Seoul is already well known for being a 24-hour city which means visitors who are most active at night will find Seoul right to their liking. Here are some ideas to get you started on making the most of Seoul all through the night.

It’s no secret that Koreans love a good drink and having fun and this sometimes means through the night! You can grab drinks- like soju, beer, or makgeolli-, late night food, sing your heart out at a noraebang, and repeat until the sun rises if you have the will and energy. Popular late night hangout areas include Gangnam, Jongno, Sinchon, and Hongdae but are certainly not limited to these areas only. For a very Korean drinking experience, you can try a pojangmacha. These makeshift tent bars serves food and drinks at relatively cheaper prices than brick and wood shops and are open through the night. You can find several in the Jongno area.

In terms of nightlife, the three main districts for clubs and other nightlife venues are mostly clustered around three main areas: Hongdae, Itaewon, and Cheongdamdong. All three of these areas have bars and other drink and food establishments but are different from other nightlife areas of Seoul because they are known for their clubs and lounges. Coming alive on weekend nights, each of the three districts offers a bit of different atmosphere and crowd.

Hongdae generally has a younger crowd as a number of universities are found near the area. The music in these nightlife venues range in everything from hip hop to jazz to electronic, and house. Be on the lookout for live club day on the last Friday of every month for access to 10 live clubs on one ticket.

Itaewon usually attracts young adults and working professionals and a mix of locals, visitors, and expats. The numerous Western-style bars and lounges, in addition to the many non-Korean restaurants of the area, makes it a popular site for night owls looking for something a little different than the usual soju bar. In terms of the clubs and nightlife scene, the venue, style, and music all vary greatly from one establishment to another. The LGBQT community also has a presence here with bars, lounges, and clubs that are welcome to all.
Cheongdamdong carries more upscale bars, lounges, and clubs- including some of Seoul’s biggest- as well as some of Seoul’s most exclusive; some establishments are members-only, require a significant minimum pay, or carry other rules such as strict dress codes and even a maximum entry age. If you fit the crowd though and have the money, Cheongdamdong may be what you’re looking for.

If you’re a night person but not much into the nightlife scene, you’re still in luck as Seoul is often dubbed the city that never sleeps. You can easily search or find a 24 hour café, PC bang (where you can surf the net or play computer games), or even order delivery for a late night snack whether you have a hankering for fast food or ddeokbokki. And, though already quite well known, shoppers will want to make sure they visit the Dongdaemun area for its many shops and stores that allows you to literally shop through the night. Now is particularly a good time to visit as the Seoul Summer Sale is ongoing through the month of July!

For the night owls who are wondering how to get around, please note that Seoul’s public transportation generally ends service around 1AM on weekdays and between 11 PM and midnight on weekends. There are, however, a few “late night buses” called “ohl-bbaemi bus”, or night owl buses, that services many of Seoul’s popular neighborhoods and districts. These buses operate between midnight to early hours and there are currently eight routes with more on the way. Of course, taxis are also available 24 hours in Seoul as well.

If you want to try a different experience, the many jjimjilbangs around Seoul are 24 hours. In addition to different heated property rooms and baths, many have sleeping quarters (separated by gender) making it a unique way to get a scrub, shower, and rest in the wee hours of the night.