OUL: A Unique Blend of Heritage and Modern Mixology in Seoul
When I first moved to Seoul, I was young dumb and, let’s face it, skint (a word I learned form my British roommate at the time) for most of my time. We frequented cheap pubs and drank beers outside of convenience stores, which is not illegal in Korea FYI. Having gotten older wiser and having less nights out, when I do go out, now I’m on the hunt for the best bars in Seoul, upscale cocktail bars, and just generally unique bars in Seoul. One bar where all of those describers ring true is in the lux Four Seasons Hotel. Hotels can have some pretty cool bars, let’s be honest, but OUL stands out in Seoul’s hotel bar scene as it’s devoted to the history and heritage of Korea whereas other hotels focus on foreign food and drinks.
The Four Seasons OUL (포시즌스호텔서울 오울) manages to take soju, makgeolli, and other delicious Korean traditional alcohols and seamlessly blend them into drinks for a contemporary mixology experience.
Get ready for a night out in Seoul with a stop at the upscale cocktail bar in the Four Seasons, OUL:
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Basic Info
Address: 97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 새문안로 97)
By Subway: The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is located just out of Gwanghwamun Subway Station exit 7 making it easy to hop onto the purple subway line. The hotel is also within walking distance of the green line and the dark blue line as well as the orange line so it’s quick to get anywhere in the city.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 6:00pm ~ Midnight (Open until 1:00am in December)
Discovering OUL
If you stayed at the Four Seasons Seoul before and are wondering how you missed this too-cool-for-school spot, it’s because it wasn’t there. Originally opened as an Italian wine bar in 2016, it closed during the pandemic and the hotel decided to move in a different direction, a direction to celebrate the burgeoning Korean spirits industry. It’s quite a unique concept in Korea where the luxury hotels by and large showcase restaurants and bars of foreign culinary concepts over the unique tastes of the local culinary scene.
OUL has created a concept and menu that exclusively promotes Korean fare and spirits, including their own garlic and ginger vodka, along with carefully crafted culture-focused cocktails like the Kimchi Highball. This homage to the past set OUL apart as a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.
OUL caters not only to tourists but also to locals, especially the younger crowd in their late 20s to mid-30s. The inclusion of a DJ spinning every night creates a laid-back atmosphere, encouraging patrons to enjoy a bottle of makgeolli and some food while unwinding.
Menu Concept and Culinary Delights
The menu is designed to be a tour through the past, present, and future, which you can tell as soon as you open it. It features a progression from traditional to modern-style drinks. From stronger variations of traditional drinks like sikhye, a sweet rice drink, and sujeonggwa, one of my personal favorites made with apple and cinnamon, to a dedication to 100% Korean spirits, OUL takes pride in supporting local producers and the burgeoning craft spirits industry.
Signature Drinks
OUL exclusively serves Korean spirits, offering a one-stop destination for immersing oneself in the country’s rich and diverse traditional and modern beverages. Signature drinks like the Mageolli flight and the Kimchi Highball showcase the bar’s commitment to unique flavors and locally-inspired concoctions. If you live in Korea like me, you’ll want to order some of these drinks just to see OUL’s modern-twist on some tried and true traditional drinks.
OUL acts as a gateway for foreigners to become familiar with Korean spirits and traditional Korean food. Lesser-known Korean spirits like cheongju and yakju offer floral and light alternatives to the more familiar makgeolli and soju that most tourists may have tried while traveling in Korea.
Delicious Food
OUL’s menu not only boasts an impressive array of drinks but also offers a culinary journey you will want to partake in. Like any good Korean-style bar, the food is as important as the drinks because Koreans don’t just drink when they go out but they always eat, too.
Traditional Korean bites, inspired by street food and market finds, receive a luxury twist, making them perfect companions to the carefully curated drinks. The Hanwoo Yukhoe, or Korean beef tartare, was amazing. But that was just the start.
Special Programming and Events
OUL doesn’t stop at just serving exceptional drinks and food. The bar features one artisan per month, showcasing talents from various Korean crafts, whether it’s kimchi making, glassblowing, or pottery. This commitment to highlighting local artisans adds an extra layer to the OUL experience, providing patrons with a deeper connection to Korean culture.
With its dedication to Korean spirits, innovative cocktails, and a menu that elevates traditional Korean bites, OUL has successfully carved a niche in the Seoul’s bar scene. I for one had a fabulous time trying the various drinks and dishes and think you will too. Whether you’re a local seeking a relaxed night out like me with lux-appeal or a traveler eager to explore the unique flavors of Seoul, OUL promises an unforgettable experience at the crossroads of heritage and modern mixology.
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