As summer starts to heat up, the regular spots for an evening drink in Seoul can seem quite unwelcoming: dark underground bars with loud music, restaurants that sit you in front of sizzling pans of pork, and crowded bars where people jostle to get past each other.

Luckily, in recent years, rooftop bars have been popping up around Seoul. Concentrated in the downtown area, rooftop bars offer great views and fresh air above all of the bustle below. Here are three rooftop bars in Seoul worth checking out, depending on your preferred ambience.

Classic: The Griffin Bar


The Griffin Bar is on the 11th floor of the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in the heart of the iconic shopping district. With elegant lights, a grand piano and wood-paneled walls, the ambience inside is classic luxury, but the chatty bartenders make it an easy stop for a casual night out as well. The terrace offers a beautiful view of the Dongdaemun district to go with your choices from the bar’s signature cocktails, range of single malt whiskies, and the Top 20 cigar collection. Music is tuned to soul and jazz in the early evening, and switches over to jazz/lounge, soulful house, and deep house later at night. Operating hours are 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information call (02) 2276-3344.

Trendy: Le Style Bar


Looking at the zany stripes and colors that decorate Le Style Bar, you’d never guess that it was perched atop a business hotel. Le Style can be found on the 21st floor of ibis Style Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong, with clear view of the Seoul N Tower and the city’s night lights from the terrace. The ambience is more casual than romantic, with a focus on mid-price whiskies and wines. Operating hours are 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. (11 p.m. on Sundays). For more information call (02) 6020-8880.

Artsy: Avant Garde


If you’re looking for something a little more original, check out Avant Garde Rooftop & Lounge in the hip Gyeongnidan area near Itaewon. Avant Garde began as a gallery and cafe, and is filled with sculptures, paintings, and glass pieces created by new artists for exhibition and sale. Instead of having the art deliberately displayed, the bar places the pieces naturally around the tables and seats to make them an integral part of the bar experience. The bar is divided into two floors, with an indoor third floor and a rooftop on the fourth floor, which has a view of the Seoul N Tower. The bar recommends its mojito and margarita for first-timers. Operating hours are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, and 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. For more information call (070) 4155-0682.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)