TAEGU / DAEGU -- area code (82-53)

The population of Taegu is more than 2.5 million (that's more than 100,000 Utopians).
• Lesbian listings
• Men in Taegu / Daegu
• Taegu / Daegu Gay Scene Updates

The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to South Korea offers a remarkable insider's glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 7 cities including Seoul, Pusan, Taegu and Taejon. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order

Comments from Utopians:

"Most of the bars are across the street from the Dongdaegu subway stop. When you exit you will see a Dunkin Donuts. There are two bars directly behind it in a small alley: Mask and a small place called Tombo. There is a bath house nearby, too." -- gringo_nb, Jun 2, 2006
• 2-Ban (pronounced "EE-Ban" in Korean, meaning Gay)
  Up the street a short way from the Dongdaegu Express Bus Station. A snack and karaoke bar/cafe. Clean and friendly.
• Dive
  371-1 ShinChun-Dong, Dong-Gu, 756-1023. Turn right between the main entrance of Crown Hotel and the gas station across the road. The club is about a five minute walk. You'll see it on the left across from Daegu Bank. Dive is a "one shot bar" which means it's a place to sit and enjoy an assortment of drinks. It's quiet and you can very easily meet a guy for a discreet rendezvous. Though it's a small club, the clientele and staff are very hot! The owner also speaks great English. It's a very cool club and everyone is welcome.
• The Rookie
  Near Babylon sauna (see below). There is an alley between the entrance of Babylon and Daegu Bank. Go down the alley and turn right and you will see it. Alternatively, exit the Dongdaegu Subway Station and cross the street to the Lotteria and keep walking straight, away from the subway station. You will pass the Daegu Crown Hotel. Stay on that side of the street and keep walking. After a few blocks you will run into Daegu Bank. The alley is just before the bank (the door before the bank and alley is the entrance to Babylon (no sign on the street to see). A clean and nice gay bar.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Rookie is off the main road going straight opposite from the Metro entrance of Dangdaegu Station (the one with the Dunkin Donuts on the corner). Two blocks down is a Daegu bank on the left. Take the small alley on either side of the bank. Then, turn to the right 20m on the small street parallel to the main road. Rookie is on the left side. All the other bars are easy to find in the block behind the famous Dunkin Donuts." -- cinqasept75, Jun 9, 2007

• Tombo (dragonfly)
  745-5425. In the same alley as Mask (see under Karaoke), near the Dongdaegu Express Bus Station. If you exit the Dongdaegu subway station you will see the bus station and across the street on a corner is a Lotteria burger place. On the corner across from Lotteria is a Dunkin Donuts. Tombo (and Mask) are in an alley directly behind Dunkin Donuts. The alley cuts the corner so you can walk any direction along the street from the front of Dunkin Donuts and you will run into one of the two entrances to the alley, about 15-20m from the corner. The Mask is at one end of the alley and Tombo is on the other. Tombo opposite the Ee-Van (2-Van). A western-style bar. Clean and very friendly. Prices are reasonable and staff is helpful. A quiet, elegant space with comfortable seating. Educated, well-dressed patrons, welcoming to foreigners.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I was in Tombo on Sat, 3 clients until after midnight. Very calm, but extremely nice barman and patrons." -- cinqasept75, Jun 9, 2007

  "The bartender at Tombo is a great guy. His English is good and he's very helpful (he wrote directions to my motel for my taxi driver and also passed on the name and number of a guy who's 'my style' and would be keen to meet me). A few friendly men came and left (usually alone, a little drunk, and in their 30s). I had a really nice time chatting in this one-shot bar -- a very friendly community where foreigners are made to feel welcome." -- peace_n_love, May 5, 2007

  
  

• Mask
  B/F, near the Dongdaegu Express Bus Station, 756-1040. If you exit the Dongdaegu subway station you will see the bus station and across the street on a corner is a Lotteria burger place. On the corner across from Lotteria is a Dunkin Donuts. The Mask is in an alley directly behind Dunkin Donuts. The alley cuts the corner so you can walk any direction along the street from the front of Dunkin Donuts and you will run into one of the two entrances to the alley, about 15-20m from the corner. The Mask is at one end of the alley and Tombo is on the other. Dance/karaoke combination. English speaking owner. Crowd is young and cute.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I visited Mask, a pretty camp/queer karaoke space, on a Wed night. As expected, they were quiet on a week night. The staff took turns to sit with me at the bar and attempt to communicate with me. They were very kind and welcoming, but, to avoid awkwardness, take a friend along or visit on the weekend." -- peace_n_love, May 5, 2007

  "The owner of The Mask is VERY friendly and speaks English well. He was a huge help in finding all the other bars in the city and the two saunas. He even left his bar for a few minutes to walk me down the street to point out another gay spot. He gave me a small book published by a gay group in korea, which is free for pick up at the bar. The book has maps of all the major cities in Korea and the locations of ALL the gay bars in each city. Besides all the helpfull info this bar provides, it is a fun place to hang out with friends and have a few drinks. Try it out." -- gringo_nb, Jun 3, 2006

Comments from Utopians:

"Duryu Park has an active cruising area behind and around Duryu Stadium, in the middle of the city next to the amusement park, Woobang Tower Land. The stadium is just up the street from Woobang Tower Land's main entrance. There is a public facility up the hill on the back side of the stadium. This is a good place to start if you are looking to meet someone. Directly behind the facility are trails that lead up the side of a hill. The best times are after dusk, but I have heard you can find guys there all night. Duryu park can be found. Enjoy and be safe." -- gringo_nb, Apr 3, 2008

• Babylon
  4/F 371-3 ShinChun-Dong, Dong-Gu,755-8344, email. Turn right between the main entrance of Daegu Crown Hotel and the gas station across the road. The sauna is about a five minute walk. You'll see a small aquarium right beside Daegu Bank. Alternatively, exit the Dongdaegu subway station and cross the street to the Lotteria and keep walking straight, away from the subway station. You will pass the Daegu Crown Hotel. Stay on that side of the street and keep walking straight. After about 4 blocks you will run into Daegu Bank. Just before the bank is the entrance to Babylon (no sign on the street to see). Charming, clean and famous for gays in Dae-gu. Entry price is W$10,000 and it's busiest from 10pm-8am.