찰스 H. Charles H. (H. Bar) — Restaurant in Seoul

Charles H is an upscale speakeasy hidden behind an unscripted door in the basement of the Four Seasons Seoul. Its decor is reminiscent of Prohibition-era with its Art Deco facades, opulent polished marble, backlit bar and grainy leather booths.

Charles H was once on the renowned World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2021 and 2022, at which point their head bartender Keith Motsi left to open Virtu Tokyo. Regardless of its ranking, it is still one of the top bars in Seoul.

The elaborate menu reads like a tour guide. The name of the bar is an homage to the explorer, author of “The Gentleman’s Companion”, connoisseur and one of the world’s pioneering mixologists, Charles H. Baker. Once the Prohibition began in the United States, Charles traveled the world in search of fine foods and unique liquor.

We were brought Amuse Bouche, a spoon of sashimi in a citrus oil sauce and potato chips. The first cocktail me and one of my colleagues tried was called the “Mojito Colada”. It is the fusion of the classic Mojito and Piña Colada. The herbal freshness of the mint and the subtle union of lime, rum and creamy coconut milk was a delightful drink.

The second drink I ordered is called “Black & White,” which contains whisky, Oloroso sherry, milk tea, roasted almond, candied rose and a whole egg. I’ll have to say that the egg overpowered every other ingredient and actually made me kind of nauseous. I’m getting a little queasy thinking about it now, even weeks later. With the milk tea, I think the cocktail would’ve worked without the egg. Whipped eggs tend to work better in more spirit forward drinks. I don’t think it worked at all in this concoction. Overall, the first visit was a great experience apart from the aforementioned egg-forward cocktail.

For a follow up visit, I discovered that the cocktail menu had completely changed since my last visit in February apart from the Velvet Martini. The menu now has cocktails that are themed after different countries around the world.

The first cocktail I had was a sublime Riviera Martini made with Stoli Vodka and features Herbs de Provence. For appetizers we ordered the Hanwoo Beef Tartare and fried chicken. For the second cocktail, the bartender recommended the Love from Lima, which is a twist on a Pisco Sour, with passionfruit curd and a foam made from vanilla-corn espuma instead of a conventional egg white. It was bright, creamy and delicious.

We also decided to order the house burger, which had the bold seasoning of chipotle sauce that I never expected to taste in Korea. Finally, I ordered the Margherita-Margarita, which is a very creative concept by the head bartender Odd Strandbakken, featuring Altos Plata Tequila, San Marzano tomatoes, oregano, basil, with a streak of fresh whey and toasted salt to provide a crust-like flavor along the rim of the glass. Somehow it works remarkably well, kudos to Odd and the entire staff at Charles H on the newly reinvented...

Beautiful place. This was my first time visiting this branch of the Four Seasons and I was quite impressed with H Charles H. To assist with your decision making, I will review from the beginning until the end of my visit.

Reservations: The H Charles H Bar has a very interactive reservations module on its website. It’s easy to access and costs nothing to book.

Entrance: If you drive and did not stay at the hotel, you’ll be able to park in the parking garage of the Four Seasons. Be aware, I stayed for about 2 hours or less and the parking was about 14000 won which is roughly $11 USD. When you arrive, you go to the LL lower lobby and a desk attendant will guide you to the bar, it is not visible from the lobby, there is a hidden passage way to get there. Upon arrival at the door, you’ll be informed that there is a 10000 won cover charge for each member of your party($8.50 USD) if you are not a hotel patron.

Ambience and Customer: Upon waking in you’re greeted by every member of the staff and walked to a table. The area is beautiful with paintings and wall fixtures, similar to a classy speakeasy of the 1920s. The music is a mix of jazz and elevator music and fits the aesthetic of the room perfectly.

Upon seating, a well dressed gentlemen in a red jacket(the manager), approached my table, greeted me and offered a complimentary class of welcome champagne and a caviar hors d'oeuvre. I was impressed with the presentation and his approach overall. His staff was just as inviting. They were attentive to my needs and throughout the night provided stellar service from the presentation of the food.

Food and Drinks: The menu is not a large one but it is sufficient and the choices are decadent. I ordered the Fish and Chips and the Burger. Both were amazing in taste and presentation. I could honestly go through the ingredients list but I won’t, trust me they were great. I ordered a Coconut Old Fashion I believe, it was strong and delicious. I am astounded at the taste and detail of the drink. The ice cube was made of coconut water so when it melted t provided a sultry coconut flavor. The prices were not as expensive as one would think due to the establishment. The food was about $55 USD and the drinks were about $25 each. Plan to spend about $100 for a party of 2 and about $200 for 4 people.

Overall: I give this place a 9 out of 10 on the DreOMeter(TM pending haha).

I would definitely return. I’d say this place is for a older crowd(28 and up) but I wouldn’t discount others. The staff was great, the ambiance was amazing and the food was good. The top earners here are the drinks and the staff, they...

Atmosphere: 9/10 Located beneath the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun district, Charles H. opens with a hidden, speakeasy-style entrance down a discreet stairwell — setting the tone for the upscale experience that follows. Inside, the bar channels a Gatsby-esque elegance with brass accents, arched ceilings, and plush leather seating. The massive backbar glows with indirect lighting and is beautifully stocked. Funky music at a mid-loud volume keeps the energy alive without drowning conversation.

Drinks: 9/10 Recommended drink: Manhattan Flight The menu is stunning — high-quality photos, storytelling for each cocktail, and thoughtful layout. The Manhattan Flight offers three takes on the classic, all well-balanced. Coasters and glassware are premium, and garnishes are tailored to each drink’s narrative. Some cocktails push bold flavors, but overall execution is refined.

Service: 10/10 Flawless service. Water, warm towels, snacks, and even a complimentary champagne pour with an amuse-bouche on arrival. Immediate refills, highly professional team, and smooth pacing throughout. Prices are well above average for Seoul — but the full experience delivers true premium value.

This bar is ranked #95 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. Personally, I think it deserves a way higher spot — I’d easily place it in my top 20 bars in...