Wax Journal lists 15 places in South Korea where the records come first: 11 hi-fi cafés and seven listening bars. Some are more than one of those at once. They are spread over four cities, with the most in Seoul. 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.
15 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.