Korean Job Discussion Forums

jamal0000 · Joined: 11 Dec 2010

Coworkers (that I know) are preoccupied so part of me wants to stay in and catch up on sleep, but the other part wants to live it up.

Would it be creepy/uncomfortable to walk around itaewon or sinchon by myself and check out random bars or clubs?

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Not really creepy at all. I would recommend Itaewon if you're flying solo, simply because there is more of a bar/pub scene there than at most places and you can hang out at the bar and meet people. It's pretty normal to find people sitting alone at Rocky Mountain Tavern on a Friday or Saturday, waiting for friends or just bored. It also wouldn't be out of the ordinary at The Wolfhound, but the bar is smaller and a bit more cramped there. There's also 3 Alley and Sam Ryan's. You'd do well with any of those.

I recommend avoiding Gecko's.

You could try clubbing, but clubbing alone really isn't my thing. If you try going to a pub first and meeting some people there's a good chance they'll end up wanting to go clubbing later in the night.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I would recommend Tony's Aussie Bar in Itaewon. Very friendly clientel.

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

OP, do you know how to get anywhere? Do you know how to get back to your place? If you're not sure just talk a walk and check out your neighborhood. There's always Saturday for going to Itaewon or elsewhere in Seoul.

My advice is to take things easy until you get used to your new surroundings.

petethebrick · Joined: 25 Jul 2006

Absolutely go out! I'm actually jealous - I miss when I first arrived in korea and would go out for the night alone. It was always an adventure of sorts!
Like advised above - either check out some of the bars in itaewon or else save that for tomorrow and explore some of the bars in your neighbourhood

wazope · Joined: 09 Dec 2010

wander into a random korean bar, dont bother going to itaewon.

itaewon on a friday or saturday night is the last place i would ever advise someone going, unless of course you want to scare them all the way back home.

personally, i just dont like itaewon one bit.

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

new people always go to Itaewon first. It's like some right of passage or something. My advice, go walk around your neighborhood at night. Get a feel for it, if you can find your way home you will be set for when you are making the drunk walk some night. On your way back from your walk, stop into the closest Family mart or mom and pop and grab some Makoli or beer and relax for your first night.

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

Don't take the Itaewon bashers too literally - it's not all bad. With a bit of experience you can work out which bars are good, bad or the ugly. If you want to to speak to someone in English, then it may be your best bet. Unless you're really wet behind the ears, you can have a good time and have decent conversations there.

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

wazope · Joined: 09 Dec 2010

understand that you were referring to my post. i just feel as if someone who is here on their first night should stay away from the bar scene that is most like back home. not all of us come here for a different scene, but i did.

if i wanted to hang out with a bunch of white people i would have stayed in the states. don't get your panties in a bunch because you are insecure that you are in fact, an itaewon rat.

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

haha yeah, hope you're enjoying your different scene. my, this fried chicken tastes so different from back home. and this cass? so refreshingly unique. why? because there are mostly korean people in my BFE-dong. glad there are no white people around to spoil my fantasy...after all, all foreigners in korea are white and no koreans ever go to itaewon. that's why there are so many coffee shops sprouting up in itaewon - white foreigners.

get over yourself. going native for the sake of being different is for the birds. let the guy adjust himself before he submits to a year and/or lifetime of chicken ass/feet dinners.

wazope · Joined: 09 Dec 2010

lithium · Joined: 18 Jun 2008

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

Itaewon rat? Hahaha! I like that - very cute, sweetheart. I've been here 5 years, so I've had ample time to explore Seoul. My conclusion is that Itaewon is simply the easiest place to go for a couple of casual imported beers. It's no cultural mecca that's for sure, but at least you don't need to buy a plate of sloppy anju while drinking shit Korean beer.