After a recent stint in Cuba I returned to Seoul with a longing in my heart. The sweltering tropical weather, pounding beats of salsa music, and the thick deep aroma of a Romeo Y Julietta wrapped in a haze of wistfulness I’d never thought to be relieved in the sleek city streets of Seoul. I was wrong.
Burn in Hal in the Gyeongridan/Haebonchon neighborhood single-handedly threw open the windows back to the delights of Cuba. Stepping inside Burn is like being transported back into the Victorian age; complete with leather bound books shelved in floor to ceiling cases, stark wooden floors, and walls lined with bottles of booze. At Hals it’s all about indulgence. Here you can partake in a riches of fine Cuban cigars and cigarillos. Expect wafts of cigar smoke to permeate every inch of the space. To say the least this isn’t a place for the non smoking faint of heart.
Even if you forgo a cigar you can still indulge in a bevy of single malt scotches, fine aged rum, and a host of other spirits waiting to be imbibed. If you’re lucky there’ll be live a duo or quartet of musicians heightening your night of pleasure into the stratosphere.
On any given night you can find yourself immersed in a belly dancing performance by some femme fatale. You could enjoy a fine whiskey at a tasting event or test the dexterity of your fingers in a cigar rolling lesson. Check their Facebook Page to see what’s the latest and greatest happening coming up.
The Good:
Burn in Hal in the Gyeongridan/Haebonchon neighborhood single-handedly threw open the windows back to the delights of Cuba
The Bad:
Big Billowy clouds of smoke. Death to non smokers.
The Weird:
Stepping inside Burn is like being transported back into the Victorian age; complete with leather bound books shelved in floor to ceiling cases, stark wooden floors, and walls lined with bottles of booze.
Prices:
5,000 and up!
Hours:
6pm to 2 am Sun to Sat
Phone:
82 2 794 8077
Address:
11 Hoenamu-ro, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Website:
Burn in Hal info@burninhal.com
Directions:
From Noksapyeoung Station take exit two walk straight until the underground tunnel, cross and take the left stairs, walk straight to the corner, cross the street at the light and go left up into Gyeongridan. You’ll have to walk for about a minute or two and it will be on your left.
I’m a horrible cigar smoker but I’d do anything for the gram’ haha I see that it’s open quite late, does it turn into something like a speakeasy after hours? That would be super cool, if so! I’ll definitely have to clear my lungs and pop over for a whiskey neat.
Yeah the later it goes it’s more relaxed and intimate. Even with the specter of smoke it’s totally worth going at least once or twice.
I would have liked to see some photos from the inside. That description is nice but I’m a very visual person I think. I’d smoke a cigar in the right atmosphere.. and this certainly sounds like that.
Your wish is my command. Photos added!
It’s good that you found a cure for your Cuba hangover! Itaewon really offers a lot of interesting restaurants. Burn Hal looks fun but the Big Billowy clouds of smoke turned me off! ^^
If you go early it isn’t so bad, but even then I don’t last long. Though the taste of a good montecristo is definitely to be experienced at least once.
Learning to roll a cigarette while observing a Belly Dancer, Seoul always has surprises with its innovative watering holes. This one looks like a winner!
I know, right? I love places like this.
I’ve got a serious longing to revisit Cuba myself before the tourist hordes descend, but I’d probably give this place a pass. All that smoke would seriously get to me. Getting old I guess. And somehow smoking a cigar without a view of the Caribbean just feels WRONG. 😉
Haha! Jump on that Cuban bandwagon again fast because Trump is in the process of changing our access. No longer will you be able to just go on your own.
This isn’t really a place I would seek out to go but it seem to offer variety from the usual drinking places around Seoul.It’s timely too that you found it after your trip in Cuba.
It’s worth going at least once. Just make sure you go on a night to enjoy the music. Maybe stay a half hour to an hour then escape the smoke. It has a great vibe and the people are jovial.
I just checked out your link to their facebook page and saw footage of live music at the venue. I have a couple of friends that this place could really appeal too 🙂 Although I don’t smoke cigars, I might be tempted by a cigarillo if they have them. I intend to visit on my next stop at Noksopyeong! Nice find^^
The live music is always fantastic! This place would be my favorite if it weren’t for all the cigar smoke (i know lol). It’s fine for me every now and then but really you’ve got to be a die hard to fully enjoy it I think.