Busan Nightlife Guide: TOP 20 Bars & Clubs + Pub Crawl
This is my ultimate Busan nightlife guide featuring the best 30 bars, rooftop patios, speakeasies, date spots, cocktail lounges and nightclubs which I carefully selected including places such as Radlit, Vibrate, DoublePub, Thursday Party Seomyeon, Output, Cream Nightclub and of course the Busan Pub Crawl, the most fun party in Korea.
- Why: Most underrated city for nightlife in East-Asia!
- When: All-year-round
- Last Call: Bars & nightclubs stay open until 5am
- Best Busan Eats: Yaki-ya & Pig Village
- Best Busan Cocktails: Wood Side Bar
- Best Busan Bar: Busan Pub Crawl by Absolute (Friday night)
- Best Busan Nightclub: Vibrate (Saturday night)
- Best Busan Exprience: Busan Night Tour ($23 USD)
- Accommodation: You'll find the cheapest hotels on Booking.com
- Book Now: Busan Pub Crawl just $22 USD (10% OFF)
Buy Tickets for Busan
Busan, South Korea's vibrant second city, is a bustling metropolis known for its stunning beaches and as a global port hub. But as the sun sets, Busan transforms, offering a nightlife scene that rivals its daytime charm. Among its highlights are four major nightlife districts: Seomyeon, Kyungsung, Gwangalli Beach, and Haeundae Beach, each offering unique experiences to night owls.
Busan Map Download
Attractions • Restaurants • Rooftops
Bars • Nightclubs • Walking Routes
and Bonus Tips.
Best Places for Nightlife in Busan
1. Yaki-ya
A Japanese-style izakaya, one of the best places to start off your night in Busan. Try their pork belly okonomiyaki ($12 USD) and highballs (whiskey + soda)
2. Momsocl
A fun street-side dive bar, easily accessible and gets really slammed after 2am. They have darts and affordable drinks where you can mingle with locals.
3. Busan Pub Crawl
Are you new to Busan? I highly recommend you join the Busan Pub Crawl by Absolute to familiarize yourself with the nightlife and party scene, just $19 USD! Including many free shots, 3 nars + 1 nightclub in 5 hours of epic fun!
4. Radlit
Busan's Pub Crawl often kicks off the night at Radlit, a very cozy bar with a large outdoor patio, and good eats inside, the crowd is also nice and laid-back.
5. Go.st (고스트)
A good spot to get in a couple of drinks before you move on to the more major nightclubs. However, this place usually gets more busy after 1am.
6. PartyNextDoor
Often the final bar on the Busan Pub Crawl before hitting the nightclubs. This place does turn into a fun underground dive bar with a cozy dance floor, and affordable drinks.
Seomyeon stands as the heart of Busan's nightlife, a bustling district where the adventure begins at Seomyeon Station, leading you southeast to the lively Jungang-daero 680beonga-gil (중앙대로680번가길) street. This narrow street is a paradise for night revelers, with an array of bars, nightclubs, and unique experiences like street-level baccarat, 24/7 karaoke rooms, and whimsical photo studios, all under the glow of decorative lighting.
7. Vibrate
Final stop on the pub crawl. However, they have a very strict door policy, especially for foreigners, but if you come as part of the Busan Pub Crawl you'll walk right in for free! Expect loud EDM, cute girls and a massive dance floor.
8. Jeje (제제)
Biggest EDM nightclub in Busan! Jeje also has a very strict door policy if you are not Korean. Your best bet is to make local Korean friends and become part of their group. This place gets slammed past 2am. Map
9. DoublePub
A really fun underground dive bar with a young international crowd and Korean locals. Expect cheap drinks and solid hip-hop vibes. Unlimited cocktails for $15 USD from 7pm to 10pm. Entrance is free!
10. Thursday Party Seomyeon
Another fantastic spot to either kick off your night or end the night. The crowd is often a good mix of young Koreans, expats and travelers. Beers, just $3 USD and entrance is free!
11. Hit The Beach
A lesser known venue and sort of hidden. Hit The Beach is located on the roof and has excellent panoramic views of the Seomyeon district. However, the crowd is 100% Korean so it could be hard to get in if you are a foreigner.
12. Output
Busan's most famous underground techno venue. Cover is ₩10,000 ($7.50 USD) before 12am. You'll get a stamp and can re-enter any time throughout the night. Beers and cocktails $6 USD
Jeje and Belpos nightclubs are central to Busan's electric nightlife. Jeje, known for its vibrant K-pop/EDM scene and dynamic crowd, is a hotspot among locals, offering an immersive clubbing experience. However, its popularity means entry can be selective, especially for non-Koreans, highlighting the importance of local companionship. Nearby, Belpos specializes in EDM nights, drawing a predominantly Korean audience with its lively atmosphere and heavy beats.
13. Fuzzy Navel
A fun street-side bar with a large sitting bar. This is a good spot to bring a date. Happy hour is between 6pm to 8pm!
14. Cream Nightclub
One of the most popular international hip-hop clubs in Busan. Expect long lines outside around 12am, and a young international student crowd.
15. Belpos (벨포스)
This famous nightclub in Busan can be hard to get into as a foreigner, I suggest make friends with a large Korean group before entering. Open until 7am on weekends, and expect many Korean models.
16. Cannon King (포차끝판왕)
Another 100% Korean club with a strict door policy. Work your magic with the bouncers when you are part of a local Korean group. Open from 7pm until 8am on Friday and Saturday! They offer bottle service, K-pop and EDM music.
17. Display Speakeasy (디스플레이재즈클럽)
A laid-back jazz bar with a very creative entrance, a London-style red phone booth and often jazz sessions on the weekend.
18. Wood Side Bar
For a classy night out, drop by Wood Side Bar which offers a very large whiskey bar and incredible cocktails. Whiskeys start at ₩16000, just $12 USD, cocktails just $11 USD!
For an unforgettable start to your night, Yaki-ya is the go-to. This Japanese izakaya is famed for its delicious okonomiyaki, especially the pork belly version for 16,500 won (about $12 USD). Pair it with a Japanese highball for a true izakaya experience. Close by, Momsocl offers a lively atmosphere to mingle with locals over affordable drinks.
19. Thursday Party Gwangalli
You'll be able to find a Thursday Party chain in every major nightlife district in Busan. This one in Gwangalli Beach has a nice vibe during the weekend with great views of Gwangan Bridge. Entrance is free!
20. Muse-on
Located in Haeundae Beach, this epic vinyl bar allows you to submit your own song requests. A fantastic place to bring a date and sip on cocktails. Entrance is free!
If you're new to Busan, consider joining the Busan Pub Crawl by Absolute. For just $22 USD, this crawl is a fantastic way to dive into the city's nightlife, covering three bars and a nightclub. It's an ideal way to meet both locals and fellow travelers. Radlit is often the first stop on the crawl, offering a cozy setting with an outdoor patio and indoor darts. Beers are priced at 6,000 won, with cocktails at about $8 USD. The journey continues to Gost Club, warming up the night before heading to larger venues like Party Next Door, where the real dancing begins.
Vibrate (next door to Jeje), a massive EDM club in Seomyeon, is a highlight, known for its youthful Korean crowd and energetic atmosphere. This is the place to experience the pulse of Busan's club scene until the early hours. For a more laid-back vibe, DoublePub is an essential stop. This dive bar is renowned for its hip-hop and R&B beats, offering an international crowd and affordable drinks, including unlimited cocktails during early hours for just $15 bucks. Thursday Party Seomyeon and Hit The Beach are also must-visits, each providing a unique glimpse into Busan's social scene. While Thursday Party offers a wide selection of beers and a chance to mingle, Hit The Beach presents breathtaking views with a predominantly Korean crowd.
The most incredible views can be enjoyed at the Beacon Fire Station on Hwangryeong Mountain, which locals like to refer to as Pallam Mountain. The observatory deck is an excellent date spot that provides 360-degree views of Busan, Gwangan Bridge and Kyungsung. The best time to go is during sunset, and I suggest you take a taxi.
Gwangalli Beach may not be as vibrant as Seomyeon but makes up for it with its many date spots, from Hotel 1 Rooftop to Cafe Haute which offer very date-friendly booths and views of Gwangan Bridge often seen in Korean drama shows. At night time you can grab drinks here at Thursday Party Gwangalli or Cocky Pub.
For techno enthusiasts, Output is the go-to spot, with an affordable cover charge and the flexibility of re-entry, making it perfect for those who wish to explore multiple venues in one night. Meanwhile, Fuzzy Navel and Cream Nightclub cater to those seeking a diverse night out with options ranging from laid-back bars to vibrant hip-hop scenes.
Busan has a bigger food scene than a nightlife scene. You'll find a plethora of restaurants on every street. Our favorite restaurants included Yaki-ya, Pig Village and Joseon Kalguksu (which is open 24/7). For more great cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs make sure to download my Busan Master Map listed above.
Haeundae Beach, the upscale district of Busan. Here you can often expect a sand castle competition on the beach. You can also find hardcore local cuisine in the Haeundae Market Street. For nightlife, hit up Thursday Party Haeundae or Dormer and TBR (The Back Room) for cocktails and a more relaxed atmosphere. For the best views in Haeundae Beach head over to Busan X The Sky.
Kyungsung, the student district, offers a more local atmosphere with authentic bars and restaurants, perfect for those looking to experience the real Busan. Gwangalli Beach and Haeundae Beach add romantic and upscale options to the mix, from breathtaking rooftop views at Hotel 1 Rooftop to unique cocktail experiences at Muse-on. Another good date spot is Deoksu's Dog Cafe, fun doggy cafe in Kyungsung.
In conclusion, Busan's nightlife is a rich tapestry of experiences, from lively bars and clubs in Seomyeon to romantic beachfront venues in Gwangalli and Haeundae. Whether you're looking to party until dawn, enjoy a quiet cocktail with stunning views, or explore local flavors in Kyungsung, Busan has something for every night owl. With its diverse offerings, vibrant atmosphere, and welcoming locals, Busan is truly a champion of the night, promising unforgettable experiences for visitors and residents alike.