9 Best Nightlife in Jongno-gu, Seoul

Located within a traditional hanok, this intimate bar with dim lights and a warm wooden bar serves modern takes on traditional liquors and spirits. It's a memorable place to sample the best Korean flavors, soju, and craft cocktails. No wonder it's been named one of the 50 best bars in Asia. Bar bites are available; they're open until 1 am.

Tucked away in an elegant hanok in Naeja-dong, Cobbler is a whisky and cocktail bar that serves slices of cobbler pie with every visit. The space, dimly lit and furnished with imported antiques, only has room for 20 guests, but plenty of people are willing to wait as the bar’s owner, Robin Yoo, is one of the best-known mixologists in the country. There is no menu, but you can choose from their takes on classics like the Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule or ask the staff to recommend a drink based on your preferences. Come before 7 pm to ensure you’ll get a seat or visit their second, more spacious location in Yeonhui-dong.

One of the most glamorous nightlife experiences in the city, Charles H. is a speakeasy located on the basement level of the Four Seasons. Often appearing on World’s Best Bars lists, it screams luxury with its five-star service, mirrored ceilings, and plush seats. Named after 19th-century food writer Charles H. Baker, the bar’s signature cocktails include Le Comedian, a strong rye whisky and rum concoction with chocolatey notes. Make reservations in advance, come dressed to impress, and be prepared to spend some serious cash. There is a cover charge of ₩10,000, and drinks start at ₩28,000.

Tucked inside a renovated hanok (traditional Korean home), this chill bar is the perfect marriage of new Korean aesthetics and a German menu that highlights sausages and beers. Its name is a play on words: In Korean, Dokil Jutaek translates to “German House” but in Hanja, a traditional writing system for Korean based on Chinese characters, it means “to drink alone.” In Korean culture, drinking is a highly social activity but here, enjoying a drink alone and mingling with others at the bar is encouraged. Whether or not you prefer to be a social butterfly, a visit is full of Instagrammable cheese and meat plates and an impressive imported beer list best enjoyed while relaxing in the courtyard.

Known for its swoon worthy design details and hip crowd, this small makgeolli (Korean rice wine) bar was created in collaboration with some of Korea’s finest design talents. The wood-panel interior, the custom made ceramics, the funky wooden tables and seats, and the music curation all contribute to this feast of the senses. Their makgeolli selection features hard-to-come-by brewers and a few bottles made in-house. The food menu consists of banchans (Korean side dishes) such as crispy gamja jeon (potato pancake);and anju (Korean drinking foods) that pair harmoniously with the drinks.

Since starting out in 2015, Hand and Malt has gained attention for their craft beer, winning several prestigious awards such as the International Beer Cup and the San Diego International Beer and Cider awards. In 2017, the brand opened this taproom in a hanok in Naeja-dong. Popular beers like the Slow IPA, Mocha Stout, and Hopped Cider are often paired with small bites like their truffle oil fries. The taproom’s courtyard, lit up with string lights, is an especially nice place to have a cool drink in the summer. Fans of the brand can also visit their Brew Lab located in Yongsan.

While not a conventional bar per se, Jong 3-pocha is a row of pochas (tented bars) outside of Jongno 3-ga Station. It's one of a dozen such streets left in the city and rare in its longtime hospitality of the LGBTQ+ community. The experience varies from pocha to pocha, but expect plastic lawn furniture seating, green bottles of soju, and generous helpings of seafood. The limited space and unfamiliar foods might be intimidating at first, but after a drink or two, you’ll become enamored of the moody, orange lights and the soft-at-heart ladies in charge.

If you're exploring the hanoks of the Bukchon Village and need a crisp brew, head to this quiet, atmospheric craft beer taproom for a self-serve pale ale, IPA, or saison. Its traditional setting is enchanting, whether you're here during the day and light streams in from the roof or you're on the illuminated patio at night. Bar snacks like chicken wings and fries are also available.

A craft beer bar built into a hanok, Seoul Gypsy's brewery and taproom is beloved by the city’s judgiest beer aficionados. Located on the quieter end of Jongno 3-ga, its off-the-beaten-path location means that few customers stumble into the bar by coincidence. While its cozy ambiance certainly adds to Seoul Gypsy’s reputation, the range of unique beers available is the real draw. The seasonal beer menu highlights brews made with local ingredients such as the Twist Gose, a sour beer made with Korean rice wine culture, and the Summer Fling, a farmhouse ale brewed with local peppercorns and tangerines from Jeju Island.