Korea offers plenty of options for those seeking a party. So it’s no wonder Seoul, the capital city, bursts with places where you can drink, dance, listen to music of all kinds — mostly the louder, the better — and give karaoke a try. The serious action starts around 10 p.m. and lasts until the early-morning hours, peaking around 1–4 a.m. Seoul’s club scene centers around the two most popular areas, Hongdae and Gangnam. Located near Hongik University, Hongdae pulses with clubs frequently packed with college students, which makes for a raw, artsy, hipster club scene and some unique venues like a former parking garage. Gangnam, located in an affluent part of Seoul, appeals to more seasoned clubbers looking for particular sorts of music, venues and crowds.

The Spring Sculpture in Cheonggye Plaza © ELLEN CLARK

With endless clubs, making a choice is not easy, but note these currently trendy venues. The classy Club Ellui offers a first-class sound system, plenty of room to dance, famous DJs and an upscale clientele. Club Octagon proves one of the most popular hangouts for hip youngsters. One of the best-known Gangnam clubs, Club Answer, features particularly high-energy music and a good mix of local and international partiers. J.J. Mahoney’s in the Grand Hyatt Hotel has it all: nine venues including a bar, a pub, a discotheque, a pool hall, a restaurant and even a spot for folks who like their music on the quieter side. Seoul includes a lively foreigner-friendly LGBT scene, with most of the gay bars located in the Itaewon area. Club Pulse claims to have brought the underground LGBT scene to the main streets. Le Queen attracts great dancers and serious partiers. Korea’s biggest lesbian club, Labris, is open to women only and offers DJ nights on Fridays and Saturdays. Not interested in clubs, loud music, dancing and booze? No worries — quieter options abound. Programs at the National Theater of Korea highlight South Korea’s performing arts. At Korea House enjoy a traditional dinner while watching folk music and dance shows. National Gugak Center, dedicated to preserving cultural traditions, features Korean musical dramas and traditional palace music. Or check out Korea’s longest-running show, Nanta, a non-verbal, wildly crazy farce involving catering mishaps before a wedding feast, with four cooks using kitchen implements as percussion instruments. It’s loud and frenetic — and if you sit in the front rows, you just might wind up part of the action.