Gone are the days when South Korea was known mostly for K-pop and skincare. In recent years, the cocktail bar scene in Seoul has flourished – with many speakeasies emerging as awardees of the prestigious 50 Best Bars. We made a trip to Alice Cheongdam and were blown away by their magical concept and wonderful cocktails.
Alice Cheongdam: Ranked No. 40 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Alice Cheongdam (앨리스 청담), #40 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars, is located in the upscale neighbourhood of Gangnam in Seoul, South Korea. Even with your map open, finding its entrance is no easy feat – it is a speakeasy after all 😉
How to Get to Alice Cheongdam
Walk through a short alley leading to awnings adorned with plants, and head down the steps. As you descend, it feels like you’re going down the rabbit hole and into the Royal Garden in the Lewis Carroll classic. Step past the door, and you’ll be transported into a sophisticated, dimly lit space with plush leather sofas and dark wood tones that remind you of a gentleman’s club.
What’s on the Cocktail Menu of Alice Cheongdam?
Alice Cheongdam’s menu was inspired by the story, of course, and the four seasons, with each drink telling a story and evoking feelings and emotions associated with the season. For example, Summer is hot and funky, while Winter is frosty, white and dark.
The menu begins with Spring, which features lighter, fruitier tipples, and ends with Winter, which has cocktails with more robust flavours and are a tad boozier. Each creation is fun, and eclectic, just like the characters in the story, and we loved that Alice Cheongdam uses uniquely Korean liquors and ingredients where possible.
Oh, Very Punchy
This low-ABV tipple is a great one to start the night with. Made with the five-flavoured berry – Omija (Oh) and strawberry (Very), and butter rum (Punchy), and was inspired by an Aperol Spritz.
Like its inspiration, Oh, Very Punchy (₩25,000) is a light tipple befitting of the season. It is also more accessible to non-drinkers because of its natural sweetness from the strawberries, instead of the herbal bitterness a classic Aperol Spritz has.
Rainbow Fizz
Rainbow Fizz (₩25,000) is probably one of the most ‘gram-worthy yet crushable tipples Alice Cheongdam offers. Made with citrus vodka, vanilla, osmanthus and rainbow pearls, it’s citrusy, fruity and a tad savoury; what’s not to like, right?
The colourful-flavoured pearls represent a rainbow after the Spring rain, and the peanut foam on top embodies the humid air after the rain. This colourful concoction is served on a LED light box, so you can see all the beautiful colours clearly… plus it looks great in photos.
Not A Beer
You’ll love Alice Cheongdam’s take on it even if you’re not a beer fan! Not A Beer (₩25,000) is a hot and cold tipple made with vodka, yuzu, grapefruit and Orgeat.
The experience of drinking a beer is replicated through textures and taste without any beer. You even have warm foam topping off the glass while the rest of the cocktail is cold. Oh, and you get to wear a cool Viking helmet while chugging it. But, we kid… about the chugging. Not the helmet.
Bamboo Forest in Winter
If you’re feeling adventurous, try Bamboo Forest in Winter (₩25,000). This turned out to be our favourite cocktail of the night; cool, refreshing, a tad spicy and savoury.
Made with leek tequila, celery vinegar, and preserved vegetables, this slightly sour-savoury cocktail isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, it is on the refreshing side and makes you salivate for more. It’s also served with truffle oil pickled mushroom, and cheese shavings. You’ve got to try it for yourselves.
If you’re worried about the language barrier, Head bartender Leo Kim and his team are incredibly hospitable and do speak English as well. Feel free to ask them for recommendations; whether you’re new to alcohol or not, visiting Alice Cheongdam is an experience for the books, and you don’t want to miss out on it.
Seoul has tons of cocktail bars on the rise, some already making waves in Asia’s 50 Best Bars and others quickly gaining popularity among locals. So let us know which cocktail bar in Seoul you’d like us to visit next!
Address: 47 Dosan-daero 55-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 6pm – 2am (Sun – Thurs), 6pm – 3am (Fri & Sat)
Nearest Train Station: Apgujeong Rodeo (Suinbundang Line, Exit 4)
Contact: +82 2-511-8420
Disclaimer: Uncover Asia made an anonymous visit to 100Labs and paid for their own drinks.
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