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 T here are three major components that any party area requires: solid clubs

for dancing, cheap street eats to satisfy late-night cravings, and a qual-

ity lounge spot – someplace chill to begin or end the night in comfort

and style. And while Hongdae has the first two in spades, the options for quality

lounging in NW Seoul’s party district have long been disappointingly slim.

Enter R (리) Br. Tucked awa in a basement down a dead-end alle,

Redemption Bar is Seoul’s Koreastafarian home–Jamaica b wa of Alice in

Wonderland, with a little dose of Tibet thrown in for good measure. The dim,

coz space swims in red, ellow, black and green, with palm fronds, praer flags, Rasta-stle murals, and a giant mushroom under which to enjo a tast

Middle-Eastern shisha or two (W10,000).

A bas-relief of His Holiness Bob Marle deco-

rates a raised seating platform, and the menu has

cute touches like the hand-painted cartoon figure

announcing, “Jah doesn’t drink too much.” And

while bars with kitsch décor are a won a dozen

in our adopted homeland, Re Bar delivers on the

hol grail of the Korean bar scene – cheap, tast

cocktails poured with a heav hand (like the Long

Island Iced Tea, W7,000, value-for-mone in induc-ing the desired cerebral haze). Other liquor options

include sangria, makgeolli cocktails, and house

wine, with chicken pasta and nachos on the limited

food menu for those feeling peckish.

Ultimately, though, it’s the atmosphere that

makes or breaks a lounge spot and keeps us com-

ing back. Reclining on comfy cushions with

friends around a low table, reggae and dub mixing

with the sweet, resiny perfume of an apple shisha

 pipe, you may find that the clubs this night will

 just have to wait. By Matthew CRoMpton

44 | 10 Magaz August 2010

Re Bar Revelations

Itaewon Gets Its Swank On

Supporting Hongdae’s Lounge Scene

Bw by hgh h wk, va a

mmdd (02-795-6164). 

Directions : Gab ubway Lne 6 to itaewon staton and hop out at

ext 2. it’ an eay 5-mn walk fom thee.

Directions : Fve-mnute walk fom Hapjeong stn. (lne 2, ext 3).

PHone : 02-322-5743

Music: regula nght featung ntenatonal DJ pnnng eggae,oot, dub and dubtep.

 T he recent addition of swank new tapas and dining lounge B to

the heavil trodden strip near Itaewon’s Hamilton Hotel is a welcome

change for nightcrawlers. It’s also fast becoming the place to string

along our friends or impress that significant other. Spread out over a number 

of stlish sections – bar, dining area, lounge and terrace – the laout caters to avariet of tastes and occasions. Whether ou’re in for cocktails, tapas or a full

course meal, menu selection is prett extensive and the service friendl. The

even have Canadian beer (Alle Kat) on tap.

Before sitting down, ou ma find ourself craning our neck to make sure

ou’re still in Itaewon. Both the stlish interior and sleek modern architecture

would feel right at home in either Apgujeong or Cheongdam, two of Seoul’s

ritzier, more affluent areas that mostl attract those with mone to burn. None-

theless, judging b Between’s popularit, the trend is taking off. To the left of 

the entrance is the bar area, a little livelier with a

higher turnover. Those in for the long haul should

head right to the intimate dining area. Larger par-

ties ma want to head upstairs. The second floor 

 boasts an outdoor terrace, lounge and bar with large

open windows overlooking the street below.

Guided b m server’s recommendation, I

ordered the Spaghetti Mushroom (W17,000).

Packed with bacon and mushrooms in a cream,rich parmesan fondue sauce, it was excellent. I also

sampled two tapas selections, the Eggplant Parmi-

giana (W10,000) and the delicious Prosciutto Pin-

chos (W8,000). I was told that the House Lasagna

(W19,000) is another favorite while the Rib Ee

Steak (W35,000) won’t disappoint. All this was

washed down with a mojito (W10,000). The cock-

tail list covers all the necessar bases (daiquiris,

margaritas and plent of other fruit varieties).

Although the area harbors its fair share of watering

holes, none pack quite the flair of Between. This

trend ma ver well be on the up and up.

ByGReGoRy CuRley

 The Between Scene

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