WINE HAPPY HOUR

Have you ever heard of a wine happy hour? Aren’t happy hours intended for taking shots of cheap liquor to get unnecessarily inebriated? They do exist, however. And lucky me there’s at least one every Saturday evening from 6 to 9PM at COEX InterContinental Hotel in Seoul.

Don’t go to the Grand InterContinental Hotel. It’s not there. It’s at the other Intercontinental Hotel across the mall, that’s just as grand without the ‘Grand’.

Don’t be fooled by prices you’ve possibly seen or heard either. ₩23,000 and/or ₩29,000 are too good to be true for three hours of all you can eat and drink. It ends up being ₩36,000 per person, including gratuity and tax, which is still a reasonable price for what you get.

The atmosphere is elegant, and dress is business-casual to semi-formal. You’ll spot a few evening gowns here, some jeans and t-shirts there.

Lighting is low, and the mood relaxed. It may seem like you're listening to a recording, but turn around and you'll see it's actually a live performer singing Korean classics and other goodies from around the world.

There’s something for everyone with its large assortment of meats, salads, and desserts that pair well with an abundance of red and white wines, as well as sangria. It’s a great setting for smaller groups of people or a date.

By the end you won’t be the only one trying to get your money’s worth. Even the stylish Korean women will attempt to carry four full wine glasses, two in each hand, back to their tables. Anyone who has attempted to do this knows what usually happens. And no one likes when wine is wasted. Such a shame!

There are no more glasses available after 8:30PM. This doesn’t mean you can bring in a sippy cup to save some for later. Just use your most recent wine glass to keep refilling until service ends at 9PM.

Be sure to go for a tipsy walk through COEX Mall when it’s over, followed by an intoxicating Seoul Metro ride to your next destination. It ends early enough to hit up a local convenience store for some soju, and then dance the night away in Itaewon or Hongdae.

I’ll definitely go back. The entertainment, buffet options, wine selection, and service were great. Hope to see you there. Find me hovering over the Champagne. Cheers!

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