"A Glass of Espresso Martini at the Chairman's Mansion in the 1960s"

Starbucks Jangchung Lounge R Branch Opens on the 12th
Special Store Celebrating 10th Anniversary of Reserve Introduction
Reception Room and Fireplace Reflect the Passage of Time

A secretive mansion built in the 1960s and never before revealed has been unveiled by Starbucks. On the afternoon of the 11th, after getting off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station on subway lines 2, 4, and 5 and walking about 10 minutes into the residential area of Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, the 'Starbucks Jangchung Lounge R' store caught my eye.

Starbucks Jangchung Lounge R Branch, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Onyu Lim ioy@

Upon opening the main gate and entering, the first place encountered was the underground garage. On the garage walls, the journey from coffee bean harvesting and roasting to a cup of coffee flowed as an augmented reality (AR) mural. When I went up to the ground floor and pressed the doorbell, it felt like a time travel back to the 1960s. The entrance, stairs, reception room, fireplace, and mid-century furniture were filled with vintage interior elements that vividly conveyed the passage of time.

Opening on the 12th, the Jangchung Lounge R store is the 10th special store introduced by Starbucks Korea to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Reserve’s domestic launch. The total seating capacity across the basement first floor, ground first and second floors, and terrace is about 180 seats. The seven spaces created on the first and second floors above ground have different concepts such as lounge and music room, creating atmospheres like independent rooms. An outdoor garden connected to the first floor has 40 seats, designed as a resting space within the city.

Mixology Bar first introduced at Starbucks Jangchung Lounge R branch. Photo by Im Onyu ioy@

Aside from the timeworn interior, the most eye-catching feature is the 'Mixology Bar,' introduced for the first time in Korea. Mixology is a word combining the English words ‘Mix’ and ‘Technology,’ meaning the enjoyment of new flavors by combining alcoholic beverages with other drinks, fruits, ice cream, and various ingredients.

At this location, you can actually sit at the bar and watch Starbucks partners shake shakers to prepare mixology drinks. The menu is also diverse. It includes four cocktail drinks developed from Starbucks’ signature coffee menus?espresso, latte, and cold brew?such as ‘Espresso Martini,’ ‘Latte Whiskey Martini,’ ‘Citrus Cold Brew Martini,’ and ‘Bourbon Whiskey Cream Cold Brew,’ totaling 11 different cocktail drinks. The ‘White Moscato Sangria’ and ‘Strawberry Lemon Vodka Blended’ can be chosen as non-alcoholic options.

Starbucks Korea beverage team partner Lee Jeong-hyo explained, "Starbucks Jangchung Lounge R is the first in the nation to introduce mixology," adding, "Among these, the signature is the Bourbon Whiskey Cream Cold Brew, a cocktail made using special coffee beans and whiskey."

There are also various pairing menus such as olives, chocolate, and cheese. Starbucks Korea food team partner Kim Chung-hoe said, "Since the coffee aroma must be the priority, we prepared pairing menus that are not too heavy and do not interfere with the coffee aroma."

Starbucks Jangchung Lounge R Branch Reception Room. Photo by Im Onyu ioy@

There are also menus exclusive to Jangchung Lounge R, such as Espresso French Vanilla Cream and Jeju Palsak Sherbet. Drinks from existing Starbucks Reserve stores can also be ordered.

Starbucks store development manager Hong Seong-wook said, "Jangchung Lounge R was prepared to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Reserve’s domestic launch, designed so customers can enjoy Starbucks’ coffee heritage," adding, "We will continue to strive to introduce stores with various concepts in the future."