Best bars in Itaewon

This bar is located on the second floor of Pizza Muzzo in Itaewon. On one side, there’s a large bar and a marbled and tiled hall, which is more chic than showy. But the bar’s real charm lies in its separate space. The space on the left side of the bar looks like the inside of a car on the famed Orient Express. On the opposite side of it is a space that resembles a Mediterranean terrace. All the ingredients used in their cocktails are made from fresh fruits and vegetables, and they offer about 20 different kinds of signature cocktails. (They also have wine, single malt whisky and beer, of course.) They even ornately embellish a small piece of lime for garnish and their Dark and Stormy has a great blend of honey lemon and ginger puree. Sitting at the bar and watching bartender Kim Jin-rok make his cocktails, one can have a great time just chatting and drinking. It’s a nice place for different types of social gatherings and date nights.

For those who love art, artistry, and old movies, Hephzibah will be like love at first sight. Founded by two sisters who studied performance art and acting, they actualized their college dream of creating a secret space filled with dramatic intensity. The space includes a small screening section for visitors to get tipsy on a retro-film along and some wine. It’s the humanistic element within older movies that the sisters like while they still provide the entertainment that is needed. This is not to say that visiting Hephzibah means sipping on wine and watching a black-and-white movie. Outside of the mini-cinema is an area not filled with music and chatter like any other bar, but rather dialogues from movies playing in the background, while you sit and relax in the couch getting lost in your thoughts. Hebsiba is surely a hide out for artists, with some visitors exclaiming that that the venue is a dream come true. The fantastical venue that offers an ambience of boundless imagination is place to search for your imaginary reality.

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.

You can’t talk about the craft beer trend in Seoul without talking about Craftworks, which opened in 2010 and now has four locations across the Seoul metropolitan area. The Canadian-owned enterprise, along with local brewery Ka-Brew, were instrumental in helping change Korean laws to allow smaller breweries to produce and sell beer, ultimately helping kickstart the craft beer craze sweeping Seoul today. The menu at the original Namsan location is standard North American brewpub with burgers, sandwiches, and ribs (plus a few creative twists—their five varieties of eggs benedict include shrimp and southern), while newer locations have updated menus. As for the beer, we’re always happy with the Jirisan IPA, but if you can’t decide, you can always get the sampler of all six brews.

About Opened in 2013, they boast a reputation as Korea’s first all craft beer taphouse. The 28+ beers they have on tap operate on a direct refrigeration system and the bar itself is managed by one of Korea’s only beer cicerones.  The vibe The bar’s décor is nothing fancy but it’s well-lit and spacious, playing mainstream pop music in the background. While no longer officially on the menu, they do still serve their ever popular beer cocktails.