Just in time for the Winter Olympics, a new sports bar has opened in central Seoul's multicultural Haebangchon neighborhood. Biggie's Sports Bar focuses on American sports while offering a range of live broadcasts to excite patrons. Co-owned by Yong and Sunny, it aims to revitalize the local area.
Biggie's Sports Bar opened late last year in Seoul's multicultural Haebangchon neighborhood, occupying a corner of the former Woori Mart. Slightly below street level in what owners call a "1/3-basement," it offers a clear view from outside into its clean, rectangular interior, contrasting with the quirky layouts of nearby older spots.
Co-owner Yong, a Korean American raised in Philadelphia, earned an accounting degree from Pennsylvania State University before moving to Korea in 2010 for a securities job. His partner Sunny, a licensed real estate agent working in nearby areas, discovered the space through her business. They met a decade ago via a darts league, inspiring the bar's dart board.
The name stems from Yong's high school nickname "Big Head," evolving to "Biggie." "Sunny thought it was fun and a good bar name," he said. The venue emphasizes American sports like football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, which Yong grew up loving. "I wanted to share the sports I grew up loving," he noted, while also planning to broadcast Olympics events, soccer, and local games on three 50-inch TVs and a 98-inch screen.
"One dream is that if Korea ever makes it to the World Cup final, our bar would be packed, beer spraying everywhere," Yong said. They open at 6 p.m. daily except Tuesdays, closing at 1 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. Living locally, Yong expressed pride in Haebangchon and hopes for its revitalization amid narrow sidewalks and busy traffic.