- What kind of place is book.ikda?
- book.ikda is a book bar in Hongdae, Seoul — part bookstore, part bar, built for reading with a drink in hand. Some call it a book cafe, others a book pub. However you name it, you're welcome to sit, order a glass of wine, and read.
- Is this a book cafe?
- Close to one, and plenty of guests call it that. You're welcome to open a book and stay a while. The differences: we open in the evening rather than the morning, and the glass in front of you holds wine or a highball rather than coffee. It's a quiet room with the volume turned down, so it suits reading alone better than catching up with a friend.
- Can I come alone?
- Yes — many guests come solo. It's a quiet space with the volume turned down, good for reading alone, journaling, or just sitting with a glass of wine.
- Do I need a reservation?
- Naver Reservation (a Korean-language booking service) is used for book club meetings, readings, and classes. For questions about regular seating, message @book.ikda on Instagram — the easiest way to check before you visit.
- What is Wine Chat?
- A one-on-one conversation with the shopkeeper over a glass of wine. On a day the shop is closed, we open for a single guest. Anything is fair game: work, relationships, or something you haven't put into words yet. If it feels awkward to bring up, know that some things come out more easily with a stranger than with someone close. It started with the notes by the window. Watching people press down words they hadn't said to anyone, we realized there aren't many places to set those things down. Paper works, but so does a person, so we decided to listen. Booking is through Naver Reservation (a Korean-language service).
- What drinks do you have?
- About 30 wines, plus highballs (8,000 KRW) and five beers: Guinness stout, Indica IPA, Heineken and Stella lagers, and Liefmans fruit beer. Roughly 40 drinks in total, with glasses of wine starting at 6,000 KRW.
- Can I bring my own bottle? (Corkage)
- We don't offer corkage (BYOB). Around 30 wines plus highballs and beer are chosen to pair with reading. Private full-space rentals are the one exception, where bringing your own drinks is fine.
- Can I only read the books on the shelves? Can I bring my own?
- Among the books on our shelves, the ones with book.ikda's black cover sticker are free to read on the spot. For books without the sticker, we ask that you buy first, then read. Bringing a book from home is fine too.
- Can I buy the books here?
- Yes. book.ikda is a working independent bookstore, so if something on the shelf catches your eye, it's yours to take home. We also welcome suggestions on what to stock, so tell us if there's a book you'd like to find here.
- Can I bring my dog or other pet?
- Yes, pets are welcome. Bring them along.
- What are your hours?
- Closed Monday and Tuesday. Open 19:00 to 23:00 Wednesday through Friday, and 15:00 to 23:00 on Saturday and Sunday. We stay open until 11 p.m., so an after-work visit works. Occasional holiday closures are announced on Instagram @book.ikda, so it's worth a quick check before a long trip over.
- Can I work on a laptop?
- Laptop work isn't a fit here. It's a quiet room where keyboard and mouse clicks carry to the next table. Come to read, or to write by hand.
- Where are you located?
- book.ikda, our book bar, is at 10-3, Wausan-ro 29ma-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 2nd floor — a short walk from Hongik University Station in Hongdae, tucked into a quiet alley.