TEI

This underground bar in Shinchon is a bohemian joint that plays alternative folk music, lounge music and old fashioned rock and roll. This venue is small but has a good layout with the bar being easily accessible from all tables. Tei is decorated with paintings and wall murals which look somewhat Nepalese or Aboriginal Australian. On the ceiling is a big hanji paper mural of an eternal flame and some night stars. All along one wall is a shelf full of little buddha sculptures. The solid wood tables have antique cast iron sewing machine bases. The cavern-like atmosphere is further accented by candlelight.
The drinks are really inexpensive here. Becks is 5000 won and Hite Prime is only 3000 won. The drinks menu has a recyclable paper notebook attached to it. Patrons are encouraged to pen shorts stories, poems, drawings or scribbles into the guestbook. (There was one very distraught poem about a person breaking down from a broken heart. Interesting yet corny at the same time) The atmosphere is low-key unpretentious yet cool. This chill-out lounge is primarily a place for artists, musicians and stylish Koreans. Both of the guys who told seoulstyle about this place have long hair.
Tei is not that easy to find. It's a back alley hideaway for people who want to drink a bit off the beaten path.
From the Shinchon subway station, walk up until you see Pascucci coffee. Make a right onto this alley and an immediate left. It's in an alley which branches out from the back of a place called Kenzo Ramen.
02) 365-3824

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