Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hexagonsun]

Dave's Collective Hive:

I'm looking some information on Live jazz bars in Seoul.

1) Location or websites
2) Quality of music
3) Prices (not all that important)
4) Your experiences there

I've heard of a few in the Hongdae and Ehwa Univeristy area, but don't know much about them. I rather not waste my time in Apujeong, so I'll avoid that like the plague.

Thanks in advance!

[Missihippi]

Live Jazz Bar is in Hyewa (sorry, i dont' have the directions) i've been to a couple times is pretty nice. Drinks and food are kinda expensive, but the quality of performers in there is pretty legit. Also, it's loud.. so it's not a great place to go and have conversation. I'm pretty sure they have live music most nights of the week.

There is a jazz bar in Itaewon, can't remember the name, but they have live music on the weekends. Someone could chime in with more info on this one as i've only been once.

I'm interested in hearing some more suggestions as well.

[Steelrails]

Club Evans in Hongdae. Best live music act I've seen in Korea was there. I saw the Ryu Bok Sung. The band itself wasn't that great, but Ryu Bok Sung was great. Apparently he just grabbed some kids from the music school and had them do things, because they were all 20 somethings and looked nervous and were reading the music off the sheets. The kids weren't bad, but not great. Then the guy comes on, keep in mind he looks like he's about 65 years old or older, slams a beer, announces to all the ladies that he isn't married and falls in love easily, but keep in mind he's poor, and then launches into a great hour long set of jazz percussion complete with him interacting with the audience. Lot's of improv, and you can tell the guy has "the jazz" in him and you could tell he's lived a life.

After that, if I ever want to go see a Jazz performance I'll see what Club Evans has to offer. There was another table with mostly foreigners at it so they seem foreigner friendly. There's a cover charge and drinks are expensive, but its a chill crowd. From what my date told me, people are there for music and a date, a lot of them are hardcore fans of whoever is performing that night. You'll even see the rarity of Koreans going there alone, just so they can see acts.

[Yaya]

www.weplayjazz.co.kr is the best Web site for info on jazz clubs but it's in Korean. Just get a Korean friend to help you.

[pkang0202]

http://www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr/

Its in Apgujeong. Want to impress the ladies, take them here and order a nice bottle of wine. I prefer the tables on the 2nd floor

The Jazz bands later in the night are better than the earlier ones. Monday night, Watercolors is good. The female vocalist is great.

[hexagonsun]

Keep the suggestions coming. This is great stuff. Thanks!

Steelrails, that is probably one of the greatest introductions I've ever heard.

I figured that drinks will be pricey, but I don't mind much.

I'll save the Apu one for a date.

[bassist33]

For a nice intimate show, try Club Jess in Hongdae. It's small, but nice. I don't think that they always have jazz, but I've seen a couple great groups there. It's on the 4th floor above OI right next to Cocoon in Hongdae.

[nosmallplans]

Hongdae:
Club Evans

Hyehwa:
Chun-nyun-dong-ahn-dong

Chungdahm/Apgujeong:
Once In A Blue Moon
Soul To God

Can't speak for Club Evans as I've never been there but I've seen live Jazz at the other three locations. Drinks at both Chungdahm locations are expensive as hell, W20,000+ for most cocktails.

Chun-nyun-dong-ahn-dong has a great trio that plays Wednesday nights and Soul To God has bossanova/samba on Saturday nights of surprising quality. Soul To God also has monthly parties. W40,000 entry fee but you get unlimited wine, BBQ, appetizers and live music.

Soul To God

[alistaircandlin]

yeah there used to be a Tenor player at that club in hyewa calle Lee Jong Shik who was pretty awesome - that was about 5 years back but he was a regualr and probably still performs there.