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Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars), Seoul

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Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars), Seoul
See all Seoul Nightlife
The Reggae Pub - Seoul
The Reggae Pub
by ClarkRB
Seoul Nightlife: Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars) tips and photos posted by real travelers and Seoul locals.
Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars)
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• 64 Reviews
Seoul Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars) ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 64  
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Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Tough to find...worth it
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  • By jburron on March 22, 2004
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  • Subway Map of Itaewon Area - Seoul
    Subway Map of Itaewon Area
    by jburron
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    Man, you got to try the Bratwurst---you get REAL mashed potatoes and saurkraut! Lots of import beers (Leffe, Stella Artois, Guiness on tap!) and definate pub atmosphere. All the help is fluent in English and owner is an expat...so he knows the drill. One of the only places in Seoul where you hear people apologize for bumping into you (most think they are back home, whereever that may be). Seating makes for cliques but there is pool and darts as well. Some older (50+) gents hang out there as well. Not a good pick-up place, best to go with a group, and no dancing....but that is what LimeLight is for (which see).

    Anything that's presentable.

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: 116-15 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
  • Phone: 02-749-3336
  • Directions: From Itaewon subway station go to the Baskin Robbins. Walk away from the subway and take a right at the KFC. At the T (you'll be going up a hill) take the left. It's on the right about 2/3 of the way down the street (where the 3-alleys connect).

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): To Puck or Not to Puck...
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  • By jburron on April 9, 2004
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  • This is a hof (local name for a pub, Korean style, derived from the German: Hoffbrau) that looks Korean (lots of Koreans there, small place, dark, food on menu all in Hangul) but the music (a pleasent surprise) is 90s and 00s hip hop and rock. A pretty cool combination. The food is ok, there are tons of imported beer and (interesting little drink, served in a teapot) oh-ee (or cucumber) soju. oh-ee soju is just as powerful as the regular stuff, but has a unique cucumber/pickley taste to it...give it a try. You can also order lemon soju by the pitcher.

    Anything...even six 6x (saw a child in there with his parents...something you don't see everywhere).

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  • Theme: Adult Spot
  • Address: see below
  • Directions: Off at Hannam Station (KRN Line 1) you have one road to walk down from the exit. When that road (more of an alley) intersects a 'real' road take a right, at the intersection take a left, on the right hand side, second floor is Puck just past Barabar.

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Interesting Place Before Midnight
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  • By jburron on April 26, 2004
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  • Itaewon Map - Seoul
    Itaewon Map
    by jburron
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    As many know, the G.I.s in town have a midnight or 1AM curfew, thus the MPs (and a KATUSA, or Korean Army Training with the US Army, member--for translation) regularly patrol the bars. Helios is interesting in that it has A TON of G.I.s in it...mostly flanked by Room Salon girls trying to get them to their lair/bar and wrestle more money out of them. As the curfew approaches the men have to decide between a pretty young thing and possible reprimand (if they are caught). So the girls do all they can to extend the evening, which (if you're into that thing) can be quite a show. Anyways, apart from that, the alcohol is resonably priced and the music is good (Top 40, hip-hop) and the dancefloor is a good size. There are waiters and waitresses here (unlike, say, LimeLight where it's all self serve) so you can relax in the soft & comfy chairs and sofas.

    Almost anything. Some jeans, some suits. Whatever.

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  • Theme: Nightclub
  • Address: 2F, 124-5 Iteawon-Dong, Yongsan-Gu
  • Phone: 02-792-7077, 02-792-7095
  • Directions: From Itaewon Station (Line 6), mark Burger King as the South-East corner...then head East down the North side of the road. (If that's confusing, ask a passerby.) It's on the second floor.

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Irish Pub in Downtown Seoul
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  • By jburron on March 23, 2004
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  • An excellent menu (lamb, steak, shepherd's pie...ahhhhh), Guiness (et al) on tap, many other spirits, live music (and an area where the music does not invade) and English-speaking staff makes this place a great stop. Prices are higher than average (but Chosun, which it is under, is a top-notch place) but not astronomical (such as some places in Kangnam).

    Anything that is presentable. Lots of suits here but also many in casual. On Hallowe'en the staff dresses up (you can too) and, obviously, on St. Patty's Day things get very green.

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: 87 Sokong-dong, Jungno-Gu
  • Phone: 82-(0)2-317-0388
  • Directions: Part of the Westin Chosun Hotel...downstairs. Has its own entrance from outside as well as through the hotel. Right downtown on the edge of Myoungdong. At Euljiro-1(il)-ga (Line 2) just come above ground and ask around for Westin Chosun Hotel.
  • Website: http://twc.echosunhotel.com/english/Restaurant/okims.asp
  • Other Contact: pic on website is not flattering

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Hofs and Live Cafe's
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  • By ClarkRB on July 5, 2004
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  • Typical Hof area - Seoul
    Typical Hof area
    by ClarkRB
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    Here's a look at a typical street of Western Hofs (Korean type bars that cater more toward western influence). People tend to dress moderatly to very when entering. It is not uncommon to drop W100,000 a night in a place like these. Much nicer, however to go to then what I refer to as "juicy clubs." (Tip coming soon on my 'South Korea' pages) At least at these the drinks are not watered down, and you won't be expected to buy some high pitched woman drinks 10X the price of yours. A good rule of thumb, if the club says in english "Hof" or "Live Cafe" it is a generally good place to go.

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  • Theme: Nightclub

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Ice Bars = Nice Bars
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  • Updated By jburron on January 1, 2005
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  • Outside of Wa Bar in Yeouido. - Seoul
    Outside of Wa Bar in Yeouido.
    by jburron
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    Wa Bar is one of the many chains in Korea (they love chain-stores and such here--a lot). It has many imported beer as well as Korean anjoo (food to eat with alcohol: Koreans love to eat while they drink, too). The highlights of the bars are: the many bottles of beer, cider and other beverages that adorn the shelves near the ceiling; and the ice-bars. Basically, an ice-bar is a trough in the middle of a table which is stuffed with beer (and other) bottles then loaded with ice. You can choose your favorites (or order from the menu) and at the end of the night the staff tallies up the damage. With over 20 bottled varieties it makes for an interesting night out. Oh, and "Wa Bar" interestingly translates similar to the Korean slang for "come here!". Imagine that, naming a bar 'come here'... Some also have bonuses, too. One in Jeon-Ju has a system where if you collect 70 bottlecaps at that bar you get free nachos everytime you come in that bar--FOR LIFE! It's worth asking if they have something special.

    Anything.

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: Many around Seoul.
  • Website: http://www.wa-bar.co.kr/

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Korea/Holland Connection
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  • Updated By jburron on May 6, 2004
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  • Super Fantastic Logo! - Seoul
    Super Fantastic Logo!
    by jburron
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    Its grand opening was on April 30, 2004 (just in time for Queen's Day (national holiday in The Netherlands). East Holland Company is a trendy tapas bar in Apgujung-Dong owned by a Korean (Rene) who was adopted by a Dutch couple in The Netherlands when he was young (that explains the connection). As a result, his place is a fusion of Dutch and Korean culture and he speaks (at least) Dutch, Korean and English fluently. There are 3 levels to the place. The entrance is on the main level which is a bar and restaurant. The lower level (I assume) is an open-air patio and dance area. The top floor is a VIP club with wine and whisky bars. Since I was just there for the opening I can't say how good it is on a daily basis, but I can say that the food was really, really good. (It also seemed to be a great mix of east and west.)

    Pretty much anything, I think. Since orange is the national color of Holland it might be nice to have a piece of clothing on of that color--especially on the Dutch national holidays! (check at http://www.holland.com/ca/ and look under General Information, Practical Information, National Holidays for a complete list).

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: 661-12 Sinsa-Dong, Kangnam-Gu
  • Phone: 02-3443-0204 cell 010-4753-0633
  • Directions: The subway to Apgujung Station (Line 3) is a ways away from the place. Best to call and get directions (it's down a side street, too). Staff are fluent English so shouldn't be a problem.
  • Website: www.eastholland.com

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Whisky Bar in 63 Building
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  • By jburron on May 10, 2004
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  • How to Get to the 63 Building. - Seoul
    How to Get to the 63
    Building.
    by jburron
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    Here is the height of Seoul nightlife....literally. 59 floors up in the exclusive Sky Bar it feels like you own the place. Staff is attentive, food is good, and lighting is dimmed. The view..oh the view...is fantastic. From the window tables to the bar (which overlooks the Han River and downtown Seoul) this place at night is just grand. To gain entry to this little club all it takes is 300,000 won (USD 260) and they throw in a bottle of whisky and a locked cubby-hole to put it in. The deal is that you come there to entertain and empty your bottle...and then buy another one. When they serve you from your bottle they bring over (i) the bottle and for each person (ii) a sherry-sized glass (iii) a tumbler and (iv) a tall glass as well as (v) ice and (vi) sodas. Some have a little ritual they go thruogh where they pour into the different glasses with and without ice to get that perfect drink. The most expensive bottle they have there is a 1949 MacAllen at 5,100,000 won (USD 4,440), so watch yourself when it comes to ordering.

    Suits and business/evening attire is expected. You must be a member (or sign up right there) to get in.

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  • Theme: Nightclub
  • Address: 59th Floor, 63 Building
  • Phone: 02-789-5899 02-789-5904
  • Website: http://www.63city.co.kr/english/res/r_cafe02.html

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Germanic-Korean Cross
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  • By jburron on May 5, 2004
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  • Traditional bier halle, (not the 1 in Myeoungdong) - Seoul
    Traditional bier halle,
    (not the 1 in
    Myeoungdong)
    by jburron
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    Looking around this place it seems to resemble a German beer hall, but a few things tell you it's Korea (like the 15" plasma on the wall....where is the jumbotron?). The slogan is typically reserved: We serve you the best tasting beer in the world. (Really?!?) Here's a hint for you guys out there: sit in the non-smoking section. It is packed with women. Seems that the men head to the smoking section and the gals seem not to. The food is your regular hof (Korean for hoffsbrau or German bar) fare. So-say-gee (sausages, or bangers to the Brits) and 2,700 ml pitchers (bring a strong arm!). Service is fast and attentive and the bill is on a little cardboard clip that hangs on the back of one of the chairs at each table. Prices are ok and everything is, overall, pretty good here.

    Probably anything goes, but most (Koreans) are dressed up a bit (as usual).

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: Myeoungdong area, don't know exact address
  • Phone: 02-773-6901 02-773-6902
  • Directions: Myeoungdong Station (Line 4) take exit 9 and walk North up the street. Bier Halle is at the end of the street, second floor. When you get out of it turn right for the major shopping area.

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    Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars): Chicken Hof in Yeouido
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  • Updated By jburron on May 17, 2004
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  • It's a little embarassing: I have been to this hof (bar, short for the German hoffsbrau) so many times that the proprietor knows my name, but i just figured out it's name. Kaiser Hof has an interesting interior design: a big poster of a German beer hall, a Budweiser poster, an R/C (radio-controlled) helicopter and Korean beer ad periphanalia....your typical Korean hof, really. There is hardly any music, usually a TV is showing a footballl game or talk show. The only beer is Cass/Hite draft and the anjoo (drinking food) is popcorn (mmmmmm....can hardly find popcorn in this town, much to my chagrin). However, the bar-be-qued chicken (sauce on top or on the side) and saugsages are great! They make them right on site (which is saying something because the place is tiny!) and serve them with diced moo (not what you're thinking...moo is a kind of radish) and shredded cabbage with mayo and ketchup on top (better than you might think). There are many other chicken (and other) hofs in the building this one is in (one of which is populated almost entirely by young girls).

    It's mostly businessmen in suits (owing to its location) but I have been here in inline skates lately...so anything goes.

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: Yeouido Station
  • Directions: On street-level in front of exit #5 at Yeouido Station (Line 5) you'll see a 4 story building (Dunkin Donuts is there). Enter next to the bread store and you'll see a little bar to the right--you may know it by its wooden bench seating and Hite Beer ads.

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