Situated in northern Taiwan, Taipei attracts visitors with its ample shopping, restaurants, and cultural attractions. This vibrant city has plenty to offer, including an active nightlife. Read on for our list of Taipei’s top bars.
As its name suggests, this bar brings together two old favorites: beer and cheese. With wooden tables and stools and a menu jotted onto a series of black chalkboards, the Beer and Cheese Social House’s relaxed atmosphere is a warm welcome for anyone craving a casual drink. Craft beers are available in both bottles and on tap, and the menu’s tasty options are enough to satisfy any late-night munchies. Guests can choose from a range of food options, from grilled cheese and beer pretzels to pecan pie and a nacho skillet.
As one of Taipei’s most popular shisha hotspots, 1001 Nights Hookah Lounge is a smart choice for a night out on the town. In addition to high-quality Middle Eastern tobacco, guests can also enjoy dinner and drinks. The lounge’s menu features Persian food, as well as cocktails and beer. Each night includes a variety of performances such as belly dancers, tabla drummers, and international singers. Once the DJ arrives, guests can hit the dance floor in-between drinks and shisha. With such a fun and vibrant atmosphere, this lounge is a worth a visit.
Guests at Fourplay won’t have to bother with a menu, because there isn’t one. Rather than choose from a set list of drinks, thirsty travelers can simply tell the bartender what they’re in the mood for and then receive a drink fitting their tastes. The bartenders are true mixologists, crafting playful, colorful cocktails that make the bar more of an experience than a simple watering hole. While tables and booths are available, guests can opt for bar seating to watch the mixing in action.
Hidden away in an alley in Daan District, Wootp exudes classy, old-world charm. With wooden decor, comfy armchairs, and inviting sofas, the bar is a draw for the artsy and hipster crowds. Behind the sleek copper bar, bartenders whip up an array of cocktails from beloved classics to more inventive creations. Guests feeling peckish can order from the food menu, with options mostly including pastas, burgers, and sandwiches. The bar also offers a sweet range of desserts like cheesecake and apple pie topped with ice cream.
With a reputation as Taipei’s first speakeasy-style bar, Ounce is a sophisticated choice for a night out. Dim lighting and dark wood lend the place a quiet elegance, but it’s the bar’s secret entrance inside an inconspicuous cafe that gives it an air of secrecy. Guests can enjoy their drinks at tables or along the polished bar, where bartenders mix up cocktails using high quality spirits. Ounce prides itself on serving handcrafted drinks that are perfected through finesse, precision and skill, and seeks to educate guests on the art of the cocktail making.
A quiet night out can be found at MoD, a casual bar with low-lighting and soft music flowing throughout. MoD is a top pick for handcrafted drinks, with the shelves behind the bar lined with high-quality spirits. The bar is especially known for its excellent scotch, with bartenders inspired by the technique made famous by Japanese scotch bars. Staff members are knowledgeable and can offer suggestions for guests who are unsure about what to order. For a night out with quality drinks, a visit to MoD will be sure to impress.
Though Mono Mono may be easily overlooked based on its unassuming exterior, visitors will be pleased they gave it a chance once they’ve made it inside. Dim lighting and inviting sofas give the space an intimate atmosphere where groups of friends can lounge or couples can chat quietly. In addition to cocktails and shots, the bar also offers late-night dining. The menu features appetizers such as poached octopus and sautéed duck breast. Entree options include grilled rib-eye steak, pasta with scallops, and salmon steak.
Perched on the fifth floor of the NEO19 shopping center, Barcode serves up more than just classy cocktails. From the sofas scattered along the bar’s balcony, guests can enjoy fresh air and excellent views of the city below. Barcode’s atmosphere is chic, with dim lighting and lounge-style seating, as well as a pool tables where guests can test their skill in-between drinks. For a bit of privacy, check out The Den, an elite space where VIP guests can enjoy more personalized service.
Travelers seeking beer over cocktails should head over to On Tap in Daan District. The bar calls itself ‘Taipei’s Only Real Pub’ and offers a more casual alternative to the upscale lounge bars scattered throughout the city. As its name suggests, the pub offers a wide selection of beers, as well cocktails and shots. Drink options aside, hungry visitors can also indulge in one of the many menu items. From baked potatoes and pastas to pitas and Mexican dishes, diners have their pick of tasty food. On Tap’s sports-bar atmosphere and wide range of drink and food options make it a great place to chill with friends.
For live music and a change of pace from Taipei’s usual nightlife, grab a drink at Brown Sugar, one of the best jazz bars in the city. Sleek sofas and leather armchairs fill the space, creating cozy nooks where friends can gather and enjoy drinks. Though the lounge provides top-notch cocktails and spirits, it’s especially known for its impressive wine list. For dinner, visitors can sample the bar’s food menu, with yummy options including chicken risotto, clam chowder, and blueberry crème cake. Overall, Brown Sugar offers a refined atmosphere and a full experience for a night out.
