[Update: April 5, 2010] Unfortunately, I just confirmed last weekend that Serein is now closed indefinitely. We will miss all those mojito selection as well as that overly joyous yellow cat. We have yet to figure out what that cat exactly is.
Question: How does one test for another’s familiarity of Garosu-gil, Sinsa?
Answer: Serein.
Serein is a cozy bar specializing in mojitos, located off the main street of Garosu-gil, Sinsa. First floor is a bar and second floor a restaurant. Retro-styled light bulbs with clearly visible filament emanating warm light extends all the way down to just above your head from the ceiling, with yellow visual warmth bouncing off from the walls tiled with white bricks in differently-patterned spacing. Hints of artsiness is quite evident, with colorful cushions and chairs, in addition to signs of a yellow cat character that I recognized from other places… (Does anyone know what this character is about??? I think I saw this at Mix Lounge at Garosu-gil as well as in other venues @ Samcheong-dong as well).
More review, photographs of interior and menu after the jump!
A rectangular bar is situated in the middle of the venue. The bar itself actually takes some space, and I was wondering if the placement necessarily optimized the spacing of this venue.
I visited Serein a few times now, so I tried their drinks before. Serein boasts several types of mojitos; I think Serein probably has the most varieties of mojito cocktails available anywhere in Seoul (I think I counted 4 pages or so of mojito menu). Mojitos are categorized under “Strong Mojitos”, “Frozen Mojitos”, “Non-Alcoholic Mojitos” and “Serein Mojitos”.
More pictures of the menu are available in the picture gallery below.
Price is standard for Garosu-gil, with 8,000 – 9,000 Won for a shot of hard alcohol and 12,000 – 15,000 for cocktails. I tried their mojitos before, but unfortunately it wasn’t the best mojito I tried in Seoul. But I give Serein credit for coming up with so many varieties. Mojitos felt a little syrupy and sweet for me (I think my mojito was titled something along the lines of extra minty mojito). But then again everyone has their own taste.
It would still be fun to try out different types of mojitos. I wondered if anyone has tried all of them.
Serein also offers select malt whisky. They carried Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie (Original & Lasanta), Glenlivet, Singleton, Balvenie and Laphroaig, which is more option than 90% of the bars in Seoul. I give them credit for carrying such variety.
One thing I did not like about the venue was that Serein had outdoor heaters (2 of them) placed inside. I suspect they do not get proper heating within the venue so they had to bring two of them in. They also have 2 indoor retro-styled white heaters which sort of fit in with the rest of the furniture, but I thought tall red outdoor heaters were a little out of place. Still, better to have conspicuous outdoor lamps than having patrons freeze in such a nice place.
The music wasn’t so loud, but it grows as the night progresses. Light dims with people’s rising voices throughout the night. I recommend Serein if you are looking for a unique venue in Garosu-gil.
The Good
- Unique blend of ambiance (cozy, trendy and artsy)
- Great selection of mojitos and single malt whisky
- Not too loud and not too crowded (but not too quiet nor empty either)
- Good music for lounge, doesn’t disturb conversation
- Food available upstairs
- Valet parking available
The Bad
- Located a little off the main street of Garosu-gil, maybe a little tricky to find
- Mojitos I tried weren’t as superb as some of the other bars I visited
- Limited non-mojito cocktail options
- Outdoor heater/lamps placed inside seemed a little out of place
Phone: 02-515-9797
Address: Sinsa 554-32, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울시 강남구 신사동 554-32)
Directions: Walk down the main Garosu street from Sinsa side for 5 minutes, or 200 meters. Make a right into the alley across from Wine & Dine on the left of the main street. Make a left when you hit the second block and walk straight for 50 meters. Serein is on your right.
