Best bars in Itaewon

Magpie is one of Seoul’s most popular craft beer houses, started by five friends with a home-brewing hobby that grew by leaps and bounds. As the craft beer scene in Seoul has boomed, Magpie expanded to locations in Hongdae and Jeju Island. They’re constantly experimenting with recipes with a variety of unique imported hops. In addition to their porter and their pale ale (now a classic that is served at bars around Seoul), they offer varieties such as The American Muscle (an American wheat) and The Ghost (a German gose). Whether you’re looking for a simple dinner or a snack to go with your beer, their pizza is one of the best in the area—it’s a simple handmade dough topped with fresh ingredients and baked to order.Magpie is as much a community center as it is a bar, hosting concerts, classes and workshops on food and drink.

Son Dam-bi comes here for wine and Bae Jung-nam comes here for beer. When ATM first opened its doors, celebrities frequented the place, creating a stir. Now that it has become a popular hotspot, you'd best not get your hopes up for a celebrity sighting. An abbreviation for the expression "against the machine" (no relation to the American rock band), ATM is a laid-back pub, regularly attracting the fashion crowd. The jukebox at the bar sets the tone for a chill and slightly retro vibe. Reminscent of New York City backalleys pubs, we especially love ATM in fairer weather when customers sit outside for a cool drink.

Unit 208, Building 31, Hangang Mansion, Ichon-dong — even if you had the address, you’d probably wander around, looking up and down the run-down building in which it’s located. While walking up the stairs built in the early 1970’s after vaguely locating this new café and bar, you’d only see a few residents of the apartments around it visiting their family doctor or picking up small bags of groceries. Hell Café Spiritus, however, has been attracting coffee and cocktail aficionados as well as industry professionals from all over Seoul, with its all-star squad of baristas (who are behind Bogwang-dong’s Hell Café) and bartenders — namely, Lim Seong-eun, Kwon Yo-seop, Lee Hun teamed up with Vault +82’s Seo Yong-won. Inside, you’ll find a minimalistic setting: the tables, bar counter, bar back and even window blinds are all dark brown woods. The simple flower arrangements placed on a few of the tables add an emphasis to the exceptional simplicity, while the classical music played through the large speakers create a nostalgic feel that goes well with the surrounding area. As for the café menu, it is exactly the same as that of Bogwang-dong’s Hell Café, the first venture of the star barista team; the famous Hell Drip and classic cappuccino are available from 9am until 9pm. From 7pm until 2am, a large selection of cocktails, single malt whiskeys and other liquors are available. The list of cocktails including Rolls-Royce (which, here, is made with the Macallan Rare Cask, orange...

Located in the busiest part of Itaewon across from Hamilton Hotel is The Bulldog Pub. Operating as a normal sports pub during the weekdays, the venue changes its face on Fridays and Saturdays into a wild celebration called “Latin Day.” As the lights dim out the wide hall, it starts to receive party goers and by 11pm, the whole pub will be filled with people. From Salsa to Bachata, and Merengue to Reggaeton, the floor will be pumping with energy from locals, expatriates and visitors. For those of you who’ve never tried Latin dances, the pub has a great supportive atmosphere, so no shame in missing a move or two. Opening at 9pm, the entrance fee, which include one free drink, is 10,000 won per person.

Tucked away on Usadan-ro 14gil, with wide windows reflecting all of the fun that is going on inside, the exterior of The Link Seoul is contrasted with that of the transgender bars nearby. Although it is now a quiet alley, where the bar is located is the area that used to belong to the “real Itaewon.” As you open its large doors and walk inside, its comforting, loft apartment-like space welcomes you. It has got a nice terrace and a proper bar, where The Link’s friendly owner and bartender greet you as if you are an old friend. With regularly held LGBTQ events and performances, The Link Seoul is indeed an LGBTQ-friendly bar. Yet, as its name suggests, this young bar constantly attempts to reinvent itself to become an even more inclusive hub of diverse cultures.