IN TIMES when the Korean government is constantly reminding its people to practice “distancing in daily life,” youths are asked to refrain from gathering in large groups. After the COVID-19 outbreak, people have been searching for safer ways to socialize aside from hanging out in crowded bars and pubs; among various alternatives, private wine bars appear to be the ideal solution. In order to stay connected, more and more people have turned towards dining locations that operate on a reservation basis. Here are some private wine bars to consider for your next weekend outing.

Hwi

   Hwi is a “secret bunker” for those who want to celebrate special occasions or want to have a good time with their loved ones. The second floor of a typical Korean multi-unit house from the 1980s was renovated to form this special space. Once you go up the stairs on the side of the building, you will finally arrive at the private wine bar’s entrance. There is just one table with four chairs in the living room, since Hwi reserves the entire place only for one team (maximum of four people) at a time. The owner is both the server and the chef. Hwi offers a variety of food choices, ranging from cheese and cracker platters to Grana Padano cheese spaghetti. You can pair your meal with a single glass or a bottle of wine from Kopke Port Wine, a specific winery that the owner has selected for Hwi. Customers can choose from red, white, or Tawny* Ports, all of which are sweeter and stronger (containing around 20% alcohol by volume) than most table wine you may be familiar with. Only a few wine bars in Seoul carry Port wine, so Hwi is definitely worth a visit if you want to taste the world-famous fortified wine.

   As you glance around, you will notice the chandelier on the ceiling and little string lights brightening up the house. These details, along with the wooden furniture placed around the space, create an overall vintage look and vibe that is unique to Hwi. The owner also lends props to guests who come to the wine bar for their bridal shower celebrations.

   On Hwi’s Instagram account (@winebar_hwi), you can check the seasonal food menus as well as the monthly events where the owner invites users who leave comments saying that they want to visit Hwi. Even if you don’t get selected, you can still make a 2-hour reservation by sending a direct message (DM) to the owner and paying the reservation fee of ₩7,000 per person. Remember to contact him and send him the deposit as soon as possible, as Hwi only takes two reservations a day.

Location: near Gunja station

Operating hours: 19:00~23:00 every day

Price: ₩7,000 for a glass of wine, ₩7,000~₩22,000 for food menus

Mi-myo

   Located in the Yeonnam-dong neighborhood, Mi-myo is a dessert café by day and a private wine bar by night. It is a small space packed with plants, wine bottles, and craft items made by the owner himself. You can also spot cat patterns in every corner of the store; handcrafted, cat-shaped magnets of different colors and sizes surround you. If you find something you want to take home, you can always ask for its price, since most of the pieces—including knitted coasters and colorful plates—are for sale. After you are done exploring the bar’s charming collection, you can take a seat at the only table in the store.

   Feel free to talk to the owner since you are the only person who has entered his private studio. You can ask him for wine recommendations, and he will kindly explain the drink menu according to the wine’s sweetness, acidity, flavor, texture, and tannin*** levels. The owner will also suggest what would go well with your wine of choice. There are various finger food options as well as homemade desserts such as cheesecake and tiramisu ready at Mi-myo. Also, consider trying their special Vin Chaud; the delightful mulled wine will help warm your body up during the wintertime.

Location: in the Yeonnam-dong area

Operating hours: 13:00~22:00 from Wednesday to Sunday

Price: ₩7,500 for a glass of wine, ₩4,000~₩21,000 for food menus

Sip

   If you want to experience proper European wine culture in Seoul, all you have to do is go in one of the alleyways of Geumnam Traditional Market. Sip serves natural wine*** and charcuterie, a dish containing varied slices of cold cooked meat. If you are unfamiliar with both, you can begin with just the food and drink specials at Sip. Operated by husband-and-wife chefs, the bar consistently tries to develop unique menus to surprise their guests. One such example is the pho terrine**** made of minced coriander, fish sauce, pork, and spices; the owners reinterpreted the French appetizer so that people can taste the flavors of Vietnamese pho in one bite. The terrines and sourdough bread with pâté (savory spread of pureed meat) go perfectly well with natural wine.

   Reservation is a must to experience the private space and to taste Sip’s special dishes. If you leave a direct message to the owners (@sip.bistrot) before your visit, you can order their signature Beef Wellington*****. Enjoy your meal with a bottle of natural wine, a type of wine that has a tangy kick thanks to its natural fermentation process. On your way home, you can stop by Sip.vin, Sip’s wine shop that sells all the natural wines served at their bistro. Sip, Sip.vin, and Sip.aroma (a walk-in tapas bar) are all located in the same building. Those who fail to make a reservation at Sip can buy terrines for take-out or move to Sip.aroma that is right around the corner.

Location: near Geumho station

Operating hours: 18:00~01:00 Monday to Sunday

Price: ₩70,000~₩120,000 for a bottle of wine (does not sell by glass), ₩5,000~₩10,000 for food menus

*Tawny Ports: Wood-aged red wine that has a caramel and nutty flavor to it

**Tannin: Tannic acid is the source that causes a drying sensation in the mouth after drinking wine.

***Natural wine: Wines made from organically-farmed grapes and produced in the cellar with no additives

****Terrine: Forcemeat made of small pieces of meat and vegetables

*****Beef Wellington: English pie made of steak wrapped in a pastry dough