Must-see nightlife in Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

  • Grand Ole Opry

    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…

  • Southside Parlor

    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…

  • Magpie Brewing Co

    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…

  • Cakeshop

    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.

  • Venue/

    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…

  • Sunset Beach

    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…

  • Soap

    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…

  • Standing Coffee Roasters

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    For top-quality third-wave coffee at a great price, Standing Coffee Roasters can't be beat. This is its roastery, with a tiny shop and cafe attached. Buy…

  • Pet Sounds

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Named after Korean owner Jay's love affair with the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album, this friendly upstairs rock bar provides a paper and pen to put in your…

  • Mowmow

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Order your makgeolli (milky rice wine) by the half-litre or litre at this homey bar and restaurant up the hill from the main Itaewon dining alley. Or pair…

  • Takeout Drawing

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    This shabby-chic, three-storey cafe is a chilled place to hang out and enjoy art books and magazines with a creative hot drink (try the espresso with a…

  • Burn

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Blaze up a top-class Cuban, swirl your aged single malt and kick back in a leather club chair as you savor the sophisticated (and smoky) ambience at this…

  • Ways of Seeing

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Shared tables and a chill vibe draw the laptop crowd to this roomy cafe, making it a good spot to plug in and update that blog over a latte and coconut…

  • Namsan Winery

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    If you're seeking refuge from all the craft beer and KoMex, this low-key wine bar is just the ticket. Serving Iberian wines with petiscos (Portuguese…

  • Living Room

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    For a vibe somewhere between a club and a bar, duck in to Living Room, a cosy basement lounge attracting a friendly Haebangchon crowd for well-priced…

  • Flower Gin

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    An inspired mix of florist-meets-gin-bar, the perfumed scents here match the drinks superbly. Run by a young female owner, this tiny bar only does gin…

  • Y.Pot Coffee

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Run by a mild-mannered coffee nerd who roasts his own beans onsite, this is one of the least pretentious independent cafes in the area, and a handy pit…

  • Against the Machine

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    This tiny backstreet bar, an ubercool beacon for local bohos, feels almost Parisian with its artsy vibe, low-fi beats and bartop candles buried under a…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • Queen

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

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

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Soho

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

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

  • 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.

  • Why Not

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

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