Seoul: Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour Hongdae & Itaewon Bars

Summary

Seoul’s wildest night out with free shots, club entry and new faces

You’ll dive straight into Seoul’s nightlife with a local guide leading your crew through Hongdae or Itaewon’s best bars and clubs. Free drinks get things started fast, and skipping lines means more time to dance (or just talk). Expect to meet travelers and locals alike — it’s loud, messy fun you’ll remember whenever you hear K-pop again.

What’s the experience like?

"You guys ready for round three?" That’s what our guide, Minji, shouted over the music as we squeezed into the next bar in Hongdae. I’d never done a pub crawl in Seoul before — honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The air outside was sticky and loud with Friday night energy, but inside Dokkabi Party House it smelled like citrusy soju and something fried I couldn’t quite place. There were travelers from everywhere — a couple from Spain, some local students, even a guy from Busan who kept teaching us slang I immediately forgot.

We got these little drink coupons at the start (four total — dangerous), and Minji made sure nobody got left behind when we moved venues. She had this neon sign she waved around every time we changed bars — probably saved me at least twice because I’m terrible with directions after two drinks. The skip-the-line thing is real; we just slid past the crowds straight into each spot. At one point, someone started singing along to an old K-pop song and half our group joined in. Not my proudest moment but… yeah, I sang too.

The last stop was a club — honestly by then my feet hurt and my voice was gone but there was this ridiculous energy in the room that made you forget about all that. Our group had grown by then; people kept joining from other crawls or just random locals tagging along for a dance or two. The lights were strobing, sweat everywhere (in a good way?), and someone handed me a shot of something blue that tasted like candy and regret. I still think about that view from the street outside at 3am — neon signs buzzing, laughter echoing down the alleyways, everyone kind of glowing under those city lights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Friday night pub crawl in Hongdae and Itaewon

• Visit Dokkabi Party House in Hongdae
• Go to JR PUB in Itaewon

Day 2 — Saturday night pub crawl in Hongdae and Itaewon

• Visit Mike's Cabin in Hongdae
• Go to Sam Ryan’s in Itaewon

Top questions

How many bars are included in the Seoul Pub Crawl?

The Seoul Pub Crawl includes entrance to 3 bars plus 1 club during the night.

Do I need to bring ID for the Seoul Pub Crawl?

Yes, you must be over 19 years old and bring an ID showing your photo and birth date (no photocopies).

Where does the Seoul Pub Crawl start?

The meeting point varies by date and location (Hongdae or Itaewon); check their website for your specific crawl's meetup address.

What is included in the Seoul Pub Crawl ticket?

Your ticket includes free entrance to all venues, four drink coupons, skip-the-line access, discounts at some bars/clubs, and guidance throughout the night.

Is there a dress code for the Seoul Pub Crawl?

Yes—avoid backpacks or big bags, sportswear, running shoes, flip flops/sandals (for men), or tank tops (for men) to ensure entry into all venues.

Can locals join the Seoul Pub Crawl or is it just for tourists?

Locals are welcome! The crawl attracts travelers, expats, and locals alike.

What happens if I'm late to the meeting point?

You should arrive within an hour of start time before moving to other venues; getting lost isn’t grounds for refund.

What’s included

Your night includes guided entry into three popular bars plus one club in either Hongdae or Itaewon (depending on day), four free drink coupons per person, skip-the-line privileges at every venue so you won’t waste time waiting outside, discount access where available—and a local guide making sure nobody gets left behind as your group moves through Seoul’s party districts together.