Bars
45 Pub
2nd Floor, 45, Hoping East Road
Section 1, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2321-2140
It is located close to the student hang-outs around the
Taiwan National University, which attracts big crowd. Some
students get in, but it is not a regular student bar. With inexpensive
drinks and happy hours every night, this pub has no dress code, no cover
charge, no behavior code. It is a favourite hangout for all kinds of people
where you can always start talking just about
any topic—apart from business.
Brown Sugar
1st Floor, 218 Chin Shan South Road
Section 2, Taipei City
Telephone:+886-2 2322-4677
A place for listening to good jazz in Taipei. Although it
is situated right opposite the Taiwan National Normal
University, it does not attract the university crowd. What it
attracts is a wide variety of people, a number of foreigners
and music lovers. Brown Sugar is open as a restaurant during the day. It is located in an office building with a large plate glass window on one
side that gives the place an open, roomy feel—even when
it is cramped inside.
Hard Rock Café
Basement 100, Tun Hua North Road, Taipei City
No telephone number as it is set in underground level of the Asiaworld Hotel.
Member of the world-renowned Hard Rocks, it is one of the few
places in Taipei with lots of space. Enjoy the food before 10.00 pm, as
after that you won't be able to eat since the live band kicks
in and you'll want to dance. If you don't dance, there is plenty
of space at the bar. Hard Rock in Taipei is different from others in that it
is spacious and airy and you don't feel cramped.
Malibu Café & Bar
5, Lane 91, Jen Ai Road
Section 4, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2776-4963
The first Malibu in Taiwan (another one is set in the
lesser-known "Combat Zone" on Shuang Sheng Street). This Malibu,
however, is not situated near anything the foreign businessmen
might visit during the day, but can be accessible by
a NT$75 taxi from most major hotels in the city. Good food
and one of the few pool tables in Taipei. A peaceful atmosphere
conducive to good conversation and unwinding after work.
My Place
3-1 Lane 32, Shuang Cheng Street, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2591-4269
Maybe one of the 2 or 3 finest hang-outs in the "Combat
Zone" situated just behind the Imperial Hotel. Though the
"Zone" is now a shadow of its former perverse self,
it is still homely, inexpensive, and good for a drink, also a starting place for visiting the other bars within
crawling distance.
Opium Den
Basement, 32 Jen Ai Road
Section 3, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2705-8922
The watering hole for the sophisticated business people. Crowded
to the seams, particularly on the weekends. Most frequented by customers over 30 years of age.
Refined, Opium Den is the place to be seen in Taipei.
The Pig
1st Floor, 78 Tien Mu East Road
Shih Lin District, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2874-0631
One of the popular watering holes in Tien Mu, the housing area
for foreigners. It used to have good live bands, though
the quality has dwindled some in current years. It is still a good
pub though, with lots of space and good pub grub. The foreign businessmen
might feel more comfortable here, as the staff all speak English
and there are more foreign customers.
Planet Hollywood
2nd Floor, 16 Sung Sho Road
Hsin Yi District, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2723-3304
Planet Hollywood is having problems in the States, but it's worth
noting that this branch situated close to the city government buildings,
predicted to be the next boomtown in Taipei. Construction is going
on, with the city government currently locating near the Planet,
and with the Grand Hyatt so near. (Numerous bars
are worth visiting in this area, Ruby Tuesdays is the foremost among
them.) The executives who stay at the Hyatt or do the business in
the close by government building do not have to go far for a drink and music.
TU
Basement 249 Fushing North Road
Section 1, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2704-7290
Opening hours: about 8.00 pm until after midnight.
Small, smoky, close quarters, but very hectic, particularly on weekends
when live bands play good jazz covers. It is not the place for customers
over 50 years old, but for everyone else who is looking for a crowd
going crazy without rave or techno-pop music. This essential
bar is situated just opposite the Howard Plaza Hotel.
Ziga Zaga
2nd Floor, Grand Hyatt Hotel
2, Sung Sho Road, Taipei City
Telephone: +886-2 2720-1200 ext. 3288
Another good bar close to the new construction around the
city government. When a disc jockey takes over at 10.00 pm, the
place just rocks. Customers over 40s can still feel comfortable
here, as the crowd is mixed. High priced, but for the guests who stay
in the Hyatt, why would you go anywhere else?
Culture
The National Theater and National Concert
Hall are located on the grounds of the Chiang
Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Here visitors can see the local
and the famous international performers. Programs include Chinese
and Western operas, dramas, and ballets, as well as vocal and
instrumental concerts.
Films
The latest Western and Chinese hit films are a
bargain in Taipei. Many theaters are located in Hsimenting
and around Dinghao; local English- language newspapers
list choices and times. "MTV" shops
scattered around the city offers private rooms to view rented
movies on videotapes.
Night Markets
Taipei's night markets offer fun,
bargains, and lots of local color,
and generally sell a variety of traditional products,
casual clothes, fruit, exotic snacks, and novelty items. Most
vendors speak only Chinese, so pen and paper can be useful for
bargaining (local cash only, no exchanges).
Night markets frequented by students generally have excellent bargains
on food, fashions, and curios. These include Shihlin;
Kungkuan; and the small Shih Ta Night Market.
Other major night markets are Sungshan; Huahsi
Street; Tunghwa Street; and Ching
Kuang.
Other evening entertainment options include discos, shopping,
piano bars and inexpensive guided tours of Taipei.
Pubs, Tea Houses
Taipei has a lot of pubs and clubs with well-stocked
bars, snacks, and music. Many are located on and around Shuangcheng
St. Beer houses are also quite popular gathering
spots, and most have draft beer, snacks, light meals,
and music. Beer houses can be found on Anho Road
and in the Shihlin-Tienmu area. Taipei also has
a number of teahouses where friends gather to relax, sip tea,
snack, read, chat, or discuss business.
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