Four Seasons Seoul's Charles H. named in 'World's 50 Best Bars 2021'
A view of the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's bar, Charles H. / Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
By Lee Hae-rin
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's bar, Charles H., has ranked 42nd in the “World's 50 Best Bars 2021” list, being the only bar in Korea to make the list in consecutive years.
The “World's 50 Best Bars” competition was initiated in 2009 by William Reed Business Media Group in the United Kingdom to promote bar experiences and celebrate high levels of cocktail craftsmanship.
A group of 600 evaluators, consisting of bartenders, beverage experts and industry reporters, vote based on their firsthand experiences to select the top 50.
The 2021 list of the top 50 bars from 17 countries was released via livestream on Dec. 8.
Charles H. was ranked at 42 this year, higher than last year's 49. In addition, Charles H. ranked 13th in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021 and No.1 in Korea.
Located on the lower lobby level of the hotel, the bar is accessible only through a secret passageway covered with Korean artwork.
The bar is named after American author Charles Henry Baker Jr., who is best known for his culinary and cocktail writings, and offers a reinterpretation of Baker's original cocktail recipes.