To explore booming trends and youthful energy, head to the streets of Hongdae. The area of Hongdae spans from the streets that stretch from Hongik Univ. Station to Sangsu Station, where you’ll find plenty of cafés and entertainment that reflect the most current trends. Follow the main street from Hongik Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 9 to begin your adventure.

If you’re into live music, take note of the streets by Sangsu Station Exit 1. The alleyway nearby is lined with clubs where you can enjoy live band performances. You can buy tickets up front for major clubs at Xindie Ticket Lounge.

Places to check out in Hongdae

T Factory

T Factory is a flagship store that offers a variety of services based on ICT. Provided services include classes like learning how to make basic Vlogs and making music on an iPad. The venue also hosts monthly mini concerts with artists. You can also enjoy watching diverse media content like movies and drama clips, music, and e-books for free.

Boulder Friends

Boulder Friends is a hip sports climbing gym in Hongdae. The gym features a climbing wall that is 5 meters high and 50 meters long with colorful holds in different shapes and sizes. The gym welcomes first-timers as they provide one-day lessons and shoe rentals.

Fullinamite

Renovated from a charming little house, Fullinamite is designed in shades of ivory and white. The burgers served at Fullinamite not only look delicious, but also offers a full-fledged burst of flavors. Their signature menu is barbecue pork burger made with juicy pork. It’s a must-visit burger place in Hongdae.

Coconut Box

Coconut Box is a play lounge where visitors can relax as well as enjoy activities and a variety of artworks on display. The place is uniquely designed with 32 individual bungalows where visitors can feel like they are in a distant and exotic vacation destination. It also has entertainment facilities like a ball play pit large enough for adults and a VR gaming booth. Giant media art, NFT artworks, and the evening DJ house party make the lounge even more enjoyable. The bungalow comes with an afternoon tea set and must be reserved in advance.

Mystery Room Escape

Providing the experience of playing an escape game in real life, Mystery Room Escape in Hongdae became popular among mystery fans who seek challenge and a feeling of achievement. The purpose is to find your way out of the room that is locked from outside in time by collecting clues and solving puzzles to open a series of locks. If you are a fan of escape rooms, we highly recommend visiting Mystery Room Escape in Hongdae.

Dosikhwa

Dosikhwa surprises all who enter expecting a regular dessert café with a classy interior that resemble an art gallery. Various madeleine are on display like a piece of art. The café has become so famous, people line up to enter on the weekends.

Samdacozy

Opened in November, Samdacozy is a flagship café opened by Korea’s water company Jeju Samdasoo. The café’s interior seems as if it had brought Jeju into the store with Jeju’s unique palm trees, dol hareubang, and volcanic rocks setting the atmosphere. The best photo spot is by the pour-over bar, where the interior was inspired by natural caves of Jeju. All menu items served at Samdacozy use milk, water, lemons, and mandarins that were grown, collected, or produced on Jeju Island. The coffees served in Samdacozy also use beans roasted in Jeju.

Roof Top Urban Beach

Roof Top Urban Beach is like a tropical paradise in the middle of the city. White sand carpets the floor and palm trees decorate the place to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Head upstairs to the rooftop for a scenic view of the sunset and Hongdae downtown. The rooftop tables come with heating features and a blanket in winter so visitors can still enjoy the view regardless of season. Soak up the vibe over a glass of cocktail while taking in the nightscape of Hongdae!

* This column was last updated in November 2022, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.