10 Best Nightlife in Gangnam, Seoul

Tea is the hero of the cocktail menu at this Zen-like bar meets teahouse, starring in everything from the Earl Grey Bourbon to the Champagne Oolong. It's a unique experience, but be prepared to spend about ₩25,000 per tea cocktail.

Situated in the basement of the Park Hyatt hotel, Timber House bills itself as an upscale vinyl record bar, with Izakaya-themed Japanese dishes and top notch cocktails, whiskeys, and wines. As the name suggests, the space is all deep varnished wood and soft, tasteful lighting, with DJs spinning a collection of the records Tuesday through Sunday night. The drinks aren't cheap, but the bar is worth a visit for the experience alone. Their happy hour, from 5 to 7 pm, offers half-price entrees and drinks that takes some of the sting out when it comes to time to pay the bill. 

This basement speakeasy inspired by Alice in Wonderland serves whimsical, fun cocktails befitting of its theme while still managing to avoid being gimmicky or over-the-top.

With scores of great craft beers on tap and a full menu of Italian food, Beer Room is one of Gangnam's best spots for a pint and a bite. The decor of the two-story space adds to the ambience, with concrete floors, acres of glass, and outdoor tables where you can sip a hearty ale and watch the night unfold. They also play music of the mellow techno and jazz variety, which is a rarity in an otherwise sea of K-pop. 

Considered by many to be the best wine bar in the city, Casa del Vino is a must for oenophiles. They boast an extensive list of more than 600 wines, with a European focus but also some Napa Valley bottles and some more obscure picks. The interior is classy and elegant, and the rectangular bar is popular with the local business crowd. 

This Chicago-based company was one of the first foreign brands to make headway into Korea's emerging craft beer scene, and their Gangnam location is their mothership. It's an ultra-modern, immaculate complex with myriad beers on tap and a full food menu featuring Western pub favorites such as pork ribs and Buffalo wings. It also houses a brewery with stainless steel tanks, tubes, and valves visible right behind the long bar. The net result is a shiny piece of the United States in the midst of Seoul, so if you're homesick, perhaps this will cure it. Just don't don't expect too much in the way of service.

In a sea of luxurious stores, find a hidden retreat in this speakeasy behind a bookcase in a Cheongdam alleyway (push the book and the door opens). The library-like lounge has an illuminated bar and sparkling chandeliers, giving it an air of sophistication that complements the neighborhood well. There's an excellent whiskey list and unique, if a bit pricey, cocktails.

Perched at the top of the AC Hotel Gangnam, this stylish, upscale bar embraces a New York City speakeasy theme and features a world-class menu of wines, whiskeys, beer, and cocktails, as well as impressive views of N Seoul Tower and Gangnam. Dinner is served from 6 pm to 9 pm. Reservations are recommended. 

This cool little basement bar at the top of Gangnam's "Meat Alley" attracts both an expat and Korean clientele. It's most famous for its darts and beer pong, though if you arrive early enough and sidle up to the counter, owner LJ will regale you with stories of how the neighborhood has grown and changed over the decade and a half since she set up shop. Vudu is a great place to roll up to alone; if you stay long enough, you'll probably make friends with most of the bar.

While Gangnam is famous for its K-pop, hip-hop, and electronic music dance clubs, this bar offers a refuge for any rock and rollers who may find themselves in this otherwise musically unfriendly terrain. With draft beer and cocktails, Woodstock keeps the rock dream alive with monitors playing music videos that are blasted through the bar's speakers. Think: AC/DC, Guns 'n Roses, and Nirvana. The owner, who will also pour your beer, takes requests, but just be sure not to ask for any BTS songs.