What to Expect When Visiting a Bar in Korea: A First-Timer’s Guide

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Last Updated, Mar 30, 2025, 11:01 PM

South Korea is known for its dynamic nightlife, especially in cities like Seoul and Busan. If you’re planning your first visit to a Korean bar, get ready for a cultural expertise that blends traditional customs with modern drinking trends. From local drinking etiquette to the distinctive bar types you’ll find throughout the country, this guide will make it easier to feel proper at home as you dive into Korea’s vibrant bar scene.

1. Different Types of Bars

Korean nightlife provides a wide range of bar experiences, every with its own environment:

Hof Bars: These are informal beer halls where you may enjoy draft beer and fried side dishes like chicken or squid. “Hof” is a Koreanized model of the German word “hof,” that means beer hall.

Soju Bars: Good for sampling Korea’s most famous liquor, soju. These bars usually have intimate settings and menus stuffed with anju (food meant to be eaten while drinking).

Pocha (Pojangmacha): These are avenue-style tent bars or indoor versions of them, serving traditional snacks and drinks in a lively, generally rowdy environment.

Karaoke Bars (Noraebang): Technically not bars, however they’re the place drinking and singing go hand in hand. Anticipate a private room, microphones, tambourines, and a ton of fun.

Craft Beer Pubs: Lately, Korea has embraced craft beer culture. You’ll discover a growing number of stylish pubs offering local IPAs, stouts, and ales.

2. Drinking Etiquette

Korean drinking culture is steeped in etiquette, especially when it comes to showing respect:

Pouring Drinks: Never pour your own drink. Always pour for others, particularly in the event that they’re older or of higher status. Use each hands or support your pouring hand with the other to show politeness.

Receiving a Drink: When someone pours for you, hold your glass with both fingers and provide a nod of thanks.

Turning Away: When drinking with someone older, it’s customary to turn your head slightly away as you take your first sip.

3. Drinking Games & Group Culture

Drinking in Korea is commonly a bunch activity, and it’s commonplace for coworkers, friends, or even new acquaintances to engage in rounds of drinking games. These games—like Baskin Robbins 31, Titanic, or 3-6-9—are designed to break the ice and keep the mood lively.

Don’t be stunned in case your group hops from one bar to a different in what’s called “cha” culture (first round = il-cha, second = i-cha, third = sam-cha, and so on). It’s widespread to hit multiple venues in a single night time: dinner, drinks, karaoke, and late-night snacks.

4. Food is a Must

Unlike bars in some Western countries where snacks is perhaps optional, food is an essential part of the Korean drinking experience. Well-liked anju dishes include spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki), Korean fried chicken, grilled squid, kimchi pancakes, and pork belly.

In many bars, you’ll be anticipated to order no less than one food item with your drinks, particularly in sit-down places.

5. Know Your Limits

Koreans can drink—a lot. Soju is deceptively smooth, and makgeolli (rice wine) goes down easy, but the alcohol content adds up fast. Know your limits and tempo yourself. Refusing a drink is acceptable if finished politely. Just smile, say “괜찮아요” (gwaenchanayo – “I’m okay”), and faucet your glass to hitch the toast.

An evening out in Korea is about more than just drinking—it’s a social ritual, a bonding experience, and a peek into the culture’s fun-loving side. Whether you’re sharing shots of soju with new friends or belting out K-pop in a karaoke bar, the energy is infectious. Respect the customs, keep open-minded, and enjoy the ride—your first Korean bar expertise will be one to remember.

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