ACE Guide · Gangnam & Seoul nightlife
Designated Driver Service in Korea After Clubbing: A Driver's Guide
5 min readWritten by the Club ACE Seoul team
Driving to a Gangnam club? Learn how 대리운전 designated drivers work, parking around Sinsa, Korea's strict DUI laws, and why a taxi is often simpler.
Quick answer
If you drove to a Gangnam club and had a drink, use a 대리운전 (designated driver) service: a driver comes to you, drives your own car home for a fee, then leaves. Korea enforces drink-driving laws very strictly with zero tolerance in practice, so never drive after any alcohol. For most tourists at Club ACE Seoul (₩20,000 entry, open until 08:00 near Sinsa Station), a taxi is the simpler choice.
What is 대리운전 (designated driver service) in Korea and how do I request one?
대리운전 is a paid service where a hired driver comes to your location and drives your own car to your destination, so you never get behind the wheel after drinking. You request it through Korean apps (the same super-apps many people use for taxis and maps often include a 대리 option) or by phone; the driver arrives on foot or by transit, drives your car, and the fare is based on distance and time. It is a normal, widely used part of a night out here.
In general terms, open your ride or map app, look for the 대리운전 or 'designated driver' menu, set your pickup point and destination, and confirm the quoted fare before the driver starts. Many apps show the price up front and let you pay by card. Have your car's exact location and your phone ready, since the driver may call to find you. If an app is only in Korean, a hotel concierge or the club's chat can point you in the right direction.
How strict are Korea's drink-driving laws for tourists?
Korea's drink-driving enforcement is very strict and applies to everyone, including visitors driving rental cars. Police run sobriety checkpoints, penalties are severe, and even a small amount of alcohol can put you over the legal limit, so the only safe plan is to not drive at all if you have had anything to drink. A rental agreement and a foreign licence do not change how the law is applied to you.
Because the risk is not worth it, decide before you go out how you will get home. If you drove, plan to use a 대리운전 driver, leave the car and take a taxi, or skip driving entirely for the night. Checkpoints can appear on major roads in Gangnam and across Seoul, and the consequences of failing one are far more expensive and stressful than any ride fare.
Where can I park near Sinsa Station and Gangnam-daero?
Around Sinsa Station and Gangnam-daero you will mostly rely on public paid parking: metered street spots and paid parking buildings and lots, which charge by the hour and can fill up on busy weekend nights. There is no free all-night parking to count on in this dense area, so budget for hourly fees and expect to search a little, especially late in the evening when the neighbourhood is at its busiest.
Map apps can show nearby parking lots and their rough rates, which helps you compare before you arrive. If you plan to park and later use a 대리운전 driver, remember your car's exact lot and level so the driver can find it easily. For anything specific about parking or valet at the club itself, please ask us directly through the inquiry channels rather than assuming.
Do I need to drive to reach Club ACE Seoul?
No, you do not need to drive to reach Club ACE Seoul; it sits at 597 Gangnam-daero in Seocho-gu, about a three-minute walk from Sinsa Station (Line 3) exit 4, the same spot as the former Race Club. Entry is ₩20,000, a physical passport is required at the door for foreign guests, and we are open Tuesday to Sunday from 23:00 to 08:00, closed Mondays, with the floor busiest between 1 and 3 AM.
Because we stay open until 08:00 and weekends get very busy, arriving by taxi or transit saves you the parking hunt and the worry of driving home. We offer VIP tables and VIP sofa tables with bottle service; a table price includes entry for your whole party and seats 6 to 8 guests. For parking or valet questions, please reach us through our inquiry channels and we will tell you what to do.
How do I plan a night out if I drove to Gangnam?
Plan your exit before you arrive: if you drove, line up a 대리운전 driver for the end of the night, or simply park and take a taxi both ways so you never have to drive after drinking. A taxi is the simplest option for most tourists, since you avoid parking fees, the late-night search for a space, and any risk at a checkpoint. Decide your plan early while you can still think clearly.
When you are ready, send us an inquiry first through the chat on our site, KakaoTalk or WeChat ID aksen1010, WhatsApp ID aceclub1, Telegram @mkmk38, or LINE at https://lin.ee/rVhhITI; the chat works in English, Chinese, Japanese and Russian. Even for general entry it is best to message or book ahead, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. We reply within 24 hours and explain payment then, and we accept Korean and overseas cards and bank transfer.
FAQ
Q. Can I drive to a Gangnam club and drive home if I only have one drink?
A. No. Korea enforces drink-driving laws very strictly with effectively zero tolerance, and even one drink can put you over the limit. If you drove, use a 대리운전 designated driver or take a taxi home instead.
Q. How does a 대리운전 driver get paid?
A. You typically pay the fare shown in the app or quoted by phone, and many services accept card payment. The price depends on distance and time, and it is confirmed before the driver starts the trip.
Q. Is there parking at or near Club ACE Seoul?
A. Around Sinsa Station and Gangnam-daero you will mainly find public paid parking that charges by the hour and can fill up on weekends. For parking or valet details at the club itself, please ask us through our inquiry channels.
Q. Is a taxi better than driving to the club?
A. For most tourists, yes. A taxi lets you avoid parking fees, the late-night search for a space, and any risk at a sobriety checkpoint, and it works well with our 23:00 to 08:00 hours near Sinsa Station.
