Restaurants, Bars, Clubs and Nightlife in Seoul, Korea

Now and then I come across some very unique and interesting venues in Korea. Sometimes they are specialty fusion restaurants, other times they are live jazz bars. Recently, I stumbled upon a gem called Pierrot Strike in Apgujeong.

As I first walked up to the giant wooden doors of the entrance to Pierrot Strike, I could tell that this bowling ally was going to be a bit different from your stereotypical ally of old men drinking beer. As I entered, I immediately noticed the massive bar straight in front of me along with the bowling lanes to my left. The venue is constructed mostly of well crafted woodwork and brick which gives it a “winter resort” feeling.

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Hidden on the third floor of a building beside Club Cocoon in Hongdae is by far one of the most unique and fun bars in Hongdae/Shinchon area.   It goes by the name of Oi (pronounced oh-eye) and is probably Hongdae’s best kept secret.   It is a bar, a club, and a hookah bar.   Although there are other places to get a drink, to dance, or to smoke hookah, the atmosphere and drink selection in Oi is truly unique and is what has always made me come back.

When you first step out of the elevator, the first thing you will see is a sign asking you to remove your shoes and place them in a bag.   The reason is because you may not wear your shoes in the club.   After you have removed your shoes, you are funneled up a pure white concrete passageway lined with tea lights.  Once at the top, you will see a labyrinth of caves, waterways, and even a bridge which will amaze and astound you.  Everything is white and there is a “butterfly theme” for the club.  Alice in Wonderland will immediately come to mind after you explore the club.

Pics, review, directions & more after the jump!

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Hongdae is not known to be an area with high class tastes. But, Storm grabbed my attention with its unique windows which have water constantly running through them in order to provide a storm like atmosphere. With this observation alone, I decided to give Storm a few rounds to prove itself.

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For the longest time I was on the mission to find the best mojitos in Seoul.  All I wanted was a perfectly prepared glass of mojito with fresh mint leaves and lime.  I’ve ordered mojitos in a dozen or so bars that are supposedly famous – some rather disappointing and some very pleasantly suprising.

Here are some bars and lounges I checked out that were rather decent (I won’t even mention all the crappy ones I’ve tasted in clubs and cheap bars).

M Lounge (Villa Sortino), Itaewon

Serein (Garosu-gil), Shinsa-dong

Woobar (W-Hotel), Gwangjang-dong

74, Cheongdam-dong

Lound, Cheongdam-dong

Club Function (Macaroni Market), Itaewon

So where is the master mixologist of mojito?

Reviews after the jump.

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