Must-see nightlife in South Korea

  • Speakeasy

    Gwangju

    This 2nd-floor bar hidden down an alley is a favourite with foreigners and has a good selection of imported beers. Bands sometimes play on Fridays or…

  • B One

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    On the main drag, B One is a glitzy spot to kick on at after the bars. At weekends, the main room keeps the energy high with EDM and house, while things…

  • Fox Wine Bistro

    Seoul

    This classy wine bar is a sign of Hongdae's ever-growing sophisticated side. There are over 400 different bottles on the menu; unfortunately, little is…

  • Neurin Maeul

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Top-quality makgeolli and other traditional Korean alcoholic drinks are brewed on-site at this huge branch of Slow Brew Pub. There's another branch in…

  • aA Café

    Seoul

    Soaring ceilings and space, filled with designer and retro furniture, set apart this cafe. It’s a pleasure to hang out here, while in the basement you can…

  • Rose Marin

    Seogwipo

    Rose Marin is a tumbledown waterfront shack with giant trees growing through the floorboards. It's quirky, gritty and delightful. Be sure to try the dried…

  • Yri Cafe

    Seoul

    Browse local and imported books and magazines on art and design at this convivial bohemian hang-out that works just as well as a daytime cafe and…

  • Cafe Tomorrow

    Jeonju

    The coffee is OK, but the view is great. Walk up the steps and take your espresso on the tiny outdoor balcony, or mount the narrow spiral staircase and…

  • Walkabout

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Amid Myeong-dong's guesthouse enclave leading up to Namsan, this travel-themed bar is run by a couple of young travel nuts who serve Korean craft beers on…

  • Trance

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Pouting drag princesses entertain in their own utterly unique style at this small gay club with a DJ and a stage. Drag performances usually kick off…

  • Cafe Maroo

    Gangwon-do

    Located in one of the temple halls of Sangwon-sa, this is a lovely spot for a coffee, all laid out in fresh-looking wood, with colourful furniture.

  • Blacklist

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    You'll find a friendly welcome and a well-mixed selection of house and top-shelf cocktails in this intimate 3rd-floor bar run by Americans.

  • Always Homme

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    The most welcoming gay bar on the strip, this place has flirty-friendly staff, low-playing music and a cosy open-air lounge set-up.

  • Eva's Gwangan

    Busan

    Weary English instructors flock to this breezy, beach-vibe bar to unwind over cheap draught after a hard day of teaching phonics.

  • Queen

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    The undisputed queen of Homo Hill, this eternally popular gay bar is still the place to party in Itaewon.

  • Black Brunch Cafe

    Chungcheongnam-do

    This humble coffee shop serves the best espresso on Mallipo Beach.

  • Jackson Bill

    Chuncheon

    This old-school watering hole between Myeong-dong and the bend of Dakgalbi Geori is overseen by amiable veteran Mr Oh, who sits in front of 8000 vinyl…

  • Cafe Liz

    Jeollabuk-do

    A fine coffee shop with an eclectic, factory-like design that captures Gunsan's industrial character.

  • Booth

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    The original Booth brewpub (there are now eight in Seoul) looks the part with its pop-art murals and warehouse-chic interior, but beer aficionados have…

  • Booth

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    A popular brew pub with its roots in Noksapyeong's Craft Beer Valley, this Gangnam branch has several of its beers on tap, including its signature Bill's…

  • Orum Café

    Jeju-do

    Across the road from the Kim Young Gap Gallery Dumoak, have a drink or a bite to eat – octopus spaghetti and tonkatsu pork cutlet – at the pleasant Orum…

  • Cafe Go

    Daegu

    Daegu may be saturated with cafes, but this one (which doubles as a tour agency) over two floors is a tranquil and enjoyable choice, run by a friendly…

  • Blue 55

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    A two-storey house (with roof terrace) converted into a bar, Blue 55 is slightly away from the action, making it a more easy-going spot for a hop-based…

  • Modern Dalbit

    Jeonju

    Just beyond the hanok village, this cafe offers decent espresso and quirky art. The 1st-floor cafe with polished concrete sprinkled with artful design…

  • Prost

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    On the ground floor of District – a warehouse-style complex of upscale venues behind the Hamilton Hotel – Prost has a club-meets-pub vibe, meaning you get…

  • M2

    Seoul

    Deep underground is M2, the largest and first of Hongdae's EDM clubs. It may have lost some of its cool cred but it's still popular for its grand space …

  • Sheriff Bar

    Chuncheon

    The name and wagon wheels on the way up stairs are all the clues you need that this is a Wild West Saloon-styled sports bar, up on the second floor across…

  • Bonggu

    Chungcheongnam-do

    At this casual beer bar the draught flows and conversations become spirited. Like at many bars in Korea, customers here are expected to order some food…

  • Castle Praha

    Seoul

    Offering one of the most extraordinary facades in Seoul, this medieval fantasy pub has an equally bizarre dungeon-cellar interior. It serves up several…

  • Chloris Tea Garden

    Seoul

    Drunken revels may be in full flight around it, but gentility reigns at this teashop offering an impressive range of black and flavoured brews, dainty…

  • Oktoberfest

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    It’s much quieter than Oktoberfest at this long-running microbrewery, but the quality is good, serving up four freshly produced brews. It's in a large,…

  • Craft Han's

    Jeju-si

    Craft beer is on tap along with a decent selection of imported bottled brew at this cosy bar in the youthful City Hall area. Side orders include cheesy…

  • Woljeong-ri Lowa

    Jeju-do

    Here's a cafe with a slick interior design, decent drinks, San Miguel to go with a side of fries on the rooftop sunloungers overlooking Woljeong Beach,…

  • Jungnim Dawon

    Gyeonggi-do & Incheon

    This atmospheric teahouse and garden within Jeondeung-sa is frequented by resident monks sipping on traditional Korean teas, while presumably…

  • Daho Teahouse

    Jeonju

    Traditional teas, such as daechucha (대추차; red date) and pink omijacha (오미자차; dried five-flavour berries) are served in this hanok (traditional wooden home…

  • Moe's Bar & Grille

    Mokpo

    You'll find this scruffy expat hangout on Rose St, a meandering pedestrian lane about 1km behind Peace Park. Don't read too much into the name: it's more…

  • Cafe Castle

    Incheon

    Enjoy coffee, tea, cocktails and snacks at this homely cafe with a fantastic harbour view from its rooftop garden. Tricky to find, it's at the top of the…

  • Panda Coffee Shop

    Jeju-si

    A cozy coffee shop with a panda theme in the City Hall area. Inside there are a few bears, but don't expect panda insanity. It's quaint and cool with a…

  • Coffee Libre

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    A tiny branch of this speciality coffee roaster with a somewhat bizarre location within the Myeong-dong Cathedral complex, but it makes for a good pit…

  • Factory

    Jeju-si

    Named after Andy Warhol’s studio, the Factory is a dark and moody bar that attracts artists, musicians and other hipsters. It’s a favourite haunt for Jeju…

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }

More destinations you need to see