When Korean people travel to other countries, usually their biggest complaint when they come back is “there was nothing to do there”. This may sound snobby to the average expat, but in complete honesty… they’re right! Compared to Seoul, probably every city in the world is boring and too expensive to be able to have a good time every night. From private karaoke rooms (or noraebang) to indoor bowling alleys and driving ranges, Seoul has something to keep everyone entertained.
The nightlife is great: the amount of bars, late night restaurants, nightclubs and cafes are a night owl’s heaven. If you prefer not to spend your evenings drinking or clubbing, there are plenty of theatres, late night street food kiosks and many other activities.
Seoul has a budding arts scene, and whether you like ballet, live theatre, opera or performance art you won’t be disappointed with the selection around the city. There are some cozy spots where you can sip wine and listen to live jazz, others where you can mosh at a Korean punk rock show, or even enjoy Canadian beer, poutine and live acoustic sets at the “Rocky Mountain” tavern.
In most places, it costs a lot to have a thriving social life, but in Seoul it’s easy and inexpensive. While it’s still entirely possible to spend a large amount of money in one night, it’s also easy to go out and have a great time on a budget. Expats often go back to their home countries for a visit and marvel at the price of a meal or a glass of wine – nightlife in Seoul is very easy to get used to!
