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…
Must-see nightlife in Seoul
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…
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…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Amazing serves around 20 of its own beers at this hip brewing facility and bar. Seoul Forest, a New England pale ale, is named after the park next door…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Part coffee shop and part Braille library, this bright and spacious cafe caters to the sight-impaired community. The library consists of hundreds of…
Seoul
This two-storey bar and cafe is all about its dozen vintage video games on the basement level. Drinks include decent coffee and a few craft beers on tap;…
Seoul
An icon of Hongdae and known simply as 'Playground', small Hongik Munhwa park turns into an impromptu outdoor party most nights. Weekends are especially…
Seoul
The owners of this coffee 'showroom' studied the art of the bean for years in Melbourne to fine-tune their barista skills before opening up this venue in…
Seoul
Myoung Wol Gwan (MWG) translates as 'bright moon house' but lunar sightings are not on the agenda from this dark, basement venue, one of Hongdae's longest…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Along with sibling operation Brew 3.15 across the road, Brew 3.14 has carved a name for itself with its great selection of local craft beers, delicious…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Rustic charm meets Apgujeong chic at this convivial makgeolli (milky rice wine) bar and cafe spread over two floors. The menu has several different types…
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…
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…
Seoul
A dark and wonderful LP bar in Hongdae lined with over 15,000 records. Jot down your song requests and pass it to the cool older DJ who might play one on…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
The Edge is half record store and half cafe and bar. The venue focuses on selling records by day, but invites DJs and sells drinks after dark. On…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Teas and herbal infusions for whatever ails you. Ask for the handy chart in English to aid you in your selection from the wide range of concoctions…
Seoul
A 2nd-floor vinyl bar, Man Pyung is often the only venue open past midnight on this Hapjeong-dong cafe street. Opened by two DJs, this bar is one for die…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Eulji Brewing is a two-storey craft beer bar that opened in 2018. The interior is decorated with graphics by local artists, and the menu focuses on local…
Northern Seoul
Little has changed in this retro Seoul classic since the place opened in 1956, save for the price of the coffee. Worn wooden booths and dark, creaking…
Seoul
This cosy craft-beer pub on the top floor of a small backstreet block is a good place to savour a pint or two. Choose between four local beers on tap and…
Seoul
Hip hop club owned by YG Entertainment (Big Bang, One, previously Psy), with '90s classics and modern EDM hits. Sociable, high-energy and open late. Cover…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Based in a hanok, ‘Coffee Mill’ is a charming spot decorated with retro pieces and the quirky, colourful artworks of owner Lee Gyeong-hwan, whom you’re…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The courtyard of this converted hanok in Ikseon-dong makes the craft beers here extra special. A four-beer sampler includes citrusy light Punk IPA, and…
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…
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…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
There is an excellent range of traditional rice wines available at this drinking and dining outlet for brewer Kooksoondang; see the website for full…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
A worthy stop for those who take their coffee seriously. Baristas here know how to do a decent single-origin espresso, slow drip or cold brew. They roast…
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…
Seoul
A relaxing place to hang out with mismatched furniture, cheap western-style eats and drinks and a rooftop garden, this self-serve cafe, library and…
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…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
If you’re into whisky, this swank Japanese bar is for you, as it sports one of the largest selections of drams in the city. It’s also famed for its…
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…
Northern Seoul
Order your cocktails from an iPad at this two-tiered, open-fronted bar that also specialises in malt whisky. A menu of US-inspired comfort food,…
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…
Seoul
This classy wine bar is a sign of Hongdae's ever-growing sophisticated side. There are over 400 different bottles on the menu; unfortunately, little is…
Seoul
Soaring ceilings and space, filled with designer and retro furniture, set apart this cafe. It’s a pleasure to hang out here, while in the basement you can…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Top-quality makgeolli and other traditional Korean alcoholic drinks are brewed on-site at this huge branch of Slow Brew Pub. There's another branch in…
Seoul
Browse local and imported books and magazines on art and design at this convivial bohemian hang-out that works just as well as a daytime cafe and…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Amid Myeong-dong's guesthouse enclave leading up to Namsan, this travel-themed bar is run by a couple of young travel nuts who serve Korean craft beers on…
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…
