8 Best Bars in Itaewon and Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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.

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.

This landmark club in Itaewon is one of the most established names in hip-hop nightlife in Seoul. Many would even credit the opening of Cakeshop to shifting the nightlife center away from Gangnam and into Itaewon. A basement space with a capacity for up to 200 guests, Cakeshop hosts a range of musical guests from Kode9 to FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) and has often hosted afterparties for bigger festivals. Local music lovers in Seoul might argue that Cakeshop’s prominence over the years has caused it to lose a certain edginess, but the club is still a good bet if you’re looking for a full house on a Saturday night. The club also has a brother location with a more relaxed feel, called Pistil, down the street.

Calling itself an “urban oasis in the middle of Seoul,” Casa Corona is a rooftop bar with beachy decor. It's particularly popular in warmer months, when most visitors prefer to sit outdoors. There are several tables also accommodating large groups. The menu features a long list of liquor (available by the glass and by the bottle), signature cocktails, and a handful of quick bites. DJs play live sets during the weekend and occasionally, there is live music, mostly jazz bands. 

Although makgeolli (Korean rice wine) is typically known as the common man’s drink, Mr. Ahn’s Craft Makgeolli is anything but down-to-earth. The bar is entered through a private garden off the main street of Gyeongridan and the mostly black decor attenuates the sizable, communal table adorned with flowers at the center. The menu is seasonal and features only high-end, organic wines, offering pairings with elevated Korean dishes. The portions are small, and the prices are higher than average, but the bar's posh take on Korean food and drink makes it worth it.

Originally founded by three friends from Texas, Southside Parlor started as a small taco truck before becoming an internationally recognized bar topping "best bar" lists all over the world. The two-story space with a rooftop view of N Seoul Tower has great cocktails, a long-list of bar foods (tacos, burgers, and nachos) and hookahs on the menu. With a dart board in one corner and a retro Street Fighter arcade in another, the space has an American feel. Everyone on staff speaks English and 1990s hip-hop plays through the speakers. With regular trivia nights and burlesque shows, Southside is a bit of home away from home for anyone craving a bit of the United States on their Korea travels.

This street of bars and clubs is the center of nightlife for gay men in Seoul. As same-sex rights are not recognized by the South Korean government, the street is also a safe haven for the community and should not be regarded as a tourist attraction. That being said, gay men and allies accompanied by gay men can feel free to let loose here. Bars like Trance, Trunk, Queen, and Why Not offer cocktails, dancing, drag shows, and more.