Discover the sustainable bars revolutionizing Seoul’s nightlife

Zest Seoul is a leading example in the bar industry concerning sustainability efforts. The name — other than referencing the rind of a citrus fruit —  is also an abbreviation for ‘Zero-Waste’, which is a key philosophy the Cheongdam-located watering hole has taken. Here, the bar showcases its unwavering dedication to creating a greener and more sustainable bar scene beyond locally sourced products direct from farms. From sourcing their raw honey from urban beekeepers in Seoul to collaborations with local artisans and micro-distilleries, Zest Seoul certainly does their part for the environment. The venue even banned soda PETs & aluminium cans by making their soda, tonic, and even coke in-house with upcycled ingredients – these disposable waste and large amounts of food would have instead been thrown away.

Housed in a stunning traditional Korean hanok with plenty of modern design elements, Gong Gan is decidedly dedicated to creating a connected circle of sustainability. This can be seen in the creation of their signature cocktails: besides making the ingredients in-house, the leftovers are upcycled to create small bites that are served along with the cocktails. Yet, this idea of sustainable development extends beyond the menu and into the community. Gong Gan has been involved in social activities such as organising events for people with disabilities in collaboration with local restaurants nearby and donating to the underprivileged as well. 

Pomme’s contribution to the sustainability movement comes from its emphasis on locally sourced produce. Here, going local helps reduce the bar’s carbon footprint, which in turn encourages sustainable agriculture while supporting the local economy. As one can tell from its name, the bar prides itself on libations crafted with fruits and berries: for instance, the apples used here are grown by Chun Sung Park, a farmer that operates from Apple Flower Village in Chungju. Other small but significant steps that they’ve taken include reducing ice usage and simply chilling their serving glasses in the refrigerator.

Bar Cham is doing its fair share to the earth, committed to sustainability and environmental consciousness. From low-waste practices to a delicious food and drink menu, diners can expect to explore cocktails made with native liquors carefully selected from various regions across South Korea. For one, Bar Cham’s Jeju 2 comes together with a base of local soju from Jeju island that’s infused with volcanic rock tea and a local white wine vermouth – then served with some homemade Jeju green tea chocolate. Not only does this highlight the produce from the region for those visiting this world-renowned bar, it also brings attention to the value of local produce and what it means to support the local economy.