Gangnam rooftop bar for a solo autumn drink: Ugly

An AI seminar was held near Gangnam Station, and when it ended, I briefly wondered whether I should just head straight home. But it was rush hour, so I figured the roads would be packed, and since I had already eaten dinner alone, I wanted to rest with a cool drink. That is how I ended up at Ugly, a Gangnam Station bar that looked like it had a distinctive atmosphere.

The weather was so nice that day that I wanted to sit outdoors rather than inside. It was an autumn evening with a cool breeze, and the lively feel of the busy district mixed with the relaxed terrace atmosphere, so visiting alone did not feel intimidating. To give you the conclusion first, Ugly near Gangnam Station was a nice place to unwind quietly alone or visit as a second stop on a date.

Ugly, close to Gangnam Station Exit 11

Ugly is on the fifth floor at 5 Gangnam-daero 96-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It is about 120 m from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station, which worked out to just over a two-minute walk when I actually walked it, so it is easy to use as a meeting spot. You do not need to travel far from the busy Gangnam Station area, making it a good stop before or after a seminar or gathering.

Look at the building exterior and the green Ugly sign catches your eye. There are many similar-looking buildings nearby, but the sign made it easy enough to find; take the elevator to the fifth floor and you will reach the entrance. The sign at the entrance lists coffee, whiskey, cocktails, and hookah, giving the impression of a place with a varied menu even before you go in.

Hours are from 6:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. daily, with Friday and Saturday service running until 3 a.m. It is a good time frame for a late second stop or for lingering after work. For parking, it is easiest to plan on using a nearby paid lot rather than dedicated parking.

• The address is 5F, 5 Gangnam-daero 96-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
• It is about a two-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 11.
• Hours are 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
• On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open until 3 a.m.
• If arriving by car, use nearby paid parking.

Ugly's atmosphere when you step inside

Once you enter, a calm mood opens up that feels different from Gangnam Station's bustling streets. The lighting is low and soft, so the feel of the space changes immediately from the entrance. Rather than a typical bright, crowded drinking spot, it felt suited to slow conversation or gathering your thoughts alone.

The ceiling was the first thing that caught my attention. Gold decorations sparkling like constellations paired with deep colors, and I found myself looking up at it for quite a while as soon as I sat down. The name is Ugly, but the interior is actually rather stylish and pretty—the opposite of its name. The lighting and decor were not excessive, yet they still created lovely focal points in photos.

Seating is divided into bar seats and tables, with private areas separated by curtains as well. I could also see second-floor seating, and each area had a slightly different mood, so choosing according to the purpose of your visit seemed part of the fun. For one person, the bar or outdoor seating would be comfortable, while tables or curtained seats seem better for chatting with friends.

At a bar seat, you can watch the bartender make cocktails up close. Different bottles gleam in the light, and the view inside the bar with its shakers and glasses was quite striking too. Even the time spent waiting after ordering felt like something to watch, so sitting alone did not feel awkward.

I liked the indoor mood too, but chose the outdoor seating because the weather was so good that day. Drinking while feeling the outside air was special in a way that differed from the dreamy indoor lighting. Buildings and lights around Gangnam Station came into view, with people's movement felt in the distance, and it truly felt like sitting on a terrace in the middle of the city.

The apple-flavored hookah and Berry Ugly I ordered

That day, I ordered Berry Ugly and apple-flavored hookah. Since I came after already having dinner alone, rather than adding a heavy snack, I wanted to leisurely enjoy one cocktail and the fragrance of hookah. When choosing, I looked not only at cocktail names but also at the illustrations and descriptions on the menu.

Ugly's menu comes in a ring-binder format, with distinctive illustrations for each item. You can see the glass shape and overall mood in the drawings, making the choosing process fun even for someone unfamiliar with cocktails. It was easier to imagine what each drink would be like than by choosing on the name alone, so I ended up taking my time looking through the menu.

Berry Ugly is, true to its name, a cocktail centered on the fresh, sweet feel of berries. Ice and decoration in a pretty glass made the presentation cheerful from the start, and its fruit aroma was gentle, making it nice to sip slowly. If you prefer sweet, refreshing cocktails over something very heavy or bitter, it felt like an easy choice to approach.

The garnish on top also made it fun to photograph. With the cocktail on the outdoor table, the surrounding lights and the color of the glass blended naturally. As I took little sips on that cool autumn evening, it felt as though the day's full schedule was slowly being sorted out.

The apple-flavored hookah had an impressive apple scent that spread softly. It did not feel overly heavy or harsh; its sweet fruit character was at the center, so it paired well with the cocktail. The refreshing apple fragrance subtly drifted around the table and suited the mood of the outdoor seats.

Hookah can be enjoyed at designated seats, so it is good to consider your seating choice before visiting. Feeling the fragrance alongside the outdoor air gave it a different feel from enjoying it indoors. Still, if you are sensitive to scents or trying hookah for the first time, it is best not to overdo it and to take it slowly according to your own preference.

Menu and seating tips for Ugly

Ugly has a wide variety of cocktails, so it was easy to choose something to suit your taste. There are signature cocktails with fruit aromas like Berry Ugly, softer options such as Peach Crush and piña colada, and higher-proof choices such as Long Island Iced Tea and martinis.

You can also find spirits including whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila on the menu. If you are unsure which cocktail to choose, it would be a good idea to tell the bartender what flavors you want. I prefer sweet fruit aromas and a light mood, so I chose Berry Ugly; reading the description and choosing for my taste made me more satisfied with it.

• If you like bright, sweet flavors, Berry Ugly is a good match.
• For a soft fruit aroma like peach, look at Peach Crush.
• For tropical pineapple and coconut notes, choose a piña colada.
• If you like a fuller spirit-forward aroma, a whiskey-based menu item may suit you.
• For a different kind of time while enjoying fragrance, you can order apple-flavored hookah too.

I could see that pretzels were provided as the complimentary snack. They were easy to pick at while waiting for the cocktail, and helped the table feel less bare on a day when I did not order a heavy food item separately. I liked that it was a simple accompaniment for a solo visit.

Choose your seats according to the purpose of your visit. If you want to drink quietly alone, watch the making process at the bar or enjoy the outside air at an outdoor table; if you want to talk with friends, tables or curtained seats are comfortable. For couples, the softly lit second-floor seats or outdoor tables seemed well suited to creating a mood.

A Gangnam Station bar that felt comfortable alone

Visiting a bar alone can feel a little awkward at first, right? I was on my own after the AI seminar too, and briefly wondered whether I would feel self-conscious. But Ugly has bar and outdoor seating, so it had an atmosphere where solo guests could naturally use the space.

That day especially, I was stopping by briefly to avoid rush-hour traffic and take a rest, and it was nice to sort through the day with a cocktail without rushing. The music and lighting were not too loud or intense, and it was fine for spending time alone on my phone or looking around. That was why it seemed like a good place to drop by if you have time before or after plans near Gangnam Station.

For a visit with friends, the private curtained seats or tables look good for conversation; for couples, the second-floor seating or outdoor tables seem nice for setting the mood. I heard outside cake is allowed, so it could work for a birthday or anniversary too, and hookah is available at designated seats. If you have a clear purpose for visiting, it seemed more comfortable to think about the seating and menu in advance.

What I felt was a strength of Ugly near Gangnam Station was that the space did not have only one fixed atmosphere. Indoors feels dark and dreamy, the bar seats offer the fun of watching cocktails being made, and the outdoor seats are good for resting with a breeze in the city. The experience seems likely to change depending on where you sit, even within the same bar.

Things to know before visiting

• Outdoor seating is more satisfying on a day with good weather.
• Hookah is available at designated seats, so check seating first.
• For a solo visit, bar or outdoor seats are relatively comfortable.
• On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open until 3 a.m., making it suitable as a late second stop.
• If driving, nearby paid parking is the convenient option.
• If you do not know cocktails well, try describing your preferred fruit aroma, sweetness, or strength.

Frequently asked questions

Ugly is on the fifth floor at 5 Gangnam-daero 96-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, about a two-minute walk from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station. Looking for the green Ugly sign on the building exterior makes it relatively easy to find.

I visited alone too and spent time comfortably at the bar and outdoor seats. If drinking alone feels awkward, a bar seat where you can watch cocktails being made seems like a good fit.

I ordered Berry Ugly and apple-flavored hookah. Berry Ugly had a lovely tangy, sweet fruit character, while the apple-flavored hookah was nice for its subtle apple scent. I could not confirm dedicated parking information, so if visiting by car, plan on using nearby paid parking.

On a day with good weather, the outdoor seating was especially nice. If you want to see the distinctive indoor ceiling and lighting, I would recommend a table or second-floor seat; if you want to enjoy the cocktail-making process alone, choose the bar.

Overall thoughts on Ugly near Gangnam Station

After finishing the AI seminar, I visited Ugly near Gangnam Station alone and spent an unhurried time with Berry Ugly and apple-flavored hookah. I had only intended to stop briefly to avoid rush-hour traffic, but the outdoor seating on that cool autumn evening and the soft lighting made me want to stay longer than expected.

I would recommend Ugly near Gangnam Station to anyone looking for an atmospheric cocktail bar, a quiet drink alone, or a second venue for a blind date or date. However, hookah is available at designated seats and outdoor seating depends on the weather, so choose your seat for your purpose. Next time, I am thinking of returning on another pleasant evening to try a different fruit cocktail. 🍸