There’s nothing quite like Korean entertainment—and Korea at night reaches a whole new level, especially in Seoul. The capital city of South Korea is known for its thriving nightlife scene with partying definitely being one of the best and most memorable things to do.
Whether you’re planning to dance the night away or chill out with good friends and better drinks, the city has got you covered. Each neighborhood has a handful of bars and nightclubs, so you’re never far from a drink—but which ones are worth a stop in your bar-hopping adventures? Read on to find out.
Boombar
If you’re interested in exploring more upscale nightlife options, visit Boombar in Itaewon. The luxurious interiors create a classy atmosphere for patrons with chandeliers, velvet couches, and an excellent drink selection. Groove to the hottest hip hop and R&B hits in this high-end joint where the music is always on point. Yongsan-gu, Hannam-dong, Itaewon-ro, 211 한남빌딩 2층
Open Friday and Saturday, 10PM to 7AM.
Cakeshop
Another famous club in Seoul is Cakeshop, an intimate space that hosts some of the hottest musical acts around including Nosaj Thing and Etienne de Crecy. Fans of hip hop and electronic music frequent this hip joint with celebrities even dropping by occasionally to party the night away. Yongsang-Gu, 34-16 Itaewon-dong
Open Thursday to Saturday, 10PM to 5AM.
Club Made
Found in Gangnam, the stylish Club Made is making a splash in the club scene despite opening its doors only a few years ago. It’s a massive space that can hold more than a thousand revelers at a time—the perfect place to let loose for a night. Club Made is divided into two areas, EDM and hip-hop, so club-goers can choose the type of music they want to listen and dance to. Yongsan-gu, 737-32 Hannam-dong
Open Thursday to Saturday, 10PM to 6AM.
NB2
Head into trendy Hongdae, Seoul, a thriving nightlife district of South Korea that’s famous for its non-stop parties and youthful crowd. An oldie but a goodie, NB2 remains one of the hottest hotspots in the city with a fun mix of college students, yuppies, and foreign tourists. It’s usually hip-hop beats blasting across the club, but NB2 is known to play EDM and pop as well. One of the great perks of partying at NB2 is that the door charge to the club also allows guests to hop next door to sister nightclub NB1. 361-10 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Open daily, 9PM to 6AM.
Octagon Club
Octagon Club is the single most popular club in Seoul, even recognized among the best night clubs in the world. Locals and tourists flock here, making the underground haunt prone to long lines at the entrance and packed dance floors, especially on weekends. The different floors of Octagon showcase varying themes, so even locals never get tired of coming here. B1/B2 New Hilltop Hotel, 152 Nonhyeon-dong, Kangnam-gu
Open Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Vurt
For those who want to explore a new flavour of night clubs, visit hipster haven Hapjeong where Vurt carves out a space for underground techno to grow and thrive. Listen to talented local musicians play electronic music with international DJs stopping by occasionally from all over North America and Europe. Vurt embraces its underground roots with a minimal and industrial aesthetic that’s a far cry from the glitz of other nightclubs in Seoul. Dongmak-ro, Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu
Open Tuesday, 9PM to 1AM, and Friday and Saturday, 11PM to 7AM
Tips For Partying In Seoul
Truly, hitting the club scene is one of the must-try things to do in Seoul. Keep in mind that the legal drinking age in South Korea is 19. Younger folks will be unable to purchase alcohol or even enter most of the clubs on this list.
If you’re of age, go ahead and bar-hop through the city. Many Koreans fuel up before a night of revelry at the nightclubs—a hearty Korean barbecue meal (paired with soju, of course) is a good way to gear yourself up.
Expect a cover fee of 10,000 ($12) to 30,000 ($35) won in most big nightclubs and lounges. While dress codes are rarely strict in South Korea, don’t show up in sweats and flip-flops either.
A version of this article first appeared on KKday.
