Wild. Korea in general has a strong drinking culture, and many people stay out until 8am on the weekends.
Seoul is interesting because of the different vibes and scenes you can find scattered around the city.
In Hongdae, you can find tons of different clubs, catered mostly to the university crowd. In the back alleys you can find anything, from hip-hop and EDM clubs, to places that are women-only. There are tons of karaoke bars, and smaller hole-in-the-wall pubs, as well as arcades and restaurants open 24 hours. It’s got a young, hip vibe and everything feels modern and fast-paced.
Itaewon feels grittier. This is an older area of the city that was settled by many of the marginalized communities; thus, you have streets lovingly referred to as “Hooker Hill,” “Homo Hill,” and even “Muslim Hill.” (As you may be able to guess, Itaewon is a fairly mountainous part of Seoul.) The nightlife here is quieter on the surface, but absolutely wild. This is where you can catch drag and burlesque shows, or find unique and quirky bars to drink with a diverse range of people.
There’s also Gangnam, which is where the elites of Korea typically hang out. It’s not my scene, but if you have the money for a truly spectacular night out with the rich and famous, then that’s where you should head. Beware, though: plenty of scandals have plagued the clubs there (especially the infamous Burning Sun) so you run the risk of being used or abused by the upper class patrons.
Beyond that, there are other, smaller districts, mostly around the universities, that can be a nice alternative to the craziness of the aforementioned areas. There are also older, seedier areas where you can find gambling (mostly the illegal kind) and sex workers. I’ve even heard of BDSM bars. Seoul is a massive city with an expansive nightlife, so anything you want, you can most likely find.
Usually, a night out on the town involves two or three cha, but a special occasion such as a birthday or holiday can take merry-makers all the way into a fifth. Each round generally takes place at a specific kind of establishment; the following are the most common: 성인야설
Gogi jib: To start the evening, Koreans tend to go out for a meal together, usually at a gogi jib, or barbecue restaurant. Fatty slabs of samgyeopsal (pork belly) make for an ideal meal to prepare the body for binge-drinking, and also pair beautifully with somaek, a widely-consumed cocktail of soju and maekju (beer).
Bars: Drinks are usually the focus of the next round, which is usually at a bar. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, craft beer enthusiast, live music junkie, or want to get buzzed on a budget, Seoul’s got a bar for you. A Korean favorite is the ‘self bar’, where you can grab your own beer from one of the many refrigerators and pay when you leave. Expect impressive drinking techniques, outrageous drinking games, and even a few Seoul Trains (an epic, domino-like series of bomb shots).
Hofs: Hofs are common hangouts for round three, as anju (drinking food) such as fried chicken or sausage platters is typically served, and usually must be purchased.
Clubs and lounges: For many 20- and 30-somethings, round four typically involves dancing at a club or lounge. There are plenty of big, flashy clubs throughout the city, with different types of music and atmospheres to please just about any preference. Most charge a cover fee of about 10,000 to 30,000 won ($10 to $30), and some require you reserve a table, so be sure to do your research ahead of time.
Booking clubs: In addition to conventional clubs, Seoul also boasts a number of booking clubs, where young people go to meet casual hookups. Usually entrance is only permitted to those 30 years of age and younger, and bouncers try to keep the ratio of men to women fairly equal.
Noraebang: No night out in Korea is complete without a session of noraebang, or karaoke. Hugely popular among Koreans of all ages, these private singing rooms are practically ubiquitous in Seoul and make for the perfect spot to round off an evening of debauchery.
Surviving the morning after
By the end of a night out, Koreans will head home for a few hours of sleep before making it to class or work the next morning. How do they do it? In the same way they’ve created a unique drinking culture, they’ve also perfected the art of curing a hangover. From spicy haejangguk (‘hangover soup’) and bottled recovery drinks to medicinal ice-cream, there’s bound to be something to cure your post-soju fatigue, so feel free to let loose and geonbae (cheers)!
Comments
Post a Comment