Once in a Blue Moon is a jazz club in the swanky area of Apgujong. Blue Moon is smack in the middle of boutiques, fancy restaurants, chill out clubs, and high dollar cafes that would make your wallet jump out of your pocket and run away screaming.
My friends and I went to Club Evans in Hongdae last week to listen to some jazz, but it turned into a cringe worthy experience. The band was nothing like the group Crysal Rain we had seen a few weeks before. They had more of an elevator music vibe. Thankfully, Nicole suggested Blue Moon and we checked it out a couple days ago.
I should tell you that while Once in a Blue Moon is very nice, it’s also very pricey. The 15,000 won and up cocktails had my eyebrows raised and probably could keep an alocholic sober for the night. They also boasted a fine looking menu of steaks that I might indulge in one day as a special treat; like maybe for my upcoming birthday. Other than special occassions I doubt I’ll be dining there which is a shame because the food really looked and smelled fantastic.
The good thing about Once in a Blue Moon is that you can nurse that one drink you buy all night long while enjoying the music. The waiters won’t even pester you or even give you snooty looks-now that’s a classy place.
A Taste of Jazz was the group playing that night. The piano man really ran the show and he pounded out spine tingling riffs on those keys. The bass player also kicked in with vibes you could feel in the pit of your stomach. It really was a swinging fun time until the vocalist showed up.
I guess I’m being overly harsh, but I just think she really detracted from the band. A vocalist should lift a band up not bring them down and that’s exactly what she did. Sometimes she didn’t seem to be in key and other times I just felt her voice just wasn’t strong enough.
The good thing about Blue Moon is that the lineup constantly changes. I’ll be perusing their website to see if they have a great band coming up. Overall I give Once in a Blue Moon a thumbs up.
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Checked out this place tonight and it was just like you said brian. Great band but vocalist brought them down. Note on cocktails: not great. You’re paying for the mood. Stick with the non cocktail drinks. Had a problem with my drinks but manager came over and quickly turned around the mood of our whole table. Gave free drinks and cd’s. Props on great customer service (on manager’s part).
JB, I’m glad you guys had a great time. I haven’t been in ages so its nice to hear that the band is still up to par. Yeah the drinks are dicey but kudos to the manager for solving the problem. That’s how customer service should be handled. It’s too bad about the singer. Do you go to any other jazz bars?
Thanks, annamatic! I'll definitely check that place out soon.
Daehangno is at Hyehwa Station, Line #3… Here's the website for the Chun-nyun Dongan Do jazz club:</> ;http://www.chunnyun.com/
Thanks for the tip anon. I will definitely check out All That Jazz.</></>Evans in Hongdae is a good spot, annamatic. I saw this group Crystal Rain a few weeks ago and I really dug them.</></>Where is Daehangno?
i heard these guys at the Chunnyun jazz club in Daehangno. I liked their energy alot, they had a really good vibe with the audience, but I don't remember the singer… maybe she's new. Chunnyun has some decent acts, but it depends on when you go. Another club i like is Evans in Hongdae.
The other one worth checking out is "All That Jazz" in Itaewon.
Thanks, uneasy, it was a good spot to hear some good music. So far I think its been the best spot I've found in Seoul unless someone can clue me on another venue.</></>I hope you get a chance to check it out.
Excellent post and great photos.</>Very interesting.