Alice Cheongdam

Alice is one of Seoul's best-known speakeasies and a fixture on regional bar rankings, placing 13th on the Asia's 50 Best Bars list in 2026. Inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice stories, it plays on the idea of falling down the rabbit hole, and finding it is part of the fun. Follow the white rabbit signs, walk through a flower shop at street level and go down a narrow staircase to find a hidden door into the bar.

Below ground the mood changes completely. The room is wood-panelled and sophisticated, with low lighting and a long bar, and the team is led by owner Terry Kim and joint head bartender Mason Park. Cocktails are playful in name and presentation but carefully made. Past signatures have included Hippity Hoppity, a mix of gin, ice wine, kiwi, camellia and dill, and Did I Melt?, which combines vodka, grappa, coffee, tomato and chicory. The back bar also stocks premium sipping spirits and Korean soju for those who prefer something simpler.

Alice suits couples, friends celebrating and visitors who want a memorable night out in Gangnam. The theatrical entrance makes it a good choice for a first evening in Seoul, while the quality of the drinks keeps regulars returning. It is better for conversation than dancing, and groups should be small.

The bar becomes busy later in the evening and at weekends, so arriving early improves your chances of a seat without a long wait. Check the bar's social media pages for current opening hours and any booking options before you go. Smart casual dress fits in, and prices are in line with Seoul's other leading cocktail bars.

Allow a few minutes to find the entrance the first time, as the flower shop frontage gives little away from the street. The playful names can make the menu hard to read at first, so ask the bartenders to describe a drink's flavour before you order.

The bar is on Dosan-daero 55-gil in the Dosan area of Gangnam, a short walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station on the Suin-Bundang Line. Zest, another highly ranked bar, is on the same street, so it is easy to visit both, and the designer shops and restaurants around Dosan Park and Cheongdam are close by.