8 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan (2024)
In the mood for innovative and creative cocktails in Taipei? Look no further, in this post I’ll share the hidden gems of the best cocktail bars in Taipei, Taiwan that will blow your mind – plus 3 new bars people are raving about!
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If you’re like me, finding the hidden gems of cocktail bars is one of your favorite activities to do while traveling to new cities.
It’s a great way to learn about the local flavors of the country, meet other travelers and locals, and overall have a great freakin time.
I won’t lie, I was spoiled in Taipei. The bar culture in Taipei has been popping off and moving south to other cities such as Tainan as well, so I’d love to share my insights for anyone planning a trip to Taipei and who loves high-quality, innovative cocktails.
Here are my top choices for the best cocktail bars in Taipei:
8 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan
1. PS I Love You
My favorite bar will forever and always have a special place in my heart.
Their extremely talented bartenders can whip up anything and everything your heart could desire and then some!
Their menu originally was based on movies (hence the name – iykyk) and has since expanded into a new menu based on the zodiac signs.
Speciality
Creative cocktails and mocktails centering around Asian-inspired ingredients such as winter melon and pandan along with Taiwanese ingredients like Oolong tea.
Check out their menu here. You also get bottomless truffle-oil popcorn with your drinks, which you just can’t go wrong with.
Ambience
Slightly formal, but still relaxed. They play different genres of music and it always matches the vibe of the night and is never too loud.
Good place to go to catch up with a friend, go on a date, or start the night.
Price
$350-$480/drink
2. Lab
Probably one of the most innovative and unique bars I’ve been lucky enough to go to.
The mastermind behind the bar is a kind gentleman named Taka who created a bar with the definition of blending mixology and technology.
specialty
The minimalist bar grows their own herbs and uses machinery to extract the essence of various ingredients for their flavors.
Many of the cocktails are translucent or soft, earthy tones to allow you to focus solely on the flavor and aroma.
Additionally, he creates cocktails to represent a particular spirit without including the spirit itself (example: a drink representing whisky, without any whisky in it).
Plus flavor pairing where you can choose two flavors and they will create a cocktail using those flavors – the stranger the pairing the better).
He is truly genius and you don’t want to miss out on experiencing one of the most unique cocktail bars in Taipei! (if not the world)
Ambience
There is no dress code, however it has a more formal atmosphere than others, think business-casual.
You can arrive wearing anything and as long as there is seating available, they will serve you.
Good place to catch up with a friend and/or start the night.
Price
$350 – $400/drink
Traveling to Taiwan and not sure how much money you need? Check out my post Cost of Travel in Taiwan | 2023 Budget Breakdown for all things budget & spending in Taiwan ♥
3. Double Check
It’s like coming home after a long day, you take your shoes off upon entering and then make your way into the bar.
It’s cozy, dark, and warm. They have DJs playing on Fridays and Saturdays, but there’s no dancefloor – just cozy armchairs and barstools.
specialty
They offer cocktails, beer, and wine. Their cocktail menu is extensive, offering classic cocktails as well as twists inspired by Taiwanese ingredients.
They focus on crafting drinks based on spirits such as gin, tequila, vodka, whiskey, and brandy.
They also offer up a seasonal menu based on asian-inspired ingredients like plum wine and pomelo.
Ambience
The atmosphere here is great, you get the vibes of cozy and sophisticated blended with fun music and a good atmosphere.
The music is typically always played loudly, so it’s best to come here with a group of friends to start the night or chill there until closing.
Price
$250 – $420
4. Ounce
This is one of the most popular speakeasy bars and for good reason. The vibes are great, the cocktails are excellent, and the staff always has great, friendly energy.
Specialty
It’s an American style cocktail bar with no menu – you tell the bartender what you typically drink and they will create a superb cocktail for you based on that.
Your wish is their command – anything you might like, they are able to create. They can also give you ideas for innovated drinks and help you find exactly what you’re craving.
ambience
It’s casual and easygoing, a bit higher energy but not a party energy. Great place to go to catch up with friends, go on a date, or start your night.
Price
$400 – $450/drink
5. The Public House
Popular amongst locals and foreigners, the Public House is a poppin bar in Xinye Anhe.
It recently won spot #43 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars, so you know they don’t mess around with their cocktails.
Specialty
This is the place to go if you’re a gin lover – they have a plethora of gin to choose from and I’m typically not a fan, but I tried the most delicious gin here! I was shocked that I not only liked it, but loved it.
Their signature drinks are Asian-inspired with ingredients such as sichuan pepper, star fruit, purple rice, and japanese green tea.
They also make mad versions of classics such as espresso martinis and white negronis (which I HIGHLY recommend).
Ambience
It’s an easy-going, friendly-energy bar. You’ll find a good mix of locals and foreigners, it’s also opened late so it’s a good place to start, end, or spend your night. 😉
Price
$350 – $400/drink
6. Pun
This is one of the first speakeasys I went to in Taipei and it didn’t disappoint!
One of the most fun parts is trying to find the entrance (I won’t give any hints – you can find it on Google Maps, but I highly recommend not looking at the reviews and going on the hunt yourself)
specialty
Hand-crafted cocktails using high-quality spirits with contemporary ingredients such as sandalwood, orange blossom, peanut butter, and lemon thyme.
ambience
Slightly more upscale and higher-end, wearing a more formal outfit will be best. A nice bar to start the night, catch up with a friend, or go on a date with.
price
$450/drink
7. HANKO 60
This speakeasy serves quirky, fun cocktails. It’s one of the most popular bars hidden in the Ximen district of Taipei with a facade of a movie theater.
specialty
The presentation is equally as important as the quality of the drink here – imaginative, original cocktails with eclectic presentations ranging from Harry Potter to a bathtub to a syringe.
Food, such as popcorn and cookies, also come with the some of the drinks.
Ambience
Casual, fun vibes. Great place to meet friends and/or start the night.
Price
$350 – $450
8. Uno
Last, but certainly not least, we have Uno. Situated a short walk away from Taipei 101, this is one of the most fun bars I’ve ever been to.
Specialty
A tequila-based bar (mostly Mezcal), serving a diverse range of cocktails with imaginative ingredients like chicken stock, cocoa, apple cider vinegar, and nutmeg.
I highly recommend trying their ‘dusk & dawn’ or ‘oaxaca old fashioned.’
ambience
This is a bar you go to when you want to party. While you can sit and chat (which most people do), you can also easily begin to dance near the DJ area if you’re in the mood.
And if you befriend one of the owners, you’re most certainly about to have a boisterous evening.
price
$350 – $450/drink
Things to Note
- Some of these cocktail bars are first come, first served, others offer reservations which I highly recommend making. You can see if they accept reservations on their Google Maps location.
- There are a few newer cocktail bars I didn’t get the chance to go to, but have been highly recommended by friends and acquaintances that I think are worth checking out for yourself: 銀波 Silver Lining, Imbibe Taipei, and Opéra.
There you have it! Here are my top choices of the best cocktail bars in Taipei, Taiwan plus a few extra. If you end up going, let me know what you think in the comments below 🙂
happy (& safe) drinking ♥
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