Best bars in Itaewon

Hannam Liquor is not the most obvious bar. Even if you had its address, you might easily miss and walk by it. And, until you go completely down to the basement through the long and narrow stairs, you’d never know what you’ll see. Inside, the first thing that pops up in your scene is not a bar but a fancy boutique. Among over 400 types of liquors available here, the particularly unusual selection you’ll find is the 3 types of St. George gins: the very forest-like Terroir, Botanivore which has 19 types of plants including cilantro, cinnamon and lime and the St. George Dry Gin made with 100% pot-distilled rye. Don’t worry if too many of the selections seem unfamiliar — boutique manager and sommelier Kim Min-ju is always happy to offer detailed information on and interesting stories behind each liquor. Behind the glass wall in front of the boutique is where Hannam Liquor’s bar section is located. All types of gin and rum sold at the boutique are available here as a glass and cocktails. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, just ask — bartender Kang Geun-hyeok who is in charge of the bar section will create any cocktail that is not on the menu. 5,000 won cover (per person) at the bar includes a bit of dried nuts and fruits, as well as bottled water (still or fizzy). The combination of simple but elegant interior, dim lighting along with flickering candles on each of the tables creates a refined cave-like atmosphere. It is obvious that Hannam Liquor has succeeded in...

There are some places you visit once and remember for a long time. The Pyrus Taproom & Bistro located in Itaewon is one of those places. A must-visit for a smooth introduction into the Seoul craft beer scene, the casual tap room is headed by Lee Inho, one of Seoul's innovative cerevisaphiles that have led the movement to promote craft beer diversity in a relatively homogenous market. This no-frills bar and restaurant celebrated its 3rd anniversary this May, a testament to the quality of the beer and food you’ll find here. One of the things that set Pyrus apart from competitors is its exclusive seasonal beers. In the spring, they offer ‘Spring Rain IPL’, a lager with subtle notes of tropical fruits such as papaya, pineapple, mango and a hint of citrus. During the summer, the ‘One More Pils’ offers a refreshing take on the classic German pilsner by taking inspiration from the crisper pilsners made in Portland, Oregon. As the name suggests, one sip of this “Americanized German pilsner” will easily have you calling out for just “one more”. If you’re not a fan of pilsner, there’s always the ‘Sunshine IPA’ for more of a fruity taste. In the fall (which seems so far away in this heat), the ‘(Rye) Brown Ale’ has a deep roasted-flavor from a combination of nuts and coffee. Finally, the ‘Cacao Stout’ is the perfect beer for the winter with its fragrant vanilla coffee bean notes. Aside from these seasonal varieties, you can also find many signature beers as well as imported tap and...

While it seems that there are new venues popping up in Itaewon all the time, most of them are too… predictable: fancy lights, hipster furniture and whatever sound that's "in." But this one, let me tell you, is different. With its rough, warehouse-like atmosphere and dim lighting, Beton Brut brings coziness and, most importantly, good music. It's surely a place you can "hang," unlike many of the clubs in the area that are just too much while lacking character. Perhaps that's why you can occasionally spot older crowds here, but of course, that certainly doesn't mean this place isn't hot. With 2 dance floors inside, you can go for drum n base, dub step and trap, or choose to roll with techno and house at any point of your night. If these options still don't satisfy your diverse taste, visit Beton Brut before 10pm for some jazz, acoustic or music critic Lee Dae-hwa's talks. Wait, I have an idea: if there's that special someone that you're into, head here after the dinner. You'll have a chill couple of hours to get into the night, then once the floor turns into a club you'll realize how natural and easy it can feel to be clubbing with a date.

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.

The area behind Hannam Ogeori’s Richensia building is quite an interesting one — while filled with unique shops, bars and restaurants, it is usually quiet and peaceful. One of the newest additions of the alleys, which we’re welcoming with both arms, is Ox Bar. Living up to its name, the bar serves up quality beef (Hanwoo) menus (even the welcome drink is — instead of any classic or creative cocktail — genuine seolleongtang, Korean ox bone soup) along with great cocktails. The menu’s actually quite large, and includes T-bone steak, roast beef and ossobuco. The service is top-notch, yet “How would you like your steak done?” is a question that’s never asked around here. Instead, everything is cooked to the level that’s the most ideal for each cut and the type of dish. Exclusively on Mondays, the kitchen serves up burgers (18,000 won), which is another reason to find this bar. At the bar section, manager Lee Su-won and bartender Choi Beomgyu create delicate cocktails. From classics to be paired with the Hanwoo dishes to fresh fruit cocktails including the Halla Fizz made with a whole hallabong orange, their creations are smart, witty and well-balanced. Wrapped in the skillful service and attractive atmosphere, what Ox Bar serves every day is a special type of authenticity. It’s so warm, charming and genuine that we wouldn’t be surprised to see this young and hidden venue become a landmark of its own in a near future.