Walking down the silent little alley leading to Cobbler may have you wonder if there’s anything open at all around the area. But soon enough, you’ll see a little door on your right, with a pretty hanok housed inside. Through its full-wall window, you’ll see small groups of people seated beneath a glow of a dim light and very likely to feel drawn to join them.
Inside, delicate hanok structures are revealed in an elegant manner. There are two conversation-cozy tables, but unlike most of the Korean-style bars in Seoul, the wooden bar counter is the most sought-out spot—and rightfully so, because at this no-menu bar, every glass prepared is a result of a careful “consultation” between a customer and a bartender. As you get yourself seated here, the first thing you’ll be served is a small portion of blueberry cobbler. Quite humorous and comfy, this welcome dish says a lot about the bar as a whole.
What you’ll receive in your thirsty hand may not be anything extravagant, though. Rather, there will be something extra carefully sought and selected for each combination—and we appreciated that. Gin Sour which I ended up getting after a little talk with bartender Ji Hyang-jin, for example, had subtle, velvety notes of vanilla and red berries with Mariage Frères’ Marco Polo tea blend infused in it; Sipping Cobbler’s version of Gin Fizz created by owner/head bartender Robin had fresh fragrances of lavender and rosemary linger in my mouth, with La Quintinye Vermouth Royal Blanc blended in the vibrant mix. With no room for a gimmick, every element involved is only a creative solution for a satisfying glass.
“Wow, I should come here for a mojito from now on,” said a customer who’s just received a drink as a “gift” from Robin. Such warmth is what the head bartender with “only 20 years’ experience” offers at this bar. While refined and classy, Cobbler’s got nothing ‘heavy’ or ‘intimidating’—and it definitely got us fall in love with it for such a character.