2 Best Bars in Side Trips from Busan, South Korea

Barbarella

Though it doesn't look like much from the outside, entering this "avant-garde rock bar" is like stepping into another, psychedelic world. Bathed in blue light, the cozy, slightly odd pub manages to strike that perfect balance between cool and inviting, with a nice cocktail list to boot. The owner is an ex-college professor who walked away from the ivory tower in order to open a bar and play his favorite tunes, so like any good little boozer, it's a true labor of love.

24 Jungang-daero 77-gil, Gyesan-dong, Daegu, 41935, South Korea
053-292–5924

Viento

Situated on a pleasant corner in the maze of side streets that makes up Tongyeong's Hangnam neighborhood, Viento is a nice place for a quiet drink, with a great array of bottled European beers, along with wine, cocktails, and a couple of draft brews. The inside is home to just three or four tables, while outside there's a tiny windowfront bar that's perfect for sitting, sipping, and watching the night unfold.

Hangnam 1gil, 18 beong-gil, Hangnam-dong, Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
010-7600–2193