It’s fun to have a drink where you laugh, talk, and talk, but sometimes you’ll want a night that mixes drinking with an activity. Or, if you want someone to make you laugh instead, we’ve gathered some unique bars in Seoul to visit where the focus is on more than just drinking. It’s fun even if you stay sober!
1. Rootless (무근본)
Seongsu-dong is a place known for its lack of roots. And Rootless is a true hidden gem, where the energy of the owner and staff is as intoxicating as the drinks and snacks.
Impersonations of famous singers from all over, including Park Ji-sung and Park Hyo-shin, are common; the performers come out to sing and tell scary stories and funny stories that will give you goosebumps, just like a radio show. Even if the bar becomes a little quiet, the performance continues without a break, and might include games like guessing what the song is by listening to just one second of the song.
If you want to find the root of Rootless, there’s only one thing it can be: alcohol. Despite the increasingly high cost of whiskey, the bar offers the cheapest and highest quality whiskey available. Rootless is a place where every day is like a holiday, but if you want to get a feel for what the place is like today before you try it, take a peek at their official Instagram.
📌 40-1, Seongsuilo 8-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (map)
⏰ Daily 5pm-1am
2. Gold Label Magic Bar
For those still waiting for their Hogwarts acceptance letter, we recommend the Gold Label Magic Bar. With nationally-renowned professional magician Hongjin Lim in residence, you’re sure to learn one thing when you mix magic and alcohol: that I am clearly muggle-born.
The Gold Label Magic Bar hosts magic shows at 9pm and 10pm on operating days. At 9pm, the show is in front of a curtain that looks like a pigeon might jump out at any moment, and at 10pm, it’s in the bar. For the 9pm show, the audience in the store is invited to enjoy an hour-long performance, and the show continues at 10pm with no set formality or restrictions.
The midnight shows are magicians at work with close-up magic, so if you’re a lowly muggle and want to get up close and personal for a while, don’t miss the midnight show. Here’s a tip: you don’t have to grab a seat at the bar for a midnight show – if you show up at 11pm after the 9pm stage show, most of the seats at or near the bar are empty.
📌 Gold Label Magic Bar, 6, Dosan-daero 12-gil, Gangnam-gu (map)
⏰ Tue-Sat 19:00-02:00 (Closed Sun/Mon)
3. Coin Tennis Pub
It’s the heyday of the competitive socialising movement: the most unique bars have become drinking hotspots with their own workouts. Coin Tennis Pub combines tennis and pub culture for an unforgettable night out.
Coin Tennis Pub has screen tennis: using a real tennis racket and ball, you hit the targets or opponents on the screen, and you can switch between a game mode and a practice mode. Invite your friends for a game over beer and bites!
📌 B1, 3-6, Gangnam-daero 124-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (map)
⏰ Mon-Sat 12pm-2am (closed on Sundays)
4. La Luz
La Luz, a neon-lit building in Hongdae is a real content mecca with all kinds of arcade games. You can enjoy cocktails and other drinks and food at affordable prices at one of Seoul’s most unique bars.
La Luz uses the entire building as an arena, with a basement and two floors above ground. On every floor, you’ll find games like basketball and pool, as well as photobooths. It’s a great place to hang out and play games, all with music filling the space.
📌 1F, 19-8, Wausan-ro 17-gil, Mapo-gu (map)
⏰ Daily 5pm-6am