A small “colatec” on the second floor of a building near Yeongdeungpo Market in Seoul was alive with music and movement. Older men and women, dressed in vibrant attire, such as red wool coats, silk skirts and polished shoes, swayed to the rhythm of trot music. Among them, Kim Seong-mo, 73, climbed the stairs, swapped his backpack for a tailored suit and joined the dancers.

“I come to the colatec every day now, just like going to work. I paid 1,000 won ($0.7) and danced for three hours. At my age, no one offers me work, and I had nothing to do — but now, this place is the joy of my life,” Kim said. “Dancing makes me feel younger. Exercise should always be fun.”

Named after cola being served at discos, colatecs — derived from “cola” and “discotheque” — originated in the 1990s as venues for young people where alcohol and smoking were prohibited. As younger generations turned to online platforms and moved to nightclubs in areas like Itaewon and Gangnam, colatecs evolved into social spaces for middle-aged adults. Today, they serve as vibrant hubs for adults in their 60s and 70s.

The venues offer affordable admission, with fees of 1,000 won on weekdays and 2,000 won on weekends. Some charge rental fees for baskets or hangers instead. A 62-year-old man in green pants and a black cardigan joked, “Learning to dance is part of my retirement plan.”

Colatecs don’t sell alcohol or food, but many operate adjacent restaurants offering affordable dishes, such as kimchi stew for 8,000 won, and even specialty meals like duck stew. These dining spaces are often filled with laughter and conversation. Older adults share coffee brought from home and swap stories, creating a sense of community.

For many older individuals, colatecs provide a crucial outlet for socialization and recreation. They serve as a refreshing alternative to traditional older adult centers, which some find restrictive or monotonous. Experts say that public spaces should be developed to support older people’s diverse leisure activities.

As colatecs continue to vanish, the challenge remains to ensure seniors have vibrant spaces to dance and connect in their later years.