Alcohol & Pubs in Taipei
| Beer Taiwan Beer is the only domestic beer available in Taiwan. It comes in green bottles, brown bottles, and cans. There are a few different varieties. I’m not sure exactly what the differences are. There are two different beers in the green bottle, Taiwan Draft and Gold Medal that cost a few dollars more than the brown bottle. The cans sometimes have a rancid skunky flavor; the bottles are much better. Common imports include Japan’s Kirin Ichiban, China’s Tsingtao, Singapore’s Tiger, Heineken, Corona, Carlsberg, and a selection of American beers. | Liquor Kaoliang is Taiwan’s local rice liquor. It has a strong sweet smell, which reminds me of cheap sake. It doesn’t seem to be anyone’s favorite drink but if you’re looking for a cheap drunk this will do the trick. Whiskey is quite popular here. Suntory is a Japanese import and is ok. Other brands you may recognize which are readily available include Johnny Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. Vodka is carried in most convenience stores. Absolut seems to be the brand of choice. There is also an assortment of premixed cocktails; Smirnoff is a popular brand. Most pubs will have a fully stocked bar and there are some liquor stores scattered around the city. |
Karaoke Bars
Taipei doesn’t seem to have as many bars as a city of its size may be expected to support. This is not because the locals don’t drink; they just have different habits. They love karaoke and KTV bars are everywhere. You get a private room where you only embarrass yourself in front of your friends.
Dance Clubs
The young and trendy flock to the many nightclubs on the weekends. These tend to be upscale places with high cover charges.
Brass Monkey: Fuxing Road near the Nanjing East Road Intersection.
This is an above average pub with predominately expatriate patrons. They have good food, especially nachos, and features international sporting events. They are open from 5:00 pm until 1:00am, except for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday when they are open until 3:00am. Thursday is ladies night when ladies can down all of the cocktails they can stomach. Check out their website for a schedule of special events at www.brassmonkeytaipei.com.
From the Nanjing East MRT Station on the Brown Line, cross to the west side of Fuxing Road (MRT is on the north-east corner) and go north on Fuxing Road. About half a block up it will be on your left hand side on the first floor.
Carnegies
This is a nightclub, featuring dancing on the bar. Most people pick a spot and dance with themselves. Wednesday is ladies night featuring free champagne for the ladies from 9pm. There are some good-looking girls, but a lot more of the girls benefit from the dim lighting. Expect to pay a cover charge.
Getting to Carnegies
Located at 100 An Ho Rd, Section 2, It is South of Xinyi Rd. and Just East of Dunhua Rd. on An Ho Rd., Section 2. Also very near the Far Eastern Hotel. The closest MRT location is Liuzhangli on the Brown-Muzha Line. From this station, cross the intersection to head west on Heping East Rd. Turn right to head North on Anhe Rd. It is easier to go by taxi. Check out their website at www.carnegies.net.
Citizen Cain
This is a small bar with a DJ. There are a few other bars nearby. It is located at 67 Dongfeng St and you can check out their website at www.citizencain.com.
Hooters
This is a fun diversion for some comfort food and girl watching. They are true to the theme of their franchise, including the decor, table settings, and especially the waitresses in tight t-shirts and short orange shorts. Service was good even on a busy Saturday night. They also put on a hula-hoop and limbo performance. Their website is only in Chinese, but you can preview the waitresses at www.hooters.ms88.net.
Getting to Hooters
Located on Qingcheng St. about a block from the Nanjing East MRT Station on the Brown Line, walk straight out of the exit and it will be on your right.
Luxy
This is a nightclub with a posh interior, two different music rooms, and plenty of attractive young people dressed to be noticed. While casual attire is tolerated, they draw the line at sandals and you may be turned away if you’re shoes are judged to be inappropriate. The cover charge is $400 if you arrive before 10pm. After that the cover charge is $700. This is one of the few places in Taipei that actually asked for my ID, so be prepared.
Getting to Luxy
Luxy is located about 20 meters from Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station Exit 2 on Zhongxiao Rd.
Panter Cigar & Wine
The best feature here is the walk-in humidor and large selection of imported cigars. This is also a quiet, laid back place to enjoy a drink while you smoke your cigar. They are located at No. 33, Lane 8, Sec. 4, Ren-Ai Rd. There are several other bars in this same area.
Saints and Sinners
This is a comfortable pub. It closes at 2am, which is early for Taipei. Located down the street from Carnegies. You can check out their website at www.taipeipubs.com.
The Shannon
They bill themselves as an Irish pub; this trendy pub has good ambiance and drinks. Around the corner is Dan Ryan’s Restaurant.
Xinyi and Around Taipei 101
In-House DJ Lounge Restaurant: This is an upscale bar and restaurant with techno music and back lit bars. The ambiance is good if you enjoy this style. It is in the shadow of Taipei 101 just around the corner from Warner Village Theaters on Song Red Rd. #90.
Brown Sugar: featuring live jazz and salsa music, this is a little more expensive than your average club. There is no cover charge but the minimum table charge is $450 per person. I have not been here yet but they consistently get good reviews and word of mouth recommendations. Located on Song Ren Rd. #101.
South Taipei
Guting Area
45 Pub
This is a typical pub with a large expatriate presence but also some local patrons. You usually have to track down a server and pay as you go. Service is not the best. Don’t make the mistake of ordering chips and salsa. You will get a basket of Doritos and what looks like salsa but has no flavor. Sandwiches and salads are a much better option.
Getting to 45 Pub: Come out of Guting MRT exit 5; walk down about a half block. It is hard to find the poorly marked stairway to their 2nd floor location. Look for the unlit Heineken sign while walking down the sidewalk. You will then see an unmarked staircase to the second floor. If you come to Thai Heaven Restaurant you have just missed it. 2F, #45, Hoping (Heping) E. Rd.
Roxie 99
This basement nightclub has a decent mix of different kinds of music. It attracts a young and casual crowd. It has very little ambiance but it is a popular meat market. A cover charge of $300 includes your first drink.
Shida Road & Taipower Building MRT Station
There are several pubs located around Shida University. Shida Road is busy at night.
Oldie Goodie
It is typical and not worth going out of the way for but the one nice thing they feature is occasional live music with no cover charge. It is conveniently located. If you use Exit 4 you will see the sign on the opposite side of Roosevelt. The entrance is on Shida Rd. and it is on the second floor.
Vino Vino
A two-story restaurant with a second floor patio is a nice place to relax.
Café Jr. or Roxy Jr.
Located next door to Vino Vino, this is a nice pub attracting a lot of expatriates. They have pool.
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