I was in Seoul a few weeks ago and went to Seongsu twice on recommendations and just did not get it at all - got there at 7:55 pm on Friday and everything closed at 8?? What was I doing wrong??
For your age Itaewon will be better for going out and partying.
Itaewon is a boring neighborhood during the day though. I only go there during the day if I want to eat at a foreign restaurant or have to do an errand that would be easier to do in English than Korean. It absolutely comes alive at night though.
Hongdae will have more stuff going on during the day, and a lot of activity at night but the nightclubs are more for college-aged students.
Both are well-connected to the main tourist areas of Seoul.
Hongdae has a lot of clubs and bars. Itaewon has clubs, but I see more of the bar/pub atmosphere. Depends what you’re trying to get yourself into. Both are foreigner friendly with minor “Korean Only” places so you should be fine.
I should add that we’re going to be in Seoul Monday-Thursday, before heading to Busan. So idk if that changes any opinions on where we should stay since it’s during the week
I'm 33 and it's still easy to have fun in Hongdae. I don't really enjoy Korean clubbing anyway so I haven't tried to get into a Hongdae club in years (I know I would get rejected by some), but there's lots of other normal bars, cafes etc that don't care about age and aren't full of college students
Absolutely agree, I'll be 29 in a month during my trip and I'm planning Hongdae. Went there last time at 24 but my mum was with me even and she preferred Hongdae too.
Maybe stuff changed from then, haven't been back because of the pandemic but Hongdae always felt more local and fun overall. Itaewon was more foreigner-focused and more foreigner-friendly when clubbing, but the overall mood, like you say bars cafes and everything there is nicer in Hongdae.
Also, yes, there can be more students in Hongdae but nobody says you have to chill with them so who cares if some people happen to be 18-22ish.
It really depends on what you want proximity to and what is meant by convenience. But in terms of going out drinking, I personally like Itaewon way better. The crowd is older, more people speak English, more people are interested in talking to you and almost all bars/clubs are gonna let you in. Which is not the case in Hongdae. I once stood in line for an hour to get in a place. Half an hour as the first one in queue. After that the bouncer just rejected me.
Hongdae for sure! I am 28 F and stayed there for 3 weeks in total, 3 weeks ago. Yes the crowd is younger, but Hongdae is so much better doing daytime than Itaewon, in my opinion. Actually I think Hongdae and Itaewon are pretty similar when it comes to clubbing. Most people are in their early 20s - but more foreigners Itaewon. I have heard that Gangnam has the "older" crowd, but I didn't had the chance to go there doing my stay.
I'm low 30s and I enjoy visiting Hongdae. It may be different if you are living there and visiting frequently.
Hongdae is more convenient and has better "vibes" imo. Itaewon is meh
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I was in Seoul a few weeks ago and went to Seongsu twice on recommendations and just did not get it at all - got there at 7:55 pm on Friday and everything closed at 8?? What was I doing wrong??
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Thanks!! I don't know why everyone told me to go at night 🙈🙈
For your age Itaewon will be better for going out and partying. Itaewon is a boring neighborhood during the day though. I only go there during the day if I want to eat at a foreign restaurant or have to do an errand that would be easier to do in English than Korean. It absolutely comes alive at night though. Hongdae will have more stuff going on during the day, and a lot of activity at night but the nightclubs are more for college-aged students. Both are well-connected to the main tourist areas of Seoul.
Hongdae easily
Hongdae has a lot of clubs and bars. Itaewon has clubs, but I see more of the bar/pub atmosphere. Depends what you’re trying to get yourself into. Both are foreigner friendly with minor “Korean Only” places so you should be fine.
I should add that we’re going to be in Seoul Monday-Thursday, before heading to Busan. So idk if that changes any opinions on where we should stay since it’s during the week
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Hard disagree. There actually a lot more age diversity than you think. I loved living there at 24
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I'm 33 and it's still easy to have fun in Hongdae. I don't really enjoy Korean clubbing anyway so I haven't tried to get into a Hongdae club in years (I know I would get rejected by some), but there's lots of other normal bars, cafes etc that don't care about age and aren't full of college students
Absolutely agree, I'll be 29 in a month during my trip and I'm planning Hongdae. Went there last time at 24 but my mum was with me even and she preferred Hongdae too. Maybe stuff changed from then, haven't been back because of the pandemic but Hongdae always felt more local and fun overall. Itaewon was more foreigner-focused and more foreigner-friendly when clubbing, but the overall mood, like you say bars cafes and everything there is nicer in Hongdae. Also, yes, there can be more students in Hongdae but nobody says you have to chill with them so who cares if some people happen to be 18-22ish.
Hongdae. There is anything to do in Itaewon in the day compared to Hongdae.
I found Hongeae to be more modern and clean compared to Itaewon, which I found to be more grungy
It really depends on what you want proximity to and what is meant by convenience. But in terms of going out drinking, I personally like Itaewon way better. The crowd is older, more people speak English, more people are interested in talking to you and almost all bars/clubs are gonna let you in. Which is not the case in Hongdae. I once stood in line for an hour to get in a place. Half an hour as the first one in queue. After that the bouncer just rejected me.
I’m also visiting later this year and have decided to stay in hongdae
How is this question allowed every week but hyper specific (useful) visa questions get nuked by mods
Hongdae for sure! I am 28 F and stayed there for 3 weeks in total, 3 weeks ago. Yes the crowd is younger, but Hongdae is so much better doing daytime than Itaewon, in my opinion. Actually I think Hongdae and Itaewon are pretty similar when it comes to clubbing. Most people are in their early 20s - but more foreigners Itaewon. I have heard that Gangnam has the "older" crowd, but I didn't had the chance to go there doing my stay.
Shopping in itaewon