Bar Guides

While you might not expect there to be much of a bar scene within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it has actually grown exponentially, particularly since Chairman Kim Jong-Un took over the country. Of course, the vast majority of this “scene” is in Pyongyang, but in the hotels and even at the train stations of the country, there is craft beer to be found throughout the land. As stated, this is particularly the case in Pyongyang, where bars, restaurants, and bright lights have turned a once dark skyline into a fairly impressive one. Not only does the city have bars, but there is an extremely diverse range of them that foreigners can visit. These, of course, include those particularly aimed at tourists, such as in the hotels of the Yanggakdo and Koryo Hotels, but also those aimed at foreigners living in the country, such as the Random Access Club and the iconic “Diplo”.  It is, though, with regards to the “local” options that things have become really exciting, with craft beer bars such as Rakwon Beer Bar( https://www.youngpioneertours.com/rakwon-beer-bar/ )becoming popular with foreigners. Things even got so good that, prior to Covid, there was even a beer festival in Pyongyang, which, of course, we attended on multiple occasions. Outside of the capital, things are a little different, but there are still gems to be found, such as the craft beer at Sinuiju Railway Station (which used to resemble an East Berlin beerhouse) and even the karaoke room at the one hotel in Anju County that randomly sold Tanduay Rum! 

So, if you are worried about going thirsty in North Korea, do not be, as Visit the DPRK presents our guide to all of the best North Korean bars that tourists and locals alike can visit.