Now that it’s getting cooler, it’s time to lighten up and enjoy this short season. Here are five vinyl bars that are perfect for ending the day with a trip to Haeundae Village or Euljiro. These Seoul vinyl bars have it all: music, drinks, and atmosphere, so save the date.
1. Reserve
Reserve is located on the fifth floor of a building in the Itaewon antique furniture district. The large windows on both sides overlook Itaewon and Hwanghae Village, and music fills the space. It’s the perfect place for those who want to listen to loud music and have a few drinks. They don’t accept requests. They play a variety of genres, including diggings from the past and the current season, so you can trust the owner’s taste and fill up your playlist over several visits.
📍9 , Noksapyeong-daero 26ga-gil, Yongsan-gu (Naver map)
2. OOBI
After the black-and-white chef craze swept through Namyeong-dong, all that’s left are the people who filled the alleyways and the restaurants that have become harder to get to, but they’re not nearly as likely to be visited as the ones on the show, and they guarantee a sentimental time. LP Bar Ovida is an all-day and all-night coffee and drink spot. The view of cats napping or stretching out in the windows is a bonus.
📍268-1, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu (Naver map)
3. Hills & Europa
Wild Duck Canteen is one of the hottest food and lifestyle brands in Seoul right now, collaborating with big-name brands outside of Korea like Norma and Atelier September. Wherever they open a new location, you can count on them to be there. In the Wild Duck Canteen universe, Haeundae Village Hills & Europa is responsible for the music and drinks. The pudding is also a specialty here.
📍35, Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu (Naver map)
4. Damgukpo Seoul
The next neighborhood , Triangle, attracted people before Namyeongdong. There are many places that claim to be hot spots, and it can get confusing, but there is a bar that you can always count on, Damgukpuk Seoul. It organizes various programs such as live performances by guest DJs.
📍174, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu (Naver map)
5. The Old
The Old is a record bar that represents Chungmuro and the wider Euljiro area. It’s a straight, vintage-looking space that’s different from the modern record bars mentioned above, and it reminds me of the Jazzkit company I came across while traveling in Japan. It even has a few blue ribbons.
📍2, Deunggye-ro 27-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
