Seoul’s only electronic music queer bar Kockiri closes indefinitely

Kockiri, Seoul’s only queer bar with a focus on electronic music, has announced its indefinite closure as of January 2025, three years after it first opened.

The decision was attributed to "cultural challenges" and difficulties around its licensing, per a statement issued by the venue's music director, Youknowsong. The bar hosted its final party on December 31, 2024.

Located in Itaewon, a district celebrated for its popularity among international tourists and the LGBTQIA+ community, Kockiri was home to some of Seoul’s top DJs, including Maktoop, Youknowsong, Sucowania, Uni, and July.

Kockiri, which means “elephant” in Korean, was known for its bold identity and a reputation for delivering quality music with a distinctive approach to genre-fluidity, inviting DJs who could read the room and respond to the energy of the crowd.

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“Genre doesn’t matter,” explains Youknowsong. “What matters is that the DJ connects with the room and gives something back to it."

The news of Kockiri's closure marks a significant loss for Seoul’s queer music community. For the past three years, the bar served as a gathering place for music lovers of all identities and ages.

With an emphasis on respecting people's differences and fostering inclusivity, Kockiri continually promoted unity and tolerance in nightlife. The announcement of its closure came unexpectedly, with Kockiri citing challenges related to the “cultural and scene atmosphere”.

“We aimed for oneness, but we could not win every night in creating that vibe,” says owner Maktoop, reflecting on the venue's aspirations.

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"The mix of unorthodox music philosophy in addition to important contributions from active communities –human rights organisations, varied gender identities, artists, visitors, entertainers, and creative staff members – were crucial in creating a thriving space for inclusion and self-expression," he said.

The news was initially spread via cryptic Instagram posts and stories, mentioning future changes to be made in the bar.

Despite its indefinite closure, Maktoop emphasised that this is not the end for Kockiri, rather a “pause” to re-focus, reflect and plan the bar's next steps while reusing the space for other projects.

Questions remain regarding the specifics of these projects, the conditions under which Kockiri might reopen, and its long-term plans – details will unfold in the coming months.

Daniela Solano is a freelance writer for Mixmag Asia, follow her on Instagram here.