Travel to Taipei for a Speakeasy Holiday?

Thinking of traveling to Taiwan for the weekend. We would highly recommend travel taiwan but not only for the dim sum or food scene.

Here are some options for the best secret cocktail bars in Taipei. Taipei night life is amazing but the best clubs in taipei are not always that easy to find and thats the way it has been for a long time.

Taiwan’s Speakeasy Scene

This is a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin, and probably also the reason why the streets of Taipei, one of the most vigorous, glamorous cities in East Asia, are intensely lit up by so many bars after seductive dusk falls. Every night, drinkers are drawn to the enchanting history of these establishments, their secret menus and mystifying charm, longing to be tended to; to be awed.

From the Japanese era, to the days of the Taiwan- based US Armed Forces and on to the awakening and recognition of native consciousness in recent years, the bars in Taipei have undergone a complex process of evolution, consisting of cultural collision and generational transformation, which makes both their drink lists and their stories undeniably intriguing. Café bars, speakeasies, Japanese-style shisha bars, hip-hop bars, gay bars with drag queen shows, bars that serve traditional Taiwanese delicacies…if you can imagine it, there’s a good chance we can have it served to you on a silver platter.

It’s no wonder that when travelers want to fully savor the brilliant city, underground bar are the places they choose to visit, for too often the most fascinating secrets of a place are found lying at the bottom of wine glasses.

There’s a great scene bubbling in Taipei for hidden speakeasy bars, some are cocktail lounge vibes offering private rooms, private parties and others are very discreet and secretive for a select few. Some have very retro car decor or spy themed bar but are considered cool bars to visit.

Ask the bartenders in these covert bars, they’ll give you a smile — warm, tinged with just a bit of mischievousness — and assure you that you have reached the X of the treasure map, the land flowing with milk and honey.

Taipei Speakeasy: BAR WEEKEND

Walking down the winding staircase leading to Bar Weekend, you find yourself captivated by the calming, dim lighting, as if stumbling upon a sleeping kingdom at night. Yet with the pink cherry blossoms hanging from the ceiling and the blood orange- colored sunset shining in the west, you soon realize it’s actually the magical moment when day and night intersect — where anything can happen.

At Bar Weekend, you’ll forget your travels while sitting under the blooming cherry blossoms.

Located in the basement of Chez Nous Hotel (司旅), the opening of Bar Weekend in March, 2020 has passed on the legacy of its predecessor, Swagger x Old’98, both famous among drinkers all over Taipei for two reasons, the first one being the manager/bartender, Wade, whom many regulars have followed loyally, the second one being his renowned tea cocktails.

Wade, manager/bartender of Bar Weekend, presents his renowned tea cocktail.

After being greeted with a glass of “today’s tea” and a plate of caramel-flavored sunflower seeds, it’s time to order your first drink. While there are two counters, one for straight-up drinking and one for cocktails, the rules are very flexible and you can order whatever you want at both.

At Bar Weekend, menus are not provided, nor needed. Tell the bartenders what you’re craving, and let them work their magic. The must-tries are definitely their tea cocktails. Tieguanyin (鐵觀音), Oriental Beauty Tea (東方美人茶) and Matcha blended with alcohol, fresh juice and special ingredients such as soybean milk. It’s something you’ve likely never tasted, probably will struggle to find elsewhere, and with such a realization, a surprising new world unfolds in front of you.

Sipping on a cocktail made with Tieguanyin and honey, you will notice a distinct aftertaste of tea.

Taipei Speakeasy: PAWN BAR

“How to get over a heartbreak? Exactly 10,000 drinks, however long that takes.”

It’s undeniable that sometimes, a drink can set us free from the cages built with our past. Now, what if we tell you there’s a bar in Taipei that allows visitors to sell their mementos in exchange for alcohol?

Pawn Bar (當吧) sits right above a pawn shop, which opened in 1975 and was later bought and remodeled into the bar entrance. Pushing the door open, you find yourself in an empty pawn shop with a style of Taiwan in the 1970s. You’re stunned, and realize after a couple seconds that you have to ring the bell on the counter to get in.

Converted from a pawn shop, Pawn Bar maintains an old fashioned feel. (Photo/Pawn Bar)

The retro interior of Pawn Bar reminds people of Taiwan in the 1970s. (Photo/Pawn Bar)

The menu, once again, is not what you might have imagined. The colorful, flyer-like menus catch your eyes with their exclusive cocktails made with local Taiwanese soft drinks and ingredients, such as guava juice, sweet asparagus juice, and even taro ice cream. The food served is also traditional snacks that could be found in any local grocery store, which can bring a Taiwanese back to 40 years ago with just a nibble.

Pawn Bar adds several iconic local beverages to its cocktails, including local brand HeySong Sarsaparilla soda (黑松沙士). (Photo/Pawn Bar)

At Pawn Bar, the “pawn hours” are from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Bring something you want to pawn and share the stories with the bartenders, who will discuss a price and give you a pawn ticket, which can be used to pay your bill. In the blink of an eye, your memories have become the bitter-sweet liquid in the glass, and your steps feel a little lighter.

Taipei Speakeasy: DAILY BY DRAFT LAND

We’ve all heard of afternoon tea, but afternoon cocktails? Not so much. If you thought the indulgence in the power of alcohol is only limited to night, Daily by Draft Land is here to prove you wrong.

Draft Land has been selected as one of the Top 50 Bars in Asia in 2019 and 2020. Known for its “tap cocktail” — literally tap beer replaced by cocktails — it’s a must-visit bar in Taipei. In 2020, it established a new brand, Daily by Draft Land, which has redefined the open hours of bars, and also explored the possibilities of drinking in broad daylight.

Daily by Draft Land has open, casual spaces for enjoying drinks.

Spacious, bright, lively, with comfortable seats and sunlight flowing in effortlessly through the glass windows, Daily by Draft Land is just like a regular café. The only exception is the eye-catching slogan on the wall, “It’s not a coffee shop,” and the warm, sweet smell of cocktails.

Inheriting the brand spirit of Draft Land, the tap cocktail menu at Daily by Draft Land changes constantly, with special designer drinks made with local craft beer, fresh fruits and tea. Instead of strong, stimulating drinks, most beverages served here are lighter or non-alcoholic, which relaxes and refreshes the busy life you lead day by day.

Daily by Draft Land offers on-tap cocktails at the bar, with various flavors available.

So, if you’re wandering in Taipei city, looking to lighten up another ordinary afternoon, come to Daily by Draft Land and sit in this not-a-coffee-shop café, while surrendering to a dream filled with delightful music, subtle laughter and the faint scent of alcohol.

Mixed with fruit and Kombucha, the unique designer drinks are offered both with or without alcohol.

How to get to Taipei

Visiting Taipei for a weekend getaway or a short visit is made convenient and accessible through the services provided by Chan Brother Tours. With the availability of regular flights to Taipei offered by reputable airlines such asEVA Air andSingapore Airlines, travelers have the option to choose the most suitable and reliable means of transportation for their journey. Whether it’s for a quick escape or a brief exploration of the city, Taipei awaits with its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and fascinating attractions. So why not take advantage of the seamless travel arrangements offered byChan Brother Tours and embark on an unforgettable adventure in Taipei?

Want to learn more

• Find out more about the Taipei hidden speakeasy bar scene by visitingwww.hiddenspeakeasy.club
• Visit the website of Taipei Travel Net (www.travel.taipei/en) to find the original content of the article