Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Hands down the most stunning converted changgo (warehouse) venue in 'Seoul's Brooklyn', Daelim Changgo is the ultimate synthesis of Seoul's obsessions for…
Must-see nightlife in South Korea
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…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
This high-end bar is located inside a hanok within a nest of lonesome alleyways. Owned by Robin Yoo (a pioneer in Korea's cocktail scene), it has no menu;…
Busan
There's nothing common about this exceptional coffee and wine bar. Stylishly decorated, with an ubercool vibe, comfy sofas and friends dissecting…
Northern Seoul
Seoul’s most charming teahouse is housed in a 1930s hanok and surrounding garden that once belonged to famous writer Lee Tae-jun, who settled in the North…
Northern Seoul
Being featured in a Korean TV drama can do wonders for your business, but punters would still flock to this mountainside hot spot regardless for the…
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…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Four hanok were creatively combined to create this chic designer cafe-bar that blends old and new Seoul. Clay-tile walls, Soviet-era propaganda posters,…
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…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The perfect place to unwind under the shady fruit trees in a courtyard with flickering candles. In colder weather sit indoors in hanok rooms decorated…
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 –…
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…
Northern Seoul
Pouring some of Seoul's best coffee since 1990, this elegant roaster, cafe and shop imports its beans from all corners of the globe; there are usually a…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Busan
Busan's best underground DJs spin electronic and hip-hop beats for a slick, counter-culture crowd, all aglow in red light.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
In the Bukchon Hanok Village area overlooking Samcheong-dong and Gwanghwamun is this lovely hanok with low tables arranged around a courtyard. It serves…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
A bar particularly well-known on social media, Jean Frigo is sometimes called 'the refrigerator bar' as its entrance is disguised as large refrigerators…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Opened as a bookstore in 1951 by Mrs Kwong and her husband Mr Cho, this charming, ramshackle cafe is still run by the same family and oozes bygone-days…
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…
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…
Busan
Fermentation Kitchen is a great place to sample makgeolli (traditional Korean rice wine). The restaurant-bar serves special carbonated makgeolli in wine…
Dalsaeneun Dalman Saenggak Handa
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
‘Moon Bird Thinks Only of the Moon’ is packed with plants and rustic artefacts. Birdsong, soothing music and trickling water add to the atmosphere. Huddle…
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…
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…
