Things To Do In Hongdae: From someone who lived there
If you’re planning a trip to Seoul, Korea, then you’ve probably come across the district called Hongdae and wondered what is really going on there. Is this trendy neighborhood in Seoul really where you should spend some time? Well known for nightlife hot spots, pretty cafes, busking musicians and K-pop dance groups, there’s a lot to do in Hongdae… if you know where to look.
The streets of Hongdae are fun and packed with a lot to see and do and it can be overwhelming if you go with no plan at all. You could go many many many times and still not see everything there is to see in Hongdae. That’s what is so great about it. I lived in the neighborhoods near Hongdae for 10 years and it is definitely one of the coolest and trendy neighborhoods in Seoul, Korea.
Wondering what to do in Hongdae? Here are the best things to do in Hongdae:
- Where is Hongdae?
- How To Get There
- How to get around Hongdae
- When is the best time to visit Hongdae?
- What To Know
- Where To Stay in Hongdae
- Things To Do In Hongdae
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Where is Hongdae?
Hongdae is in the Mapo-gu district of Seoul on the western side of Seoul, Korea. If you’re headed into Seoul from Incheon International Airport, you can actually get right off in Hongdae via the airport train line. This means it’s a great place to head to straight from the airport.
How To Get There
The district of Hongdae is easy to find and has subways on all sides.
Hongik University Subway Station, exits 8 and 9 are the most popular exits to dump you out to the fun. But, you can also take exits 4, 5, 6, and 7 to be on the right side of the road and in the happening Hongdae neighborhood.
You can also get into the Hongdae area out of Hapjeong Subway Station, exits 3, 4, 5, and 6.
And for one more angle in to the fun, you can head out of Sangsu Subway Station, exit 1.
How to get around Hongdae
Hongik University Tourist Information Center (홍대입구관광안내소)
Looking for something fun to do in Hongdae? There is really a lot to do. FYI, if you’re on the wander and aren’t sure where to go, be sure to stop by the Hongik University Tourist Information Center which can help with interpretation, reading maps, and providing guidebooks.
- Address: 20 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 홍익로 20)
- Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 10:00pm
Smart Tourism Information Center (스마트 관광안내시스템)
Closer to exit 8, there’s also the Smart Tourism Information Center a new tourist innovation in the Hongdae area. This Blue Phone Booth is a 24 hour unmanned station with over 5,000 travel tips to have a more memorable experience in Korea. The AI system is also programmed to give you information about the best cafes in Hongdae, top fashion shops, popular restaurants, and nearby attractions. The system works in English, Chinese, and Japanese too.
The system is also able to create a customized travel course for your group of friends or family. The phone booth also has a wireless charging system and you can check how much money is remaining on your T-money card. It’s really convenient.
When is the best time to visit Hongdae?
Having lived there and literally seen Hongdae from dawn until night and in between night and dawn again, I can tell you there isn’t a bad time to visit. It really depends what you want to see. Hongdae tends to be an area that wakes up a bit late because the nights can go very long so if you want to visit cafes or partake in fun activities, plan to go from anytime after 10:00am. There are some great places to have brunch in Hongdae.
There are plenty of cafes open and restaurants throughout the day and shopping to be done. You can stay late into the night. There’s almost always something open. And if you do manage to stay up late… or way early until dawn, then there are also Korean soup restaurants open for a good don’t-be-hungover hydrating dish.
I once headed to Hongdae at dawn with jetlag and nothing better to do and it was some good fun seeing the partiers head home, the early morning joggers and the lost shoes, shirts, and everything in between.
All of that to say, you’ll have a completely different experience in Hongdae if you visit in the morning, in the afternoon, or at night.
What To Know
Hongdae is an artsy district that has been popular with young Koreans for decades. The district has three universities in the vicinity and the main university, Hongik University, is a well known arts school.
Also known as Hongdae University, it was established in 1946 and is best known for their architecture and arts school. Because of this, it’s easy to fathom why the district that surrounds the area is full of creative people and ateliers. The district has arts and culture and lots of live music and entertainment spots too.
Up until the early 2010s the area was considered one of the cheaper chill places to reside in Seoul and a lot of local artists and musicians called the area home. With the growing popularity though, rent prices have gone up and major companies have moved in (I still remember when Forever21 and H&M moved in and I can tell you my musician friends were up in arms about it.).
Hongdae certainly isn’t the same as it was a decade ago, but what area is? Many artists and musicians had to move because the rent prices went up and headed south to Mullae-dong.
What does that mean for Hongdae? Well, it’s not as grungy as it once was, but there’s still plenty of reasons to go there for weekend fun, nightlife, and some inspiring surroundings.
Where To Stay In Hongdae
Hongdae is one of the most popular places to stay in Seoul. If you’re looking for a spot with plenty of places to eat, cafes to explore, fun nightlife options, and shopping galore, Hongdae really has it all.
It makes for a fun district to stay in which is why I wrote a whole guide to the best places to stay in Hongdae. Below are my top three choices, but check out the guide for everything from chic hotels to budget guesthouses and Airbnbs too.
Ryse, Autograph Collection Marriott
One of the chicest hotels in the area is Ryse, Autograph Collection. This stylish stay has an amazing staff and beautiful style and design from top to bottom. The contemporary hotel features spacious rooms with class and elegance. I have a friend that loves this place so much she stays here about once every six months even though she LIVES right here in Seoul. Guests also get access to an on-site fitness center and library as well as 4 on-site restaurants.
And don’t miss a visit to Side Note Club on the 15th floor. The rooftop bar and lounge overlooks Hongdae and hosts some excellent events with live music.
Book your stay at Ryse, Autograph Collection Marriott here on Marriott.com if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, or on Booking.com. Or, check rates on Agoda.com
L7 Hongdae By Lotte
L7 Hongdae is one of the very few spots in Hongdae that features a pool and it’s a rooftop pool at that! This 3-star hotel is very close to the Hongdae Subway Station which is also where the train from the airport arrives. Owned by Lotte, the rooms have contemporary styling and floor to ceiling windows for great views of the district. The hotel features the pool as well as a fitness center, restaurant, and bar. It’s one of the best places to stay in the area for sure.
Book a stay at L7 Hongdae here on Booking.com or here on Agoda.com.
9 Brick Hotel
If you’re looking for a brick facade, some retro hipster vibes, and friendly staff, this is the hotel for you. The most loved aspect of the hotel is the epic views that can be had from the big bathtubs. This is a fashionable stay that also feels comfortable and cozy has some European vibes. Sit beneath the beautiful chandeliers and look out through the expansive windows to see the city.
Book your stay at 9 Brick Hotel here on Booking.com or here on Agoda.com.
Things To Do In Hongdae
Enjoy live music
Whether you’re singing it up at a karaoke room or looking for a live performance, you have a lot of options in the Hongdae district.
Sing sing sing at a Noraebong
Singing the night away is a right of passage in Korea and in Hongdae, there are some really popular noraebangs. Head to a singing room with a group of friends and sing your heart out. It’s like a karaoke bar but without the strangers. You get to enjoy the fun in a private room. Read more about the experience in my ode to the noraebong.
Recommended Noraebong in Hongdae
Su Luxury Noraebong (럭셔리 수 노래방): This is the most popular noraebong in Seoul and if you sing there, you’ll be putting on a show for everyone that walks by. With windows out front, everyone can see you singing away… they can’t hear you though so worry not.
Actually, they do have rooms on the backside of the building too so if you really want to hide away, you can. The rooms are spacious and clean and has all of the songs you could want.
- Address: 67 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
See a live performance
The reason I went to Hongdae the most was to see my husband rocking out. There are a ton of live music clubs and bars in the Hongdae area. Hongdae also hosts the Live Club Day where you can get a bracelet and see music at 10 different venues in the area. Enjoy reggae music, ska, cover music, rock, and urban trip-hop beats. There’s a lot to enjoy and live music is chief among them.
- Admission: W25,000 at the door / W20,000 online reservation
See the Hongdae street performers
The main drag in Hongdae near the subway station is full of buskers and Kpop dance groups showing off their moves. Walk along Eoulmadag-ro in the late afternoon and evening and you’ll be sure to spot some great street performances.
The dance routines are pretty fun to watch and if you love Kpop but can’t get tickets to your favorite idol’s show, this might just be the next best thing. The atmosphere is always abuzz and it’s completely FREE!
Head to a club
If you want to go clubbing in Hongdae, there are some great places to go. While I haven’t been into the clubbing scene personally in years, there are still some tried and true spots to visit. FYI, Korean clubs are well known for having both a minimum and a maximum age limit. If you’re older, then they’ll tell you to go to a different club. It is what it is. Be prepared for that though if you have a mixed crew.
Visit some majorly cool cafes
Visiting cafes is a pastime for many in Korea and Hongdae has plenty of cool, quirky, and interesting cafes to visit. Whether you’re looking for a flowery cafe even in the middle of winter, or a place where you can your face on a latte, there is plenty to to find.
Check out this list of cafes in Hongdae to see and two awesome Sanrio themed cafes you can visit for a limited time. Before you check out those lists, here are some of the coolest cafes in Hongdae to find.
943 King’s Cross (943 킹스크로스)
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then dress up and head to 943 King’s Cross. This replica of the movie sets including Hogwarts Express and the flying broomsticks is all the fun you’ll want to have. You can even try some Butterbeer.
- Address: 24 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (마포구 양화로16길 24)
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30am ~ 9:30pm; Friday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 9:30pm
Animal Cafes
Whether you just want to pet something cute and cuddly or find one of the weirdest cafes in Seoul, these are the animal cafes in Hongdae that usually top everyone’s list. Just an FYI, in the near future cafes won’t be able to have exotic animals anymore so you’ll have to visit before these close.
Visiting Tips:
- Don’t wear any clothes that you want to keep in tip-top shape. The animals tend to be a bit devilish and considering they are wild, aftercall, they’re prone to scratching, ripping, and tearing while they also snuggle away.
- Some cafes have age limits meaning they aren’t open to children. Keep this in mind if you have minors with you.
- You should keep your things on a table in the cafe. The animals are generally separated into another open space and you don’t want to take anything in that can hurt them if they accidentally steal it from you and swallow it.
Meerkat Cafe: One of the most popular animal cafes in Seoul, Meerkat Friends (미어캣프랜즈) has not only meerkats but also raccoons and foxes.
- Address: 20 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (마포구 와우산로21길 20 2층)
- Hours: Every day: 1:30pm ~ 7:30pm
Sheep Cafe: The Thanks Nature Cafe (땡스네이쳐카페) is home to two rather friendly sheep. If you’re in the area in the morning, you can even see the owner walking his sheep to the cafe. They’re adorable and fluffy and if you’re into animals, then stop in for a waffle and some bah bah bahing fluff.
- Address: Mapo-gu Seoggyo-dong 486 (서울시 마포구 서교동 486)
- Hours: Every day: 11:00am ~ 10:00pm
Stylenanda Pink Pool Cafe (스타일난다 핑크풀카페)
There are a couple Stylenanda cafes in Seoul but the one in Hongdae is the most popular for very pink reasons. There’s also a pool inside, but not really for swimming. It’s a vibe and you should definitely stop in if you have the time. Find out more information about this cool cafe and the others from There She Goes Again.
- Address: 335-21 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 서교동 335-21)
- Opening Times: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Go Shopping
Keep walking and you’ll come to a street full of Korean shopping stalls. You can find all kinds of fashion goods at affordable prices on Hongdae shopping street. There are clothing stores all over Seoul, but the Hongdae shops cater to the younger crowd looking for street style finds. For even more info on this topic, check out this guide to shopping in Hongdae.
KT&G Sangsang Madang (상상마당)
Dream Plaza is a really cool creative staple in Hongdae. Opened in 2007, this culture complex has some super cool souvenirs and products up for purchase and also hosts various artistic exhibitions. There’s also a movie theater and performance hall. Stop into the design store if you only have a bit of time though because you can support local artists and get some really awesome artistic products.
- Address: 367-5 Seogyo-dong
- Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Kakao Friends Flagship Store (카카오프렌즈 홍대플래그십 스토어)
Visit the Kakao Friends Flagship Store. Kakao Friends is majorly popular and they have a giant shop on the Hongdae main road. If you want something cute to take home with you, you should definitely head to this cute themed cafe. Even if you don’t buy anything, you can take pictures with the cute characters in giant form.
- Address: 162 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu (서울 마포구 양화로 162)
- Hours: Every day: 10:30am ~ 10:00pm
Line Flagship Store (라인프렌즈 홍대 플래그십스토어)
The biggest cutest competitor of Kakao is Line. While Kakao Talk is the most commonly used messenger service among Koreans, Line is more popular among others and they have their own adorable characters too. If you like the cute Line characters, then check out all of the plushies, cushions, toothbrushes, and everything in between.
- Address: 141 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 양화로 141)
- Hours: Every day: 12:30pm ~ 8:30pm
Gentle Monster Flagship Store (젠틀몬스터 홍대 플래그십스토어)
One of the coolest sunglass brands in Korea, the Gentle Monster stores are always very cool and curated and the Hongdae flagship store always has a unique exhibition to see while you peruse their chic sunglasses. Be immersed in their experiential shop and maybe buy your own pair of Gentle Monster sunglasses.
- Address: 54 Dongmak-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 독막로7길 54)
- Hours: Every day: 12:00pm ~ 9:00pm
Play games or see a show
Breakout Seoul (브레이크아웃 이스케이프)
Breakout Seoul is a super fun escape room that is fun for team-building, exercise, or just a way to use your mental skills. There are varying levels of difficulty and five rooms to choose from.
To learn more, check out our review of Breakout Seoul here. If you like escape rooms, also check out Excape Room which is also in the area and has four different spaces with varying themes to choose from.
- Address: 102 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 3rd floor (서울 마포구 와우산로 102 3층)
- Days: Monday – Friday
- Hours: 1:00pm ~ 11:00pm
- Admission: W24000 per person
- Website: Hongdae Breakout Room
VR Arcade
Have fun in virtual reality and immerse yourself in a fantasy world. Video games are a very social activity in Korea, there are PC rooms all over the place and you’ll often find Korean students headed to them in groups to hang out and play together in the virtual worlds.
Take a rollercoaster ride, raid a building and find the criminals, fight off zombies, or walk on the top of a skyscraper. Both playing and watching is super fun… you’ll see. You’ll find quite a few VR arcades in Hongdae.
See a show at NANTA Theater
If you’re a fan of live shows, then you have to see NANTA. NANTA is a unique and entertaining satire Korean cooking show. It’s super fun and because it is non-verbal, it’s fun for everyone whether you speak Korean or not.
- Address: 29 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Show Times: 8pm (Mon-Fri), 2pm & 5pm (Sat-Sun, Holidays)
- Entrance: VIP seats: ₩60,000 (VIP), ₩50,000 (S seats), ₩40,000 (A seats)
Retro Game Bar (레트로게임바)
Want to have a more retro fun game night with your friends, head to a game bar. There are some great old school board game cafes. Play games, have some drinks, and have all of the fun.
- Address: 7 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 잔다리로 7)
- Hours: Every day: 6:00pm ~ 3:00am
Craft something
Create a ring, bracelet, or necklace at Banji Cafe
In a relationship? Did you know there are 15 romantic holidays in Korea? If you are, you can create your very own couple ring. Or go with friends and create some memories. Learn from a professional and have a great ring when you leave. This activity was even featured on We Got Married and Amazing Korea.
- Availability: Every day 11:00am ~ 7:00pm
- Duration: 2 hours
- Book an Experience: Book an experience to create your own unique ring on Trazy.
Make a suncatcher at Solmae Workshop
Using resin and beads, you can craft your very own suncatcher. Add glitters and colors and you’ll have a new decoration for your room or veranda.
- Availability: Every day at 12:00pm, 3:00pm, and 6:00pm
- Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Book an Experience: Book an experience to create your own suncatcher on Trazy.
Create a neon sign
Seoul is full of bright neon lights and you can have one of your own after this fun class. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, design, bend, and fix wire to create a custom neon sign that you’ll love.
- Availability: Monday – Friday: 1:30pm; 4:00pm; 7:00pm; Saturdays: 11:00am; 1:00pm; 3:30pm; 6:00pm
- Duration: 2 hours
- Book an Experience: Book an experience to create a neon sign on Trazy.
Create some fun selfies
No, not just on your phone. Stop into the ever popular selfie photo booths. Whether you’re on your own, with friends, or family, these are always fun. Step in, choose some dress up props, and take some shoots behind the curtains. Most of the shops are unmanned so just walk on in and have some fun for a hot minute between other fun stops.
Make your own cosmetics
There are quite a few places to make your own cosmetics in Seoul and there’s an opportunity to make your own cosmetics with a Korean skincare professional. Choose from skincare products or lipstick.
- Availability: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
- Skincare class at 1:00pm; Lipstick class at 3:00pm
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Book an Experience: Book an experience to create your own cosmetics on Trazy.
Drink and Dine
Visit some of the trendy bars
There are some really trendy bars in Hongdae. There are also some awesome dive bars playing records. There’s everything in between too. Here are some of my recommended bars in Hongdae:
- Bar Da (바다): This Hongdae staple has been around for as long as I have in Korea (since 2006) and before that too. If you’re into wine, snacks, and good view of the Hongdae shopping street and all of the people passing beneath you, check out this spot.
- Address: 7 Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 홍익로 3길 7)
- Hours: Every day: 6:00pm ~ 4:00am
- Side Note Club: Another great bar in Ryse Hotel, they have a great rooftop lounge area that you can’t miss in the summer. A bit pricy but some great drinks and a view out over Hongdae.
- Address: 30 Hongik-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 홍익로 5길 30)
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 6:00pm ~ 2:00am; Sunday: 4:00pm ~ 12:00am
- D. Still (디스틸): An intimate bar with friendly bartenders and well-made cocktails. This is a swanky spot with refined cocktails that use seasonal ingredients.
- Address: 10 Wausan-ro 15-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 서교동 와우산로 15길 10)
- Hours: Every day: 7:00pm ~ 3:00am
Eat streetfood
I love street food carts. You can get everything from dumplings to tteokbokki, soondae, lemonades, fruit on sticks and more. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, but you could also easily do a street food hop in this area.
Discover traditional Korean alcohol
I always recommend that tourists go on at least one food tour with a professional tour guide because when it comes to cuisine and culture, there is so much to learn. You can really appreciate your food and drinks much more when you understand their history in Korea and how and when Koreans drink. While the green Korean soju bottles are an iconic symbol of Korean alcohol, there are a lot more, and many would say better, options out there. Learn more about makgeolli, takju, cheongju, and soju with a food tour in Hongdae.
Recommended Traditional Korean Alcohol Bars in Hongdae
- Sanullim 1992 (산울림 1992): If you’re looking for a more traditional alcohol experience, Sanullim 1992 has an impressive selection of Korean alcohol to choose from and delicious food too. They have over 180 different kinds of traditional Korean liquor.
- Address: 60 Seogang-ro 9-gil, Changjeon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 창전동 서강로 9길 60)
- Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 4:00pm ~ 10:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 3:00pm ~ 10:00pm
- Hongdae Daldongnae (홍대 달동네): This is an old-school style makgeolli tavern. Enjoy the retro vibes and good quality Korean rice wine.
- Address: 60 Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 와우산로29길 60)
- Joseon Dynasty Hongdae (조선시대 홍대): This Joseon-era themed bar is a fun space to visit with private rooms and open tables.
- Address: 44 Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 홍익로3길 44)
Find the CU Ramyeon Library
CU opened the Ramyeon Library in the heart of Hongdae to play up the zeal and interest in the Korean ramyeon scene. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, stop in to see the massive wall of ramyeon which features over 220 different kinds of ramyeon. It’s definitely Instagrammable and totally delicious.
- Address: CU Hongdae Sangsang-jeom: 25 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (CU 홍대상상점: 서울 마포구 잔다리로 25)
- Hours: 24 hours a day
Take a walk and take in the views
Gyeongui Line Forest Park
While the Gyeongui Line Forest Park across the street in the Yeonnam-district is the more popular half of the park, there is section that goes through Hongdae and continues east to Sinchon and even to Gongdeok. The section in Hongdae has some nice places to take a seat and enjoy the passerby. Known as the Gyeongui Line Book Street, there are unique book stores, book cafes, and more literary programs and workshops to enjoy here.
Street art and murals
As an established arts district, you’ll be able to spot street art and murals down many of the alleys and streets. Don’t just walk down the main Hongdae strip with busking and Kpop groups, but head to the alleys and you’ll be sure to find some cool artistic flare in this creative district of Seoul.
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