Wax Journal lists 12 places in Seoul where the records come first: 10 hi-fi cafés and four listening bars. Some are more than one of those at once. In each of them someone still puts a record on and lets it play. Every place was chosen by hand, and each page has its opening hours and address.
12 venues
Seoul, South Korea
Café
Closed · Opens at 13:00
Run by the branding agency AURG, this Mapo specialty coffee café was conceived as a space for designers and creators to gather inspiration. Design books line the room for visitors to browse at leisure, with music playing throughout. Opened in October 2025, its setup pairs a Kees van der Westen Speedster with Mazzer and Mahlkönig grinders.
Seoul, South Korea
Bar
Located near exit 6 of Hongik University station, beside the Sanwoolim Theatre, this small LP bar runs on a simple arrangement: good sound, modest food, and the chance to request two songs per person on weekdays. A 1930s speaker anchors the room. Beer on tap, wine, grilled cheese, gambas and pizza keep things unpretentious. Seating is limited — arriving early is advised.
The full list throws everything in one bin. These are sorted by what you came for, so you can skip straight to the right crate.