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

Taegu is easy to navigate using our Utopia map:

Taegu map courtesy of gringo_nb!

• 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.
• Hunter
  See map, 741-7275.
• lin2youK
  See map, 741-3186.
• Rainbow
  See map, 741-3358.
• Rookie
  Near Babylon sauna (see map). 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. 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.
• So Yun
  Start in the Metro Mall at Banwoldong Subway stop (the transfer station) and take Exit #13. As you exit, walk straight rounding the corner and within 30m you will see a Police Station on your right and a large opening into the walking streets of downtown (if you pass Starbucks you've gone too far). Turn right at the back of the station and take your immediate right. You will see a KFC behind the station on your left. The bar is only 20-30m down this street from the back of the station on your right hand side. It has a red sign over a doorway with a very red staircase leading to the basement. The big red sign has two Chinese characters on it and then the name in small letters written in Korean (no English, but you cannot miss it). The bar is low key. You sit on the floor around some low tables drinking flavored soju and they have a small snack menu. This is an easy place to strike up a conversation since it is not too loud or large. Chat with the owners or regulars and get some information about the city and scene.
• Tombo (dragonfly)
  745-5425. In the same alley as Mask (see map), 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.

• Cross
  See map, 753-0015.
• Episode
  See map, 741-0567.
• Mask
  B/F, near the Dongdaegu Express Bus Station (see map), 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. A fun place to hang out with friends and have a few drinks. Busiest on weekends.
• Maxim
  See map, 741-8191.
• Sozoon
  See map, 756-4457.
• Till
  See map.
• Zeus
  See map, 743-1126.

• 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.

• Babylon
  4/F 371-3 ShinChun-Dong, Dong-Gu,755-8344, email. Find the Lotteria on the corner across from the Dong Daegu subway stop. When you are walking out of the door of Lotteria, turn to the right and round the corner the store is on. Walk past the Crown Hotel down that street for a few blocks. When you get to the Daegu Bank (on the same side of the street you are on) stop and take a few steps backwards. Right before the bank is a small ally. The building and doorway right before the ally and before bank is Babylon. It is on 4/F with a small paper sign on the door. Charming, clean and famous for gays in Daegu. It's busiest from 10pm-8am.
• Scandal
  DongTaegu Station, 070-7522-0876, email. Gay-owned sauna and jjimjilbang where you can stay overnight.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I visited Scandal sauna, 070-7522-0876, a 24-hour sleeping room. It's clean and the owner is very handsome and friendly. I really had fun and met cute gay guys." -- robert123456, Feb 21, 2009