Barcode

Song Shou Rd. #22, 5F 2725–3520 Reservation: 0920-168 -269. The hipster's home from home, Barcode offers inventive seasonal cocktails on an elevated outdoor terrace in the heart of Taipei. Suitable for business travelers as well as the cool cats of the media elite. The cocktails are good even if expensive.

Carnegie's

An He Rd. Sec. 2, #100 2325-4433 Admit it. You have already heard about this phenomenon. While a good place for a drink or cold beer, particularly during the day on the attractive terrace, it is the Friday, Saturdays and most particularly Wednesday night activities that keep the crowd coming back for more. Everyone gets up on the bar and dances. If you have not reached that stage, have another drink and repeat until you do so.

Champagne 2

An He Rd., Sec. 2, #169 6638-1880 While crashing stock markets have put a dent into budgets splashed out for Champagne and trendy cocktails, Champagne 2 has weathered the storm better than most. An ultra-cool lounge bar, plan on coming in groups to talk to each other as you won't be meeting (read: chatting up) anyone here.

Loft 21

Jin Hua St. Lane 243, #21 2341 – 1975 This cozy neighborhood bar can be found in the narrow lanes of Yong-Kang quarter. Enjoy a cool drink on their small outdoor terrace and then feel free to wander around to discover your own favorite bar in this very 'hip' area of Taipei.

The Bed

Zhong Xiao E. Rd. Sec 4, Lane 181, Alley 35, # 29, 1F 2711-3733 A lounge bar serving innovative cocktails; the dark, distinctive decor and seating arrangements are also far from traditional! Here you find beds to lie on while eating, drinking and/or smoking a 'shisha'.

Tavern Premier

Xinyi Rd. Sec. 4, #415 8780-0892 Love your sports so much you cannot leave your hotel room? Fear not, there is the Tavern. Individual TV screens ensure that you won't have to fight over what's on. The pub grub, particularly the Gorgonzola burger is worth driving across town for.

Watershed

Wen Chang St. #123 2707-6121 This quiet little charmer has a long bar that forces its patrons into close proximity, reducing inhibitions and encouraging exhibitions. No wonder then that it has become popular with a mixed and gay crowd of funsters.

Dozo Izakaya Dining Bar

GuangFu S. Rd. #102 2731-1147 Dozo's dramatic entrance leads to an equally striking interior with an elongated cherry tree with blossoms. Nightly at 8:00 and 10:30, there is a militantly virile Taiko drum performance. This is the place for fun food and fashionable people.

ReWine

An He Rd. Sec. 1, #137 2325-6658 What it lacks in comfort, it more than makes up for in innovative cocktails. If rosemary, Chartreuse or thyme martinis are your thing, this is the place for you.