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Zest
A basement cocktail bar in Gangnam built around Korean produce and zero-waste methods, ranked second on Asia's 50 Best Bars list in 2026.
Magpie Brewing Co. Brewshop Itaewon
The Seoul brewshop of Magpie Brewing Co., a craft brewery founded in Itaewon in 2011 that now brews in Jeju, pouring its pale ale, IPA and seasonals.
At a glance
- Type
- Craft beer bar and brewery shop
- Area
- Itaewon (Gyeongnidan), Seoul, South Korea
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open 5 days a week (closed Monday, Tuesday) · 17:00–23:00
- Official site
- magpiebrewing.com
Good to know
- Own-brewed beers
- Seasonal releases
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
Why we recommend it
Magpie Brewing Co. was founded in Itaewon in 2011 and was one of the pioneers of Korea's craft beer scene, at a time when the country's bars served little beyond mass-market lagers. It describes itself as Korea's first commercial sour beer brewery, and its gose, The Ghost, won the Champion Beer of Asia award at SEA Brew in 2019. Production now takes place at its brewery in Jeju, but the Itaewon brewshop keeps a foothold in the neighbourhood where the story began.
The core range is a good place to start. Magpie Pale Ale and Magpie Kölsch are both light and easy-drinking at 4.8 percent, the IPA is hoppier at 6.5 percent, and the Porter is a dark, roasty option for cooler evenings. Seasonal beers rotate through the year, with releases for spring, summer, autumn and winter, and sours appear alongside them. Staff can give tasters and suggest something to suit your taste, and beer can be taken away as well as drunk on site.
The brewshop suits beer enthusiasts, friends meeting after work and visitors exploring the Gyeongnidan and Haebangchon area, which is full of small restaurants and bars. It is a relaxed, informal place rather than a big party venue, and a good first stop before a night out in Itaewon. If you are staying elsewhere in the city, Magpie also runs Near Mint+ in Euljiro and a small bar in Myeongdong, and its Jeju brewery has a taproom for those heading to the island.
The Itaewon brewshop opens from Wednesday to Sunday, 17:00 to 23:00, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Weekend evenings are busiest. The brewery's office answers questions by phone on weekdays and by email at other times. Prices are moderate for craft beer in Seoul.
On the days the Itaewon shop is closed, the brewery's Euljiro bar, Near Mint+, opens daily until 01:00, except on the first Monday of each month.
The bar is on Noksapyeong-daero, a short walk from Noksapyeong Station on Line 6, near the foot of Gyeongnidan-gil. Itaewon's main strip, the All That Jazz club, Haebangchon's hillside bars and the walking trails of Namsan are all within reach, and the area has many international restaurants for dinner before or after.
Magpie Brewing Co. Brewshop Itaewon FAQs
When is the Itaewon brewshop open?
Wednesday to Sunday, 17:00 to 23:00; it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
When was Magpie founded?
Magpie Brewing Co. was founded in Itaewon in 2011.
Where is the beer brewed?
At the company's production brewery in Jeju.
What beers should you try?
The Pale Ale, IPA, Kölsch and Porter, plus seasonal releases and sours.
Has Magpie won awards?
Yes. Its gose, The Ghost, won Champion Beer of Asia at SEA Brew 2019.
Are there other Magpie bars in Seoul?
Yes. Near Mint+ in Euljiro and a small bar in Myeongdong.
How do you get there?
Walk from Noksapyeong Station on Line 6.
What is nearby?
Gyeongnidan-gil, Haebangchon, Itaewon's main strip and the All That Jazz club.