10 Things to do in Seoul At Night Other Than Endless Shopping and Eating

Done for the night, but not ready to call it a day? On a late night in Seoul, there’s always the option of all-night shopping at Dongdaemun or a late-night chow down on a bowl of ramyeon or Korean street food.

However, there’s way more to Seoul than just shopping, eating and partying! As the sun goes down, the city of Seoul comes to life as the streets explode into a sea of neon hues and friendly chatter. Read on to discover all the coolest things you can do after dark in South Korea’s buzzing capital.

Also read: 12 Themed Cafes in Seoul that Are Too Awesome to Resist

1. Step Back in Time at Seoul’s Oldest Café

If you’re tired of the neon-lit bar scene but still crave an old-school atmosphere, ditch the late-night haunts for a “Dabang” (a traditional Korean coffee house). Hakrim Dabang is the city’s oldest surviving café, having opened its doors in 1956. Climbing its creaky wooden staircase feels like stepping into a 1950s time capsule, where the air is thick with the scent of roasted beans and the sound of classical music.

Hakrim Dabang

119 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Hyehwa Station, Exit 3)

10:00 – 23:00 daily (Last order 22:00)

2. Keep it exclusive with speakeasies

Spend your evening in Seoul’s most private speakeasy bars and be transported back in time to the Prohibition era amidst the dark wood, leather seats, and the finest drinks and cigars. Take a trip down the rabbit hole at Alice Cheongdam and enjoy drinks in its snazzy interior.

Want an exclusive experience? Visit Le Chamber. You’ll find yourself confronted with a small library – tug on the right book to be welcomed into the lavish, high-ceilinged room that will take you back to the roaring twenties.

Alice Cheongdam

84-20 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul

19:00 – 03:00 daily

Le Chamber

83-4 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

19:00 – 03:00 (Sun-Thu), 19:00 – 04:00 (Fri-Sat)

3. Sing the night away at a noraebang

Karaoke, or noraebang, is serious business amongst Koreans, and a typical noraebang comes equipped with a high-tech setup, along with a mindblowing range of songs. Spend the night belting out your favourite tunes and compare your performance to your friends with the in-built grading system.

There are tons of noraebang places around Seoul for you to choose from, but remember to be discerning and make sure you’re getting into some clean fun! Su Noraebang has numerous branches and is incredibly popular due to the quality equipment, pleasant service and comfortable interiors.

Su Noraebang

24 hours daily

4. Hit the clubs!

You can’t go wrong with good ol’ clubbing to party the night away. The clubbing scene in Seoul is diverse and thriving, so you can choose whatever tickles your fancy. Club Octagon is possibly the capital’s biggest club, plays smash hits and is at the top of several international club rankings. The great music and mind-blowing experience doesn’t come cheap, though – be prepared to shell out a pretty sum as cover charge!

If hardcore partying is not up your alley, head to Vurt (for its good underground electronic music) or Brown (for its laid-back R&B and hip-hop tunes). For something off the beaten path, visit Trance, Seoul’s oldest gay club and beyond good music, for amazing performances by trans ladies on the weekends.

Club Octagon

B1/B2 NewHilltopHotel, 645, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

22:00 – 07:00 (Thu-Sat)

Club Vurt

Dongmak-ro, Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

23:00 – 05:00 (Wed), 23:00 – 07:00 (Fri-Sat)

Brown Soul

16-21 Yanghwa-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

21:00 – late (Thu to Sun), 22:00 – 06:00 (Fri and Sat)

Trance Bar

7 Usadan-ro 12-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

22:00 – 04:00 (Thu-Sun), 22:00 – 05:00 (Fri and Sat)

5. Experience your own “Night at the Museum”

You probably won’t be dealing with animal exhibits that literally come to life, but several galleries in Seoul now offer the novel experience of seeing their collections under the cover of night. Thanks to the city’s “Seoul Culture Night” initiative, many major institutions have extended their evening hours, inviting you to trade the bustling midday crowds for a more intimate, atmospheric art walk.

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Seoul, is a fantastic choice for a late-night date with culture. Not only do they stay open until 9:00 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but entry is completely free from 6:00 PM onwards. Similarly, the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) now welcomes night owls every Friday until 9:00 PM, with special “Culture Day” hours extending to 10:00 PM on the last Wednesday of each month. It’s the perfect way to soak in some high-brow culture after a long day of sightseeing.

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

30 Samcheong-ro, Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03062

10:00 – 18:00 (Sun-Thu), 10:00 – 21:00 (Fri-Sat)

Seoul Museum of Art

Deoksugung Gil 61, Jung-gu, Seoul

10:00 – 18:00 daily, Museum Night: 10:00 – 22:00 (every second and last Wednesday of the month)

6. Hang out at the Han River

While the Han River is great for paddle boating and picnicking in the day, by night it transforms into a tranquil spot to just chill out and admire the bright lights and still waters. The Hangang Park, which consists of over 10 different parks across various districts, offers a variety of quiet and scenic locations to relax by the river. If you’re travelling to Seoul in the summer, you can even participate in the various events being held near the river, like outdoor movie screenings and concerts!

Don’t miss the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain as well, a dazzling multi-coloured light show that is guaranteed to take your breath away. If you’d like to enjoy the Han River from a slightly different perspective, take the Hangang River Ferry Cruise for a gorgeous ride along the glittering waters, complete with excellent views of the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain and a delicious meal!

Hangang Park

Seoul-si Seongdong-gu Seongsu1-ga 1-dong

24 hours daily

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain

40, Sinbanporo11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Operating hours depend on season, so check the website for information beforehand

Hangang River Ferry Cruise

290, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

10:30 – 2100 daily

7. Set a new high score at the arcade

Another ‘90s revival trend, playing arcade games, has sent a jolt of nostalgia through the Korean youth, with plenty of new arcades opening in Seoul. From Street Fighter consoles to claw machines, grab a friend and embark on a blast to the past. Head to Funnyland, one of the bigger players in Seoul, and hop on to any of their brightly lit machines for a fun and enjoyable night!

Alternatively, Rabbithole Arcade Pub offers a slightly more laidback gaming experience with its cosy and quirky decorated interiors. Even if you’re not one for games, you can kick back with a drink or two and groove to the great music!

Funnyland

46-1 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Rabbithole Arcade Pub

Yongsan-gu, Yongsan-dong 2-ga 39-17, B1, Seoul, Korea 04391

20:00 – 0200 (Tue-Thu), 19:00 – 0400 (Fri-Sat), closed on Sun

8. Chill out to some live jazz

Seoul’s jazz scene is thriving, ranging from upscale, glossy lounges to intimate, underground outfits. For the ultimate evening, head to the legendary All That Jazz. As Seoul’s oldest jazz club (founded in 1976), it recently moved to a stunning new venue in Itaewon to accommodate the growing crowds.

The new space features a chic, modern interior and a red-carpeted corridor that leads you into a world of world-class acoustics. It remains a “sacred place” for Korean jazz musicians and a must-visit for anyone looking for that classic big-city blues vibe.

All That Jazz

2F, 216 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Itaewon Station, Exit 3)

18:00 – 00:00 (Sun–Thu); 18:00 – 01:00 (Fri–Sat)

9. Meet your match at a booking club

If you’re single and ready to mingle, skip the regular clubs and head to a booking club instead! Korea’s booking clubs have changed the dating game, making finding your date for the evening that much easier. A game of real-life Tinder, these clubs are also called “hunting clubs” and rightfully so! Go with a group of single girl and guy friends, tell the waiter your interests, and the waiter will match you up with someone from another table until everyone has a date!

Most clubs have age limits of between 24 and 35. At Wang Dae Bak Join Club, the minimum age is 26, though it purportedly has an extremely high matching success rate!

Wang Dae Bak Join Club

B1, 81, Dongil-ro 22-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

19:00 – 07:00 (Sun-Thu), 19:00 – 08:00 (Fri-Sat)

10. Be enthralled by street performers

K-pop idols-in-training often take to the streets and offer free street performances at various corners across Seoul. Watch singers, rappers, dancers, musicians and magicians showcase their stuff – the heartbeat of Seoul’s creativity and artistic talent. Some popular areas to catch street performances are along Eoulmadag-ro and Hongik University Street in Hongdae, and near Sinchon Railway Station and Maronnier Park, Daehangno.

Also read: How I Managed to Save Money While Exploring Seoul

Now, who says all you can do in Seoul at night is just shopping and eating? Whether you’re down for a relaxing evening or looking to find your own Korean oppa, Seoul is a whole new playground at night that’s waiting to be explored!