Dance Clubs – Hongik University Area

Hongdae refers to the area stretching from Hongik Univ. Station (line 2) to the main entrance of Hongik University and is lined with unique coffee houses, small venues for indie rock concerts, live music bars, jazz and dance clubs. Hongik University, itself, is most famous for its art program, and so naturally the area is full of arty boutiques, galleries, studios, craft shops and accessory stores, as well.

The Hongik University area is the place that never sleeps, at least twice a month. While the area is full of youthful spirit and passion every day and night, it becomes the center for nightlife in Seoul, every second and fourth Friday of the month. Music and dance performances by talented independent bands and individual musicians are sure to make those nights memorable. The two nights are dubbed “Sound Day” and “Club Day,” respectively.

Club Day, which is every 4th Friday of the month, refers to the day when visitors can enjoy live music performances in 13 participating clubs with the purchase of a single 15,000-won admission ticket. Club day will soon be established as a cultural event as visitors, both Korean and foreigner alike, communicate with each other through the universal language of dance; the language that transcends nationality or race. The Hongik University area, near Hongik University Station on Subway Line 2, is crowded with small and large clubs, including M2, Cargo, NB, and MWG, offering a wide variety of music genres such as hip-hop and electronica (house, nu-breaks, drum & bass, trance, psy, etc.)

Hongik University Station, Subway Line 2

M2

As one of the most popular clubs in the area, M2 is big enough to accommodate 1,000 visitors at a time.

Cargo

Cargo features a variety of electronic music including house, nu-breaks, drum & bass, trance and psy.

NB

The largest hip-hop club, NB is the right place for hip-hop and pop music lovers.

MWG

MWG, which specializes in house music, creates a unique atmosphere with its groovy playlist.

Sound Day, which is every second Friday of the month, runs from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. It is a live music festival where visitors can enjoy live performances in the 10 participating clubs with a single 15,000-won admission ticket.

All popular music genres, ranging from mainstream rock and jazz music to experimental music, such as electronica and cross-over music, are performed all night long. Visitors are advised to bring the program and map that came with the ticket and plan their schedule for the night carefully. This way they will not miss a second of all the performances they wish to see. Some of the well-known participating clubs are Evans, FF, Live Club SSAM, and Freebird.

Hongik University Station, Subway Line 2

EVANS

It may not be an exaggeration to say that Evans is the best jazz club in the area. Visit here if you wish to enjoy serious jazz performances in a comfortable atmosphere.

FF

FF specializes in rock music, as well as a variety of other genres, and welcomes visitors’ participation.

Live Club SSAM

Live Club SSAM is the favored place for serious music lovers and features top-notch independent musicians.

Freebird

Freebird is one of the leading clubs in the area and serves as a cultural icon. Talented independent bands perform here every night.