Collection

Where locals drink

4 spots · picked by our Korean team

Drinking in Seoul isn't one scene. Some nights you want cheap, generous anju at a neighborhood alley bar; some nights, sake and quiet in a basement; some nights, live football and a cold draft. We picked across the map: Sangdo-dong for the anju, Seongsu for the sake, a Sinsa basement room where the yakitori omakase runs 35,000 KRW a head, and Dongjak for the match. All four are rooms we'd send a friend to.

Dongjak · Izakaya & Bars

Horangi Sulsang

Korean page

4.4 (100+)

Cheap, generous anjuSolo-friendly

An alley bar in Sangdo-dong near Soongsil University: purple neon, wooden seats, and cheap, generous anju. Egg in Hell runs 14,900 KRW, and there's pasta, dak-galbi, and sundubu too. Works for a solo drink or a small group. Heads-up: their page is Korean-only.

Know before you go

Their page is Korean-only, but the menu photos still carry you.
Works solo: counter-friendly, generous anju.

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Seongsu · Izakaya & Bars

Uhrindal

4.9 (16)

B1 izakayaOpen till midnight

A basement izakaya in Seongsu, five minutes on foot from Ttukseom station, open daily 5 PM to midnight. Pair artisanal sake, draft beer, or highballs with the Hwangeo Serohoe Hansang (sliced raw fish set), the Clam Tteokbokki, or the signature mackerel. Quiet, and a good call for a date.

Know before you go

Basement floor (B1). Look for the stairs down.
Open 5 PM to midnight, daily.

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Sinsa · Gangnam · Izakaya & Bars

Yakitori Mook Sinsa

Korean page

4.6 (317+)

Omakase 35,000 wonNaver 4.63

A basement room in Sinsa where the yakitori omakase is 35,000 KRW a head with a one-drink minimum; the house pick is the Umi Yuzu, a citrusy yuzu sake. Locals keep it busy (4.63 on Naver, 317+ visitor reviews), and there's a second-round anju course at 9 PM. Reserve on Catchtable; last order is 10:15 PM.

Know before you go

Reserve on Catchtable before you go; there is also a second-round anju course at 9 PM.
One drink per person is required; last order is 10:15 PM.

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Dongjak · Pubs & Sports Bars

Liverpool Pub

4.5 (238)

Open till 3 AMMatch-night bookings

An owner-run sports bar in Dongjak, open daily 6 PM to 3 AM, with live football on a large projector screen and Liverpool FC jerseys, scarves, and memorabilia. Walk-ins are welcome; order a cold draft beer and the Bulgogi Pizza.

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