The 10 Best Speakeasies in Seoul

Alice Cheongdam draws a steady local crowd in Cheongdam. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

Bar Cham draws a steady local crowd in Insadong. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

Bar Da draws a steady local crowd in Cheongdam. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

Bar Mantra draws a steady local crowd in Hannam. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

Bar Park draws a steady local crowd in Cheongdam. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

Bar Rouge draws a steady local crowd in Cheongdam. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

Cakeshop draws a steady local crowd in Itaewon. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

Charles H at Four Seasons Seoul draws a steady local crowd in Jongno. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

Club Evans draws a steady local crowd in Hongdae. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

Coobar draws a steady local crowd in Hannam. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: Soju highball. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.