57 Best Bars in Seoul, South Korea

This Chicago-based company was one of the first foreign brands to make headway into Korea's emerging craft beer scene, and their Gangnam location is their mothership. It's an ultra-modern, immaculate complex with myriad beers on tap and a full food menu featuring Western pub favorites such as pork ribs and Buffalo wings. It also houses a brewery with stainless steel tanks, tubes, and valves visible right behind the long bar. The net result is a shiny piece of the United States in the midst of Seoul, so if you're homesick, perhaps this will cure it. Just don't don't expect too much in the way of service.

Helen's Kitchen features over 25 varieties of artisan makgeolli (Korean rice wine) making it a great place for those out in Gangnam to sample this uniquely Korean drink. The food, while nothing special, serves as a good compliment to the different makgeolli on offer. The knowledgeable staff can help customers find the best variety to suit their tastes.

This street of bars and clubs is the center of nightlife for gay men in Seoul. As same-sex rights are not recognized by the South Korean government, the street is also a safe haven for the community and should not be regarded as a tourist attraction. That being said, gay men and allies accompanied by gay men can feel free to let loose here. Bars like Trance, Trunk, Queen, and Why Not offer cocktails, dancing, drag shows, and more. 

This wine bar has a terrific bottle selection at prices that, when compared to other wine bars in the area, won't break the bank. The gorgeous wooden interior is intimate and softly lit, making it the perfect place for a romantic conversation over a glass or two of vino. They also serve pizza, pasta, and Italian salads.

A café that transitions into a bar at night, Jebi Dabang is a great place for non-drinkers and drinkers alike to get a feel for Hongdae nightlife. Operated by an architectural studio named CTR that also dabbles in both sound production and publishing, the bar’s name means "Swallows Café." It refers to a salon of the same name that poet Yi Sang opened for intellectuals in the early 20th century. Decorated with books and posters by local artists, Jebi has a counter with a bar and seats perched against a large window on the first floor and a small stage in the basement level that hosts live music concerts. Come for the moka pot coffee; stay for the music.

While not a conventional bar per se, Jong 3-pocha is a row of pochas (tented bars) outside of Jongno 3-ga Station. It's one of a dozen such streets left in the city and rare in its longtime hospitality of the LGBTQ+ community. The experience varies from pocha to pocha, but expect plastic lawn furniture seating, green bottles of soju, and generous helpings of seafood. The limited space and unfamiliar foods might be intimidating at first, but after a drink or two, you’ll become enamored of the moody, orange lights and the soft-at-heart ladies in charge.

If you're exploring the hanoks of the Bukchon Village and need a crisp brew, head to this quiet, atmospheric craft beer taproom for a self-serve pale ale, IPA, or saison. Its traditional setting is enchanting, whether you're here during the day and light streams in from the roof or you're on the illuminated patio at night. Bar snacks like chicken wings and fries are also available.

In a sea of luxurious stores, find a hidden retreat in this speakeasy behind a bookcase in a Cheongdam alleyway (push the book and the door opens). The library-like lounge has an illuminated bar and sparkling chandeliers, giving it an air of sophistication that complements the neighborhood well. There's an excellent whiskey list and unique, if a bit pricey, cocktails.

A New York speakeasy vibe permeates this old school cocktail bar near Seokchon Lake, especially with its dark wooden bar lined with leather chairs, menu featuring New York strip steak, and a whisky library.

Seoul's pioneering craft beer bar moved to this Euljiro location in 2023. Their classics like the Magpie Pale Ale and IPA are still available as is the excellent selection of pizzas. Come hungry and try the spicy lamb pizza and the peanut cucumber salad—both delicious mainstays of their menu—to go along with your pour. The space sprawls across the fourth floor of a large warehouse, and DJs play live sets on a regular basis.

The blue velvet seating, dark wood, and glamorous details of this cocktail bar make for a sumptuous setting to sip drinks that often tell a story about Korea. The signature Spirit of Jeju highlights tangerines from the island and is served in citrus over ice. Other fanciful presentations are common; you might just find your coupe glass is topped with an orb of smoke. Mocktails are also available.

Two of the hottest clubs to open in the area in the past five years, both MODECi and Henz Club operate out of a five-story building near Hongik University’s main gate and are both run by street apparel brand Henz Clothing. MODECi, located on the building’s fifth floor, focuses on playing hip-hop and funk music while Henz, on the basement level, leans toward bass-heavy and lyrical music. With tall windows facing the street and a spacious rooftop, the former is a great option for clubgoers who feel claustrophobic in closed-off spaces and the latter is more of an intense, packed experience for those looking to mingle.

Perfect for beginners to sool, or traditional Korean alcohol, Namsan Sool Club is a small space filled to the brim with an L-shaped bar that fits ten to twelve customers. While its menu of over 100 different types of traditional liquor may be intimidating for newcomers to the drink, the bar’s loquacious, bilingual staff are happy to answer questions and offer suggestions for where to start. They recommend that groups split bottles of makgeolli, or rice wine, but solo drinkers are welcome to order by the glass. The layout of the space also opens itself up to mingling, making it an easier-than-usual place to meet new people. On Sundays, customers are invited to a card game that allows them a chance to win free drinks. During the summers, the bar front converts to a stand that frees up room for a few people to drink outdoors.

Located in an unassuming basement near Changdeokgung Palace, this small cocktail bar sits eight to ten people. The menu has several cocktails, but whiskey is the name of the game here. Just let the bartender know if your prefer bourbon or rye and they can recommend drinks based on your taste profile. While the low lighting and tight space are great for an intimate atmosphere, it may be difficult if you've come in a larger group.

The bar of the Platoon arts complex draws in an arty crowd from around town. The bar makes for a good early evening drink after checking out exhibitions at the complex. They're closed on Sunday.

This wineshop and outdoor bar comes to life during Seoul’s warmer months. While the bottles on sale can be taken to go, many visitors choose to have their drinks on the benches just outside the shop on a brick-laden pathway. There are small samplers of cheese and fruit, as well as snacks like chips and pretzels at the counter. There is also a limited selection of beers and Korean liquors. Wine glasses and serving plates are available for guests choosing to drink on-site. When the weather’s fine, the neighborhood residents---often accompanied by their dogs---come for a day drink and enjoy the sun.

Perched at the top of the AC Hotel Gangnam, this stylish, upscale bar embraces a New York City speakeasy theme and features a world-class menu of wines, whiskeys, beer, and cocktails, as well as impressive views of N Seoul Tower and Gangnam. Dinner is served from 6 pm to 9 pm. Reservations are recommended. 

A great place to dive into a proper Korean drinking experience is this lively bar on Bangi Matgol (Food Alley). Like all pocha, food is the real star of the show, with menu items such as buchujeon (seafood chive pancake), nogari (small pollack), and tongmanul dalk ddongjib yachae bokkum (fried garlic chicken gizzards and vegetables). All of this is washed down with plenty of beer and soju, of course. The fact that this place is open 24/7 means that things can get a bit rowdy late at night. When the weather is mild, the windows open, and you can enjoy the buzzing street life from the comfort of your own table.

Located on the fifth floor of an industrial warehouse, this artsy and ornate bar is a must-see for Euljiro area first-timers. Simple cocktails and a few craft beers are served in the space, better defined by its decor of neon lights and kitschy objects. Visitors can also bring their drinks to the rooftop, furnished simply with lawn furniture and a digital waterfall.

A craft beer bar built into a hanok, Seoul Gypsy's brewery and taproom is beloved by the city’s judgiest beer aficionados. Located on the quieter end of Jongno 3-ga, its off-the-beaten-path location means that few customers stumble into the bar by coincidence. While its cozy ambience certainly adds to Seoul Gypsy’s reputation, the range of unique beers available is the real draw. The seasonal beer menu highlights brews made with local ingredients such as the Bokbunja Yogurt Ipa, made with Korean black raspberries, and the Sansuhwa Wheat, a wheat beer with hints of omija (magnolia berries).

Originally founded by three friends from Texas, Southside Parlor started as a small taco truck before becoming an internationally recognized bar topping "best bar" lists all over the world. The two-story space with a rooftop view of N Seoul Tower has great cocktails, a long list of bar foods (tacos, burgers, and nachos) and hookahs on the menu. With a dart board in one corner and a retro Street Fighter arcade in another, the space has an American feel. Everyone on staff speaks English and 1990s hip-hop plays through the speakers. With regular trivia nights and burlesque shows, Southside is a bit of home away from home for anyone craving a bit of the United States on their Korea travels.

A beer-and-pizza joint owned and operated by three Americans, Spill Out offers 10-inch pizzas straight out of the oven, whiskey and bourbon highballs, and a welcoming ambience. The bar’s garlic knots, which are fried and then sauced with pesto and marinara, pair perfectly with cold beer. The bar is known for their American holiday parties, celebrated with cornhole and special drinks. If you are a solo traveler, this is one place you’ll rarely feel alone. Many of the tables are open for a chat and Scott French, Spill Out’s chief pizza maker, can rattle off pizza facts and recommend the city’s best pies.

One of the most unique makgeolli (rice wine) bars in town, Story of the Blue Star is a relaxed pub in an unassuming old hanok. The owner, Soon—a former stage actor and world traveler—adds green tea, taro, and other herbs to the wine to create a range of interesting drinks. The food here may be simple but everything is fresh and tasty.

Top Cloud offers a romantic night view from the 33rd floor of the Jongno Tower. Excellent for an after-dinner drink with a date, but be warned that cocktails start at around W20,000 and shoot up quickly from there.

This cool little basement bar at the top of Gangnam's "Meat Alley" attracts both an expat and Korean clientele. It's most famous for its darts and beer pong, though if you arrive early enough and sidle up to the counter, owner LJ will regale you with stories of how the neighborhood has grown and changed over the decade and a half since she set up shop. Vudu is a great place to roll up to alone; if you stay long enough, you'll probably make friends with most of the bar.

One of the edgiest venues in Seoul, Vurt is a techno club that highlights local electronic music DJs and calls itself a music venue with “sounds from the ancient future.” To enter, you have to get past a front door on the first floor and walk down a long corridor in the basement, which gives Vurt an authentic underground feel. This is further accentuated with the club’s decor: concrete walls, dim lights, minimal furniture, and a bar tucked in the back. The scene is less friendly than others, but it's a must-visit for music lovers of this genre of music.

While Gangnam is famous for its K-pop, hip-hop, and electronic music dance clubs, this bar offers a refuge for any rock and rollers who may find themselves in this otherwise musically unfriendly terrain. With draft beer and cocktails, Woodstock keeps the rock dream alive with monitors playing music videos that are blasted through the bar's speakers. Think: AC/DC, Guns 'n Roses, and Nirvana. The owner, who will also pour your beer, takes requests, but just be sure not to ask for any BTS songs.