Best Gay Bars in Seoul

QUEEN is a long-standing gay bar in Itaewon, originally in the area's "Homo Hill," though they've relocated to Bogwang-ro. Though it’s small and often crowded during peak times, it’s always a fun spot to enjoy a night out. The music is a vibrant mix of American hits and K-pop, with great DJ sets keeping the energy high.

Expect a young, international crowd. Great for pre-clubbing and crowd-watching.

A gay bar on "Homo Hill" with high ceilings and modern interiors, Why Not is known for its friendly staff, nice ambience, and fun K-pop bops on the weekend.

Music ranges from house, techno and pop remixes. Cover charge includes one drink. The bar ttracts both locals and foreigners. Located close to other gay bars on the "Hill". Can get busy on weekends, but the vibes are extremely chill on weeknights. 

Gay-owned, mixed bar & restaurant in the heart of Itaewon. PROST Pub & Grill is great place to enjoy contemporary Italian food and drinks before heading to Q Bar.

PROST has a relaxed atmosphere and serves a variety of pub classics and signature items like homemade burgers and sausage samplers, along with an extensive beer and cocktail menu.

Live DJs spin great music every night, with special events on the weekend.

Rabbithole Arcade is a LGBTQ+ Bar located in the Haebangchon (HBC) neighborhood adjacent to Itaewon.

There are drag shows from 10-midnight on Fridays and 9-midnight on Saturdays. The drag shows have a mix of drag, dance, go-go boys, burlesque and various performances but mostly consist of drag. The entrance fee for the shows are 10,000won

The environment is very friendly and great for mingling and meeting new people in the community. It is also very English friendly.

The Saturday shows are very audience interactive and have shot games for the audience as well as dance battles with prizes! Every Thursday is also a karaoke night.

 

 

Hotel Pocha, also known as HOPO, is a gay-friendly soju bar that also serves delicious dishes to go with the alcohol. HOPO is the brainchild of the creator of the gay bar Le Queen and their high school friend. 

Ranked as the 37th best bar in Asia for 2023 by The World's Best Bars, Southside Parlor is a beautiful, gay-friendly bar in Itaewon serving delicious food and cocktails. The bar is a frequent host to various drag shows and pride events, and its staff speak English, so foreign visitors are very much welcome.

Opened in 2021, Night Sounds is a gay bar that hosts a variety of drag shows on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar serves a great selection of drinks, perfect for enjoying fabulous drag shows by Seoul's burlesque and drag performers. Visit their socials for the schedule of events.

UniQorn Craft Beer & Wine (색다른한잔) is an LGBTQ-friendly beer hall in Seoul. If you have pets or are vegan, the bar is pet-friendly and vegan-friendly too!

This gay and lesbian bestfriends-owned pub serves vegan and vegetarian food, and you have a choice of over 50 types of beer and wine. There are also 15 craft beers on tap that change two to three times every month. Natural, vegan, organic and port wine are also served here.

If you're here earlier in the day, the pub also serves vegan brunch from 11 AM to 4 PM. Gender-neutral restroom inside. 

MICHIN is a gay bar in Itaewon that took over the space once home to QUEEN bar. Open Thursday to Sunday from 10pm, it attracts a wide mix of people who come for strong music, good drinks, and a lively crowd. The staff are friendly, English is spoken at the bar, and it has quickly become a favorite weekend destination.

SHIBA is a gay bar in Itaewon that mixes cocktails with the presence of dogs in the venue. Guests are greeted by the cutest Shiba Inu puppies on arrival, and once inside the drinks and atmosphere keep it relaxed. The bar is popular with foreigners, and the staff are welcoming and attentive.

DIRTY HEAVEN is a gay bar in Seoul that recently relocated to a larger venue in Itaewon. K-pop plays throughout the night, while the bar's new location offers more space and easier access than before. Drinks, music, and a busy crowd keep people returning throughout the week.

EAT ME is one of the oldest gay bars in Itaewon and sits directly across from the old QUEEN. The owner is often behind the bar, and both staff and regulars are accustomed to international visitors. Friday and Saturday nights tend to get going after midnight, when people arrive from nearby bars and clubs.

NoTea Bar is a gay bar in Itaewon serving cocktails at relatively affordable prices. The owner and staff take time to chat with customers, and the venue attracts a mix of locals and visitors throughout the week.

Kockiri is Seoul's only electronic music gay bar. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it hosts music release parties, guest DJs, and themed events including lesbian nights. Resident DJs include Maktoop and Uni. The venue's name translates to "elephant" in Korean.

Shortbus is a foreigner-friendly gay bar with English-speaking staff. The interior of Shortbus is neatly designed and features a triangle-shaped bar and six tables set against a row of large windows.

Music is mainly lounge and house. Free WiFi available.

This is one of the few gay bars outside of Itaewon where you’ll see some foreigners.

This stylish bar offers a cosy, relaxing atmosphere and can seat up to 45 people (large by Jongno standards). A great place to have a drink alone or hang with friends.

Located behind Nagwon Arcade near Jongno 3-ga Station (Exit 5). Cross the street and turn right into the first alley.

A/V Take C is a stylish gay bar in Seoul that combines an upscale yet welcoming vibe. With upbeat music and video screens playing recent music videos, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the night.

The bar features a unique cocktail menu, and patrons can purchase bottles and store them for future visits.

Open windows overlooking the bustling street below provide a nice touch during pleasant weather.

Cosy, nice bar on the 2nd floor of a building with wonderful rooftop view. Bar GNOME serves tasty original cocktails, bottled beers, wines and whiskey.

The owner of this lowkey bar speaks English and is ready to give you a lowdown on Seoul's gay nightlife. 

A laid-back gay bar with a friendly atmosphere, Bar MoU is a great place to meet new queer friends in Seoul. Members of the staff can speak English, so it's also foreigner-friendly. They serve classic cocktails, as well as custom creations.

Glove Bar is a relatively new gay bar in Jongno-gu in Seoul. It has a fantastic selection of delicious cocktails, which pairs perfectly with the open and friendly atmosphere, as well as the tasteful interior decor.

My Hunk, also called Ma-Hung (마헝) is a small gay bar in Jongno playing non-stop music from the hottest K-pop girl groups. Because of this, the bar has an intimate but electric atmosphere, making it a perfect place for those who want to let loose on a night out.

With monkeys dangling from the ceiling and big, vibrant leaves framing the bar counter, the relatively new Bar Jungle in Seoul lives up to its name. This gay bar opened in May 2023 and serves creative, colourful cocktails for its patrons to enjoy. 

DZBZ is a gay bar in Jongno that serves delicious cocktails and canapes. But what makes this establishment unique is that it's also a rooftop bar, so guests can enjoy their drink along with great views of the beautiful Seoul skyline lit up at night.

Tool, formerly HERO Bar, opened in May 2023 and is a chic gay bar with a signature red neon-lit, mirror-lined hallway that's perfectly Instagrammable. They serve cocktails, shots, and other drinks, and host occasional drag performances. Follow their social media to see what's happening.

arq is a small gay sake bar and restaurant in Jongno. It serves food alongside drinks, with dishes such as prawn pancakes standing out. The menu is written in Korean only, but diners often use translation apps or simply try something at random. The space draws a gay crowd and works well for a casual evening with friends.

Small, intimate bar on the first floor of TOP Hotel & Residence, Oz (or Ounce) is a cocktail bar serving high-quality cocktails.

Unlike at most bars in the area, you can have a conversation here. The bartenders are super friendly and handsome to boot! Oz draws a more mature crowd. If you're in a group, you can only enter if you come with at least one queer friend.

Closed on Tuesdays. 

JR Bar, also called Loba, is located in the Gangnam area, a major tourist destination and the most luxurious district in Seoul. This is the one and only gay speakeasy in Gangnam. JR bar is owned by famous gay influencers and there are English-speaking bartenders upon reservation via Instagram. This is recommended for English-speaking guests to contact.

This is a classic malt bar with various and very affordable whisky, champagnes, and wines – Cocktails are not available. Most customers visit this bar alone to talk with famous and handsome bartenders in a modern and cozy environment.

JR Bar also has a branch in Yeouido, at 800 Gukeo-daero.