A Good Clubbing District and other Seoul, South Korea Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: Hongdae (Honggik University)

Hongdae (Honggik University) This is a very much student biased area (and thus really cheap!). Again, it swarms with bars and pubs (Hofs as they are known in Korea) populated by a very friendly young crowd, always keen to practice English on you.

The last Friday of the month, Hongdae goes wild with 'Club Day'. You pay the equivalent of about $10 and it gets you admission to 11 different clubs, all night, in and out as much as you want.

On Club Day, Hongdae is as lively as anywhere you could find, with both Koreans and westerners. It's a great vibe. However the downer is, club day is Packed, packed packed! I was in NB (a hip hop club) last night and it was soooo packed I could even get t o the bathroom. If there was a fire, everyone woulda died.

Club days are a great vibe, but I would suggest going later when some of the crowd has thinned.

Hongdae is also great for Art...... It houses of of Korea's Art schools (Honggik Univ). Hence the cafe's are getting cooler, darker, cruddier. Painting and sculptures abound. It really is a great area.

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Theme: Dancing
Dress Code: Dress how it goes.... ^.~
Address: Honggik University
Directions: Honggik Univ Station. Line #2 (Green), get out exit #6 and walk around until you find something you fancy.

Or cab it to Honggik University main Gate. Just say to the cabby "Ajushi, Hongdae Jung Mun Jom ga Ju shill leyo"

Nightlife Spot: Shinchon

Shichon is the neighbourhood that adjoins Hongdae, yet it is a destination in itself. One has to be reminded that Shinchon is the confluence of three of Koreas top Universities; Yonsei (ranked # 2), Sogang (ranked #4), and Ewha Womens' University, (ranked #1 for womens' varsities). This is a lot of students. Yet we are also obliged to add the guys from Honggik, who are about 1km away.

Shichon is very Korean, and is an acquired taste. Most Westerners frequent Hongdae. But after awhile Shinchon will grab you. They cheap kalbi, the atmosphere, the dried squid, peanuts and nasty pitchers of Sang Maekju (draught beer). Hofs (taken from the German - places where you are obliged to buy An Ju- drinking food) and Western Bars (where you are not obliged to by food)

Shichon is also somewhat famous for retro music and MASSIVE record and CD collections. Dotted around Shichon are Music Request Bars. Some are Woodstock, Texas and my fave Bar 33 (Norae Hanun Saramdul).

Give Sinchon a few weekend nights. You'll be plesantly surprised.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Hmmmm. Who cares! ^^*
Address: Shinchon Rotary.
Directions: Shinchon (Not SHINCHEON) Line #2 (Green). Or by cab "Shinchon Lottery ja ju shill e yo).

Nightlife Spot: Norae Hanun Saramdul (The People who can Sing)

This establishment is a breath of fresh air in my opinion. But its name is a contentious issue.

Often its called 'the Bar' by many because above the door is a sign that says the bar (even though this is the name of a bar above). Others call it 'Bar 33' because this is apparently what the new management has dubbed it. But others (the Seoul oldies - like me) call it 'Norae Hanun Saramdul' And this is the name still above the door. Although the sign itself is in Korean characters and made of nailed pieces of birch. But this sign sets the scene.

As you descend the stairs you will see dim lights, loud retro music and what I love most, Koreans and Westers mixing socially.

Beer is cheap and sold by the pitcher or the pint. Cocktails are rudimentary, the winelist (do they have one?). But you can request any song you can think of (they have it.. and if they don't they'll download it.) And then when you drink to much and need the bathroom, you can ascend the stairs and experience something quite sobering.

This bar is one of my faves. I've coming here on and off for quite awhile.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Dress how you want. You'll blend in withthe graffiti that way.
Address: Shinchon.
Directions: On Shinchon Kalbi Strip.as I said before everybody Knows that Shinchon is a Labyrinth.. Just ask someone "Kalbi Gil eun, Odi e issoyo) And then look for it. Its just beyond a cafe called This (as in the cigarette brand).

Nightlife Spot: Gecko's Garden Restaurant & Tapas Bar

Now this is a place I like. Its situated above the road behind the Itaewon main drag.

It has a great Tapas menu including, Jamon, Calamare, Cheese, Shrimp rolls, l'escargot pastries, etc etc.

The Wine List is brill. One of the best I've found in Korea that is resonably priced. There are Good selections from the US, Italy, France, Chile and even some good munties from Australia like Nottage Hill, and Koonunga Hills Wineries. However none from New Zealand yet (Still hopeful).

The Barbeque is brillaint. Its only about $40 for two people and apart from the Shrimps on the Barbie as expected, they have a pretty good Paella to boot.

Beers are same as the Terrace. But the garden atmosphere is FAB!!! A SEOUL MUST SEE, REALLY!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Dress nice. Why not. This place deserves it. And you do too.
Address: Itaewon
Directions: Situated behind Hamilton Hotel. Iatewon Staion (line 6 Exit #1). Or go by taxi.

Nightlife Spot: Lime Light dance Club.

Fun, good music and drinks a plenty. Good people. Great bar staff and 4 dancing poles.
SOme good parties are organisde here on occasion...

Only Downer, its can be a bit of a meat market, not that that is a downer :oP

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: You need to have a bitta STYLE.
Address: Itaewon
Directions: Itaewon Subway Station (exit 2), or bus 712
walk north (toward Namsan) for about 10 metres.

Nightlife Spot: Dragon Bar. Nowon Station.

Dragon Bar is a cog in the Seoul ex-Pat community. It is one of Seouls premier waterholes for Seoul's foreigners. Its a great place to get yourself soaked in Whiskey, or simply have one or two and let your hair down.

Lately My Mate has been holding a few parties here. the Photograph to your left is the latest one, a hip hip party featuring on Canadian and one American DJ. They spun some pretty nice stuff.. and I am a TRANCE head!

the only realk downer about Dragon is that it is miles away in Nowon Gu. About a good hour north of Kangnam.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: As you turn up.
Address: Nowon Station, Around the corner from exit 2

Nightlife Spot: Gecko's Terrace Restaurant & Bar

This is quite a good place. Although it can pack out in the weeknds, which is a bit of a bugger when your wearing ***ty shoes and all you wanna do is sit down and take a load of.

Geckos offers mostly European and Cajun-style food, well some of the best you can get in Seoul. The food is sent to your table in huge portions, and pretty well priced. I recommend the Fish and Chips.

The drink menu is good, most top shelf that one would expect, and an array of cheap insipid Korean beers on tap; Cass and Red Rock (2500 won for a pint), they also have an extensive wine list and bottled beer from all over the world.

Entertainment is a DJ, Pool, Darts, Rugby on TV and checking out the talent.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Be sure that you don't turn up looking or acting like a Pratt. Geckos has a heallthy G.I. population.
Address: Itaewon
Directions: Geckos is on the first floor of the building directly across the road from Burger King. Get out at Exit 3, Itaewon Subway station.

Nightlife Spot: OHOO: M2

This is a real progressive venue. In a town (seoul) that is very Hip hoppy, this is a god send.

Ohoo is a new Complex. It is prooving to be a nice venue at that, attracting alot of great international acts.. Just last week I saw Leeroy (Former Prodigy) spinning there.

The Dance floor is great and beset on both sides by two bars that are always busy. The lighting is great, and being a laser fan (I am known as Laserboy by a few - this is another story however) the laser shows here are quite spectacular.

My only downer is that it can be really packed and so quite stressful. But well when you get a few in ya, all is great. On friday night sit is a little subdued with local acts playing not much more than trip hop, and house, but saturdays are wild, with acts usually being foreign.

Upstairs is a nice quiet terrace, that is usually closed off for members. (BTW my photo is taken from this terrace ^.~ - I took it with my phone this is why the quality is very very ordinary).

The cover is between 10 and 20 dollars depnding on the act. But it always includes at least one drink.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Dress tidily. Don't wear sandals if you are a man
Address: Hongdae
Directions: Go to Hongik University gate. Walk South towards the station. and on the first main cross road turn left you'll see a crowd of people there.

Subway: Line 2 Exit #2 or Taxi

Nightlife Spot: THE CUBE: Apgujeong

This place is a good late night joint. It comes with young Hip Hop types from the swanky part of Seoul. The music is good and current, and the enthusiasm is all there.

The cover is between $10 and $20 depending on who is playing. My advice is go late. You'll pay $10 and you'll prollyscore that much worth of drink tickets.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Hmmmm. Dress like a hip hopper. (However I never do... I always dress like a trance head, and no one seems to mind ^.~)
Address: Apgujeong
Directions: Goodgrief. Apgujeong is a maze of pubs, restaurants and places. The Cube is a mile away. Near Galleria. My advice is ask a young person "CUBE kerlub odi e issoyo?" and they will point you. Thats how I get there. Its hard to find. ^^*

Nightlife Spot: Nara - Nopadayaki

As far as I know a Nopadayaki is a Japanese style Tavern. Traditionally they sold Skae of different descriptions, and various rice wines. But these days the alcohol being perveyed is much more diverse.

Nopadayaki are immensely popular in Korea, especially with the professional crowd. Nopadayaki are essentially pubs, but they also offer food. Tasty dishes like Chicken Teriyaki Kebabs, Teriyaki grilled Tuna, Fish cakes and soup. Barbecued Squid, octopus and many many other fancies from the big blue.

Korean Nopadayaki also sell in addition to Japanese 'sul' (alcohol), korean as well; including Dongdong Ju (rice wine), Cheon Guk, Baek Seju, Sansachon (fruit Rice wines), Soju and Beer (both Japanese and domestic).

Give a Nopadayaki a try. They are great places to get yourself slowly drunk with some friends.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Dress nicely. It is sort of expected. All the other people around you will be somewhat smartly dressed.
Address: Seocho-dong
Directions: Easy to find. Go to Gyodae (Seoul National University of Education Station), Line No #2 (Green) and Line Number #3 (Orange). Get out at Exit five. And walk to the Building Visable called Rezion. On the ground floor off the street you'll see Nara.