12 Best Nightlife in Seoul, South Korea

A bar and bottle shop with an interior as memorable as its name, After Jerk Off's cinematic space is inspired by the aesthetic of Asian street food markets. Each detail of the bistro—from the Buddha head in one corner to the towering green plants under the dim, red lights—comes together for a powerful effect. The menu, which changes seasonally, offers natural wine, cocktails, and simple Asian-inspired dishes. Note that the bar is less kid-friendly than most as there are some provocative photos on display.

Located within a traditional hanok, this intimate bar with dim lights and a warm wooden bar serves modern takes on traditional liquors and spirits. It's a memorable place to sample the best Korean flavors, soju, and craft cocktails. No wonder it's been named one of the 50 best bars in Asia. Bar bites are available; they're open until 1 am.

Tea is the hero of the cocktail menu at this Zen-like bar meets teahouse, starring in everything from the Earl Grey Bourbon to the Champagne Oolong. It's a unique experience, but be prepared to spend about ₩25,000 per tea cocktail.

Tucked away in an elegant hanok in Naeja-dong, Cobbler is a whisky and cocktail bar that serves slices of cobbler pie with every visit. The space, dimly lit and furnished with imported antiques, only has room for 20 guests, but plenty of people are willing to wait as the bar’s owner, Robin Yoo, is one of the best-known mixologists in the country. There is no menu, but you can choose from their takes on classics like the Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule or ask the staff to recommend a drink based on your preferences. Come before 7 pm to ensure you’ll get a seat or visit their second, more spacious location in Yeonhui-dong.

While bars and restaurants that play today's Korean top hits may be a dime a dozen, Gopchang Jeongol is the rare institution that focuses on Korean rock from the 1970s to 1990s. The bar’s name means “beef tripe hot pot,” but their menu offers little out of the ordinary, including Korean beers by the pitcher, green bottles of soju, and basic cocktails alongside Korean-style fruit salad (a common bar food until the 2000s). The bar retains a charming, old-school feel with a live DJ on weekends, disco lights, and heavy, outdated furniture. Musicians who once ruled Hongdae's streets come to listen to favorites like the Kim Sisters, Shin Jung-hyun, and Lee Sun-hee.

The country’s most recognizable noraebang has tall glass windows allowing pedestrians to look in on your singing shenanigans and clean, spacious facilities. Thanks to Su Noraebang’s popularity, the area is filled with several similar establishments.

A local institution for craft beer, Magpie was founded in 2011 and kicked off South Korea’s craft beer revolution. Their signature beers include the Magpie IPA, Porter, and Stout, but in recent years, they’ve become well known for their more experimental drinks such as the Juicybox (sour ale with cherry and guava) and Sounds Good (a hazy IPA with Jeju Hallabong). Their space is divided into a basement bar and a ground-level space which opens up to the street. There are a few food items on the menu, including a range of delicious pizzas. With Magpie beer sold at bars and restaurants across the country, it’s quite famous and it's not uncommon for residents of the neighborhood to stop by casually for a bite and a beer after work.

Approximately a dozen bars occupy two parallel streets outside Euljiro 3-ga Station to make up Nogari Alley, one of Seoul’s most festive places to have fresh beer and nogari (dried pollack). While the fish snack is not everyone’s cup of tea, the ambiance is a crowd pleaser unlike anything else you’ll experience in the city, especially in warmer weather. Each bar sets up red and blue lawn furniture outside, and the streets fill with friends and coworkers kicking back with cold drinks. It may be difficult to find a table between 8 pm and 10 pm, but if one bar is full you can easily hop to another. There’s little to differentiate them. Fried chicken and jwipo (fish jerky) are also on the menu.

Opened in 2018, this upscale bar in Hannam-dong is inspired by vintage train travel, where everything from the drinks to the decor would be right at home on a first-class carriage. Sit at the bar and have a chat with the bartenders if you’re having a drink on your own, or opt for a seat in the courtyard if you’re out with friends on a summer night. The bar’s signature cocktails—the Ramos Gin Fizz, Jimmy Roosevelt, and Breakfast Martini—are creative takes on crowd favorites. Make sure to order from the food menu as the dishes here, such as crispy bacon, deep-fried shrimp sandwich, and crab cakes, are a step above the ordinary.

One of the most sought-after clubs in Seoul, Soap's basement club pumps out house, disco, and hip-hop music late into the night for up to 400 guests. They frequently invite international acts and give guest DJs relative freedom on the stage. Past acts include Tokimonsta, Jacques, and Habibi Funk among others. Drinks at the bar are not cheap, but their signature cocktails—the Oragina Special, Jeju Mule, and Flamingo—are delicious. Soap typically peaks around 1 am, and there are typically lines to get in. Check their Instagram page before you go as you may need tickets in advance for special guest shows.

Situated in the basement of the Park Hyatt hotel, Timber House bills itself as an upscale vinyl record bar, with Izakaya-themed Japanese dishes and top notch cocktails, whiskeys, and wines. As the name suggests, the space is all deep varnished wood and soft, tasteful lighting, with DJs spinning a collection of the records Tuesday through Sunday night. The drinks aren't cheap, but the bar is worth a visit for the experience alone. Their happy hour, from 5 to 7 pm, offers half-price entrees and drinks that takes some of the sting out when it comes to time to pay the bill. 

Beloved in the neighborhood, this dark sultry hotel cocktail bar has become locally famous for its gin, soju, beer, and liquor, all made in-house. The team behind the bar aimed to bring a bit of Brooklyn to Seoul, having met in New York, so it's no surprise you'll see Italian American classics like chicken parmesan in addition to small bites on their menu. Real partiers can rejoice: Tokki Bar doesn't close until 6 am.