Raging in the City of Lights
I started raging in Seoul back in August 2013 when I moved there to teach English. Let me tell you, I went clubbing in Gangnam almost every weekend, and the insanity levels were off the charts. Although I’ve since adopted a different lifestyle – still crazy, but in a different way – I decided to write this guide to share my favorite clubs and give you a taste of what to expect.
Seriously, I’ve partied in pretty much every country and more cities than I can count, and nothing comes close to the pure energy and excitement of Seoul’s nightlife. I’ve lived in Las Vegas, and I’ve been to the clubs of Barcelona, Stockholm, Berlin, and Bangkok. They’ve got nothing on Seoul. You have to see it to believe it.
Perhaps the #1 reason why the nightlife in Seoul is so much fun is because Koreans love to get drunk. Every year, South Korea tops the charts for the highest consumption of alcohol per person in the world. In fact, Koreans drink more than twice the amount as Russians, with an average of 137 shots of liquor per person per week in 2014. Get your hands on a green bottle of soju – a Korean rice liquor that’s heavily consumed during social gatherings – for just 1,500 won (around $1.50 USD), and brace yourself for a miserable hangover.
The next thing to learn about Koreans is their love for electronic dance music or EDM. Seoul frequently attracts many big-name DJs and EDM music festivals. I’ve seen the likes of Tiësto, Avicii, Above & Beyond, Fedde Le Grand, Steve Angello, Kaskade, Madeon, and dozens more perform at clubs, and I’ve even attended festivals such as Ultra Korea, Sensation White, Global Gathering, and World DJ Festival. I get a kick out of the way Koreans dance to EDM – it involves a lot of shoulder movement, head-bobbing, and uncontrollable fist-pumping. Check out my YouTube video to see what I mean.
Navigating Seoul’s Vibrant Nightlife Districts
Now, let’s dive into the different nightlife hubs in Seoul that you need to experience:
Itaewon: The Foreigner’s Enclave
Itaewon is the foreigner district, but it’s also trending for young to middle-aged Koreans. Here, you’ll find several bars, some fancy and some casual, as well as various nightclubs and pubs. The healthy mix of foreigners and locals gives Itaewon a unique, always-full-of-energy feel.
Hongdae: The Hipster Haven
Hongdae is the ultimate hipster area. Go here to see young Korean trends and fashion at their finest. Hongdae is like a college campus because there are several big universities around the area. Everything in Hongdae is cheap, and there are more bars and clubs than I can count. It’s always crowded, and the street vendors and local restaurants stay open 24 hours.
Sincheon: The College Town Vibe
Sincheon is nearly an extension of Hongdae. It’s just one metro stop away, and this area also has a college feel to it. There’s a main strip lined up with bars and clubs that are cheap and fun. It’s always a good idea to start the night in Sincheon and then head over to Hongdae, or vice versa.
Apgujeong: The Posh Playground
Apgujeong is another trendy nightlife hub that’s located next to Gangnam. Rodeo Drive is where all the craziness happens, with some of the priciest clubs and deluxe hotels in Seoul. If you’re not on a strict budget, then go to Apgujeong for dinner and drinks before heading out to Gangnam, but prepare your wallet.
Gangnam: The Beverly Hills of Seoul
Gangnam is the main district for luxurious, posh, multi-leveled nightclubs with massive dance floors and top-notch sound systems. Basically, this is where all the celebrities and rich folks hang out and spend ridiculous amounts of money, but it’s also trending for young 20-somethings who want to party all night. Gangnam is the Beverly Hills of Seoul – a must-see.
Clubbing in Gangnam: Where the Elite Come to Play
Clubbing in Gangnam isn’t cheap. Cover charges are typically $20-$40 USD, and drinks are expensive. Expect to pay no less than $10 for any shot, beer, or mixed drink. If you want to save money on drinks, go to the club early and get a wristband so you can enter and exit when you wish, then head to a cheap convenience store down the street and drink soju for 1,000 won per bottle.
If you’re going out clubbing with a large group of people, it’s definitely worth getting a table with bottle service. You’ll pay a little more money, but the epic experience is worth it. And it’s a good idea to get sufficiently drunk before you go, otherwise, you’ll light all your money on fire inside the club.
Unlike clubbing in Las Vegas or Western Europe, the dress code in Seoul is not strictly enforced. You can dress up as much as you want if that’s your thing, but you don’t have to. I typically wear a V-neck with black jeans and Nike gym shoes. Just don’t wear shorts or flip-flops, or you’ll get denied entrance.
Clubs are becoming more strict on checking IDs, so make sure to bring your ID with you. You don’t need a passport – any ID with your birthday on it will do. And don’t show up to a club until at least midnight, or you’ll awkwardly be the only one inside. Clubs stay open until the last person walks out, usually around 7-9 AM. I’ve stumbled home from a club at 10 AM before – it’s a wild ride.
Seoul’s Top Nightclubs: Where the Party Never Stops
Now, let’s dive into my top 7 favorite clubs in Gangnam. Be sure to book your hotels at HotelStayinNSeoul.com to make the most of your Seoul nightlife adventure.
Octagon: The #6 Club in the World
Octagon is hands down my favorite club in Seoul. This club was ranked the 6th best club in the world by DJ Mag. The first floor spreads out from the stage to the VIP tables and the bar in the back. The upper level is only accessible for VIP tables, and there’s an exciting balcony that looks over the entire club. The DJ stage is gigantic, and it has one of the best LED TV monitors I’ve ever seen, with the lights and the sound both coordinating together.
There are frequently big-name international DJs that play here on weekends. I’ve seen the likes of Laidback Luke, Deniz Koyu, Fedde Le Grand, and Dash Berlin perform at this club, as well as several famous Korean DJs. All of the music is EDM, and no matter which night you go, you’ll definitely hear all your favorite electronic tunes mixed together. It’s impossible not to dance and have fun.
Club Answer: Where the Young, Sexy, and Crazy Come to Rage
Club Answer is the upcoming place for the young, sexy, and crazy Seoulites to rage until the sun rises. This club has dominated the electro-house scene in Seoul. Club Answer is a three-story club with a giant stage on the first floor, VIP tables on the second floor, a sweet overlooking balcony, and private rooms on the third floor. The interior is luxurious, with its leather white seating, chandeliers, and marbled floor that will make you feel like you’re the richest person in Korea.
The powerful sound system inside Answer is one of the best in Seoul. My Korean friends refer to this club as the place to “get down.” Huge names such as Deadmau5, Benny Benassi, and Paul Van Dyke have played here. Club Answer is known to attract the most beautiful, well-dressed Koreans out there, so make sure you dress appropriately or you’ll instantly be denied entrance.
Syndrome: The Electronica Epicenter of Seoul
Syndrome is the talk of the city every weekend. They party by their motto, representing a new culture of Electronica in Seoul. Syndrome’s goal is to change the way that people look and think about dance music, and whatever they’re doing, it’s working. All I can say is that this place is absolutely insane. It is, without question, one of the biggest and most epic clubs in Seoul. There’s even a swimming pool inside!
The main DJ stage is all the way in the front, with a long dance floor that stretches the length of the club. The only issue with this club is the location of the main bar, which is in the back of the club, so if you’re on the dance floor, it will take a few minutes to push your way to the back bar for a drink. There’s a sweet upstairs level with VIP tables and a giant balcony overlooking the club. There must be 2,000 people that can fit inside this place, and it stays packed until sunrise. It’s definitely a great place to party all night and experience Seoul’s culture at its finest.
Ellui: The Largest Nightclub in Asia
Ellui is absolutely massive. It’s not only the biggest club in Seoul but claims to be the largest nightclub in Asia. Nearly every weekend features an international or top-notch Korean act that gets the party going all night long. The club features multiple levels with dance floors that become crazier as the night progresses into the early morning. At some point during the night, the staff will stand on top of the bar and pour shots of vodka into everyone’s mouth. The high-energy crowd is mostly mid-20s to 30s, and the vibe is cool-but-casual.
The dance floor has huge bouncing balls, and the light show-blasting speaker combination is mesmerizing. Ellui is so big that you can probably expect to get lost at some point in a sea of Koreans, which is usually a good thing. I left the club at 6 AM, and it was still packed with people. You will never want to leave Ellui from the second you walk in the door.
Club Base: The Ritz-Carlton’s Luxurious Lair
Located in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Club Base is the most luxurious and high-class club in Seoul. As you can imagine what a club is like in the Ritz, this place is extremely posh and has some of the most attractive people who dress to impress. The interior resembles an 18th-century ballroom with crazy fancy decoration on the walls and ceilings. Now, try to picture that with big-ass speakers that blast house music, and it feels like you’re raving in a time machine to the future.
The sound system is on par with the best, and there are neon flashing lights coming from every possible direction. It’s just too cool. The only problem with Base is that the music has little variation – it’s the same pulsing beat for 5 hours, and you won’t recognize any songs. But the amazing scene makes me itch to get back there on Friday nights.
Club Mass: The Late-Night Party Powerhouse
Club Mass is the go-to spot for late, late-night partying. It stays open 365 days a year and goes until 9 or 10 AM in the morning. Mass describes itself as the premier electronic house music club in Seoul. The interior is huge, with a central stage and a massive dance floor that’s packed with hundreds of people. The music is electro-house, and it stays bumping until the last person walks out the door in the early morning.
I recommend going to Mass after you’re done hopping around other clubs and bars in the area. This place doesn’t hit peak hours until 3-6 AM, so don’t worry about getting there too late. Seriously, I walked out the door at 9:30 AM one Sunday morning. The crowd is young and beautiful – you’ll see the girls wearing extra high heels, short dresses, and makeup, and the guys wearing button-downs, slacks, and nice shoes. It’s a good place to find a date. If you’re the type that can rage until breakfast, then Mass is your place.
The A Hall: Where the Biggest EDM DJs Perform
The A Hall, without question, attracts the biggest EDM DJs in Korea. Much like Club Mass, this club really goes until 7 AM. I’ve seen the likes of Kaskade, Ali & Fila, Laidback Luke, Bingo Players, Fatboy Slim, and Ferry Corsten play shows at The A Hall. This club is also popular amongst Korean celebrities.
I put it last on this list simply because I hate the tiny layout of the club, and I always feel like I’m getting pushed by sweaty, uncontrollable drunks. But that being said, I always go here to see some of my favorite DJs perform. If you’re looking to catch the biggest names in EDM, The A Hall is the place to be.
So, there you have it – my top 7 favorite clubs in Gangnam. Get ready to dance the night away at Seoul’s biggest and most epic nightlife spots. Just be sure to book your hotels at HotelStayinNSeoul.com to make the most of your Seoul nightlife adventure. Trust me, you’re in for the wild ride of a lifetime.
