Korean Job Discussion Forums

travelin_shoe · Joined: 22 Mar 2008

I'll be teaching in Busan starting in august and I have heard enough positive things about it for it to have been my first choice location. However, lately I have been reading posts claiming that Busan has little going on as far as bars and restaurants go. Being the second largest city in Korea I have a hard time believing this. I was hoping for some opinions to confirm/dispel this rumor.

tfunk · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Well, I find Busan rather odd. Like you, I expected it to have one or two streets that were sure-fire bets for a good night out.

I'll bet the locals will know of a few expat haunts, but don't expect a buzzing metropolitan nightlife.

Maybe I went at the wrong time of year though. Haendae beach area was cool. What exactly are you looking for?

If this is your first time in Korea then I reckon Busan is a good choice. For the first 3 months or so you'll be on your honeymoon period. After five months you'll feel comfortable enough to travel around and explore other areas of the country. Busan has a good chunk of urban variety with a nice slice of rural tranquility. So, unless you're a hardcore socialite Busan seems like a good choice. What do you expect from a city like Busan?

loose_ends · Joined: 23 Jul 2007

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

That avatar is disgusting.

She kept the same knickers on for 9-months?

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

I've only visited Busan, but the main nightlife spots are Nampo-dong and the area around Pusan Nat'l University.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

The nightlife here in Busan is pretty good. There are a few happening spots depending on the night.

PNU or Pusan National University is the original Expat place. Soul Trane, a dance club/bar is a great place to put your grooves on. Moes, a nice bar with bands on occasion is a nice place to chill and relax. Up the road is the Basement, a dark, smoke filled bar with a big pool table. The atmosphere is reminicent of Chicago in my opinion. All these places are expat dwellings.

Kyungsung University is the other good place. Vinyl underground has great house music, but is rather crowded on the weekends. On occasion has trivia and movie nights. Check out pusanweb.com for nightlife events. One block before it is Thursday Party, a nice place with a good mix of Expats and Koreans. Down from Vinyl is a nice bar, but the name escapes me, its next to vinyl.

Seomyeon, the center of Busan is rather nice, a bit more tranquil as far as foreigners are concerned at night. You should check out the Fuzzy Navel, but be prepared to pay 5000 won for a beer.

Nampodong is an old people place at night. I dont see how its great for nightlife, but it has many nice coffee shops and a few Hofs that go around well with the locals.

Haeundae is the best of the best as far as the elites are concerned. U2 is a great bar with music that keeps the mood alive. Starface is a great bar with an all you can drink tab for 20,000 won or something like that, limited to beer I think.

Thats all I know of, hope that helps. PM me if you'd like to go out and chill in august.

travelin_shoe · Joined: 22 Mar 2008

Wow, thanks for the great info. I love that that bar reminds you of Chicago because that's where I'm from! Kind of another reason I chose Busan. After living here and in Michigan I think it would be weird to not live near a large body of water. I don't have PM capabilities yet but would definitely be up for bar hopping upon my arrival.