BusanEntertainment

Bar entertainment in Busan

  1. A

    Fuzzy Navel

    Gwang·an's interesting bars are located on the busy beachfront road and the small lane one block behind the drag. Most of the stimulating places are beside or behind the funky Fuzzy Navel where the recipe for this delicious drink is simple: take one shack and decorate liberally with California beach-bum graffiti. Add Plexiglas windows and presto, one of the city's most interesting concoctions.

    reviewed

  2. Noran Mahura

    It's a tent restaurant on Cheongsapo (청사포), an out-of-the-way harbour where people come for a drink to watch the sunset and unexpectedly stay for the sunrise. The harbour road is packed with tent restaurants so if this one happens to be busy, walk along the pier to find another. Snacks include garibi (가리비), grilled clams with a salsalike sauce that tastes great. It tastes even better with soju at sunrise.

    reviewed

  3. Starface

    Everything a fun neighbourhood pub needs is here: decent bar selection, regular specials and the occasional brawl. Friday night is all-you-can-drink for around ₩150 (some limitations). Located on Dalmaji Hill, an around ₩3000 taxi from Hae·undae is the only practical way to get here. Not many drivers are familiar with Starface but they all know 김성종 추리문학관, the next-door bookstore.

    reviewed

  4. B

    Barony Brahaus

    Formerly known as Dojima, it's Busan's first microbrewery and a popular after-work watering hole for the upwardly mobile crowd. With a 550cc mug starting at around ₩5000 it's easy to run up a substantial tab quickly. That's why prudent drinkers drop around ₩16,000 on the all-you-can-eat-and-drink option; gorge and binge daily from 18:00 to 22:00. Located on a small lane one block behind Lotte Department Store.

    reviewed

  5. Ol' 55

    A testosterone-charged tavern with everything a beer-chugging man needs: ale to match budget and taste, a prohibition on hip-hop music and women who play billiards in high-heel shoes and cut-offs. Line 2 to Kyungsung-Pukyong station, Exit 3. Turn 180 degrees, walk to the corner and turn left. Turn left at the second street and right at next block.

    reviewed

  6. C

    Cowboy

    Anyone doing the rounds in Seomyeon at some point pulls into Cowboy. Dark and smoky with thumping Korean pop music interspersed with classic rock tunes, the open-floor concept and wooden bar make it possible to mingle and on occasion hook up.

    reviewed

  7. D

    Lotte Hotel Lobby Lounge

    Here's the upscale lizard lounge you've been looking for. Palm trees, comfy chairs and live muzak created by the duo with a piano and Imac. Throw in a decent Irish coffee and you've got the perfect place to impress a date.

    reviewed

  8. Ssanggye Jaeda

    It's a teahouse with medicinal drinks like the dark and slightly bitter ssanghwa tea (쌍화차). Line 1 to Jungangdong station, Exit 11. Walk two blocks past the post office.

    reviewed

  9. Nampodong

    Most of the drinking establishments in Nampodong cater to Japanese and Korean business travellers. But there are a good a number of shops where you can experiment with unusual teas or sip espresso.

    reviewed

  10. E

    U2

    Finding a bar that plays George Thorogood isn't easy. Luckily, Busan has one and this is it. A fine rock-and-roll bar with bourbon, scotch and beer; opposite the Marriott Hotel in Hae·undae.

    reviewed

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  12. Cheap Eats and Drinks

    The commercial district in front of Kyungsung and Pukyong universities is an electric party district with eating and drinking options catering to 40,000 hungry, thirsty and frugal students.

    reviewed

  13. F

    Crossroads

    Crossroads often plays the foil for people looking for a less intense place to quaff. On occasion, a rowdy place in its own right. Located near the front gate of Pusan National University.

    reviewed

  14. Pusan National University Zone

    This is the original party zone for expats with heaps of places to drink and eat, all geared towards fickle university students.

    reviewed

  15. Fuzzy Navel - Seomyeon

    The newest Fuzzy Navel and a real party for the 20-something crowd on Seomyeon's Youth Street. It's on the 4th floor.

    reviewed

  16. G

    Fuzzy Navel Pojangmacha

    There's a long line of orange pojangmacha tents behind Lotte Hotel. This is the black one.

    reviewed

  17. H

    Wa Bar

    A big open-concept ice bar. On Seomyeon's Youth St half a block from Fuzzy Navel.

    reviewed