queer in korea: bars and clubs
Women's Bars and Clubs
Lesbos
Lesbos is a women-only nightclub. It plays techno and top 40 dance
music, has a dance floor and big couches and tables. Entry is free.
http://lesbos.jinbo.net
Directions
1. Go by Subway Line #2 (green) to Hongik University
2. Go out exit #6.
3. Walk straight along the main road to the corner. You will be facing a Pizza Hut.
4. Cross the road, and go left. Walk up the street towards Hongik University.
5. Take the first street on the right, and walk down for 5 minutes.
6. Look for a white sign on the left hand side, sayin LESBOS in curly writing written downwards.
7. Entry is downstairs.
Labrys
Labrys is a women-only bar and dance club. Reservations are recommended as it's usually crowded.
It is near the Luxury Noraebang in Hongdae area. It's on the fifth floor. Take the elevator or stairs. More detailed directions coming soon!
The Labris building. Labris is on the 6th floor.
The Labris building. Labris is on the 6th floor.
The sign for Labris, and you can just see the elevator.
Manyeon
See the Lesbos map above for directions.
Gay Bars and Clubs
The bars listed below are all on or near Itaewon's Homo Hill. All are mixed though some like Fusion, Almaz, G and Always Homme have more male customers.
Directions to Homo Hill:
1. Get out at Itaewon Station on line #6.
2. Take exit #3 .
3. Walk straight. You will pass a police station, bank, and some clothing stores until you get to the next intersection.
4. There will be a fire station straight across the street. Cross the street and before the fire station, take a right up the hill.
5. Go up to the second street on the left . (Just past Kings Club).
6. Walk up the small hill and look for the rainbow flags! Trance and Queen are the first bars on the left, keep going and quickly find the rest.
G
A dance club open from 9pm. It has a cover charge of W10 000 and W 15 000 for women. Plays house and techno. Women from Seoulsisters have approached the owners of G and asked them to make the cover price equal for men and women, but to no avail.
Queen
Bar and cafe, open daily from 8pm.
Always Homme
Bar and cafe, open daily from 9pm.
Whynot?
A dance club playing house and techno, open daily from 9pm. Cover charge of W10 000 includes a free drink. There are no women's toilets inside.
Soho
A bar and cafe, open daily from 8pm. Soho has a drag show every few months, and hosts art exhibitions. Join Soho's mailing list soho_seoulkorea@hotmail.com
Trance
A dance club playing house and techno, open daily from 10pm.
Almaz (not on Homo Hill)
If Zen Buddhist monks could drink, they'd come to Almaz. Large bar with mainly male customers,
minimalist decor and very comfortable seating. Outdoor area open in warm weather.
Occasional special events like bbqs.
Directions: Follow directions to "Homo Hill" but take the first street right before Kings Club,
instead of the second. This hilly street is affectionately called "Hooker Hill." Amalrez is halfway up the hill,
on the right side. Walk through a Japanese garden to the entrance.
Fusion (not on Homo Hill)
A fancy wine bar tucked in a small alley near Itaewon station. Small but swanky.
Directions: Take exit 4 at Itaewon subway station. As you walk out of the exit, turn left and walk down the street towards Gecko's Bar. Burger King is across the street on your left. Walk past Gecko's Bar and take the first alley to your right.
Fusion is 100 metres down, on the left side. Look for the red sign and go down the stairs.
Queer-Friendly Bars and Restaurants
Our Place
Bar/Cafe/Restaurant in Itaewon, owned by the first Korean celebrity to come out publicly, Hong Seok-chon and his partner.