Seoul

Seoul has two queer faces: international Itaewon with its famous “Homo Hill” and local, labyrinthine Jongno. Together they make up one of the liveliest scenes in East Asia – even if the society around it is still conservative.

Itaewon & Jongno

In Itaewon the nightlife is concentrated around the steep lane of Usadan-ro, which everyone simply calls “Homo Hill”. Here you’ll find the old-timer Eat Me, a few streets away Queen has made itself at home, and at whynot? people dance to house and pop. Drag fans head to the Rabbithole Arcade Pub in neighbouring Haebangchon. Jongno is completely different: dozens of tiny, mostly Korean bars, where Bar Friends offers a warm-hearted introduction.

When to go?

  • June – Seoul Queer Culture Festival: The big Pride festival with a parade in the centre around Seoul Plaza attracts tens of thousands; in 2026 it took place on 13 June.
  • June/July – Korea Queer Film Festival: The queer film festival accompanies the Pride season (check dates with the organiser).

Our favourites

  • Eat Me – the original on Homo Hill
  • Rabbithole Arcade Pub – drag shows with retro charm

Queer city tours

Want to get to know the scene during the day too? A tour with local guides is a great way to do it:

Tours & activities in Seoul

See all tours and activities in Seoul on GetYourGuide

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Practical tips

  • South Korean society is largely conservative: outside Itaewon and the bars, restraint in showing affection is advisable.
  • Many bars in Itaewon are only open Thursday to Sunday and don’t fill up until after midnight.
  • In Jongno not all bartenders speak English, and some bars cater mainly to regulars – asking politely helps.

Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Please check event dates with the organiser each year.

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Places in Seoul

Nightlife

Cocktail BarA/V Take CQueer cocktail bar · Seoul Jongno 3-gaA/V Take C is a small queer cocktail bar on the third floor of the Nakwon Building in Jongno. It's known for…BarBar FriendsGay bar · Seoul JongnoCosy, with room for around 45 guests, good cocktails and a mostly Korean crowd: Bar Friends is a good introduction to Jongno's…BarBar GNOMEGay bar · Seoul Jongno 3-gaGNOME is a small second-floor gay bar on Supyo-ro in Jongno, near Jongno 3-ga and Ikseon-dong. The entrance is hidden behind a…Cocktail BarBar MoUGay cocktail bar · Seoul Jongno 3-gaBar MoU is a small third-floor cocktail bar near Nakwon Arcade in Jongno 3-ga. It's about conversation over well-mixed drinks, not dancing.BarEat MeGay bar · Seoul ItaewonEat Me is one of the long-established bars on Homo Hill in Itaewon. Here you can sit back with a drink before…BarGlove BarGay bar · Seoul Jongno 3-gaGlove Bar is a small gay bar in the alleys of Jongno 3-ga near Donhwamun. The crowd is older and more local…BarJR Bar (Loba)Whisky & wine bar · Seoul Gangnam (Nonhyeon-dong)JR Bar, listed by GayOut as Loba, is a basement bar on Gangnam-daero. Instead of cocktails there's whisky, champagne and wine; Travel…BarMICHINBear bar · Seoul Itaewon (Homo Hill)MICHIN is a small bar for bears, daddies and their admirers on Homo Hill in Itaewon. It opened in 2025 in the…BarMy Hunk (Ma-Hung)Gay bar · Seoul Jongno 3-gaMy Hunk (마헝) is a gay bar in the old bar district around Jongno 3-ga. Reviews highlight the sound system and K-pop…Cocktail BarOz (Ounce)Queer cocktail bar · Seoul Jongno (Ikseon-dong)Ounce (온스) is a queer cocktail bar in Jongno near Ikseon-dong, on the ground floor of the TOP Hotel & Residence. It's…BarQueenGay club · Seoul ItaewonK-pop, international hits and packed weekend nights until 6 am: Queen is one of the best-known gay hangouts in Itaewon, long on…Karaoke & Drag BarRabbithole Arcade PubArcade pub and drag stage · Seoul HaebangchonRetro arcade meets drag: at Rabbithole Arcade Pub above Itaewon there are drag shows every Friday and Saturday, and many of the…BarShortbusGay bar · Seoul Jongno 3-gaShortbus is a third-floor gay bar near Nakwon Arcade in Jongno 3-ga. Because English is spoken and the crowd is used to…Karaoke & Drag BarToolGay bar with drag · Seoul Jongno 3-gaTool is a third-floor gay bar on Donhwamun-ro in Jongno 3-ga, opened in 2023 in the former HERO Bar premises. There are…Clubwhynot?Gay club · Seoul ItaewonK-pop videos on the screens and a crowd that sings along at the top of its lungs and dances: Why Not is…

Wellness

SaunaHe’s (Hyundae Sauna)Gay sauna · Seoul ItaewonHe's is a long-standing gay sauna on the second floor of a building in Itaewon, formerly known as Hyundae. According to reviews,…SaunaPrince SaunaGay sauna · Seoul Sinchon (Mapo)Prince Sauna is a men-only gay sauna on the third floor of a building in Donggyo-dong, near exit 8 of Sinchon station…

Stay

GuesthouseG Guesthouse ItaewonSeoul ItaewonG Guesthouse is an industrial-style guesthouse in Itaewon. The Gay Passport lists it among the most-booked places to stay in Seoul and…HotelHamilton HotelSeoul ItaewonThe Hamilton is the long-established hotel right at Itaewon metro station, with a renovated rooftop pool. Travel Gay and The Gay Passport…HotelHotel Amare SeoulSeoul JongnoHotel Amare is in Jongno, a few minutes from the gay bars around Nakwon-dong. Travel Gay recommends it as a base for…HotelImperial Palace Boutique HotelSeoul ItaewonImperial Palace Boutique Hotel is Travel Gay's tip for “affordable” in Itaewon and, according to The Gay Passport, popular with gay travellers,…HotelMondrian Seoul ItaewonSeoul ItaewonThe Mondrian is Itaewon's design hotel, with a pool, fitness centre and rooftop bar. Travel Gay lists it in its Seoul hotel…

Events in Seoul

FAQ: Seoul

Which gay bars and clubs are there in Seoul?

The Atlas currently lists 15 bars and clubs in Seoul, including Rabbithole Arcade Pub, Bar MoU, Oz (Ounce) and Bar Friends. Each listing has the address, opening hours and our take on the place.

Is there a gay sauna in Seoul?

Yes, for example Prince Sauna and He’s (Hyundae Sauna).

Which gay-friendly hotels are there in Seoul?

Recommended options include G Guesthouse Itaewon, Hamilton Hotel, Hotel Amare Seoul and Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel.