Best bars in Itaewon

Is there any expression more sensual or fierce than “eat me?” In keeping with the name, the owner is no modest killjoy. Located across from the sweatbox that is Queen, Eat Me is the perfect place for break from the popular gay club, to sit down for a cool drink and meet people. Doors open from evening through 6am. Gay, straight, and every variety in between—all are welcome here.

BARN Lounge offers great drinks with dishes created by a skilled Maltese chef. The burger made with naturally leavened bread and lots of gouda cheese goes perfectly with the Heineken draft.  

Hannam Liquor is not the most obvious bar. Even if you had its address, you might easily miss and walk by it. And, until you go completely down to the basement through the long and narrow stairs, you’d never know what you’ll see. Inside, the first thing that pops up in your scene is not a bar but a fancy boutique. Among over 400 types of liquors available here, the particularly unusual selection you’ll find is the 3 types of St. George gins: the very forest-like Terroir, Botanivore which has 19 types of plants including cilantro, cinnamon and lime and the St. George Dry Gin made with 100% pot-distilled rye. Don’t worry if too many of the selections seem unfamiliar — boutique manager and sommelier Kim Min-ju is always happy to offer detailed information on and interesting stories behind each liquor. Behind the glass wall in front of the boutique is where Hannam Liquor’s bar section is located. All types of gin and rum sold at the boutique are available here as a glass and cocktails. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, just ask — bartender Kang Geun-hyeok who is in charge of the bar section will create any cocktail that is not on the menu. 5,000 won cover (per person) at the bar includes a bit of dried nuts and fruits, as well as bottled water (still or fizzy). The combination of simple but elegant interior, dim lighting along with flickering candles on each of the tables creates a refined cave-like atmosphere. It is obvious that Hannam Liquor has succeeded in...

While it seems that there are new venues popping up in Itaewon all the time, most of them are too… predictable: fancy lights, hipster furniture and whatever sound that's "in." But this one, let me tell you, is different. With its rough, warehouse-like atmosphere and dim lighting, Beton Brut brings coziness and, most importantly, good music. It's surely a place you can "hang," unlike many of the clubs in the area that are just too much while lacking character. Perhaps that's why you can occasionally spot older crowds here, but of course, that certainly doesn't mean this place isn't hot. With 2 dance floors inside, you can go for drum n base, dub step and trap, or choose to roll with techno and house at any point of your night. If these options still don't satisfy your diverse taste, visit Beton Brut before 10pm for some jazz, acoustic or music critic Lee Dae-hwa's talks. Wait, I have an idea: if there's that special someone that you're into, head here after the dinner. You'll have a chill couple of hours to get into the night, then once the floor turns into a club you'll realize how natural and easy it can feel to be clubbing with a date.

Want to deviate from reality?—or, first of all, from the hustle and bustle of the Itaewon alleys? Located on the 6th floor of a building resting on a relatively quiet alley between Hannam and Itaewon, Deviate offers affordable drinks, comfy seats with large tables and nice dance floor. The well-known DJ Yeonjun is the owner of this place, so you can expect some edgy selection of music as well. The overall design of the space is quite impressive, and the full-wall windows offer a view from the top floor. While it's not exactly a "Hangang view," the scenery offered here around the sunrise is quite impressive—which, of course, can only be found with enough stamina and booze. BY Estevan Kim (Editor-in-chief at Bling Magazine)