Dive into the gay scene of Seoul with us as we spill the tea on the gay scene of Itaewon and Jongno, as well as savvy tips for an unforgettable adventure in the South Korean capital!
K-pop is all the rage. Having traveled extensively across Asia together over the last few years, the one thing we’ve noticed is how popular K-pop is in every gay scene on the continent. It’s a craze that has taken over. For example, in the DJ Station gay club of gay Bangkok, an entire floor is now dedicated to K-pop that plays all night long. The same at the G* Club in gay Taipei.
The gay scene in Seoul is no different. Here at the home of K-pop, gay bars/clubs like Ground and Ping are dedicated to this distinct pop music genre, with queues outside stretching for several blocks with guys eager to get in and show off their K-pop choreos and formation changes.
And we love it! There’s a cutesy infectious charm to it. The dance moves are easy to pick up so you can join in.
The gay scene in Seoul is mainly based in the Itaewon and Jongno districts. Beyond the gay bars, this is a city that packs a punch when it comes to delicious food (kimchi and Korean BBQ anyone?), impressive palaces, and a unique day trip to one of the world’s most fortified areas, the DMZ by the border with North Korea.
For this first-timer, Korea was Kaptivating, Seoul was Sexy. All my tips and tricks I now pass on to you…
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1. Where is the gay area of Seoul?
Seoul has two gay areas: Itaewon and Jongno. Itaewon is the beating heart and soul of the Seoul gay scene. This district of the city is famous for its nightlife and trendy restaurants. The gay bars and clubs in Itaewon are concentrated in and around the area called ‘Homo Hill’. The actual name for this street is Usadan-ro 12-gil Street.
Running adjacent to Homo Hill is the street called Usadan-ro 14-gil, nicknamed, Hooker Hill. Historically, this was the hangout for American army soldiers stationed here – a US base used to be near here. Today the Hooker bars are no more. Instead, our fabulous LGBTQ+ community adorns it with bars like NoTea, Queen, and clubs like Gym, Ground, and Ping.
Jongno was the original gay area of Seoul when a Japanese man opened the first gay bar here in the late 1970s. Today the area has around 75 small gay bars clustered together in unassuming blocks, much like the gay scene of Tokyo in Ni-chōme 2, Shinjuku.
Jongno is a short metro ride from Itaewon – Jongno 3 is the closest station. The area is more residential and therefore more local. Our favorite gay bar here was the newly opened, My Hunk.
2. What is the best gay hotel to stay in Seoul?
We have a list of excellent gay hotels to stay in Seoul which we recommend you check out. But for gay friendly hotels in the heart of Itaewon, we recommend the Nouvelle Seoul Hotel on Hooker Hill and Hamilton Hotel, which is close to the Glam Lounge just across the main road from Homo Hill.
The Mondrian Hotel in Itaewon is the place to stay to feel like a total p1mp! It’s so plush that even the reception area smells exquisite! This is also the venue for most of the large gay events in Seoul such as the Moonlight Circuit Festival (see below).
For something more budget-friendly, we recommend checking out G Guesthouse Itaewon.
Our favorite gay friendly hotel in Jongno is the aptly named(!) Top Hotel.
3. Consider booking an apartment with a gay host
Misterb&b is the gay answer to Airbnb where you can search for apartments owned by gay people. Seoul has many listings on Misterb&b. A range of shared apartments with a gay host – clothing optional or the entire apartment.
We love using Misterb&b because it’s the perfect way to immediately connect with a queer local who will quickly become a new squirrel friend and can show you the gay scene.
STAY WITH A GAY LOCAL
Misterb&b is the Airbnb equivalent for the LGBTQ community. Unlike on Airbnb, you know your host is gay, voiding any nasty surprises when you check-in. It is also a great way to meet gay locals and discover the underground gay scene. Click below to get 10 € (or $10) off our first booking.
4. What are the main gay bars in Seoul?
The bulk of the gay bars and clubs in Seoul are split between Itaewon’s Homo Hill and the streets around Jongno 3 Metro.
The main thing I’d say is the gay scene in Seoul is pretty subdued for most of the week, even on Fridays. Most folk work all week and save their energy (and money) for the big night on Saturday, especially salary men. But when Saturday evening comes along…my goodness, they go wild! With parties going on till the early hours of Sunday.
In Itaewon I had a blast with friends at the NoTea gay bar, owned by a cute mixed Korean/Spanish couple. Over the road, I grabbed some cocktails at Queen, a lesbian-owned mixed bar. This is just a small glimpse inside the gay bar scene of Itaewon. There are many more queer hangouts here including Orgy (yes it’s a humble cocktail gay bar called, Orgy, nothing more!), Eat Me (the names here are pretty on point, no?), Glam Lounge, Why Not, and Always Homme.
Over at Jongno, many small gay bars are located in unassuming blocks, like M Bar, Stud, Glove Bar, and the DZBZ rooftop bar. My favorite gay bar in Jongno is the newly opened My Hunk.
5. What are the main gay clubs in Seoul?
Unsurprisingly, K-pop dominates the gay scene in Seoul. The main one is Ground and PING in Itaewon. PING is a K-pop bar that opens at 11 pm. At around 4 am the crowd heads upstairs for the Ground. The queue to get inside is huge, stretching around the block. This is where the Korean gay kids in their late teens / early twenties head.
If K-pop is not your thing, I recommend checking out the circuit-style Gym Club in Itaewon located at the bottom of Homo Hill. The crowd here was older, roughly 30+, and a mix of muscle men, and bears – all topless of course!
6. Are there any big gay parties in Seoul?
The Moonlight Circuit Festival is Seoul’s main big gay party that happens twice each year – the Winter edition every Feb/March, and the Summer event in August. It usually takes place at one of the large grand luxury hotels in and around Itaewon like the Mondrian.
The Moonlight Circuit Festival is Seoul’s equivalent to the White Party Bangkok in December and GCircuit Songkran in April.
7. When is Seoul gay Pride?
The Seoul Queer Culture Festival takes place every year on the last Saturday in June. It started in 2000 and has grown exponentially since. The 2024 Festival attracted over 150,000 making it one of the largest LGTBQ+ events in Asia. It includes a large parade through the center of Seoul with large entities like IKEA, the US Embassy, and Amnesty International enthusiastically supporting it.
The Festival includes the Korea Queer Film Festival which showcases the lives of LGBTQ+ minorities, which has also grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2001.
8. Get steamy at He’s Gay Sauna
He’s Gay Sauna is the place to come (pun intended!) in Itaewon to, er, let off some steam! It’s located on the road across from Homo Hill surrounded by mixed bars/restaurants. Foreigners are welcome here.
Other cruising spaces in Seoul include Vault Club and Eagle Seoul, both in Itaewon, and both host a range of themed parties including Underwear and Naked nights.
Further afield check out Shelter and Equus in the Gangnam district.
9. Allow time to visit the impressive Palaces of Seoul
Seoul has several impressive palaces, but the two main ones I recommend investing a day exploring are Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the main one. If you get there at 10 am or 2 pm (except on Tuesdays) you’ll catch the spectacular changing of the guards ceremony. The Palace inside is as impressive as the intricate surrounding garden.
Over to the east is the other impressive Palace of Seoul: Changdeokgung. So impressive that the Changdeokgung Palace Complex became UNESCO-listed in 1997.
My main tip for exploring the Palaces of Seoul, try to avoid weekends, especially afternoons. The crowds are heaving. Try to come as early in the day as possible or on weekdays.
10. Buy a spring onion keyring at the Bukchon Hanok Village
The Bukchon Hanok Village lies in between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces. It’s an expansive area of tight narrow streets with around 900 traditional Korean homes called hanks. I enjoyed just getting lost in the labyrinth of streets here.
Also unique are the cutesy souvenir shops selling the most quirky souvenirs. I saw a spring onion keyring on my DMZ Tour Guide’s bag and had to get one. She pointed me in the direction of the souvenir shops of Bukchon Hanok Village and, voila: a new addition to my key rings.
The same heads up for Bukchon, it gets busy here on weekends so come here early or on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
11. Hike up to the N Seoul Tower
One of the highlights of Seoul’s skyline is the iconic N Seoul Tower, perched atop Namsan Mountain. Climbing it was both a workout and a feast for the eyes. Though let’s be honest, I was mostly here for the views and the photo ops. Getting to the base involves a charming stroll (or a cute cable car ride, if you’re feeling lazy), followed by a climb to the tower itself.
At the top, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of the city that are truly breathtaking. Couples will be swept up in the romance of the famous ‘love locks’ area. It’s cheesy but worth it, especially when you see couples of all orientations sharing the moment.
Pro tip: go just before sunset for that golden hour magic.
12. Consider visiting the DMZ
The Demilitarized Zone up by the border with North Korea is famous for being one of the most heavily fortified areas in the world. Sadly, the actual DMZ area has been closed since July 2023 when a US soldier crossed the zone to ‘escape’ into North Korea to escape a martial trial.
Whilst you can visit the area outside the DMZ independently, it’s better to go on a tour. I went on the GetYourGuide DMZ Tour because it offered the Suspension Bridge Tour in the countryside nearby which was fascinating and good value for money.
If I’m being brutally honest though, I found the entire DMZ Tour a little underwhelming. It felt like I was in Disneyland, full of tour groups. It’s interesting nonetheless to learn about the Korean War, but as the DMZ itself has been closed, your experience of it is limited.
13. Gorge on Korean BBQ + kimchi
If there’s one thing I devour in Seoul, it’s Korean BBQ. It’s an experience, a feast, and, let’s face it, a bit of a flirtatious fire hazard with all that sizzling meat!
Picture this: you sit around a grill, choosing from endless cuts of pork, beef, or even seafood. The staff helps you cook it to perfection (bless them, because my attention span around food is non-existent), while you snack on banchan—those delightful little side dishes, starring, of course, the queen herself: kimchi.
I went feral for the garlic-marinated beef, whilst engaging in a love affair with the spicy pork belly. Vegetarians? No worries—there are plenty of veggie options to BBQ, and the banchan alone could make a meal. Just make sure you don’t wear your finest, because that BBQ aroma will follow you home, in the best way possible!
14. Treat yourself to some Korean Snail Cream!
Yes, you read that right, snail cream!
Before you cringe, let me tell you, this is the secret behind why everyone in Seoul seems to have skin smoother than Seby’s dance moves after two sojus…
Korean snail cream is packed with magical snail mucin, which is regarded as the elixir of youth! Who knew those little garden guys were skincare gurus?
I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first, but after a week of slathering it on, my face felt softer than a BTS ballad. There are plenty of shops in Myeongdong where you can test (and hoard) a variety of creams, serums, and masks.
Pro tip: look for deals – buy one, get a thousand free seems to be the vibe here. So, go ahead, and treat yourself to a bit of slimy luxury. Because if snails can glow while schlepping around in the dirt, imagine what they can do for you!
15. Important info to note that you’ll thank me for!
- Download NAVER Maps: Google Maps is limited in South Korea, showing only public transport options. For walking/driving information you’ll need to download and use the NAVER Maps apps.
- Grab a Korean T-money Card: Get this handy card as soon as you land. It works on buses, subways, and some taxis. You can top it up in convenience stores. You’ll need it because public transport in South Korea does not accept cash or card payments: T-card only! I got mine at the airport when I purchased it alongside my SIM card.
- Google Translate is your friend: almost everything in South Korea is in Korean. From the labels in the convenience store to the signs in the Metro stations. I strongly advise getting used to the Camera Translate feature in your Google Translate!
- A Homepa is an after-party! A homepa, short for home party, is local slang for an afterparty. Some karaoke spots, for example, are open late as a form of homepa. Although the homepa you’ll likely encounter is a chillout at someone’s private home…
- Learn some basic Korean: it goes a long way to charming locals and breaking the ice. To start you off: annyeong haseyo means hello, Kamsahamnida is thank you.
- Tipping is not expected in South Korea: Koreans don’t tip in restaurants, bars, or taxis. It’s considered polite not to! Your bill includes everything, so just enjoy and leave with a smile.
- Experience a Korean Bathhouse (Jjimjilbang): Jjimjilbangs are a staple of Korean culture and a great way to unwind after exploring. Think saunas, baths, and cozy lounge areas where you can even nap overnight. Just make sure you’re comfortable with a little nudity!
- Punctuality is king! Seoul runs on a very timely schedule, especially public transport. Trains leave on the dot, and people appreciate punctuality, so if you’re meeting someone or joining a tour, aim to be early.
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For more inspiration:
- Heading to Japan next? Read our gay guide to Tokyo first!
- Or use our gay Japan travel itinerary for first-time visitors to plan a fabulous trip
- You might also like to join one of the best gay cruises in Asia
- And find out which are the most gay friendly countries across Asia
- Make sure you also read our gay travel guide to beautiful Vietnam if you're going there as well
- Along with our gay guide to China