Many of Seoul’s best bars are found on rooftops, and this is no coincidence. Rooftop drinking has become an integral part of the city’s urban culture, with many venues turning their terraces into fully fledged evening destinations. People come here for cocktails, music, after-work meet-ups, and views of the sunset over the city.
The scene ranges from small independent bars with a distinctly local feel to expansive terraces overlooking the Han River or the city center. There are also rooftop lounges with DJs and atmospheric lighting. Below is a curated selection of places where you can stop by for a cocktail and enjoy a memorable evening in Seoul.
Rooftop KLOUD (AC Hotel Seoul Gangnam)
This stylish bar is located on the 21st floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Gangnam, in the heart of Gangnam. Take the elevator to the top floor, step out onto the terrace, and enjoy one of the city’s most striking views: a sweeping urban panorama with the illuminated high-rises of Gangnam in the foreground and the familiar silhouette of N Seoul Tower in the distance.
The bar functions as both a cocktail lounge, offering an international menu of light bites alongside champagne, whiskey, and signature cocktails. KLOUD has been featured multiple times in roundups of Seoul’s best rooftop bars. Cocktails range from $13 to $19, making it an excellent choice for a sunset aperitif or an evening drink after a stroll along Teheran-ro.
The bar is open from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am, with extended hours until 2:00 am on Saturdays.
Floating (L7 Hongdae by LOTTE, Hongdae)
Another impressive view of Seoul, also from the 21st floor. Floating is a rooftop bistro combined with a bar, where the terrace sets the tone: stylish décor, glass walls, artificial grass, and relaxed seating evoke the atmosphere of underground bars from the 1920s.
Prohibition is long over here, and the mixologists focus on creative signature cocktails priced at approximately $13–18. It is an ideal spot for a date or a casual meet-up with friends after work.
Side Note Club (RYSE, Autograph Collection, Hongdae)
Located on the 15th floor above Hongdae, this bar is a gathering place for a young, creative, and music-driven crowd. Students, expats, and people from the art and music industries come here for cocktail parties and DJ-led music sets, which take place regularly.
The menu features classic cocktails with a modern twist, alongside house creations inspired by the spirit of Hongdae. Cocktails range from $13–18. There is both an indoor lounge and an open terrace.
Open from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am.
The 100 Food Truck Lounge
One of the most relaxed and democratic rooftop spots in the city, this venue feels like a true “urban rooftop” inspired by American food truck culture. Expect burgers, fries, salads, cocktails, craft lemonades, ciders, and simple mixed drinks.
It is all about the energy of young Seoul: loud music, atmospheric lighting, and views over the residential neighborhoods of Mangwon. Tourists are rare, and cocktails are affordably priced at $9–13.
The Griffin Bar (JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square, Dongdaemun)
A refined rooftop bar on the 11th floor of the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. From the windows and terrace, there are views of the historic Heunginjimun Gate and the wider Dongdaemun area, illuminated at night with city lights and a river cutting through residential blocks.
The atmosphere is calm rather than club-like, and prices are above the Seoul average. Cocktails range from $17–24, making it a strong choice for an elegant evening or a date. Open from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am.
Privilege (Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, Itaewon)
A rooftop bar on the 14th floor of a fashionable hotel in Itaewon, a neighborhood known for its free-spirited and artistic energy. Despite its hotel setting, the bar feels very much like an independent urban space.
The crowd typically includes young Koreans, expats, and creatives. Privilege is at its best in the evening, when city lights come on and the terrace offers sweeping nighttime views over Seoul. Cocktails are priced at approximately $17–24.
The Roof Seoul (Myeongdong)
An independent rooftop bar in Myeongdong, located on top of a commercial building. Unaffiliated with any hotel, it operates as a straightforward city rooftop lounge, with a small indoor area and an open terrace popular after shopping or evening walks around the neighborhood.
There are no dramatic panoramas here, but instead a genuine urban view overlooking a busy street below. The crowd is mixed: locals stopping by after work, foreigners living nearby, and occasional tourists. Cocktails cost $15–18.
According to reviews, citrus-forward cocktails and gin-based drinks are particularly good, while the food menu focuses on simple snacks designed to keep guests lingering on the terrace. The bar generally operates from around 5:00 pm to 1:00 am, and queues for the terrace can form on weekends.
Apartment hotels in Seoul make it easy to settle into the rhythm of the city, offering the flexibility and comfort of a true home base. For a deeper dive into the city, explore our guide to distinctive places and local experiences in Seoul, with curated recommendations on where to wander, what to eat, and which areas are worth your time.
