Taiwan Nightlife: Best Nightclubs and Bars [2024]

Taipei nightlife is considered by many expats as one of the greatest in all Asia. It is a combination of the best things the region has to offer: Modern venues, reasonable prices, friendly people and safety.

The number of nightclubs is limited though. Many are only open 3 nights a week on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Wednesdays are actually getting more and quieter, even with lower entrance fees.

Where to Party in Taipei + Hotels

As you can see on the map above (click to enlarge), there are two main nightlife districts in Taipei.

The first one is in the neighborhood of Xinyi, near the Taipei 101 Tower. There are four complexes, including ATT4FUN, that are all next to each other, and where you will find several famous nightclubs and bars in each. It can be a good idea to start your night out there as it is quite easy to meet people and try different venues in one night.

The second one is called Dong Chu (or Dongqu), for East Area. Its center, near the MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua, is about 20 minutes by foot from the Taipei 101 Tower. Its nightlife is more spread out, and more expensive. As a result, you will see fewer young people and more expats/professionals.

Below is a selection of the best hotels to enjoy Taipei's nightlife:

• Luxury/5-star ($300/night): W Taipei, Le Meridien, or Grand Hyatt

• 4-star ($100/night): Pacific Business Hotel

• 3-star/2-star (under $60/night): Just Inn Xin Yi, Cloud Hotel

Even if you stay further from the city center, you have an efficient MRT system that can take you to the clubbing area quickly. Just make sure that you are within reach of Taipei City Hall MRT Station or Taipei 101 MRT Station (last train around midnight though so you'll need a cab on the way back).

Quick Tips on Taipei Nightlife

Smoking

It is forbidden to smoke in clubs, bars and restaurants, but some still allow it anyway.

Dress code

Many clubs are pretty relaxed in Taipei and will allow shorts (but not sandals or flip-flops). That said, if you plan on visiting nicer venues, and if you don't want to look like a tourist, put on a pair of pants and a collared shirt.

Prices

Mixed alcoholic drinks on average: 200 TWD, Cocktails 300 TWD, Entrance Fee between 500 TWD and 1000 TWD (with 1 or 2 free drinks). You can often get a free entry by showing up before midnight or 11pm. Most ladies nights are on Wednesdays.

Bottles and tables

Some of the most popular party places in Taipei are "bottle clubs", for instance Omni, AI and Kor. This means they prioritize groups who book a sofa and order bottles. Those who don't will be crammed into a tiny dancefloor and they will need to queue to get a drink.

To obtain a sofa, you have to spend a minimum amount of money. The best venues will ask around 15,000 TWD for 10 people on weekends. If your budget is tight, you can go during the week instead and pay half of that.

Dating in Taipei

Please check my reviews: Best Online Dating Apps and Websites in Asia and Best Countries to Meet Asian Girls.

ID

Important - You should always bring an official photo ID with you, even if you look 45. For foreigners, only the passport is accepted. Bouncers will ask you for it. Police ID checks also happen from time to time.

Drinking

Taiwanese, both girls and guys, get pretty wild inside clubs. They often drink until they pass out. It is not rare to see someone throw up because they couldn't make it to the toilets.

Recommended Weekly Schedule

If you are in Taipei on a particular day, these are my party recommendations:

• Monday: Frank

• Tuesday: Wave

• Wednesday: Omni, Triangle

• Thursday: Wave

• Friday and Saturday: You can take your chances anywhere.

• Sunday: AI

Recommended Bars and Lounges for cocktails

Bar Mood, Ounce, Wa-Shu (Japanese)

Expat/Sports Bar:

Brass Monkey

Best Nightclubs in Taipei:

Kor

A high-end lounge/bar/club with a beautiful décor and the best sound system in Taipei. There is a nice bar in the middle of the room, but you better arrive early if you want to get a seat. Otherwise, it's best to reserve a table and order some bottles. Wide selection of whiskies and bourbons. Music is anything but EDM, meaning hip-hop, soul, oldies, rap, RnB.

Frank

If you are a tourist, it is a good idea to have a few drinks at this rooftop bar at ATT 4 FUN to admire the view of Taipei 101. Drinks are quite light on alcohol and not particularly tasty. Lounge atmosphere. It's better to book a table to avoid being seated at the bar.

Entrance Fee:

TWD 600 with two drinks.

Revolver

Alternative bar with live music (rock, indie). Many foreign students and travelers.

Triangle

This is the most foreign-friendly nightclub in Taipei in terms of concept and crowd. Unlike other venues, you can easily buy drinks by the glass and you don't need to book a table to have fun. Laid-back, unpretentious vibe. They have different themed nights every day, so check their Instagram for the latest update. Generally speaking, the choice of music can be pretty eclectic from 90s pop to Caribbean songs. Student nights on Wednesdays are recommended (free entrance). Owned by a French guy.

Note that Triangle is located about 20 minutes by car and 40 minutes by metro from Taipei 101.

Studio 9

Techno club/bar. If you are into non-mainstream music and crowd, check also Pawnshop, Grey Area, and Final.

Cé La Vi

Most famous rooftop restaurant in Taipei, incredible view of the 101 Tower. Check their Instagram for special events and parties.

AI Club

This is the club that replaced the now-defunct Elektro in ATT4FUN. It is a trendy venue, medium-sized, which is visually impressive with a huge DJ podium and a great dancefloor. There are plenty of laser lights, smoke and screens. The sound system is pretty good too. It's really best to book a table here as it will be extremely packed on weekends. EDM music. They have some famous DJs once in a while (recently: R3HAB).

Entrance Fee:

TWD 1,000 for guys with 2 drinks and TWD 700 for ladies (weekends). Overall, it is expensive.

Omni

Omni is an impressive nightclub with an award-winning design (360° LCD panel circling the club, plenty of lasers and fog, etc), an amazing sound system and regular famous guest DJs (Hardwell, Skrillex, Dash Berlin, etc...).

It is a money-making business though, and money comes from tables/bottle service. If you are just by yourself ordering whisky-cokes at the bar, I'm not sure you will enjoy the experience. I'd recommend Omni if you are coming with friends and don't mind spending a few hundred US dollars for the night. Bottles at 150US$. When you order champagne, sexy sailor girls will bring it to you with firecrackers.

Music is almost always EDM/trance/house. For DJs, their reference is the DJ Mag Top 100. They have some hip-hop nights too. Many foreigners.

Entrance Fee:

1000 TWD (on average)

Wave

Self-proclaimed the best open bar in Taipei, Wave is one of the nightclubs located at ATT4FUN. It isn't my favorite, but if you are hoping to get drunk with a small budget, this is the place. Mostly a Taiwanese male crowd.

Best days are on Tuesday and Thursday.

The music is EDM and house. Sometimes hip hop.

Entrance fee:

The entrance fee comes with a free selection of drinks. They offer a discount if you come before 11pm. The trick is that you have to be inside the club at that time, which can be difficult considering the queues.

Every day before 11pm: Free for ladies, 400-500 TWD for men

Weekdays after 11pm: 700 TWD for men and 400 TWD for women

Friday and Saturday after 11pm: 800 TWD for men and 500 TWD for women

Ruff Taipei

Packed club, no ventilation, a lot of cigarette smoke. Hip-hop. Cheap (700 TWD with 6 drinks), so it attracts mostly young people.

The area has many similar venues that you can reach by foot. For instance, Underlink (hip-hop), DD (EDM), Barcode (Shisha bar).

1001 Nights

This shisha lounge-bar-club is about 3 kilometers from ATT4FUN. In case you are wondering, yes it does serve alcohol. It is a fun place with a different atmosphere than elsewhere in the city. Latin nights on Saturday with reggaeton are quite popular. It also serves as an after-hour club as it closes at 6am.

The owner is from Iran.

Entrance Fee:

First drink charge on weekends: TWD 200 for girls with 2 drinks and TWD 300 for guys with 3 drinks