South Korea

Seoul

Mount XLR

. Low entrance fees and stellar clubs in close proximity mean that you can hop across spots and check out a host of world-class DJ talent - and the energy of crowds are just on another level. 

But it's not just the atmosphere of the clubs  - it's the way the city caters to and enables its nightlife. Seoul is safe to walk around and abundant in 24/7 restaurants that make for perfect post-club meals. 

Mount XLR is a electronic artist and producer who draws from the high-energy, percussive-heavy sounds embedded in Seoul's underground, and meshing it together with touches of UK-influenced post-dubstep and garage. He lives, works and breathes the nocturnal city, with new EP 

 on SoundSupply_Service, the indie experimental electronic label fuelling the originality and dynamism of the Seoul club scene. 

In this guide, he shares his top spots to party, chill, walk and even get the perfect post-club bone marrow soup. 

This is one of the classic places to go after clubbing in Itaewon. They’re famous for their Korean hangover soup (뼈해장국), but I always choose the spicy braised pork (뼈찜). Open 24 hours, which is a charm. Always a lovely vibe around.

Seoul’s finest club. Somewhere all my youth is at. No description needed.

If someone asks where the most unique experience is to feel the subculture, I would definitely recommend Seendosi. The place has a bar on the 5th floor and a venue on the 4th. Both are highly unique and feel very local. If you are a subculture fan and coming to Seoul for the first time, definitely give it a try.

Another subculture realm in Seoul. It’s located in a very old neighbourhood (Eulji-ro), where you’ll witness all the raw goodness of the place.

My favourite walking place. I remember that I used to walk down the road around 2 a.m., after watching a late-night movie at a nearby cinema. The boulevard mainly consists of a lot of big companies. But late at night, everything is just dark with tall buildings. Maybe it is a bit away from the “nightlife” people usually expect, but I strongly recommend exploring the empty city vibe in Seoul.

Open 24 hours, serving solid Korean army soup. After a long night out, this place will treat you well. There’s also a branch near Gangnam Station.

Han River is the heart of Seoul. One of the best things about the city is being able to walk safely anywhere, anytime. If you’re tired of high-energy nightlife, head here with friends and order fried chicken via delivery app—you can even pick it up from the roadside.

One of my favourite soup spots. In Korean cuisine, soups are everything—food that belongs to everyone, food you can share drinks with, food that feeds your soul. This place is a great introduction to that vibe.

‘Sundae’ (순대) is Korean blood pudding (though very different from the Western kind). Sundae soup is another hearty classic. I often come here late at night after finishing sessions with friends—it’s near my studio, in a quiet, local neighbourhood. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Seoul, this might be it.

A small bar near Hanguk Sundae. Slightly different block, but surrounded by restaurants and bars that stay open late. Friendly staff, great dishes, and a strong whisky selection (especially single malts) at affordable prices. Definitely recommend.

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