It is after dark and the city is lit up: night markets are busy, the clubs in Xinyi are going, and the tea houses on the hills above Muzha are serving pots of oolong with a view of the lights below. Taipei's evening runs from street food to cocktails without much fuss in between.
The nightlife here is broad rather than single-minded. You can spend an evening eating your way through a night market, sit over tea until late, or go to a club with a cover charge that includes a drink. It suits visitors who want variety and who are happy to move between districts by taxi or MRT as the night goes on.
Where to go out in Taipei
1. Xinyi
This is where the biggest and most flashy clubs are, and the ATT4FUN Building is noted for its view of Taipei 101. It suits a high-energy night out with a group.
Cover charges are usually required for entry, but these include at least a free drink, and some venues offer free flow of house pours for the whole night after payment. Wednesday nights are ladies' night in most venues.
2. The university areas around Taida and Shida
Smaller shophouses around the National Taiwan University and Shida university areas host live music gigs, though the source notes this has lessened after noise complaints. It suits a low-key night of live music rather than a big club.
If you want cafes with more character, roam the back streets near National Taiwan University between Xinsheng South Road and Roosevelt Road in Gongguan, or the alleys around Shida Road.
3. Zhongshan and the "Combat Zone"
The "Combat Zone" in Zhongshan used to be the go-to district for US soldiers during the Vietnam War and remains fairly gritty, with quite a collection of dive bars. It suits a casual, unpolished drinking night.
Nearby in Zhongzheng you can visit the Taiwan Beer Bar, also known as Taipei Brewery, if you want to try cheap and fresh brews of the local favourite, Taiwan Beer.
4. Ximending and the Red House Theater area
The area around Red House Theater near Ximending has a large number of gay bars. It suits a night that centres on that scene, with the shopping district around it busy into the evening.
5. Maokong
The mountainous Maokong area of Muzha, in Wenshan district, has dozens upon dozens of tea houses, many of which also offer panoramic views of the city. It is especially spectacular on a clear evening.
A Maokong Gondola cable car system services the Taipei Zoo MRT station to Maokong, and the S10 bus comes up from the Wanfang Community MRT station.
6. Yongkang Street and Dihua Street
Tea houses are easiest to find near Yongkang Street and Dihua Street. They operate more like cafes, with menus to order from and open or semi-private seating.
Tea stores scattered throughout the city will often invite you to sit down for an extended sampling; the tastings are free, but there is an expectation to buy if you find something you like.
7. Bitan, Xindian
Bitan in Xindian has a particularly impressive range of cafe styles, and all the cafes offer restful views over the river and mountains beyond, though it can be noisy during weekends. It suits a quieter evening away from the centre.
How a night out unfolds
The source does not give fixed hours for eating, going out or how late venues run. What it does say is that the city comes alive with glittering lights after the last rays of the sun leave the grey buildings, that night markets run alongside clubs and bars, and that Maokong tea houses are especially spectacular on a clear evening. Wednesday nights are ladies' night in most venues, which is worth knowing if you are planning a midweek night out.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Lantern Festival — runs for several days around the fifteenth day of the lunar new year; the main city event is held at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and Taipei City Hall grounds, while Renai Road is transformed into a tunnel of lights.
- Dragon Boat Festival — falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month; races are held at various locations, with the Bitan River in Xindian among the best places to watch in the Taipei area.
- Golden Horse Chinese Language Film Festival — awards-section films are in Chinese with English subtitles, and there is also a large non-competition foreign language section.
- Taipei Film Festival — an international festival with two award sections, shown at several venues throughout the city.
- Taipei Pride Parade — the source names it without giving a date.
Because many festivals follow the lunar calendar, dates according to the Gregorian calendar are inconsistent; check the Taiwan Tourist Bureau's events section before planning to attend.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay to get into clubs in Taipei?
Cover charges are usually required for entry, but these include a free drink at the very least, and some places offer free flow of house pours for the whole night after payment.
When is a good midweek night to go out?
Wednesday nights are ladies' night in most venues.
Where can I try local tea in the evening?
Tea houses are easiest to find near Yongkang Street and Dihua Street, and the Maokong area of Muzha has dozens upon dozens of tea houses, many with panoramic views of the city that are especially good on a clear evening.
How do I get to Maokong?
Take the Maokong Gondola cable car from the Taipei Zoo MRT station, or the S10 bus from the Wanfang Community MRT station.
Decide which kind of evening you want — clubs, tea, live music or a riverside cafe — and plan your route before you head out.