26 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.
Le Chamber ★ 4.6 · Seoul
Gangnam and Cheongdam · 42 Dosan-daero 55-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Le Chamber is a Cheongdam speakeasy entered through a hidden bookcase door, a fixture on Asia's 50 Best Bars since 2016, pouring precise classic cocktails.
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 compiled selection of quality makgeolli matched.
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.
Bar NYX ★ 4.3 · Busan
Haeundae · 296 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Bar NYX tucks a cinema-themed cocktail den inside Paradise Hotel Busan, pouring from around 130 spirits behind an unmarked doorway off the Haeundae lobby.
Tip: Adults only and forty seats; book the private room for a group before the weekend rush.
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.
Continental ★ 4.2 · Busan
Seomyeon and Jeonpo · 504-4 Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Continental mixes classics and pours malt whisky until three in Seomyeon, Busan, a dim, grown-up cocktail room in the middle of the bar district.
Tip: Go after eleven when the dinner crowd clears; the bar seats are the ones to hold out for.
Wood Side Bar ★ 4.2 · Busan
Seomyeon and Jeonpo · 522-5 Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Wood Side Bar lines a long Seomyeon counter in Busan with whisky bottles and 16,000 won cocktails, a Blue Ribbon pick for a slow second round.
Tip: Tell the bartender a flavour direction rather than a drink name; the picks land well.
Henry 17 ★ 4.2 · Busan
Gwangalli · 17 Millak-ro 27beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
Henry 17 hides a classical whisky room up a Millak stairwell in Busan, speakeasy in style but welcoming once you find the second-floor door.
Tip: Ring the bell and commit; solo drinkers get looked after well at the counter.
Display ★ 4.2 · Busan
Seomyeon and Jeonpo · 198-13 Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Display plays jazz off vinyl behind a red London phone box in Seomyeon, Busan, with weekend live sessions and cocktails built to the records.
Tip: Weekend live sets carry a 20,000 won cover; weeknights the phone-box door stays quiet.
Pale Blue Dot ★ 4.2 · Busan
Seomyeon and Jeonpo · 347-1 Jeonpo-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Pale Blue Dot seats solo drinkers along a record wall in Jeonpo, Busan, a one-person-friendly listening bar of LPs, books and honest prices.
Tip: Write a song request with your first order; the owner threads them through the night.
Galmegi Brewing Haeundae Taphouse ★ 4.2 · Busan
Haeundae · 2F, 9 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 265beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Galmegi's Haeundae taphouse pours the house IPAs and seasonal taps on a second floor steps from the beach, the main bar of Busan's first craft brewery.
Tip: Flights are the move; the brewery rotates seasonal taps faster than the menu updates.
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.
The Booze Haeundae ★ 4.1 · Busan
Haeundae · 13 Gunam-ro 12beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
The Booze runs a basement speakeasy two blocks from Haeundae Beach in Busan, deep whisky shelves and cigar-friendly late hours for the after-dinner crowd.
Tip: It opens at eight and peaks after ten; ask for the by-the-glass list before committing to a bottle.
Praha 993 ★ 4.1 · Busan
Suyeong and Mangmi · 20 Gurak-ro 123beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
Praha 993 brews Czech-style lager beside the F1963 arts complex in Busan, tank beer and pork knuckle in a factory-turned-culture-yard setting.
Tip: Register your car at the counter for F1963 parking; pair the lager with the gallery loop.
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.
Muse-on ★ 4.0 · Busan
Haeundae · 39 Jungdong 1-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Muse-on spins guest requests off vinyl near Haeundae Beach in Busan, a free-entry record bar where the only queue that matters is for songs, not the door.
Tip: Reserve on Naver for the peak eight-to-eleven window; walk-ins do fine early evening.
Ovantgarde ★ 4.0 · Busan
Nam-gu · 15-1 Yongso-ro 7beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan
Ovantgarde keeps live music going in a Kyungsung University basement in Busan, cheap draft and simple mixes under whichever band is playing that night.
Tip: Check the venue's socials for the night's line-up; sets usually start around nine.
Absinthe ★ 4.0 · Busan
Seomyeon and Jeonpo · 34 Seojeon-ro 58beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Absinthe mixes bespoke cocktails on a Jeonpo second floor in Busan, a small dark room where the menu is a conversation, not a laminated list.
Tip: Name a spirit and a mood; the signature builds beat anything you could order by name.
Hurshimchung Brau ★ 4.0 · Busan
Dongnae and Oncheonjang · 32 Oncheonjang-ro 107beon-gil, Dongnae-gu, Busan
Hurshimchung Brau pours German-style dunkel beside the Oncheonjang hot springs in Busan, a Hotel Nongshim brewhouse of steins and smoked chicken.
Tip: Soak in the Hurshimchung spa first, then take a 600cc dunkel with the sausage board.
Jerseyman Club ★ 3.9 · Busan
Seomyeon and Jeonpo · 34-1 Seojeon-ro 58beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Jerseyman Club pours whisky and easy cocktails in the same Jeonpo alley as Busan's best late rooms, relaxed enough to bring the whole table.
Tip: Groups and even calm dogs are welcome, which is rare for this alley; book on Naver first.