Leather and wood paneling sets the mood
Ascend a flight of stairs: up, off a busy street in Itaewon and enter another world. Low lights, a well stocked humidor, richly coloured walls, and leather arm chairs… you have been transported. It’s someplace moody- sophisticated- like a set from a classic film. I half expected to catch a glimpse of Humphrey Bogart in the corner. A glass of sparkling wine. A single malt poured slowly over a sphere of ice. Voices are low, hushed. Tendrils of cigar smoke twist and curl through the room. A double bass lays down a languid jazz line as the singer pulls the vintage microphone close. Breathy voice between muted trumpet riffs. (He might be channeling Chet Baker.) I take another sip and close my eyes… this is good… this is really good.
Burn Cigar Bar Opens at 6p. It is run as a members club, but you don’t need a membership to go have a nice drink and a fine cigar (seating priority will go to members when the place gets crowded.)
Live music nightly, 9p
How to get there: Take Line 6 to Noksapyeong station, Exit 2. Walk straight out of the exit and take a right onto Heonamu- ro…Burn Cigar Bar is on the 2nd floor (across the street from Daesung Church – look for the sign!) Address: 11, Heonamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Click here for a map