Craftworks opens branch in Pangyo

People wait outside during the opening night of the Craftworks Taphouse and Bistro in Pangyo, Friday. / Courtesy of C. Shorey

By C. Shorey

The scenic town of Pangyo, in Bundang, south of Seoul, hosted the opening of the newest Craftworks Taphouse and Bistro, Friday night. This is the second location for Craftworks, which also operates in Itaewon.

Restaurant staff eagerly greeted patrons and ushered people to their seats or placed them on a waiting list that grew longer and longer as the night progressed. To celebrate the event, Craftworks provided free appetizers all night and served their famous variety of gourmet beers at discounted prices.

The tables filled quickly, and the wait time increased, but more and more people came to take part in an event that poured out into the street.

The block party atmosphere that developed complimented the beautiful layout of Pangyo. The combination of elegantly designed buildings and clean streets made the perfect backdrop for the opening of Craftworks.

The shop employs Korean and English speaking staff to be able to cater to all of its customers. The variety of customers that attended Craftworks opening was as varied as their beer selection.

Koreans, Canadians, British and Americans all came together to take advantage of the joyous occasion. Business professionals, teachers, store owners and computer technicians all socialized side by side.

Western style appetizers, including nachos, wings and ribs kept the crowd fed and content throughout the evening. Craftworks features a large menu with bistro style food that is full of flavorful dishes, but the real draw of this new chain of stores is the beer.

Craftworks Taphouse brews their own beer in Seoul, which can be purchased not only at their locations, but is also available at over 50 different hotels and restaurants including such popular venues as Vato's in Itaewon, or the Renaissance Hotel in southern Seoul.

The growing popularity of these beers, which are all named after famous mountains in Korea, has resulted in a high demand from many high end restaurants that wish to serve micro-brews. Jirisan "Moon Bear" IPA, Namsan Pure Pilsner and Seorak Oatmeal stout are just three examples of their choices.

The addition of Craftworks to Pangyo adds to the great atmosphere that Pangyo already has with its cafe street and trendy shops. If this exciting event is any indication of the future of Craftworks, then Pangyo customers will be toasting beers and eating great food for a long time.