13 Best Bars in Jeju-do, South Korea

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.

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.

Walking into Gecko's is like going home for a few hours: the dark wood furniture, pool table, and dart board are just a few elements that make it an authentic American-style bar. The local expats rave about the delicious Western food which is unlike anything else on the island. The bar offers a variety of beers on tap and an extensive list of shots, shooters, and cocktails. Come for a tasty lunch during the day or a cocktail and lively conversation at night. American top 40s play around the clock. Gecko's even offers free van service on Fridays and Saturdays to City Hall and Shin Jeju in Jeju City and Seogwipo.

Overlooking the sea not far from Jeju International Airport and Yongduam Rock, Hwasan 2020 brings together the best culinary traditions of Jeju and Japan. Essentially an izakaya, the menu boasts some excellent Japanese favorites, including a maguro futomaki stuffed with tuna and local fernbrake fried shiitake mushrooms and shrimp. Local Jeju favorites figure prominently, too, including a bomal bibimguksu (seasoned chilled noodles with sea snails) garnished with seaweed and buckwheat. All dishes are beautifully presented. As for alcoholic beverages, you'll find a pleasing selection of traditional Jeju firewaters, including omegisul, a fermented beverage made from the local staple, millet. For something fruitier, try the Hondiju, a fermented drink made from tangerines. Tables have views of the sea, but sit at the bar if you want to watch what's happening in the open kitchen.

This cozy wine bar offers more than 130 reasonably priced vintages from Chile, France, the United States, Spain, Italy, Argentina, and New Zealand. There's also a small menu with pizzas, pastas, salads, and cheese plates.

The energy picks up in this little bar around 11 when the tables get pushed aside and the entire space becomes a groovy dance floor. Local expats and visitors come to hear their favorite top 40s and drink Western-style cocktails and draft beers.

This flashy, four-story establishment hosts DJ spinning pop music and club hits from a raised platform at the center of a stage. Dance music intermissions feature K-pop lip-syncing and dancers. The nightly opening of the dome to reveal the night sky, synced with a laser show and confetti, is the highlight of the evening.

Jeju Beer is one of the island's most beloved craft beer brands, widely available on the Korean mainland as well. Their wheat ale is particularly popular, as is their citrusy Pellong Ale. The picturesque brewery in Hallim offers tours, though by reservation only, and only on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tours conclude at the third-floor pub, where you can sample the brewery's products. There's also a shop where you can buy Jeju Beer swag, as well as products from the brewery's many brand collaborations.

Old-school vinyl music is the name of the game at this popular LP bar in western Jeju. The drink menu is decent enough, with standard cocktails like gin and tonics, martinis, and jack and cokes, in addition to the usual selection of bottled imported beers and high-priced whiskeys, tequilas, and other potables. Where Matilda really shines, though, is the music selection, with a vinyl selection that would put a streaming service to shame. You're welcome to make requests on a slip of paper you receive when you order, albeit with a couple of provisos: only one song per person, no Korean pop released since 2000, no classical Korean "trot" music, and no club music. The old music posters and retro decor provide an interesting contrast with the ultra-modern raw concrete walls. A single rectangle window frames the sea to masterful effect.

Hidden in downtown Jungmun, Shanti is a cozy hole-in-the-wall bar that blends surfer, Jamaican, and Nepali motifs. It's an eclectic mix, but it works, with a quiet vibe that's perfect for solo drinkers and small groups. They don't have much of a beer selection, but they've got a cocktail menu a mile long. The star of the show, though, is their stash of Khukri, Nepal's celebrated dark rum; try the Khukri highball. If you're hungry, try the homemade chocolate mousse. Pets are welcome, too.

This bistro pub near Hyeopjae Beach makes sublime use of an 50-year-old tangerine warehouse to create a highly atmospheric dining and drinking space, from the wooden truss ceiling to the rice sacks piled up along one of the walls. The drink menu features all the basic cocktails, a few bottled beers, and decent (albeit pricey) selections of wines, cognacs, vodka, tequila, and other fire waters. The real draw, however, is the food, including their signature Jeju black pork barbecue and the "Tanning Banana," a roasted banana topped with ice cream. The place can get quite lively; it draws a younger, hipper crowd, and DJs help keep the mood going. There's also a "photo zone" where you'll find plenty of people waiting to snap selfies in front of a wall of Panama hats.

Spinning Wolf is a lively pub in the Playce Camp Jeju complex in Seongsan. In addition to their own draft pale ale and IPA, they also serve a selection of draft beers from local craft breweries Jeju Beer Brewery and Magpie, and some artistically presented cocktails, including a refreshing frozen daiquiri. Pub grub includes several boneless chicken platters, fish and chips, Cuban sandwiches with Jeju black pork, and pizza with black pork and potatoes. There's often live music at night and parties on special occasions.

This no frills, dimly-lit basement bar is frequented by expats who come to play bar games, listen to classic rock, and chat with the friendly staff. Bar food is served alongside Western-style cocktails and beers on tap.