Must-see nightlife in South Korea

  • Made in Pongdang

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    An all-Korean affair, Pongdang brews a changing roster of craft beers from pale ales and blondes to more esoteric concoctions like their Seouliner Weisse,…

  • Almaz

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Gay-friendly Almaz is more chilled than other Homo Hill hot spots, drawing a mature crowd to its scarlet-hued lounge hung with glitter balls. Previously a…

  • White Rabbit

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    A one-man operation run by a local surfer, this cramped bar has an extensive selection of Korean and international craft beers chalked up on the board…

  • Rose & Crown

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Foreigner-friendly Itaewon wouldn't be complete without a British pub, and this atmospheric two-storey boozer delivers with its pints of ale, fish and…

  • Designers Lounge

    Seoul

    A spacious, design-savvy hangout where they serve beer, refreshing homemade juices plus the usual caffeinated beverages along with cute animal-shaped…

  • Eat Me

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    This Itaewon gay bar by the same folks behind Queen opposite is a good place to kick off the night with a cocktail before moving to more danceable spots…

  • Kkojittappong

    Jeonju

    Like a child's dream-house drawing come to life, this cafe has swings, pinwheels and brightly coloured murals on its expansive, sunny terrace. There are…

  • Labris

    Seoul

    This 8th-floor, comfortable women-only space is lesbian-oriented but not exclusively so. A female DJ plays dance music, and there are cocktails and anju …

  • Club Mass

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    One of Gangnam's original EDM clubs, this huge basement space attracts a young, beautiful crowd here for techno and house, and a frenetic light show. It…

  • Emo

    Busan

    One of many orange pojangmacha (tented street stall) tents behind Lotte department store in Seomyeon serving drinks and unusual side dishes, such as…

  • Oksan Coffee Store

    Gyeongsangbuk-do

    A small, family-run cafe right by the Oksan Seowon bus stop. It also doubles as a convenience store, so you can stock up on drinks and munchable goodies…

  • Pongdang

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    The original bar for this Korean microbrewery does a good selection of pale ales, and Belgian and wheat beers, enjoyed at Pongdang's bar or tables…

  • Deepin

    Jeonju

    Jeonju's original expat hang-out – going strong since the 1990s – is in the Gaeksa neighbourhood. Look for it down an alleyway on the left as you walk up…

  • Cafe the Story

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Myeong-dong isn’t short on chain cafes, but for something with more individual character hike up to this hidden gem on the lower slope of Namsan, next to…

  • Homeo

    Gyeonggi-do

    This vintage-themed cafe and furniture store, decked out in industrial decor and Chesterfield couches, has a menu of cakes, sandwiches and coffee.

  • Steamers Coffee Factory

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Bringing third-wave coffee to Sinsa-dong, Steamers does Ethiopian and Colombian single-origin brews in its shabby-chic industrial brick cafe.

  • Susimheon

    Gyeongsangbuk-do

    This cafe at the heart of the village serves coffee and bottles of the local Andong soju firewater (from ₩6000 to ₩30,000).

  • Soho

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    A smart gay bar opposite Queen with a laid-back vibe and a club area for later in the evening.

  • Ansimdang

    Gyeongsangbuk-do

    Located at the base of Cheongnyang-sa is this pleasant teahouse, a perfect place to relax.

  • Babeans

    Chungcheongnam-do

    There's fine espresso here, though the best feature of this coffee shop is the sea view from the 3rd-floor outdoor patio.

  • Miracle

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    One of Korea's few exclusively lesbian bars, this queer-only joint sits atop Homo Hill and gets going around midnight.

  • Frog

    Daegu

    Five floors of hip-hop and electronic music for you and a few thousand of your closest friends.

  • Why Not

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    This small but smartly turned-out gay bar has good cocktails and plenty of K-Pop.

  • Davansa Teahouse

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    A traditional teahouse within the Namsangol Hanok Village.

  • Ethiopia Café

    Chuncheon

    Ethiopia Café is the main establishment at the lakefront, near the Memorial Hall for Ethiopian Veterans of the Korean War with its triple-pointed roof. It…

  • Story

    Jeonju

    A quaint coffeehouse that offers coffees, espresso and tea along with chocolate cake and other sweet treats.

    • 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