Seoul Bars & Cocktail Lounges

Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is an incredible blend of the ancient and modern worlds. In testament to its glorious past, there are Neolithic sites which point to human habitation from about 4000 BC, along with beautiful temples and fascinating palaces from the Yi Dynasty. Today's royals live at Changdeokgung, worth a visit if only to see the beautiful Biwon or Secret Garden. On the flip side, there's the Seoul Tower (the third largest in the world), vibrant shopping areas such as Dongdaemun and Namdaemun markets, bustling nightlife centred around the Itaewon District and, of course, state of the art sports facilities. (There's a small football tournament happening here this summer, known as the World Cup, in case you've just got off the boat). All this and spectacular mountainous scenery to boot.

Mafia Bar

• Apku-Jong Dong, Seoul

A hard-to-find gem in typically upscale Apku-Jong Dong where the hottest stars can be found in the hippest bars. Wealthy Koreans and more than a few local celebs head to Mafia although we're talking local wiseguys, not Gottti-style goodfellas. Dark, plush and carpeted, it's full of smart suited would-be criminals although regular barman Tiger is more likely to smile and give you a beer than pull out the concrete boots.

The W Hotel

• 21 Kwangjang Dong, A, Walkerhill, Seoul
• Telephone: +82 2 465 2222

The W in Walkerhill might be a hotel (click here for more information about this hotel) but it’s also a futuristic architectural masterpiece containing three restaurants and several bars that resemble the set for Bladerunner. From the 10,000ft Woo Bar in the atrium-like Living Room at the entrance, where egg-shaped chairs hang down from an illuminated ceiling, to the glassed-in mezzanine lounge with its cabanas, river views and Asian-meets-Western design, you start to realise why the hotel has become a destination in itself. The restaurants - Namu, Kitchen and Tonic – (the latter located in the hotel’s spa) - serve distinctive variations on Asian cuisine, while the smashing fresh fruit cocktails and general other-worldly air of the space attract Seoul’s film, fashion and art crowd. Oh, and they have hotel rooms too.

Nashville Steak House

• 128-9, Itaewon-dong Yongsan-gu, Seoul
• Telephone: 00 02 798 1592

Okay, we're closer to the 48th Parallel than Nashville and the Grand ol‚ Oprey, but this doesn't mean we can't enjoy steaks, martinis, burgers and a boogie in this hip out-west style Korean institution. There are four sections to the restaurant-bar-club with French food and French wines on the menu plus the best burgers in Korea. Naturally popular with the ex-pat community, French chef Alan Boudet keeps their stomachs happy as do the attentive barmen with their martini and margarita specials. Likely to be a hugely popular hangout when the World Cup comes round (Itaewon is the entertainment heart of town) so come early to get a seat.

Once in a Blue Moon

• 85-1, Cheongdam-dong Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Telephone: 00 82 2 549 5490
• Hours: Mon-Sun 7pm-12midnight

A live jazz club in happening Cheongdam-dong modelled on the Blue Moon bars in the States. Expect an eclectic mix of musical styles from original jazz and swing, to bebop and fusion, played by local musicians who may look like they should be on mandolins but are as expert on strings and brass as their Chicago and New Orleans counterparts. The food is a pricey but top-class mix of French, Mexican and local dishes - try the lobster or the rib eye steak - and the drinks menu more than matches it for quality and quantity. Over 100 wines available and your cocktails are named after jazz musicians. A Dizzy Gillespie anyone? Sounds strangely appropriate after you've had a few.

Mr. Chow

• 91-6 Nonhyun-dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul
• Telephone: +82 2 517 2100
• Hours: Mon-Sun noon-3pm (lunch), 6pm-11pm

The exclusive restaurant chain of mercurial designer, painter, actor and art collector Michael Chow has now opened in Seoul, adding high brow Oriental glitz to the enigmatic city. Chow’s fourth restaurant after those in Beverly Hills, London, and New York is a three-floor gem decorated with paintings, sculptures and immaculately-set dark wood tables, all lit with a gorgeous dark red glow. The atmosphere as soon as you enter is one of an exclusive society party. Chow’s authentic Asian cuisine is good as ever but the masterful martinis poured by the Zen-like bar staff are among the best in Asia.