H.Bar. H.Bar

Laid-back nights of beer spiked with shots of soju, Korea’s beloved liquor distilled from rice or other starches, are the norm in Seoul. But increasingly, it’s the city’s cocktail scene, distinguished by amiable hospitality, atmospheric interiors and an abundance of local ingredients, that is garnering attention.

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Take Soko Bar, going strong in the Hannam-dong neighborhood since 2017. Dimly lit, it transports guests to another time—specifically, the 1920s, when the city, then known as Gyeongseong, was under Japanese rule.

“It was a period when classic culture was at its peak,” says owner Soko Son, who was eager to capture that heady era through mixology. 

At Soko Bar, the menu features complex cocktails like Behind Wood, a nod to the first wooden radios on the market, which combines whisky, matcha and green tea cordial, and chamomile cold brew. The sprawling bar, accompanied by the sounds of John Coltrane and the pristine grapes served in glass bowls, all reinforce the sophisticated yet nostalgic ambiance.

For Son, Seoul’s bars stand out because of how close-knit the community of bartenders is. “We take care of one another, offer help whenever........

© Observer