Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Voted number seven in the world's top clubs by DJ Mag in 2018, Octagon is one of Gangnam's best for serious clubbers. High-profile resident and guest DJs…
Must-see nightlife in South Korea
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Busan
There's nothing common about this exceptional coffee and wine bar. Stylishly decorated, with an ubercool vibe, comfy sofas and friends dissecting…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Bang in the middle of Itaewon's red-light district, this honky-tonk dive bar is a throwback GI hang-out and something straight out of a movie. The…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Having outgrown their Texas-taco-truck roots, these artisanal cocktail makers set up shop in Itaewon. Behind a copper bar, a crew of amiable bartenders…
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Seoul
There’s a fantastic range of drinks at this shabby-chic, farmhouse-style cafe with a contemporary Japanese flair. They make their own juices and liquors –…
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Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Seoul's most sophisticated makgeolli bar is a place for connoisseurs of Korean liquors and those who'd like to learn a bit more about the depths and…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Seoul craft-beer pioneers Magpie pour some of the finest brews in Seoul from this rough-and-tumble alleyway venue, opened in 2011. Pull up a stool at the…
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Seoul
An old shoe factory is the location for one of Seoul’s top independent coffee-roaster and cafe operations. Drinks are made using the hand-drip method at a…
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Mokpo
Mokpo's most attractive cafe, with dark polished wood, dim lights and a wrap-around veranda, is inside a restored Japanese colonial residence. Given the…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Head underground to Itaewon's hippest club for electronic beats spun by international and top local DJs. Check their Facebook page to see who's playing.
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Busan
Busan's best underground DJs spin electronic and hip-hop beats for a slick, counter-culture crowd, all aglow in red light.
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Seoul
Specialising in artisanal makgeolli (milky rice wine) from around Korea, and other local liquors, this cosy basement bar is a great place to sample…
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Gyeongsangbuk-do
This is your Andong nightlife choice with a superb range of craft menu of beer and attentive service. There's also a decent supply of food to soak up the…
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Daegu
This amiable, homely and easy-going bar – with a touch of a London pub feel – delivers a terrific menu of craft beer on tap (served with a small pot of…
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Gangneung
This splendid craft beer house is a superb place to immerse yourself in a world of beery flavour: try a Zeumeu Blanc – delightful and slightly zingy, with…
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Seoul
Sing your heart out and be noticed at this luxe karaoke bar: some rooms resemble lounge bars, while others have floor-to-ceiling windows fronting onto the…
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Jeju-si
Bringing Seoul hipness to Jeju-si's nights, the craft beers here are brewed on the island and served at this broad space with good pizzas and fried…
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Incheon
One of the best spots for a beer in the Old Port area, this brewery with attached taproom slots perfectly into its old warehouse setting. A row of…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
This dive-y basement club attracts a fun-loving, unpretentious crowd for DJs spinning old-school hip-hop and R&B, house, disco and electronica. There's no…
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Seogwipo
Creatively decorated inside, with tables spilling onto the street, Seogwipo’s most laid-back cafe is the place to meet friends or enjoy downtime with a…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Danish brand famous for 'phantom' brewing (pop-up type service with locals), Mikkeller has its first Korean location in this small, one-room bar with…
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Seoul
One of the last truly alternative spaces in the Hongdae-Yeonnam-dong area, this cultural space and bar turns itself into a club and lounge on weekends and…
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Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
This wine bar takes its vino seriously – there's a sign at the entrance that says 'No soju served here'. The cosy chic interior makes an unexpected…
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Jeollabuk-do
Take off your shoes, walk inside, sit on the floor and enjoy soothing green tea. There's no need to order because this teahouse only serves one thing and…
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Seoul
Fans of this veteran music bar (opened 1999) in the heart of Hongdae love its old-school vibes, '70s interior and for solely playing Korean music. Hear…
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Jeonju
The hanok village's best teahouse is this richly atmospheric spot, where the speciality is hwangcha (황차), a golden-hued tea once served exclusively to…
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Busan
Fermentation Kitchen is a great place to sample makgeolli (traditional Korean rice wine). The restaurant-bar serves special carbonated makgeolli in wine…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Some nights this shoebox of a bar is the most happening hang-out on the Itaewon strip. Maybe it's the Long Island Ice Teas served in plastic pouches (two…
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Jeollabuk-do
The aroma inside this arty teahouse is unmistakably herbal. It's a melange of sweet jujubes, earthy roots and tree bark. The ssanghwa-tang (쌍화탕) is a dark…
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Busan
This busy expat bar has cheap shots, pub grub, trivia nights, TV sports and a splendid view of Gwangan bridge.
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Jeollanam-do
This cute-as-pie white cottage looks totally out of place on a street filled with grey, weathered shops. There are fresh juices, cakes and muffins on the…
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Gyeongsangnam-do
Even with industrial digs featuring exposed pipework, the atmosphere is warm and friendly at this cafe near Gyeonsang National University. It's a great…
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Gwangju
Gwangju's most sophisticated spot does wine by the glass, German beers and a fantastic cheese platter. Located across from the new Asian Culture Complex,…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Tucked away in the back alleys of Itaewon, this blue-hued basement club burst onto the scene in 2017, pulling in international DJs spinning to a young, up…
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Gyeongsangnam-do
A favorite with indie locals and expats, this bar near Gyeonsang National University has chill vibes, cheap drinks and open mic nights.
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Gangnam & Southern Seoul
The Gangnam branch of this Baesangmyeon Brewery bar is a bit snazzier than others, but remains a good place to sample quality traditional Korean alcohol…
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Gangnam & Southern Seoul
A three-storey design and music-themed cafe located in an alley adjacent to Garosu-gil. Each floor brings a slightly different atmosphere, from cafe…
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Seoul
A cafe well known for its eye-catching storefront, Hello Stranger is a warm, cosy coffeeshop located on the outskirts of Hongdae. Filled with art…
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Daegu
With a popular, slender terrace over the street, spacious Etoh's sports a homely atmosphere and a cracking menu of draft beer. Don't expect old banknotes…
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Busan
Splendid herbal teas and a warm interior make this an excellent alternative to the sterile sameness of chain coffee shops. The dark and earthy twin flower…
