Jongno 3-ga cocktail bar: Monte Carlo and Silent Third at Gak Seoul

🍸 A perfect healing space away from the noise of Jongno: Gak Seoul

If you want a quiet cocktail bar for a second round near Jongno 3-ga

Gak Seoul (각 서울) is a cocktail bar in a basement near Jongno 3-ga Station, and it's where we, a married couple, went for our second round in Jongno. The streets there are always loud and packed with people, so we wanted to step away for some cozy, quiet time just for the two of us. That's how we ended up at Gak Seoul.

Honestly, it's a secret spot I'd love to keep to myself, but I'd hate for people not to know about this perfect cocktail bar, so I'm spilling it.

It's close to Jongno 3-ga Station, so it's very easy to reach by public transport.

Right from the stairway entrance down to the basement, soft, moody indirect lighting makes you feel a strange thrill, as if you're being pulled into a whole other world cut off from reality.

A classy scent drifts softly through the whole space, so from the moment we headed downstairs, the day's fatigue felt completely refreshed.

Is the atmosphere at Gak Seoul good for talking?

✨ Stylish interior where soft music and calm coexist

Instead of loud music, gentle melodies play at Gak Seoul, and the tables are spaced well apart, so it suits quiet conversation. The moment we stepped into the basement, it was far cozier and more refined than we expected, and it won us over right away.

There's no ear-splitting music, just soothing melodies, and the tables are spaced comfortably, making this cocktail bar an ideal setting for a quiet, deep talk with someone you care about.

Watching cocktails being made from the bar seats

If you sit at the bar, you get a front-row view of the handsome owner carefully making each cocktail himself, which is surprisingly fun to watch.

Just looking at the wall cabinets packed with whiskies, wines and all kinds of liqueurs for cocktail bases is a feast for the eyes if you love drinking.

What about snacks at Gak Seoul? One plate of shrimp chips per person

🦐 No worries about food smells, plus the thoughtful one-shrimp-chip-plate-per-person touch

Instead of selling heavy dishes, Gak Seoul keeps things minimal so you can focus purely on the taste and aroma of wine, whisky and high-quality cocktails.

No annoying food smells cling to the place and it feels fresh, so we had a much more pleasant time the whole way through.

The basic snack is crispy, nutty shrimp chips, and what stood out most was the thoughtful touch of serving them as one plate per person, each on its own plate.

It's hygienic and clean with no fuss, and every small bit of consideration like this won us over at this cocktail bar.

Monte Carlo and Silent Third: taste and price

🥃 Cocktails made to order with gorgeous looks (Monte Carlo & Silent Third)

The two cocktails we had at Gak Seoul were the Monte Carlo (₩24,000) and the Silent Third (₩20,000). We each picked one to suit our own taste.

As soon as the order goes in, the owner-bartender blends it with care, and from the elegant shape of the glass to the shimmering look of the drink, you can't help but exclaim.

Going by the menu, I'll explain the two cocktails we tried in detail.

Monte Carlo ₩24,000

As listed on the menu, the Monte Carlo is a hefty cocktail made from Rye Whiskey, Benedictine D.O.M and Aromatic Bitters.

A subtle sweetness lingers behind the strong whiskey flavor, and as the big ice cube slowly melts, the taste gets smoother and smoother. A light touch of orange peel on top adds a fresh finish, so it gets more appealing the more you sip.

Silent Third ₩20,000

According to the menu, the Silent Third is built on Scotch Whisky, Fresh Lemon and White Curacao. Even though it has a Scotch whisky base, the freshness of the lemon comes through strongly,

so it's refreshing and bright enough that even people who don't normally drink much can enjoy it comfortably.

Verdict: Gak Seoul as a Jongno date cocktail bar

💡 Verdict: if you're looking for a quiet, atmospheric cocktail bar in Jongno

From the moment you step down the basement stairs, Gak Seoul turns into a completely private, moody hideout, and it's a gem of a spot that easily ranks among the top Jongno date courses.

If you want to get away from noisy pubs and share good drinks and honest conversation in a calm atmosphere, I strongly recommend visiting Gak Seoul at least once!