subject: Top 5 Busan night spots [print this page] Welcome to Busanone of Korea's most spectacular destinations. For visitors looking for a more relaxed city to spend a Korean holiday, Busan is the place for you. Although it is smaller than South Korea's capital, Seoul, it still holds a rather large population of more than three and a half million residents. To give people an idea of how intriguing this city is, Busan is currently one of several bidders for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
It's easy to find places to visit during the daylight hours, as Busan is packed to the rafters with natural and man-made attractions. However, what to do when the sun goes down? What happens to the city after dark?
Busan is renowned throughout Korea for its alluring night life. Seoul may be the larges and most commercial city of South Korea, but Busan is surely the life of the party. Although there are some night spots that are more conventional than others (with closure times at around midnight!), there are enough clubs, pubs, cafes, restaurants, lounges and other establishments to keep visitors entertained until very early the next day.
1) A night out at the movies:
For a truly magnificent night out, nothing beats a delectable dinner and a movie. Restaurants can be found all over the city, but what about movie theatres? There are actually quite a few theatres in Busan that accommodate the English speaking community of the city. English language movies are not uncommon, and most Korean films can be viewed with English subtitles. It's always important to inquire about English language and English subtitled movies before visiting the theatre. Going to the movies in Korea is also a great way to save money, as the pubs and clubs in the cities are generally quite pricey.
2) Cruising the waters:
One of the most memorable spots for a picturesque evening is onboard the various cruise ships that sail around the city of Busan. Most cruises leave the port at around sunset, but don't return until later in the evening. Dinner and drinks are quite popular on board the vessels, and some even turn into floating discos during the night, so make sure to enquire about this before purchasing tickets. Some night cruises set sail closer to midnight, and return in the early hours of the morning. Cruises are a fantastic way to try something different, and when everything is eventually said and done, they aren't overly expensive too.
3) Gaming the night away:
Yesthere is a casino in the city of Busan, and it's not all that bad. Well, it is the largest casino in South Korea, albeit it quiet small by western comparisons. It is only open to foreigners, and food is free! There is a diverse range of games in the casino, including scores of slot machines, and the usual suspects blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.
4) Mixing it with the young ones:
Undoubtedly the busiest night spot in the city, the BNU, or Busan National University area is jam-packed with university students and younger expats looking to dance away their worries. There are some wild night clubs located in the BNU zone, but they are generally safe and a lot of fun.
5) High-end Haeundae:
If money is not an issue, then the beachfront area of Haeundae is certainly the pick of the litter when it comes to Busan's nightlife. With many cheap Busan hotels lining the beach, tourists can find a wide range of clubs and pubs within the hotels themselves. There are also many clubs located in the area, but with the cover charge and prices of drinks the highest in the city, a night out here can be rather expensive.
