The Mixmag Asia Clubbing Guide: Seoul

Seoul’s underground is a young and vibrant scene ready to be explored; where sounds and genres overlap, crowds blend and the night shifts effortlessly from introspective to euphoric without warning.

You might even find yourself sharing the dancefloor with a K-pop star or two.

Though South Korea is often seen as a society defined by order and routine, its nightlife tells a different story. Progressive, diverse, and full of energy, the capital’s club culture stands out for its fluidity.

In Itaewon, Seoul’s most eclectic and inclusive district, music becomes a shared language. What began as a handful of local haunts has evolved into a network of sonic laboratories, where global names collide with homegrown crews pushing their own interpretations of house, techno, and experimental electronics. Here the nightlife is hipster, drag, and unmistakably international.

But that’s only one part of the picture.

Across the city, clubs range from polished interiors powered by Funktion-One soundsystems to hidden, low-lit basements and glossy mainstream spots. Some might feel compact, but what happens inside is expansive.

From low ceilings and minimal lighting to open-air rooftops and sunrise sessions, these spaces form a dialogue across neighborhoods: each one curating not just parties, but micro-communities of dancers, selectors, and producers.

Whether in a sonically powerful basement or a softly lit vinyl bar, the city’s underground revolves around the simple act of dancing together. Often, that means dancing until sunrise, when dozing off on the sidewalk feels like the most natural thing in the world.

Nyapi was launched in 2022 by ffan. Housed in a compact venue with a low ceiling in the main street of Itaewon, Nyapi creates an intimate atmosphere in a district known for being colourful and loud. Its pink interior, inspired by CMY colour theory, and a logo by DJ and Producer Capablanca, reflect a strong visual identity. The club’s motto, “Home of the Free”, emphasises freedom for artists and guests alike. Drawing inspiration from Asian innovators like Oppa-la and Zodiac, Nyapi curates risk-taking, genre-melting programming, with memorable performances from artists such as Eric Duncan, An-i, and Bali's Gero and Dita.

Tucked away in a gritty Itaewon basement since 2012, Cakeshop has been a cornerstone of Seoul’s underground scene. The venue fuses global sounds like baile funk, gqom, and kuduro with local crews such as Girls Gone Wild, Gwangheungchang, and P.T.S.D. Hosting artists like Jyoty, Evian Christ, and Kush Jones, Cakeshop has also served as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ communities—shaping Korea’s club culture with a fiercely independent spirit.

Kockiri, Seoul’s queer underground venue, stood out for its pristine sound, intimate atmosphere, and refined musical curation. Deeply rooted in community, it united diverse crowds through a uniquely warm and luxurious interpretation of underground dance music. Over the years, the space has hosted an impressive roster of DJs who helped define its identity, including Maktoop, Youknowsong, Sucowania, Uni, and July. Unbound by specific styles or genres, these artists delivered sets that evoked deep emotional resonance night after night, solidifying Kockiri’s reputation as a haven for authentic expression, inclusivity, and sonic exploration

With its colourful patterns and glass ceiling, Hertz is the perfect spot in Seoul to welcome the sunrise, soundtracked by music that spans house and techno from the ’80s to today. Rooted in vinyl culture, Hertz cultivates a warm, inclusive atmosphere shaped by its residents—Jesse You, Soyo, Jucid, Acidwork, and Jimin. Each brings a unique sound, yet together they share one vision: to make Hertz a welcoming space guided by the musical precision and curiosity of a true digger’s perspective.

Nestled in the heart of Hongdae, Modeci is a pulse point of Seoul’s underground dance scene. The main room—complete with a wooden dance floor, Funktion-One sound, and stripped-back lighting—sets the stage for deep, all-night movement, which previously welcomed the likes of Theo Parrish, Larry Heard, Muscle Cars, and DJ Python. Head upstairs and you’ll find a rooftop with panoramic city views, sometimes hosting special open-air sessions. At its core, Modeci is all about community: an open, inclusive space built to connect people and celebrate the raw energy of underground music culture.

Founded in Seoul in 2014 under the slogan “Ancient Future”, vurt. is a collective dedicated to timeless electronic music and the pure spirit of the underground. Operating from its namesake venue in Hapjeong, Seoul, vurt. has been a hub for cutting-edge underground parties, bringing together local techno artists and international talents from Europe, North America, and Japan such as Aiken, Amulador, and Cobahn to cultivate a new underground culture in Seoul.

In 2023, Volnost moved to a new two-story building in Itaewon, Seoul—bar on the first floor, music on the second—for a pure sound-focused experience. Equipped with Martin Audio THV topspeakers, SXH218 subwoofers, and XP15 monitors, it brings studio-quality sound to the dancefloor. Volnost has hosted the likes of Chloe Lula, Phase Fatale, Unhuman, Headless Horseman, 404zero, Codex Empire, Robert Henke, Orphx, Wata Igarashi, TENSAL, NX1, ANCIENT METHODS and many more, and continues to be a hub for cutting-edge sounds in the city.

Opened in 2023, PUBLIC is Itaewon’s premier gay nightlife hotspot, mixing house, disco, pop, and then some. From themed parties like Disco, Military, and Cyworld to the iconic Public Shower Show, the club keeps every night fresh and energetic. Sundays bring SUNBLIC, an all-night K-pop takeover, while PUBLIC MINT showcases top local and international DJs from any and every genre. Beyond the music, PUBLIC serves as a cultural hub where style, art, and fashion collide, anchored by its ever-changing media installation that pulls you into the space.

Teller is renowned for its impeccable sound system—a Funktion-One setup with a dozen subwoofers and walls lined with 30 cm of sound-absorbing material—delivering studio-quality sound to the dancefloor. Focused on minimal and electro, the club has hosted legends such as tINI, Rhadoo, Shonky, Petre Inspirescu, Francesco Del Garda, Vera, Fumiya Tanaka, and more, consistently providing unforgettable nights for its devoted crowd.

Located in the heart of Itaewon, Seoul, BBCB is an underground space where concrete architecture meets electronic music. The venue has two stages—Beton Brut, inspired by Brutalist design, delivering high-energy techno, trance, and house, and Concrete Bar, offering a more relaxed setting for house and minimal. Both stages can merge for larger events, hosting intimate parties or expansive nights. From Thursday to Sunday, local and international DJs bring diverse sounds to the decks, while weekday pop-ups and cultural programs encourage experimental collaborations. The space has hosted artists such as DJ Deep, Marcel Fengler, and Tijata T, reaffirming its dedication to musical exploration.

Arga, which launched in October 2023 in Itaewon, was founded through the collaboration of Cityboy, Kim Roco, and Lim Jae-moo, along with Frank and Youngisland, members of the sound art collective 8alace. Now one of the fastest-growing venues in the city, Arga stands out as an alternative space with its warm interior and vibrant, healthy community. The music played by residents Joshüa, Gio, Hagy, and Muyeol transcends genres such as disco, Balearic, and house, creating Arga’s own distinctive sound.

Faust is an intimate two-room club that hosts top international DJs alongside the best of Korea’s local scene. Audiophiles can lose themselves in the dark, acoustically treated main room, powered by a world-class handcrafted Kirsch Audio system, or enjoy a more laid-back, social atmosphere at Tanz Bar. Created for true lovers of the underground as well as those seeking a richer, deeper musical and nightlife experience.

House is a club designed by experts in sound, lighting, and visual systems. It’s not just a place to play or listen to music—it’s a space meticulously crafted so every element works in harmony to let the music be experienced in its fullest, most immersive form. The 360-degree DJ booth dissolves the boundary between stage and audience, placing everyone at the center of the sound. House has hosted names like Sarayu of More Rice Records and Ryokei of Alien Sex Friends, alongside local residents Gumi and Grid, creating an environment where energy flows freely and performances evolve into shared, collaborative experiences.

Nué, run by DJ Zoonpark, is a house- and techno-focused music bar that opened in Itaewon in 2023. It blends traditional Korean design, flavors, and culture with underground electronic music and vinyl heritage. Offering signature cocktails made with traditional spirits and curated non-alcoholic tea blends, the bar emphasises a thoughtful reinterpretation of Korean aesthetics in both its drinks and space. More than just a nightlife spot, Nué has become a community hub where local artists, music lovers, and newcomers connect, contributing to Seoul’s creative scene through art events, collaborations, and cultural programming—making it an accessible yet authentic gateway into Korea’s underground culture.

Daniela Solano is a freelance writer for Mixmag Asia, follow her on Instagram here.

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