12 bars worth the trip across South Korea, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All South Korea guides.
Zest ★ 4.9 · Seoul
Gangnam and Cheongdam · B1 26 Dosan-daero 55-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Zest ranked No. 2 Asia's 50 Best Bars and No. 16 World's 50 Best Bars 2025, serving Korean seasonal cocktails sourced from contract farms in Gangnam.
Sanullim 1992 ★ 4.7 · Seoul
Hongdae and Yeonnam · 60 Seogang-ro 9-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Sanullim 1992 in Hapjeong is a speakeasy dedicated to Korean traditional spirits: single-variety soju, cheongju, and artisanal makgeolli by the pour.
Damotori ★ 4.6 · Seoul
Itaewon and Hannam · 44-18 Yongsan-dong 2-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Damotori is the definitive makgeolli bar in Seoul, stocking over 40 varieties of the unfiltered rice wine from producers across Korea and presenting them.
Charles H ★ 4.6 · Seoul
Jongno and Insadong · Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, 97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Charles H in the Four Seasons Seoul is the city's most refined cocktail bar, a Prohibition-era concept built on Korean seasonal ingredients and 200 spirits.
Juan Makgeolliano ★ 4.5 · Seoul
Hongdae and Yeonnam · 248-2 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Juan Makgeolliano is a traditional-style makgeolli bar on the Yeonnam-dong strip, with an extensive curated selection of quality makgeolli matched to a jeon-led kitchen.
The Booth Brewing (Gyeongnidan) ★ 4.4 · Seoul
Itaewon and Hannam · 7 Noksapyeong-daero 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
The Booth Brewing on Gyeongnidan-gil pairs its own-brewed IPAs and stouts with a food menu, a full evening destination on Seoul's most international street.
M29 (Fairmont Ambassador Seoul) ★ 4.4 · Seoul
Jung-gu and Myeongdong · Fairmont Ambassador Seoul 29F, 108 Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
M29 occupies the 29th floor of the Fairmont Ambassador in Yeouido, with an indoor cocktail bar and outdoor terrace overlooking the Han River and the Yeouido skyline at sunset.
Magpie Brewing Itaewon ★ 4.3 · Seoul
Itaewon and Hannam · 244-1 Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Magpie Brewing's Itaewon taproom is the craft beer entry point to Seoul, with the full range of Korean-brewed ales and lagers served alongside pub food.
Euljiro Pocha Row ★ 4.3 · Seoul
Jung-gu and Myeongdong · Euljiro 3-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (alley between Eulji-ro and Toegye-ro)
The pojangmacha tent alleys of Euljiro are old Seoul's most genuine late-night drinking: somaek and dried seafood under orange awnings since the 1970s.
Southside Parlor ★ 4.2 · Seoul
Itaewon and Hannam · 36-5 Bogwang-ro 60-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Southside Parlor is one of Itaewon's most consistent bars: New Orleans-inflected, with live music Thursday through Saturday and a well-stocked spirits shelf.
Jongno 3-ga Hof Alley ★ 4.1 · Seoul
Jongno and Insadong · Jongno 3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Jongno 3-ga's pojangmacha tents and beer halls open at dusk behind the station, serving somaek (soju-beer bomb) and dried squid until well past midnight.
Club Mass ★ 4.0 · Seoul
Gangnam and Cheongdam · 18-2 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Club Mass is Gangnam's longest-running electronic house club, with two basement floors and a main-stage program of Korean residents and visiting international DJs five nights a week.