to Konkuk University Station, so getting there by public transit was easy.

Once you go up to the 3rd floor of the building, Uu's entrance comes into view, along with a sign for the 'drink of the day' promotion that changes daily. On the Sunday evening I visited, the wildflower cocktail and the signature iced Americano were both 20% off.

How many guests show up at Uu's Sunday 8pm opening?

The interior at Uu has a modern feel with soft lighting, making it easy to drink without pressure. I visited right at Sunday opening, and including me there were only 2 people, with a few more trickling in as time passed. From what I've read in reviews, it usually picks up after 9–10pm, so keep that in mind if you're planning a visit!

House rules for using the space at Uu

• Conversation or excessive flirting the other person doesn't want
• Personal questions or judgments about appearance, age, relationship status, etc.
• Comparing, sarcastic remarks, or jokes that make others uncomfortable
• Sexual language or behavior that causes discomfort
• Disturbances or overly loud voices from excessive drinking
• Sitting too close to or clinging on to the person next to you

It's a social bar where you can come alone and still end up mingling with a group, and to keep it a space where everyone can relax and respect each other, guests who do any of the above can be warned or asked to leave. I appreciated how much the staff cared about keeping the atmosphere comfortable.

Uu's visitor notebook and manager interview: the best thing to read alone

Uu also keeps a notebook where past visitors leave notes, and reading through it was surprisingly fun. I also checked out an interview with the Uu manager, which I found really interesting to read!

Uu's no-loss raffle: 4th prize was a signature cocktail

They also had the same raffle event that Gunja had. It's a no-loss raffle, which is great. If you visit, you should definitely try it!

• 1st prize — Moët & Chandon champagne
• 2nd prize — Maker's Mark
• 3rd prize — 5 shots (lemon or tequila)
• 4th prize — choice of signature cocktail
• 5th prize — lemon drop or tequila shot

I drew 4th prize, so I got to enjoy a signature cocktail!

What Uu pours, from whiskey to basic cocktails

There was a great variety of drinks to pick from — whiskey ranged widely from single malts to bourbons, so you could choose to your taste, and cocktails ranged from signature menu items to lighter basic options. It was a lineup that worked whether you wanted just one light drink alone or several to enjoy!

The basic snack is gangnyeongi (corn puffs), which you know is easy to snack on. It goes with pretty much any drink, so it went down smoothly.

Is Uu okay to visit on your own?

Even when there weren't many people, it was fun chatting in a small group, and when it got a little busier, I had an enjoyable time talking with a variety of people. The staff were kind and attentive, so it felt easy to hang out even solo. I had a great time chatting when I visited the Gunja branch too, and this Konkuk solo-drinking bar had a similarly fun vibe. If you're curious about solo-drinking bars but wondering whether it's okay to go alone, I hope this post helps you decide to check it out :)