So you’re ready to go clubbing in Korea.. here are the top 10 tips as someone who has been clubbing in Korea often.
1. GO AROUND 10:30PM
Don’t bother going too early – you’re only going to be greeting by an empty space. Only go early to get your stamps, or around 10:30pm to avoid the lines while watching people enter. The crowd comes in from 11pm, and peaks around 1am.
2. GUYS ARE AGGRESSIVE
Guys WILL pull your friends as they walk, catcall or aggressively approach you, so always go as a group, unless you’re into that sort of thing.
3. BRING YOUR ID
Every bar and club checks for an ID – ensure that you are at least 18 years old, or 19 in Korean age – and keep your ID safely with you.
4. BAR HOP
Seoul has so much to offer, and simply staying in one bar is a waste. Try the multitude of bars and the various unique concepts literally littered throughout Hongdae/Itaewon. Also visit the bars that are not on the ground level (2nd/3rd floors) as these are the bars that are usually nicer.
5. CLUB HOP
Every club offers something different, from its music, its people to its decoration and atmosphere, at an entry fee from 10,000KRW, it is relatively cheap to go to 2-3 clubs a night to experience everything.
6. DRINK AT THE CONVENIENCE STORE
The convenience stores everywhere provides cheap soju from 1000KRW, and is a cheap and easy way to get buzzed if you cannot find a good bar, or need a little more kick before entering the club.
7. DRINKS ARE CHEAP(ISH) IN CLUBS
In comparison to Singapore standards, club drinks are about 50% of the prices you pay – but expensive by Korean standards. If you need a kick and don’t want to spend money, go to a convenience store.
8. LEAVE AT DAYLIGHT
Clubs close pretty late, from 4am to 7am, and I’ve always left the club between 5-7AM, and go for supper/breakfast after. A female friend of mine went for BBQ at 7AM. Live like a Korean and return to your hotel in the morning – watching the sunrise after clubbing is a truly unique experience.
9. HAIL LIKE CRAZY FOR TAXIS
Leaving at peak hour timings (4-6AM, or if it rains) means fighting for cabs. Always find a good spot (be careful, people WILL steal your cabs) walking distance away, and always ask for the meter – although if you’re too tired, you might just end up paying the fee requested. Some drivers refuse to take you if you’re not going towards the direction they like, but keep trying. I usually get a cab between 10-40 minutes.
10. EAT RAMYEON, DRINK DAWN
I cannot emphasize how important it is to drink Dawn – the ultimate hangover drink. Consume a can of Dawn (tastes like Raisin) to prevent or mitigate a hangover – that’s how we made it to Lotte World the next day after drinking and 3 hours of sleep.
Ramyeon after clubbing also tastes 10x better, we swear its almost magical.
Eat, Drink, Laugh 