3 reviewed party hostels · from €10.52/night · Hostelworld rated
Hongdae is the place to be if you want Seoul’s nightlife in one neighbourhood. Walk from Time Travelers Party Hostel to Club FF or NB2 in under ten minutes, and you’ll hit every bar, club and late-night eatery along the way. The hostel scene here is small but sharp: Time Travelers and Zzzip Guesthouse pack in backpackers every night, while 96 BUN·Z and Hostel Vanilla draw a quieter crowd. Most hostels run free breakfast (toast, jam, coffee) so you can fuel up before heading to Gyeongbokgung Palace or a daytime street-art hunt. By midnight, the same streets are packed with students, travellers and locals queuing for clubs that stay open until 6 a.m. Soju towers and K-pop remixes spill out of every door, and the pavements are sticky with spilled Cass beer.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Great party hostel located very close to Hongdae, the party area of Seoul. The hostel also features a basement bar where every night guests and staff do some pre-drinking before going partying. Regular events, like weekly Korean BBQ or home-cooked meals.
Bunk Guest House is a top choice for travellers seeking a fun, social hostel experience in Seoul. Its prime location in the vibrant Hongdae neighbourhood is just a few minutes' walk from Hongik University Station, making it an excellent base for exploring the city. The weekly party with delicious Korean cuisine and drinks is a great way to meet fellow travellers, while the two patios, pub and rooftop offer plenty of space to socialise and enjoy the stunning night views.
Friendly and social hostel with an original décor. Highly recommended for young travellers and digital nomads. The hostel features a vibrant bar with a wide selection of drinks and local bands on weekends. Dart and board games are available in spacious common areas. Free tasty breakfast included.
Organised nights out with a local guide
Runs every Friday and Saturday, starting at 9 p.m. The crawl visits three bars and one club in Hongdae and Itaewon, with four free shots or drinks included. Skip-the-line entry and discounts at partner venues save you at least ₩30,000. Meet at the Hongdae subway station exit 9.
How Seoul's nightlife zones break down
The centre of Seoul’s backpacker nightlife, Hongdae stretches from Hongik University Station to Sangsu Station. By day, it’s street performers and art markets; by night, neon signs and basslines from Club FF and NB2. Most party hostels are here, so you’re never more than a five-minute walk from the next bar.
A 15-minute subway ride from Hongdae, Itaewon feels like a different city. International bars, rooftop lounges and LGBTQ+ venues line the main strip. Cakeshop’s underground parties and foreigner-friendly pubs make it worth the trip. Hostels are pricier here, but the mix of cultures keeps things interesting.
Just one stop west of Hongdae, Sinchon is student central. Cheap eats, standing bars and noraebang (karaoke) rooms fill the streets. The clubs are smaller and rowdier: expect K-pop remixes and soju towers. Hostels are budget-friendly, but noise can be an issue if you’re not out until 4 a.m.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
Hongdae’s biggest club, spread over three floors. Hip-hop and EDM dominate, with local DJs playing until 6 a.m. Entry is ₩15,000 with one drink; queues start after midnight. The crowd is mostly Korean students and international backpackers. Bring cash: cards aren’t always accepted.
Two minutes from Club FF, NB2 is smaller but louder. Techno and house sets run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Entry is ₩10,000 with a drink; soju towers (₩30,000) are the cheapest way to keep the table busy. Dress sharp: door staff turn away sandals and ripped jeans.
A two-storey bar with pool tables and a rooftop terrace. Happy hour (6–9 p.m.) serves ₩4,000 pints of Cass and ₩5,000 soju cocktails. Live bands play K-rock covers from 10 p.m. on Fridays. No cover charge, but arrive before 11 p.m. to grab a seat.
Underground basement club playing indie, synth and disco. Entry is ₩10,000, which includes a drink. The crowd is a mix of expats and locals, and the dance floor gets packed by 1 a.m. Check Instagram for secret gigs: bands often play unannounced.
A standing bar with ₩3,000 bottles of Hite and ₩4,000 soju shots. No frills, just cheap drinks and a crowd that spills onto the pavement. Open until 5 a.m. on weekends. Five-minute walk from Hongik University Station exit 9.
Weekly event at rotating bars, usually starting at NB2 or Club FF. Entry is ₩10,000 with three drinks; themed parties (neon, retro, foam) run until 4 a.m. Check Facebook for the weekly location: it changes to avoid overcrowding.