Hongdae is a place full of excitement day and night. Hongdae streets are filled with young and trendy people, deserving of the title 'Street of Youth' to this day. Hongdae is also a must-visit place for most tourists who visit Seoul.

On weekends, it becomes a much more lively place as young people from all over the country gather to party. And a party without alcohol is no party! We have listed cool places where you could grab a drink and have a great time. 

Makgeolli Salon (막걸리 싸롱)

Makgeolli Salon, a makgeolli (rice wine) bar, is more well-known foreigners than to Korean locals. This is because the way they have fused and reinterpreted Korean traditional makgeolli into modern makgeolli attracted first-timers. Makgeolli and pajeon (green onion pancake) are perfect to be devoured on a rainy day in Korea and the subtle lighting and the atmosphere of this bar make it a perfect place for a round of makgeolli.

The main menu here without a doubt is Makgeolli. They range from fruity flavours with various sweet and sour fruits to unique makgeolli with healthy ingredients such as chestnuts and honey. They even have a set menu where you can drink six flavours of makgeolli. One of their set consists of makgeolli fused with fruit and cheese. For those who already have a liking for makgeolli, I recommend the makgeolli set which presents makgeolli flavours from 8 Korean provinces.

The foods served here pairs perfectly with makgeolli. Their pajeon and pork belly stew are great options. If you are a foodie visiting Seoul, this is a must-try restaurant!

Address: 서울 마포구 와우산로21길 12-6

Hours: 17:00 - 05:00

Seosi (서시)

Yoon Dong-Ju's poem Seosi was used as a motif for this bar hence the name of this classy bar came to place. Red bricks and yellow lighting create a subtle atmosphere, so it's a suitable place to drink alone. If you get a seat on the bar you can observe the chef preparing your dish.

The ingredients here are airborne directly from Jeju Island so you're able to taste fresh Jeju delicacies in Hongdae. They sell dishes like ttagsaeu hoe (red-banded lobster sashimi), Jeju malgogi hoe (Jeju horse sashimi), and more. When you order a dish, the chef recommends a traditional liquor that goes well with the dish. You can taste almost every traditional alcohol here. If you're a fan for regional drinks, this place would be a paradise for you. 

Address: 서울 마포구 홍익로2길 31

Hour: Tue-Sat 18:00 - 01:00, Closed on Sundays and Mondays

Top Fusion Pocha (탑퓨전포차)

The pub 'Top Fusion Pocha', located in front of Exit 3 of Hongdae University Station, is in the basement of a hostel building where many foreigners traveling Seoul stay. It is a popular place always crowded with people. If you like the noisy, exciting atmosphere this is just the right place for you. Even though it's in the basement, it is clean and spacious.

The low price and unlimited refill are what makes Top Fusion Pocha popular. For just ₩12,500 per person, you can enjoy unlimited chicken, potato fries, dakbal (chicken feet), dakttongjib (chicken gizzard) and many more. Because the price is cheap, you can try foods that you wouldn't normally pay for like dakbal and dakttongjib. Check this place out to see what dakbal and dakttongjib taste like! 

Address: 서울 마포구 양화로 177-1

Hours: 14:00-02:00

Roppongi (롯폰기)

Roppongi is a pub located on the most bustling club street in Hongdae. Roppongi is a popular bar constantly holding a long queue. Roppongi is an area in Tokyo, Japan. As its name suggests, the place has a Japanese-inspired atmosphere. The interior of the wooden building and the colourful lighting create an illusion of a bar in Tokyo.

Various kinds of dishes are available from Japanese to Korean fusion food. The foods here are tasty. The Nagasaki broth which goes perfectly with soju would be our top recommendation. Visit Roppongi and enjoy the lively atmosphere of little Japan!

Address: 서울 마포구 잔다리로 5

Hours: 17:30 - 06:00

Purple People (퍼플피플)

Purple People, located on the main club street of Hongdae, is a pretty looking bar. From the entrance, it is filled with purple lights. As the name suggests, their lighting turns people purple! The pool table and darts placed in the middle give the impression of a western pub.

At Purple People, you can drink various types of cocktails. They serve inexpensive, delicious, colourful cocktails that range in prices from ₩8,000 to ₩10,000. There are also some simple snacks you can nibble on such as nachos, cheese and small pizzas. They also have hookahs here, also known as water cigarettes, at an additional fee. Visit this place to turn purple!

Address: 서울 마포구 잔다리로 9

Hours: 19:00~05:00

Gyeongseong Jumak 1929 (경성주막1929)

Located in the center of Hongdae's main street, Gyeongseong Jumak 1929 is a good bang-for-the-buck bar. It conveys the sensibility of 1929 full of retro vibes and props, yet it's modern and neat!

The Gyeongseong Jumak 1929 is open 24 hours and serves dishes ranging from Japanese to Korean foods. The signature dish here is the squid Nagasaki jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) with a large squid inside. The taste and the visuals are fantastic and perfect food to be paired with soju. The prices are cheaper than other Hongdae pubs, so we recommend that you go and order a variety of things!

Address: 서울 마포구 홍익로3길 44

Hour: Everyday 24hours

Rooftop G (루프탑G)

This rooftop pub features stunning nightscapes of Hongdae. It is the only rooftop-based club in Korea, so it is very hot! It is usually operated as a pub, but from 11 pm to 5 am on Fridays and Saturdays it turns into a club. It is divided into two floors, the 9th floor being an area for exciting music and dancing and the 10th floor a relatively quiet place with a pretty outdoor terrace. 

The night view of Hongdae from the terrace of a tall building is really beautiful. You can witness the brilliance of the glittering city and the energetic spirits of Korea's youth that can only be felt in Hongdae. They sell beer, liquor, wine, and cocktails and light snacks. Head over if you want to drink and dance with a mesmerising view of Hongdae!

Address: 서울 마포구 서교동 홍익로3길 44

Hours: Sun-Thur 17:30-02:30, Fri-Sat 17:30-05:00

Garosugil Gonggam (가로수길 공감)

The word gonggam means empathise in Korean. This izakaya room pub features flower decorations, red brick walls and warm-toned lights that make this place very aesthetic. There are private rooms as well as campsite-like tables outside with warm stoves and blankets.

At this izakaya, you can enjoy luxurious Japanese food. From fresh sake to sashimi, there are a variety of fresh and visually beautiful foods. It's a great place to have raw fish with alcohol.

Address: 서울 마포구 어울마당로 46

Hours: Mon-Fri 16:30-05:00, Sat-Sun 16:30-06:00

In Full Swing (바야흐로) 

In Full Swing is a renowned pub with a unique atmosphere with a large chandelier that blends in with the vintage walls. Passers-by turn heads at the beauty of the place. It is a lovely bar with stylish red chairs and golden lighting.

The food here is just amazing. There are several dishes where Korean and Western food are blended well together. The food was plated so nicely that I mistook my pork belly for a steak. Hearty vegetables with sweet and sour sauces were delightful as well. As for drinks, you can have soju, beer, and beverages. Come dine here to have a pleasant meal in a classy atmosphere.

Address: 서울 마포구 동교로32길 7

Hours: Sun to Thur 17:00 - 03:00, Fri to Sat 17:00 - 05:00

Did this list of bars make you want to get drunk? Unusual to luxurious bars in the youthful street of Hongdae. There are many things to enjoy in Hongdae. After a long day of touring Korea why not end it with Korean alcohol and get hammered!

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