Must-see nightlife in Seoul

  • Club Octagon

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Voted number seven in the world's top clubs by DJ Mag in 2018, Octagon is one of Gangnam's best for serious clubbers. High-profile resident and guest DJs…

  • Grand Ole Opry

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Bang in the middle of Itaewon's red-light district, this honky-tonk dive bar is a throwback GI hang-out and something straight out of a movie. The…

  • Southside Parlor

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Having outgrown their Texas-taco-truck roots, these artisanal cocktail makers set up shop in Itaewon. Behind a copper bar, a crew of amiable bartenders…

  • Café Sukkara

    Seoul

    There’s a fantastic range of drinks at this shabby-chic, farmhouse-style cafe with a contemporary Japanese flair. They make their own juices and liquors –…

  • Muldwinda

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Seoul's most sophisticated makgeolli bar is a place for connoisseurs of Korean liquors and those who'd like to learn a bit more about the depths and…

  • Magpie Brewing Co

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Seoul craft-beer pioneers Magpie pour some of the finest brews in Seoul from this rough-and-tumble alleyway venue, opened in 2011. Pull up a stool at the…

  • Anthracite

    Seoul

    An old shoe factory is the location for one of Seoul’s top independent coffee-roaster and cafe operations. Drinks are made using the hand-drip method at a…

  • Cakeshop

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Head underground to Itaewon's hippest club for electronic beats spun by international and top local DJs. Check their Facebook page to see who's playing.

  • Sorori Wolhyang

    Seoul

    Specialising in artisanal makgeolli (milky rice wine) from around Korea, and other local liquors, this cosy basement bar is a great place to sample…

  • Su Noraebang

    Seoul

    Sing your heart out and be noticed at this luxe karaoke bar: some rooms resemble lounge bars, while others have floor-to-ceiling windows fronting onto the…

  • Venue/

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    This dive-y basement club attracts a fun-loving, unpretentious crowd for DJs spinning old-school hip-hop and R&B, house, disco and electronica. There's no…

  • Mikkeller Bar, bar exterior

    Mikkeller Bar

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Danish brand famous for 'phantom' brewing (pop-up type service with locals), Mikkeller has its first Korean location in this small, one-room bar with…

  • Channel 1969

    Seoul

    One of the last truly alternative spaces in the Hongdae-Yeonnam-dong area, this cultural space and bar turns itself into a club and lounge on weekends and…

  • Sipboon Il

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    This wine bar takes its vino seriously – there's a sign at the entrance that says 'No soju served here'. The cosy chic interior makes an unexpected…

  • Gopchang Jeongol

    Seoul

    Fans of this veteran music bar (opened 1999) in the heart of Hongdae love its old-school vibes, '70s interior and for solely playing Korean music. Hear…

  • Sunset Beach

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Some nights this shoebox of a bar is the most happening hang-out on the Itaewon strip. Maybe it's the Long Island Ice Teas served in plastic pouches (two…

  • Soap

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Tucked away in the back alleys of Itaewon, this blue-hued basement club burst onto the scene in 2017, pulling in international DJs spinning to a young, up…

  • Neurin Maeul

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    The Gangnam branch of this Baesangmyeon Brewery bar is a bit snazzier than others, but remains a good place to sample quality traditional Korean alcohol…

  • Art C Company

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    A three-storey design and music-themed cafe located in an alley adjacent to Garosu-gil. Each floor brings a slightly different atmosphere, from cafe…

  • Hello, Stranger

    Seoul

    A cafe well known for its eye-catching storefront, Hello Stranger is a warm, cosy coffeeshop located on the outskirts of Hongdae. Filled with art…

  • Greenmile Coffee

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Fitted out in designer furniture and caffeine-related paraphernalia, this cool little cafe is a great spot for coffee. It roasts all its single-origin…

  • Bread Blue

    Seoul

    This vegan bakery-cafe is one of the few places to get an excellent soy latte in Seoul. Dairy-free temptations include dense matcha muffins, macaroons,…

  • Nakrang Parlour

    Seoul

    Taking on the same name as the first official cafe and parlour in Korea from 1931, Nakrang Parlour is an airy cafe and vintage goods shop located in…

  • Standing Coffee Roasters

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    For top-quality third-wave coffee at a great price, Standing Coffee Roasters can't be beat. This is its roastery, with a tiny shop and cafe attached. Buy…

  • Pet Sounds

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Named after Korean owner Jay's love affair with the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album, this friendly upstairs rock bar provides a paper and pen to put in your…

  • Mowmow

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Order your makgeolli (milky rice wine) by the half-litre or litre at this homey bar and restaurant up the hill from the main Itaewon dining alley. Or pair…

  • Takeout Drawing

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    This shabby-chic, three-storey cafe is a chilled place to hang out and enjoy art books and magazines with a creative hot drink (try the espresso with a…

  • Cafe More

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Part coffee shop and part Braille library, this bright and spacious cafe caters to the sight-impaired community. The library consists of hundreds of…

  • Arcade Bar Seoul

    Seoul

    This two-storey bar and cafe is all about its dozen vintage video games on the basement level. Drinks include decent coffee and a few craft beers on tap;…

  • Hongdae Playground

    Seoul

    An icon of Hongdae and known simply as 'Playground', small Hongik Munhwa park turns into an impromptu outdoor party most nights. Weekends are especially…

  • Dukes Coffee Showroom

    Seoul

    The owners of this coffee 'showroom' studied the art of the bean for years in Melbourne to fine-tune their barista skills before opening up this venue in…

  • Club MWG

    Seoul

    Myoung Wol Gwan (MWG) translates as 'bright moon house' but lunar sightings are not on the agenda from this dark, basement venue, one of Hongdae's longest…

  • Moon Jar

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Rustic charm meets Apgujeong chic at this convivial makgeolli (milky rice wine) bar and cafe spread over two floors. The menu has several different types…

  • Burn

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Blaze up a top-class Cuban, swirl your aged single malt and kick back in a leather club chair as you savor the sophisticated (and smoky) ambience at this…

  • Ways of Seeing

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Shared tables and a chill vibe draw the laptop crowd to this roomy cafe, making it a good spot to plug in and update that blog over a latte and coconut…

  • Suzie Q

    Seoul

    A dark and wonderful LP bar in Hongdae lined with over 15,000 records. Jot down your song requests and pass it to the cool older DJ who might play one on…

  • The Edge

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    The Edge is half record store and half cafe and bar. The venue focuses on selling records by day, but invites DJs and sells drinks after dark. On…

  • Man Pyung

    Seoul

    A 2nd-floor vinyl bar, Man Pyung is often the only venue open past midnight on this Hapjeong-dong cafe street. Opened by two DJs, this bar is one for die…

  • Eulji Brewing

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Eulji Brewing is a two-storey craft beer bar that opened in 2018. The interior is decorated with graphics by local artists, and the menu focuses on local…

  • Keg B

    Seoul

    This cosy craft-beer pub on the top floor of a small backstreet block is a good place to savour a pint or two. Choose between four local beers on tap and…

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