Daejeon social bar with games: Mullae Hanjan in Yuseong

While looking for somewhere different to have a drink in Bongmyeong-dong, I visited Mullae Hanjan Solo Drinking Bar, Daejeon Bongmyeong Branch (문래한잔 혼술바 대전 봉명점) with companions. From the name, I wondered whether it was a place for drinking alone, but once inside, it felt more like a place where people greeted and mingled with one another.

Where is Mullae Hanjan's Bongmyeong branch?

The bar is in Bongmyeong-dong's main alley, at Units 201 and 202 on the second floor of 95 Munhwawon-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Once inside, the space was larger than I expected. There were quite a lot of guests late at night when I visited, so there was a wait.

Where do you sit if you come alone?

Inside, there were bar tables and various seats under dim lighting, with bottles displayed throughout. It had the feel of a bar where you could drink and hang out comfortably.

Although the space was large and had many seating options, there was a rule that anyone not arriving as a group had to sit directly beside strangers. It could feel awkward or burdensome at first. I got used to it quickly and naturally became friendly with the people beside me.

What games can you play while drinking?

Card games and board games were available, so we could play games and talk while drinking. It felt like a place that brought together drinks, music, games, and mingling with other people.

I liked that simple games could fill what might otherwise become a dull stretch of time over drinks. It seemed well suited to coming alone to mingle with people, or spending time playing games with friends.

How did I enjoy the highball, cocktail, and whiskey?

That day, I started with a whiskey highball and then had a Midori Sour and Hibiki, for three drinks in all. You could choose different types of alcohol according to your taste.

How was the Hibiki I had last?

Because I usually enjoy whiskey, I chose Hibiki for my final drink. I slowly enjoyed its smooth, sweet character, and with the bar's music playing, I was able to drink more leisurely than expected.

What did the Midori Sour taste like?

The Midori Sour's green color caught my eye first. It was refreshing and sweet, offering a different flavor from the whiskey, and was good for changing the mood midway through. It was also fun for my companions and me to order different drinks and taste a sip of each other's.

Is it better for quiet solo drinks or social drinking?

Drinking alone is possible, but to me it felt like a good place to have a casual drink with friends while playing games and hanging out. Seeing people comfortably greet and mingle with one another reminded me of a small club in Itaewon.

It would suit you if you want to visit alone and mingle with new people, or have drinks with friends alongside music and games. Before visiting, it is worth knowing both the solo-drinking-bar name and the rule of sitting beside other guests, along with the social atmosphere.