75 Best Nightlife in South Korea

Tea is the hero of the cocktail menu at this Zen-like bar meets teahouse, starring in everything from the Earl Grey Bourbon to the Champagne Oolong. It's a unique experience, but be prepared to spend about ₩25,000 per tea cocktail.

While bars and restaurants that play today's Korean top hits may be a dime a dozen, Gopchang Jeongol is the rare institution that focuses on Korean rock from the 1970s to 1990s. The bar’s name means “beef tripe hot pot,” but their menu offers little out of the ordinary, including Korean beers by the pitcher, green bottles of soju, and basic cocktails alongside Korean-style fruit salad (a common bar food until the 2000s). The bar retains a charming, old-school feel with a live DJ on weekends, disco lights, and heavy, outdated furniture. Musicians who once ruled Hongdae's streets come to listen to favorites like the Kim Sisters, Shin Jung-hyun, and Lee Sun-hee.

Appropriately named, this rollicking Western bar is indeed the headquarters for expat nightlife in Busan, though it also attracts a significant Korean clientele. With quality drinks, live music, amazingly good pub grub, and a million-dollar view of the Gwangan Diamond Bridge, HQ is always a hoot. It's also the best place in town to watch sports, and the staff and owners are as friendly as it gets.

The country’s most recognizable noraebang has tall glass windows allowing pedestrians to look in on your singing shenanigans and clean, spacious facilities. Thanks to Su Noraebang’s popularity, the area is filled with several similar establishments.

A local institution for craft beer, Magpie was founded in 2011 and kicked off South Korea’s craft beer revolution. Their signature beers include the Magpie IPA, Porter, and Stout, but in recent years, they’ve become well known for their more experimental drinks such as the Juicybox (sour ale with cherry and guava) and Sounds Good (a hazy IPA with Jeju Hallabong). Their space is divided into a basement bar and a ground-level space which opens up to the street. There are a few food items on the menu, including a range of delicious pizzas. With Magpie beer sold at bars and restaurants across the country, it’s quite famous and it's not uncommon for residents of the neighborhood to stop by casually for a bite and a beer after work.

Opened in 2018, this upscale bar in Hannam-dong is inspired by vintage train travel, where everything from the drinks to the decor would be right at home on a first-class carriage. Sit at the bar and have a chat with the bartenders if you’re having a drink on your own, or opt for a seat in the courtyard if you’re out with friends on a summer night. The bar’s signature cocktails—the Ramos Gin Fizz, Jimmy Roosevelt, and Breakfast Martini—are creative takes on crowd favorites. Make sure to order from the food menu as the dishes here, such as crispy bacon, deep-fried shrimp sandwich, and crab cakes, are a step above the ordinary.

One of the most sought-after clubs in Seoul, Soap's basement club pumps out house, disco, and hip-hop music late into the night for up to 400 guests. They frequently invite international acts and give guest DJs relative freedom on the stage. Past acts include Tokimonsta, Jacques, and Habibi Funk among others. Drinks at the bar are not cheap, but their signature cocktails—the Oragina Special, Jeju Mule, and Flamingo—are delicious. Soap typically peaks around 1 am, and there are typically lines to get in. Check their Instagram page before you go as you may need tickets in advance for special guest shows.

Situated in the basement of the Park Hyatt hotel, Timber House bills itself as an upscale vinyl record bar, with Izakaya-themed Japanese dishes and top notch cocktails, whiskeys, and wines. As the name suggests, the space is all deep varnished wood and soft, tasteful lighting, with DJs spinning a collection of the records Tuesday through Sunday night. The drinks aren't cheap, but the bar is worth a visit for the experience alone. Their happy hour, from 5 to 7 pm, offers half-price entrees and drinks that takes some of the sting out when it comes to time to pay the bill. 

Beloved in the neighborhood, this dark sultry hotel cocktail bar has become locally famous for its gin, soju, beer, and liquor, all made in-house. The team behind the bar aimed to bring a bit of Brooklyn to Seoul, having met in New York, so it's no surprise you'll see Italian American classics like chicken parmesan in addition to small bites on their menu. Real partiers can rejoice: Tokki Bar doesn't close until 6 am.

Located on the first floor of the Pale de CZ building on Haeundae Beach, this laid-back bar features 12 craft brews from San Diego's Abnormal Beer Co. as well as West Coast–style tacos. Grab an outdoor table, sip a pint, and watch the evening unfurl. 

This basement speakeasy inspired by Alice in Wonderland serves whimsical, fun cocktails befitting of its theme while still managing to avoid being gimmicky or over-the-top.

Opened in 1976, All That Jazz continues to be Seoul's premier jazz club. The club has good acoustics and a relaxed community vibe. Weekends often feature well known Korean jazz artists as well as new talent.

Accessed by a small door and narrow staircase leading up into an actual attic, this intimate bar specializes in single malt whiskies and vibrant cocktails, bringing a nice touch of old-school sophistication to the neighborhood. 

Located on the 81st floor of the Lotte World Tower, Bar 81 delivers spectacular views and a sophisticated, upscale bar experience. They boast an extensive wine list and claim to have the largest Champagne collection in all of Asia. None of this comes cheap, of course, but it's worth a visit if you desire a blast of pure class during your visit to the neighborhood.

Helmed by a couple from New York City, this quiet, elegant bar boasts a deep wine list, as well great cocktails and top-shelf whiskies. They also serve proper European-style dishes, bringing a touch of Lisbon and Rome to the back streets of Busan.

Though it doesn't look like much from the outside, entering this "avant-garde rock bar" is like stepping into another, psychedelic world. Bathed in blue light, the cozy, slightly odd pub manages to strike that perfect balance between cool and inviting, with a nice cocktail list to boot. The owner is an ex-college professor who walked away from the ivory tower in order to open a bar and play his favorite tunes, so like any good little boozer, it's a true labor of love.

Newly opened and with a prime location right on the waterfront at Gwanglli Beach, this fun spot is owned and operated by a friendly expat Kiwi and his Korean wife. There's a good selection of reasonably priced, imported Kiwi ciders and beers, as well as some local brews.

With scores of great craft beers on tap and a full menu of Italian food, Beer Room is one of Gangnam's best spots for a pint and a bite. The decor of the two-story space adds to the ambience, with concrete floors, acres of glass, and outdoor tables where you can sip a hearty ale and watch the night unfold. They also play music of the mellow techno and jazz variety, which is a rarity in an otherwise sea of K-pop. 

Magpie Brewing helped launch Korea's craft beer scene when they opened their first brewpub in Seoul in 2011. In 2016, they opened a beautiful brewery and taphouse in Jeju, repurposing an abandoned tangerine warehouse. (Last order is 7 pm and it's a bit out of town, however.) Much more accessible is Bluebird by Magpie, a lively second-story space in downtown Jeju, not far from Jeju International Airport. In addition to their four regular beers—the pale ale, porter, kölsch, and IPA—they serve a range of seasonal beers, often incorporating local elements such as Jeju tangerine peel and smoked pumpkin. The pub grub here is pretty good, too, including handmade pizzas and tasty chicken tenders. Tables and bar seating are available.

If you like your suds cold and cheap, Bonggu Beer is the place for you. This nationwide chain is inspired by Japanese "small beer" bars, and that's what you get: a super intimate interior with Korean beer on tap, as well as a small selection of imported bottles. They also offer simple and inexpensive anju (side dishes) such as French fries, sausage, and dried squid.

Opened in 2012, Brown Seoul/Soul is a hip-hop club recognized by many artists in the community. They play a mix of soul, funk, hip-hop, and R&B—both Korean and Western—and well-known DJs like Soulscape, Mello, and Ghostex spin here on a regular basis. Weekends are packed with dancing partygoers and weekdays are typically more lowkey, making it possible to focus on enjoying the music and cocktails. Brown is the playground for nearby YG Entertainment employees who hang out here on quiet nights, so don’t be afraid to mingle.

This landmark club in Itaewon is one of the most established names in hip-hop nightlife in Seoul. Many would even credit the opening of Cakeshop to shifting the nightlife center away from Gangnam and into Itaewon. A basement space with a capacity for up to 200 guests, Cakeshop hosts a range of musical guests from Kode9 to FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) and has often hosted afterparties for bigger festivals. Local music lovers in Seoul might argue that Cakeshop’s prominence over the years has caused it to lose a certain edginess, but the club is still a good bet if you’re looking for a full house on a Saturday night. The club also has a brother location with a more relaxed feel, called Pistil, down the street.

Calling itself an “urban oasis in the middle of Seoul,” Casa Corona is a rooftop bar with beachy decor. It's particularly popular in warmer months, when most visitors prefer to sit outdoors. There are several tables also accommodating large groups. The menu features a long list of liquor (available by the glass and by the bottle), signature cocktails, and a handful of quick bites. DJs play live sets during the weekend and occasionally, there is live music, mostly jazz bands. 

Considered by many to be the best wine bar in the city, Casa del Vino is a must for oenophiles. They boast an extensive list of more than 600 wines, with a European focus but also some Napa Valley bottles and some more obscure picks. The interior is classy and elegant, and the rectangular bar is popular with the local business crowd. 

Often glowing under sparkly, disco lights, Channel 1969 is a live music venue and alternative music bar/club. On any given night, you could walk in to find an improv comedy set, an indie music performance, or DJ sets with playlists ranging from Bollywood to Afrobeats to psychedelic to J-pop. Drinks are mostly commercial beers and cheap, basic cocktails, and the vibe is very friendly. Although Korean bars are generally considered difficult places to meet new people, Channel 1969 is the rare venue where it doesn’t raise eyebrows to strike up a conversation with a stranger. On summer nights, the bar’s scene spills out into the street where revelers drink and smoke.

The Haeundae branch of this Korean chain can sometimes seem a bit impersonal, but Cocky Pub makes up for it with its great drink selection, hearty pub fare, and most importantly, its primo location in the heart of Haeundae. It's the perfect place to kick back with a drink and watch people stroll by. Best of all, on the weekends they open their rooftop terrace, affording patrons terrific views of the city and ocean beyond. 

This basement pub has been Daegu's main expat watering hole since 1995. Owner Hyunshik can usually be found behind the bar holding court, pouring beer, or spinning LPs from his huge collection of vinyl. On Wednesday Communes is home to a popular open mic, and the place is well-known for its laid-back, friendly vibes.

Head to this chilled-out, homey pub for quality cocktails, and a nice assortment of wines and beer. While the place is overflowing with comfort, it's done with a touch of class. The owner is friendly, and the bar also hosts live jazz performances.

Specializing in Korean-produced craft beers on tap, this popular downtown pub is a stellar place to grab a brew as well as some of the best pizzas in town. They also have great selection of bottled imports and mix a mean cocktail as well. A nice outdoor balcony seating area opens when the weather heats up, which in Daegu means about half of the year. 

Korean's love board game cafés and the people of Jeju are no exception. Fun Café has stacks of board games from all over the world; there are classics like Scrabble and Monopoly, and more obscure games like It's a Dog's Life. The room is large, well-lit, and has big, comfy, albeit a tad drab, chairs and sofas. There's no sign in English outside so look for the Mr. Pizza building across from City Hall and go up to the fifth floor.