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Seoul lives up to its reputation as a 24-hour city with a wealth of bars and pubs, clubs, and live music and performance. Each neighborhood has its own character at night—Itaewon is international, Gangnam brimming with class, and Insadong home to cozy local makgeolli bars.
A bar and bottle shop with a moody interior, this cinematic space is inspired by the aesthetic of Asian street food markets. Each detail of the bistro—from the Buddha head in one corner to the towering green plants under the dim, red lights—comes together for a powerful effect. The menu, which changes seasonally, offers natural wine, cocktails, and simple Asian-inspired dishes. Note that the bar is less kid-friendly than most as there are some provocative photos on display.
Located within a traditional hanok, this intimate space with dim lights and a warm wooden bar serves modern takes on traditional liquors and spirits. It's a memorable place to sample the best Korean flavors, soju, and craft cocktails. No wonder it's been named one of the 50 best bars in Asia. Note, the bar only accommodates groups of four or less and reservations are highly recommended. Bar bites are available; they're open until 1 am.
Tucked away in an elegant hanok in Naeja-dong, Cobbler is a whiskey and cocktail bar that serves slices of cobbler pie with every visit. The space, dimly lit and furnished with imported antiques, only has room for 20 guests, but plenty of people are willing to wait as the bar’s owner, Robin Yoo, is one of the best-known mixologists in the country. There is no menu, but you can choose from their takes on classics like the Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule or ask the staff to recommend a drink based on your preferences. Come before 7 pm to ensure you’ll get a seat or visit their second, more spacious location in Yeonhui-dong.
A low-key, self-serve bar stocked with beers and wines from all over the world, Dalmac Super is known for its quality drink selection and its friendly staff. Customers can select drinks from one of the bar’s nine glass door refrigerators and shop for snacks like popcorn, chips, and jerky. (Outside food is also permissible as long as each customer purchases one drink.) Each fridge is labeled with a different category: nonalcoholic, Korean craft, lager and pilsner, light ale, strong ale, fruity and sour, black beer, wine, and promotional (highlighting discount drinks of the week). During the summers, customers can sit outside on a limited number of tables set up on the bar’s stoop and people-watch as Itaewon residents make their way through the busy street. Dalmac’s frozen slushies are also a highlight of the season.
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.
This second floor cocktail and coffee bar manages to feel classic despite pulling off an unusual marriage of Korean and Western cultures. Hangeul directly translates to “Korean alphabet” and the bar’s name was inspired by co-owner Kim Hangeul’s name. Ms. Kim was born on October 9th, Korean Language day, and the bar opened on October 9th, 2023. One decorative highlight of the bar is a wooden beam on the ceiling decorated with dancheong, a traditional Korean pattern of five bright colors typically seen at palaces, done by a professional dancheong artisan using the art form’s customary powder paint (a rarity outside non-traditional spaces). Other nods to Korean culture include the serving of cold barley tea instead of water (typical of Korean households before the ‘90s) and Korean radio playing in the bathroom. None of the elements feel gimmicky and the ambience is never pretentious. Ms. Kim’s husband and co-owner, Jung Hyo-won is a veteran bartender in Seoul’s mixology community so each drink is made to perfection. Try the Cacao Fizz or Boulevardier; if you'd rather opt for a classic, they also make a great Old Fashioned.
Approximately a dozen bars occupy two parallel streets outside Euljiro 3-ga Station to make up Nogari Alley, one of Seoul’s most festive places to have fresh beer and nogari (dried pollack). While the fish snack is not everyone’s cup of tea, the ambience is a crowd pleaser unlike anything else you’ll experience in the city, especially in warmer weather. Each bar sets up red and blue lawn furniture outside, and the streets fill with friends and coworkers kicking back with cold drinks. It may be difficult to find a table between 8 pm and 10 pm, but if one bar is full you can easily hop to another. There’s little to differentiate them. Fried chicken and jwipo (fish jerky) are also on the menu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tucked inside a renovated hanok (traditional Korean home), this chill bar is the perfect marriage of new Korean aesthetics and a German menu that highlights sausages and beers. Its name is a play on words: In Korean, Dokil Jutaek translates to “German House” but in Hanja, a traditional writing system for Korean based on Chinese characters, it means “to drink alone.” In Korean culture, drinking is a highly social activity but here, enjoying a drink alone and mingling with others at the bar is encouraged. Whether or not you prefer to be a social butterfly, a visit is full of Instagrammable cheese and meat plates and an impressive imported beer list best enjoyed while relaxing in the courtyard.
Known for its swoon-worthy design details and hip crowd, this small makgeolli (Korean rice wine) bar was created in collaboration with some of Korea’s finest design talents. The wood-panel interior, the custom-made ceramics, the funky wooden tables and seats, and the music curation all contribute to this feast of the senses. Their makgeolli selection features hard-to-come-by brewers and a few bottles made in-house. The food menu consists of banchans (Korean side dishes) such as crispy gamja jeon (potato pancake);and anju (Korean drinking foods) that pair harmoniously with the drinks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
