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Seoul: Hongdae and Sinchon
Metabox in Seogyo-dong, Gimbab Records in Sinchon for sealed new vinyl and tapes, then Dope Records for rare rock and 80s-90s LPs. End the night at one of Hongdae's LP bars: Cream or OZ.
Walkable · 3 stops · about 1.3 miles. Every stop is close enough to walk. The whole route is about 3 miles or less, so you can leave the car behind. What do route types mean?
The 3 stops
1. Metabox
Second-floor Seogyo-dong shop with new and older vinyl at reasonable prices, from classical first editions to Hong Kong pop. The owner is helpful.
Tip: Reviewers say the entrance is easy to miss and the crates are packed tight, so digging takes patience.
South Korea, Seoul, Mapo-gu, 서교동 360-18 2층
Hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Thursday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Sunday Closed 2. Gimbab Records
Third-floor Sinchon shop packed with English-language and Korean vinyl, CDs and tapes. Reviewers say it is all sealed, brand-new stock rather than used, and busy with audiophiles on Saturdays.
Tip: Third floor, easy to miss from the street. Check the posted hours, since it closes for a short break each afternoon.
South Korea, Seoul, Mapo-gu, Sinchon-ro 4-gil, 22-8 3F
Hours
Monday 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Wednesday 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Thursday 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Friday 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM Saturday 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sunday 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM 3. Dope Records
Fourth-floor shop for collectors, with LPs, CDs and cassettes from the 50s through the 90s. Reviewers found rare Joy Division and Ramones pressings and praise the owner's service.
Tip: Fourth floor, closed Tuesdays. A good stop if you want non-K-pop rock and rarities.
211 4F Dongmak-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours
Monday 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday Closed Wednesday 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM Thursday 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM Friday 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM Saturday 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Hours and details come from public listings and may have changed. Small shops often keep short or irregular hours, so check or call before a long trip. See something wrong? Use Still open? in the app and we will look into it.
Last Stop Suggestion
Finish the day with a drink while a record plays. Most of these open in the evening, so check the hours.
Cream (LP Bar)
Second-floor LP bar with what a reviewer calls a truckload of records, mostly oldies, and walls of vintage singers. Song requests are welcome.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Reviewers say the owners are welcoming to solo travellers.
South Korea, Seoul, 2F Hongik-ro 5-gil, 45 KR 서울특별시 마포구
Hours
Monday Closed Tuesday 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM Wednesday 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM Thursday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday Closed OZ LP Bar
Hidden Hongdae alley bar with a massive record collection, self-serve beer and cozy vibes. Write down what you want to hear and the owner plays it.
Tip: Reviewers say pop and rock requests work best. Open late.
332-19 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours
Monday 7:00 PM - 4:00 AM Tuesday 7:00 PM - 4:00 AM Wednesday 7:00 PM - 4:00 AM Thursday 7:00 PM - 4:00 AM Friday 7:00 PM - 4:00 AM Saturday 7:00 PM - 4:00 AM Sunday Closed
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