Bau Cafe

Yesterday I had a very unique experience.  In the States, at least in the Pacific Northwest, cafes aren't all that popular.  I used to think that they were until coming to Korea and seeing the difference between cafes and coffee shops.  Coffee shops, which seem to be quite predominant where I live.  In a coffee shop, you may enter and order your coffee and perhaps a snack.  Though no one forces you to leave, generally, one wouldn't stay for long.

A cafe is an ordeal, but not in the negative sense.  You may order many different kinds of drinks and also many different kinds of foods, outside of the simple muffin or scone.  And, especially if you are in Korea, a cafe has a reason for you to stick around.  In many cases, this is a theme.  Such as a dog cafe.

Bau Cafe is one such cafe.

To get there we got off of Line 2 at Hongik University stop number 3.  The directions we received said to "look around", and that it would be on the ground floor.  It was, however, not this obvious.  When you come up the stairs of stop 3, Bau Cafe will be behind you on level B1 of what looks like an office building directly behind the stop.  To find the sign you will have to look up (though it is on the same side of the street).

Despite our confusion, this trip was worth it.

The dogs of Bau Cafe

You must buy a drink to stay, so I purchased a grapefruit juice.  It was good, but it wasn't 6,000 won good, which is what I paid.  However, among other things of the same price, it was the cheapest thing on the menu.

If you want lots of attention from the dogs, you can purchase some treats for 3,000 won.  If you do, you will get TONS of attentions for as long as you have treats.

I don't think these women knew what they were getting into.

But, if like us, you are a poor college student and refuse to pay a single won more than you already have, you can still get lots of attention.

Some dogs just want attention.

But some dogs you have to force attention on them.  Just a little.

Both of these dogs vying for my love did not belong to the cafe.

With people bringing in their own dogs, there is more than enough to go around.

The ledges along the walls allow the dogs to jump around from one table to another.

Or to simply take a nap right by you.

All in all, I would completely recommend.  You won't go here for your morning coffee unless you are really loaded, but my friends and I had a wonderful time!