Partying in Seoul

People always say their best partying experiences are places like Vegas, Miami, New York, Ibiza. I have not been to Vegas or Ibiza but Seoul is at the top of the list for me. It used to be Miami but I love the free spirited Korean parties a lot better. I've compiled a list of places in different neighbourhoods you should check out whether you live in or are visit Seoul. 

Gangnam/Apgujeong

Looking for upscale and snazzy clubs? Then head over to Gangnam. You may have heard about Gangnam from Psy's international hit "Gangnam Style", but experiencing it is a lot different. Gangnam clubs are filled with beautiful, well dressed, classy people with money. All the clubs in Gangnam are upscale and not cheap. All the clubs have an entry fee and expensive drinks, but the people here do know how to party hard and look good while doing it.

Octagon

This was the first electronic night club I went to in Seoul. I was very impressed. This club is huge and has so many rooms with different sounds. Yes, it is shaped like an octagon as well. The entrance fee is 30,000 but comes with a drink ticket. The club is full of locals and few foreigners but it's always a great time. Koreans love to party and have fun which makes it easy for you to enjoy yourself!

Photo from the Ellui Facebook page

Ellui

Another amazing club in Gangnam, Ellui is located in the ritzy Ellui Hotel's basement. They always have an amazing light show and DJ's. This club is so great even Lady Gaga partied here. It doesn't matter what night you attend, you will not be disappointed. Make sure to dress up the dress code is strict.

The A

The A is another upscale club located in a swanky Art Nouveau Hotel in Gangnam. You will be listening to the DJ spin EDM all night with very short breaks of hip hop. It's house Justin Beiber after his concert in 2013. Obviously in Gangnam you need to dress to impress. Admission is 30,000 won with a free drink ticket. The A is one of the most beautiful clubs and it has two floors, so make sure to check out both floors.

Syndrome

Syndrome

What? A club with a pool in Gangnam you say? You are probably thinking where am I, when you are in Syndrome. Although no one goes in the pool it's a great feature to have, especially with an Iron Man statue facing it. This club differs from the others, with the pool to the gorgeous VIP areas. It's got a hefty entrance fee of 30,000 won but like the other clubs in Gangnam you also get a drink ticket. This club is filled with beautiful people in their mid 20's and up.

NB1

As one of the only hip hop clubs in Gangnam, NB1, is very popular among the locals and foreigners. It is close to Sinnonhyeon subway station and is very convenient to get to. There are also lots of other larger and smaller bars/clubs in the area that you can explore. What makes NB unique is that this club is very diverse, you get a good mix of foreigners as well as locals and everyone likes to have fun. This club isn't as posh as the other Gangnam clubs but it's just as expensive.

Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach

Home to the infamous bucket drinks, Monkey Beach is a great place to get the night started in Apgujeong. Apgujeong is the Beverly Hills of Seoul and is one of the most expensive areas to live in. Considering Monkey Beach is in this area you would expect for the drinks to be expensive but they aren't. The buckets can be quite large so share with a friend and split the price. This is more of a bar as they have pool tables and fooseball.

Hongdae

Hongdae is the area in which Hongik University is located. This area houses many foreigners as well as locals. Since it's a college area you will see tons of clubs and bars. The age range is a lot younger than the other places--around 20-30. But you will have a good time.

Thursday Party

With two locations in Hongdae, Thursday party is a great place to start the night. Thursday party is a meeting place with a great atmosphere. It is ALWAYS packed and a foreigner hub.  They have beer pong tables, darts and Foosball tables. Yes, people do dance here as well, you can never go wrong coming here first.Try the Long Island ice tea!

Photo from club in Korea

Vera

If you love electronic music then Vera is for you. It is very close to Hongik University station. It is a guaranteed good time as there are always line ups to get in. It's got two floors so you can watch the LED  laser light show from the top floor. Be sure to go early unless you don't mind waiting in line.

Photo from Brandnu club facebook page

Brandnu

If you love hip hop then Brandnu is a must. First go to the brandnu bar where you can get unlimited drinks for an hour at the mere price of 15,000 won. On your way out make sure to get a stamp so you can get into the Brandnu club for free! It's always a great party. The music is always great and the crowd is always fun. 

NB2

NB2 is another hip hop club in Hongdae. It is the oldest, largest and probably the best hip hop club in the area, which is why on most nights there is a large line up. It's a really popular club because it is own by YG entertainment which manages a lot of K-pop stars. Before 10 you can expect to pay 10,000 after that it goes up to 15,000 after that.

Cocoon- Photo from club in Korea

Cocoon

Cocoon is one of the largest clubs in Hongdae so of course there will be a line to get in. Good news for ladies is that there is always a free tequila party! This club is very popular among the locals, but not as much to the foreigners. However it is still a great place to check out. You get all kinds of music when you come here; house, hip hop, electronic!

Gogo's

Another all kind music club. Gogo's has two locations pretty much right next to each other. Gogo's 1 is on the top floor of a building and Gogo's 2 in in the basement in another one. Both are free entry for everyone. They have a variety of music so you don't get bored just listening to one. Make sure to try a bucket drink at Gogo's 2.

Itaewon

Itaewon, otherwise known as the foreigner neighbourhood.It is a mix of English teachers, locals and American soldiers. It is home to some of the best restaurants in Seoul but also has a great night life. Here is where you will meet the most foreigners as there are designated foreigner bars and clubs. Don't get me wrong you will still see locals, lots of locals especially at these clubs. It seems like Itaewon is where the older crowd prefers to hang out, they are a lot more laid back and aren't as wild as people who party in Hongdae.

Photo from the B One facebook page

B One

Located in the basement of the famous Hamilton Hotel, B One is one of the most popular clubs in Itaewon. The DJ spins house music all night but sometimes spins a little bit of hip hop. To get into this club you need to dress to impress. You can party until the sun comes up because that is when the club closes. the entry fee is about 10,000 won unless there is a special event. Make sure to get there early as there tends to be a line up.

Cake shop

Cakeshop is an underground warehouse style club. They place a mix of music like hip hop, techno, house, etc. They have a large dance floor where you can get your groove on. This is a more chilled atmosphere nut people love to have fun here. Drinks are a lot cheaper than the other clubs in Itaewon.

Photo from District's facebook page

District

District is a newer establishment. It is made up of 3 different venues; Prost, Mute and Glam Lounge. I have been to each of these places and can say that here is where you will find the largest crowds. Prost has no cover, it is a pub but people do still dance in between tables. Mute is 10,000 before 12 am and  also gets you a free drink ticket, after 12 it is 20,000 won. Glam has free admission, but gets VERY crowded. There isn't much room to dance so people just socialize, then head over to Mute to dance. This places is great because you can just bounce around to these 3 places without ever having to leave the building.