What’s up, SeoulGrid? Hope everyone had fun last weekend, because this weekend is stacked.

First off, we’re thirsty, and we just can’t wait for Friday. So this week what say we get started early?

Thursday (March 25th):

Koobar

Koobar has been hosting “Koobar Thursdays” for quite some time now, but I only got around to checking it out last week. I have to say, I was impressed.

“Wait… What’s Koobar?”

No, I’m definitely not talking about one of these things. [As a side note, I was originally planning on ridiculing the inventor for a cheap laugh, but then I read the whole website and realized it's hilarious. Now I'm convinced he's a genius.]

Anyway, I’m talking about this place:

Koobar is DJ Koo’s (appropriately named), well, bar. ["Lounge club" is probably more accurate, but I guess "Koolounge" doesn't really have the same ring to it.] Prior to that it was “Club Air,” so this is the type of venue that can in an instant transform from a laid-back lounge into a bumpin’ club. And the music they play here is good, so you may just find that happening — though the volume is at that perfect level where it doesn’t interfere with your conversation if you just want to chill.

So what does Koobar have to offer on a Thursday night? Take a look at their drink specials:

• Cocktails: 2 for W10,000 (plus “free gift” — it was a pack of cigarettes last time, though I’m not sure if that’s always the case or if they mix it up)
• Bottled Beer: W5,000
• Draft Beer (Cass): W15,000 all you can drink.

If you’ve ever been in Apgujeong for longer than five minutes, you know well that these prices are insanely cheap for the neighborhood. In fact, they’re so cheap that I half-expected my drink to be served in a red dixie cup. However, my mojito and apple martini both left me pleasantly surprised. I almost felt like I had just cheated the establishment, but I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I ordered another round.

All in all, you have phenomenal drink prices, great music, and a really chill crowd (that could heat up in an instant), which makes it worthy of my recommendation. Besides, what other plans do you have on Thursday night? Stop by and have a drink or two (or infinity).

How to get there: Tell the taxi driver “Apgujeong Designer Club.” Now cross the street, turn right, walk until you pass Rodeo Drive, and look for Koobar on your left.

Friday (March 26th):

If Thursday night was a cool simmering flame, then Friday is a searing wildfire of passion. On Friday there is an event so incredibly sexy that I’m honestly not even sure Seoul can handle it.

Top Pick: Club Answer

Oh, my. Do I really need to say anything else?

Ok, I will say one thing — there’s a contest for “best sexy lingerie costume” among guests at the party, and the prize is a gold key worth $1000. So if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to party in your underwear, Friday is your chance. Unfortunately, I don’t think guys are eligible for the prize, so I’ll just have to save my purple Calvin Klein ® briefs for another event.

To say this party will be hot would be the understatement of the year.

Or, you know, there’s always…

Eden: “Minimalism”

With resident DJs Yeonjun + Sundance

Ah, well that sounds almost exciting as “Penthouse Lingerie Slumber Party!” Haha I kid, I kid — if minimalism is your thing, I’m sure Eden will be a blast.

Heaven: “Shut Da Mouth”

With DJs Brain-X, Mind-X

Volume: Closed for renovations

Club Volume will re-open April 9th.

Saturday (March 27th)

Oh, how I wish Seoul would let me rest. But unfortunately for my health, Saturday’s line-up is not lame by any standard. I love this city.

Mansion (Hongdae): “Space Academy: 5th Column”

Now usually I don’t make it out to Hongdae because it’s like five million years from where I live, but if there’s ever a reason to make it out there, his name is… KEYSTONED! I know he’s not the main act here, but he’s one of my favorite DJs in Seoul, so just bear with me.

If you’ve ever seen this guy perform, it’s a real treat. Notice I opted to use the verb “perform,” not just “DJ.” In addition to spinning a sick selection of music, Keystoned plays keyboards live and sings into a vocoder. (Think a live version of Daft Punk.) Dude’s a sound engineer and classical music composer by day, and a badass DJ by night. I.e., ridiculously talented.

So if you’re near Hongdae, you’d be a fool to miss this. If you’re not near Hongdae, this would not be a bad time to consider making the trip.

Answer: Hed Kandi

With guest DJs Stephanie J and Steve Lewis live on drums

If you’re not going to make it out to Hongdae, this would not be a bad choice either. Hed Kandi is the name of a record label, and any time you see their name you can just go ahead and replace it with “kick-ass show.” Every DJ on their label is talented, and as such I’ve never had a bad night at one of their events. They also tend to put on more interesting performances than your typical guest DJ — they had another performance with a live drummer last year, and while I’m not sure if it was the same guy, the show was phenomenal. You really can’t go wrong with Answer this Saturday, or any other night you see the name “Hed Kandi” for that matter.

Heaven & Eden

Clubs Heaven and Eden haven’t announced their line-up for Saturday, which means nothing special is going on. Expect another typical night with resident DJs.

Closing Comments:

Frankly speaking, Answer has just been blowing the other mega-clubs out of the water recently when it comes to unique parties, guest DJs, and general music selection. The other clubs currently seem to be content putting on the same show with the same DJs every night. Hopefully they start to pick up their slack soon, because Seoul’s club scene is really starting to evolve, and more and more Seoul clubbers are starting to care about quality music.

Well that’s all for this week. Enjoy your weekend and party hard!

James