Korea's 10 Must-Try Bar & Pub Restaurants in Cheongdam

Citrus oils perfume the air, crystal-clear ice ticks like a metronome, and each sip lands with bright precision that feels both luxurious and light. Loved by locals and travelers alike, ZEST builds cocktails around Korean seasons using upcycled ingredients, so your palate gets elegance and your conscience stays clean.

• Order this: A seasonal citrus highball and a spirit-forward signature in contrast; ask the team for a sustainability story behind your drink.

Slip downstairs and the city hushes, replaced by clinks, citrus mist, and savory aromatics rising from the shaker. This speakeasy is a darling of industry bartenders and an easy charmer for first-time visitors, pouring playful signatures that balance whimsy with impeccable technique.

• Order this: A house signature plus a bespoke off-menu build based on your mood; trust the bar for pairings.

A few minutes’ stroll brings you into a kinetic lounge where cocktails glow under a vast media wall and the grill sends out savory charms. Think Korean beef, luxe bites, and date-night energy that stretches from dinner to after-hours, ideal if you like your night with a little theater.

• Order this: Yukhoe bibimbap with a crisp sparkling, then fried oyster pasta with a creamy base for contrast.

When you want room to celebrate, this expansive dining lounge flows from aperitivo to a moonlit last round without breaking tempo. Expect polished service, Italian-influenced comfort, and a late-night menu that keeps the conversation going long after other kitchens close.

• Order this: A classic spritz to start, then shareable pastas and a nightcap from the late-night list.

Warm bistro lights, butter in the air, glasses catching a ruby gleam; Dexter is where a great bottle meets soulful French staples. It works beautifully as a pre-bar dinner or a wine-first night, with a menu that invites extra orders as the second glass lands.

• Order this: Potato cake and crème brûlée with a sommelier-picked bottle; pre-order the Dexter Special Chicken if you want the signature.

A sleek counter hums with casual elegance, plates land with clarity, and the wine flows to match the rhythm of the room. Start with a guided carte blanche then slide into a la carte and a bottle, perfect for a free-spirited Cheongdam night.

• Order this: Carte blanche before 20:30 or build a late-night menu with a bottle; ask for herb-butter seafood if available.

When the night calls for a celebratory anchor, Mingles delivers a deeply considered course with pairings that illuminate Korean flavors. The room is serene, the sequencing precise, and the experience sets the tone for a refined bar hop after.

• Order this: Full course with beverage pairing; ask about seasonal highlights like abalone preparations and noodle finales.

Soft lighting, upbeat playlists, and plates that invite one more sip; this is the spot for an unhurried, vibey evening. Locals pop in for a glass and a bite, then stay for a second round and a twirl of pasta because it simply feels good to be here.

• Order this: A crisp spritz or by-the-glass wine with pizza and pasta specials; check for occasional daytime pop-ups.

Casual, cozy, and very drink-friendly, HOJOKBAN tunes beloved Korean flavors just enough to feel new without losing comfort. It is the kind of place where a truffle-scented pancake and a cold beer can turn into a perfect little evening.

• Order this: Truffle potato pancake to share, then mix and match banchan-friendly mains with light, crisp drinks.

From the bar-facing kitchen comes a parade of carefully composed dishes that pair naturally with a glass or two. The energy is intimate and design-forward, which makes it a smart first stop before a deeper dive into Cheongdam’s cocktail scene.

• Order this: The dinner Jooansang course for a greatest-hits overview; save room for the Earl Grey bavarois dessert.