Recommended TOP6 bars and restaurants in Seoul, the most popular

Seoul’s bars are full of energy. When night falls in South Korea’s capital, if travelers don’t want to go to nightclubs, then sitting in a bar is a natural choice. Seoul’s nightlife scene is one of the best in Asia, and it’s not hard to see what makes it special.

Sinchon in Seoul has always been a pleasure base for university students, while high-end bars in the center of Seoul are the haunts of fashionable and wealthy people. Of course, the best part of urban nightlife is the rooftop bar, where you can sip wine while admiring the spectacular views. Here are our picks for the best bars in Seoul.

1.Griffin Bar



Main features: luxury hotels, night entertainment

Griffin Bar, located at the JW Marriott Hotel Dongdaemun Plaza in Seoul, is one of the best places in Seoul to enjoy specialty cocktails and fine wines. Griffin Bar is located on the 11th floor and has a rooftop terrace overlooking Heunginjimun, or Dongdaemun, a 600-year-old Joseon Dynasty monument.

The Griffin Bar is a place for conversation and classical piano music, popular with the wealthy, local socialites and celebrities.

Location information: JW Marriott Hotel Dongdaemun Plaza, Seoul: No. 279, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Business hours: Monday to Saturday 13:00 to 05:00 (Closed on Sunday)
Phone: +82-2-2276-3344

2.Pierre's Bar



Main features: luxury hotels, night entertainment

Pierre's Bar offers approximately 28 varieties of vodka, signature cocktails and a selection of champagnes. This upscale bar is located on the 35th floor of Lotte Hotel Seoul - where you can enjoy views of downtown Seoul and Namsan Park Seoul Tower.

The bar has private booths and plush sofas, and after dark the resident DJ will start playing electronic, hip-hop and house music, creating a lively atmosphere. The bar caters to an affluent clientele with attentive service, with cocktails priced between KRW18,000 and KRW30,000, while bottles of wine start from KRW240,000.

Location information: Lotte Hotel Seoul: No. 81, Namdaemun-ro, Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Daily 12:00 to 22:00
Phone: +82-2-317-7181

3.Sky Lounge at InterContinental Seoul World Trade Center



Main features: gourmet food, luxury hotels, night entertainment

Located on the 30th floor of the InterContinental Seoul World Trade Center Hotel, the Sky Lounge features an aviation-inspired interior space and serves contemporary Italian cuisine and cocktails. Sky Lounge decorates the space with minimalist décor and white furniture, and features large windows that offer stunning views of the Han River and downtown Seoul.

You can enjoy Italian and Asian cuisine while sipping imported wines and whiskeys. The environment of Sky Lounge is quite leisurely and quiet, the pleasant music flows without distracting, and the service is professional and capable. It is very suitable for a gathering of friends or a romantic dinner with your partner.

Location information: InterContinental Seoul World Trade Center: No. 524, Bongeunsa-ro, Samseong-il-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Restaurant: daily 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 21:30 Bar: Sunday to Wednesday 21:30 to 01:00, Thursday to Saturday 21:30 to 02:00
Phone: +82-2-3430-8630

4.The Timber House



Main features: luxury hotels, night entertainment

The Timber House is a Japanese-style bar whose design concept is derived from the traditional "Hanok" (Korean-style house). Located on the basement floor of the Park Hyatt Seoul, this bar creates a unique atmosphere with roof tiles, wooden carved sliding doors, stacked book walls, and a large glass wall decorated with old furniture locks.

The Timber House bar, catering mainly to local celebrities and the affluent, offers boutique sake, signature cocktails, Korean soju, vintage champagnes, new world wines and whiskeys. At The Timber House you can also enjoy live jazz music from 20:30.

Location information: Park Hyatt Seoul: No. 606, Deheran-ro, Daechi-2-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 18:00 to 02:00 daily
Phone: +82-2-2016-1291

5.Glam Lounge



Main Features: Nighttime Entertainment

Glam Lounge is deeply loved by fashionable elites, young corporate executives and business travelers for its high-end furnishings and special cocktails. The 2-story bar features arched windows, dazzling crystal chandeliers and stylish décor.

The bar creates a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere with melodious house music as the background. The central horseshoe-shaped bar is staffed by capable bartenders who can prepare unique cocktails for cocktail lovers in just a few clicks. Admission is free, but prices at the Glam Lounge are higher than most bars in Itaewon, with most drinks priced between KRW10,000 and KRW15,000.

Location information: No. 26, Lane 27, Itaewon-ro, Itaewon-1-dong, Yongsan, South Korea
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday 07:00 to 03:00, Thursday 07:00 to 04:00, Friday to Saturday 07:00 to 05:30
Phone: +82-2-796-6853

6.The Wolfhound



Main Features: Nighttime Entertainment
Wolfhound is an affordable Irish pub serving a wide selection of beers and cocktails, lamb stew, grilled steaks and sausages. You can enjoy Guinness Stout, Magna and Kilkenny beers on tap, as well as wine, cocktails, whiskeys and martinis.

The bar is also known for hosting fun themed parties. On weekend nights, the resident DJ plays oldies, rock and the latest top 40 chart hits. In keeping with its Irish roots, The Wolfhound usually offers live Irish music every Sunday starting at 17:00.

Location information: No. 128-6, Lane 59, Bogwang-ro, Itaewon-1-dong, Yongsan, South Korea
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 17:00 to 02:00, Friday 17:00 to 03:00, Saturday 16:00 to 04:00, Sunday 16:00 to 02:00
Phone: +82-2-749-7971