Music Makes Bar Rouge Attractive
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
A good bar is defined by its selection of alcoholic beverages. But the difference between good and better can be distinguished by the music accompaniment.
In that sense, JW Marriott seems to have a good reason to be proud of its new bar and refer to it as a ``better'' one.
The hotel refurbished its Italian restaurant and installed Bar Rouge in December 2006.
It now houses 256 quality wines from Australia, Spain and 10 regions of California's Napa Valley, along with other popular drinks such as beer, whiskey and cognac.
But it is the bar's music that distinguishes Bar Rouge from other bars, which is even more obvious since one of music's veteran mixologists in town joined the bar last July.
``I select music that is unique but easy to listen to,'' DJ Rama said. ``The genres are mostly Euro House or Euro Lounge and various experimental labels. It's quite sentimental and soft but sometimes rhythmical.''
With 17 years experience at trendy clubs, he promised to offer a whole new drinking experience catching up with the new trends for customers.
``As I have been in this business for the last 17 years, I've seen a lot of changes in how people enjoy music. A lot of people are interested in music and to satisfy them, I know I have to improve my skills,'' he said.
Regarding a good drink to accompany the music at the bar, he recommended wines or cocktails.
``Now, young female customers prefer mild drinks such as wine and cocktails. They are good for soft and mild music. But if you listen to rhythmical music, you can try whiskey or cognac.''
Bar Rouge has a local sommelier who is handy in helping customers choose the right wine from the selection in the cellar.
It also offers Spanish tapas, available from 14,000 won to 168,000 won to compliment its grape-derived epicurean delights. A snack set menu is also available for groups for 48,000 won.
Weekly promotions are offered with movie nights, wine flights, wine and whisky happy hours and viticulture seminars.
Bar Rouge opens from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and closes one hour earlier on other days.
For more information, call (02) 6282-6763.