As a Korean, I’m so excited to share with you 10 hip bars in Seongsu-dong, the Brooklyn of Seoul!

Like Brooklyn, Seongsu-dong used to be an industrial hub, too, and is full of hot places that used to be small factories and warehouses. It’s one of the best places to experience the flagship stores of trendy brands, caffeinate at cool cafes with a good cup of joe, and dine at popular restaurants with tasty Korean dishes and beyond.

I’m obsessed with these bars. Some of them have incredible cocktails, and others will have you dancing all night. Then there’s the cozy nooks where you can catch up with your loved ones for hours.
Where is Seongsu-dong?
Seongsu-dong is a hip neighborhood north of the Han River in Seoul, South Korea.

You can get to Seongsu-dong via three stations on the subway line: Ttukseom Station, Seongsu Station and Seoul Forest Station.
Near Seongsu Station is Seongsu-dong Cafe Street, where you’ll find the most popular cafes.
Nearby, leather artisans operate shoe factories and workshops on Seongsu Station Handmade Shoes Street.
Bars in Seongsu-dong
Bars in Seongsu-dong with Incredible Music
1. XIMXIM (심심)

I grew up dancing to electro all night at Korean clubs. Moving to the US, I (still) find it hard to adjust to the singalong style pop and rap going-out culture.

Experience the height of Korean house and techno at XIMXIM, a Seongsu lounge and bar that hosts live events by Korean and international DJs every Friday and Saturday.
XIMXIM serves as the recording location of MIXMIX TV, where you can sample their gems and support young artists. Their music’s so good 😎

Address: South Korea, Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Yeonmujang 15-gil, 11 S Factory B-308
2. JAZZXOVER (재즈엑스오버)

Jazz is certainly “not over” at JAZZXOVER, which constantly hosts some of the highest caliber jazz performances in the area. If you’re a jazz aficionado, stop by for one of their shows, which happen every Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30-10:30pm.

The cover charge for the performances is 15,000 KRW (11 USD) cover charge per person and you should book ahead of time.

JAZZXOVER has an extensive wine selection, but you can also enjoy a simple beer. Plus, you can bring in external food and get extra comfy!

Address: 277-138 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
3. Sound Planet (사운드 플래닛)

This record-playing cocktail and whiskey music bar is the kind of spot you can gather all your friends and chatter away for hours on a comfy, old leather sofa.

Sound Planet is a self-described Brooklyn-inspired bar. It gives hidden gem in NYC, with its unassuming liquor shelves, old wooden floors and toasty lighting.

If you get the drunchies like me, don’t worry – they’ve got real food, like the Classic Double Cheeseburger (16,000 KRW, 12 USD) and the American Sirloin Steak (39,000 KRW, 30 USD).

Address: South Korea, Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Seoulsup 6-gil, 20 B1/F
4. 1987 Seongsu Rooftop Maestro (1987 루프탑라운지 더 마에스트로점)

Seongsu Rooftop Maestro hosts jazz performances every Friday and Saturday from 8:30-10:30pm at their rooftop bar. The vibes are impeccable, especially in the warmer season when the awning is completely drawn, and you can take in a wide-open view of the Seoul Forest skyline.
Although the high ceilings have no physical resemblance to a black box theater, the intimacy of this tight-knit venue reminds me of watching performances in them.

There’s no additional cover charge for the performances. You can book a table ahead of time by messaging 1987 Seongsu Rooftop Maestro on Instagram.
They’ve got a pretty extensive wine list, and all the typical pleasures – cocktails, draft beer, whiskey and soju.

Address: 4/F, 1(il)-ga, Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea 656-967
Bars in Seongsu-dong with the Best Drinks
5. Eau de Vie (오드비)

Bartender and owner Robin Hong (홍제익) crafts custom cocktails depending on your preferences, and boy does he do a good job reading taste buds. There’s no set cocktail menu at Eau de Vie, which also has a wonderful selection of whiskeys.

The cocktail prices range from 10,000-20,000 KRW (7.50-15 USD) and won’t break the bank for the precious experience in this cozy, classy bar.

Eau de Vie is a fantastic place to enjoy hon-sul, or drinking solo (we’re serious about drinking).
Address: South Korea, B1/F 5-5 KR Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Sangwon 2-gil
6. BeomBar (범바)
BoemBar is a Danish-inspired cocktail bar frequented by Seongsu-dong locals and office workers with minimalist furniture, lively jazz flowing and reasonable prices.
Their cocktails are delicious. Try their popular drink yourself – the Mexican-inspired, gin-based Amapola is refreshing with cucumber and pineapple (20,000 KRW, 15 USD). You’ll love the complimentary yakgwa (Korean traditional fried cookies) and chocolate, too.
The teak wall liquor shelves and matching wood shutters across from them create a warm, inviting vibe. Of course BoemBar is lit up with the iconic Louis Poulsen pendant lamps.
BeomBar, located on the second floor of the building, has so much space is great for larger groups. They also have an accommodating and spacious rooftop. While there’s enough seating, for larger groups you might want to DM them in advance to make a reservation.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, 339-137 2/F
Uncovering Hidden Gems in Seongsu-dong
7. Ki Seoul (키ki)
Drinking at home with friends… It’s something I miss, being in NYC where hosting at home would probably mean hosting on your bed 🙂↕(studio life rip, so yeah doesn’t happen often)
Ki Seoul is tucked away in an quiet, calm alleyway in Seongsu-dong. The friendly owner retained the character of the old home that Ki Seoul’s located in – as you’ll see, the bar is still split up into three rooms.
This hidden gem and sweet respite from the city is a great place to catch up with friends. The menu is scribbled onto a notepad – this is that kind of place – and the cocktails range from 12,000-15,000 KRW (9-11 USD).
Address: 41-9 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
8. Heelit (희릿)

This bright and airy bar was formerly a house in Seongsu-dong and has a cute, romantic little terrace where you can sip wine and devour a delicious Beef Wellington (39,000 KRW, 30 USD, pre-order by making a reservation) in a cozy atmosphere.

There’s tons of wine choices by the bottle, but the house wine choices are consistently on point, too.

Heelit has great food and delicious pastas, like the Truffle Paccheri (22,000 KRW, 16 USD).
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Wangsimni-ro 2-gil, 34 1/F

9. The Storage Room (더스토리지룸)
The Storage Room is a speakeasy inspired by the Prohibition era in New York in the 1920s, with cocktails in theme like the Mary Pickford and the Monkey Gland (20,000 KRW, 15 USD).
To find The Storage Room, head on over to The Cheese Salon, head to their basement and look for their secret white door!
Jazz plays at this classy nook of a bar. It’s the perfect place for a date or an intimate one-on-one.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Yeonmujang 7-gil, 8-1 B1/F
10. Your Naked Cheese (유어네이키드치즈)
This highly Instagrammable grocerant (grocery + restaurant) is a colorful cross between a vintage European grocery store and a diner.
Pair one of their wines with their seasonally changing adorable cheese platters, with shapes ranging from starfish-studded sandals to watermelon slice-shaped cheese (35,000 KRW, 26 USD).
Dotting the walls are a wide range of products, including blocks of cheese and Japanese snacks, Swiss muesli and Italian pasta – that are as cute as they are up for sale.
Address: 656-439 Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Best Bars in Seongsu-dong
In this article, we went over 10 hipster bars in Seongsu-dong, where you’ll rub elbows with Korean locals and young people.
Nicknamed the Brooklyn of Seoul, Seongsu-dong is the perfect place to experience the incredibly rich, modern Korean local culture. There’s so many good shopping spots, delicious restaurants that offer a unique dining experience, and cool places with a unique atmosphere.
- XIMXIM (심심)
- JAZZXOVER (재즈엑스오버)
- Sound Planet (사운드 플래닛)
- 1987 Seongsu Rooftop Maestro (1987 루프탑라운지 더 마에스트로점)
- Eau de Vie (오드비)
- BeomBar (범바)
- Ki Seoul (키ki)
- Heelit (희릿)
- The Storage Room (더스토리지룸)
- Your Naked Cheese (유어네이키드치즈)
Thanks for checking out my guide to the 10 best bars in Seongsu-dong!
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