This is an overview of Taipei’s nightlife. I’ll talk about the best things to do, different places to check out, and where to stay to have the best nightlife experience possible.
I’ve lived around Taipei for more than 5 years and have tried doing a bunch of fun stuff at night. That inspired me to write this guide on recommendations of places to try.
Important Information
| Do You Tip Bartenders? | No |
| Legal Drinking Age | 18 years old |
| Legal Smoking (Tobacco) Age | 20 years old |
| Vaping Legality | Illegal |
| Marijuanna Legality | Illegal; listed as category 2 narcotic |
| Prostitution Legality | Illegal except in “designated” zones |
| Are There Curfews? | No |
| Do I Need to Carry a Passport? | Yes |
| Dress Code for Clubs & Bars | Exists and varies by venue |
| How to Pay for Things | Cash |
| How Much Cash to Carry | NT$2,000 – 3,000 |
Prostitution or sex work of any kind if illegal outside of designated zones. As of 2024, Taiwan doesn’t have any known red light districts (or designated zones).
Considering you’re entering the night life, I recommend against carrying too much cash. Because the less cash you have, the less you have to lose. You should check whatever bar or wherever you’re going ahead of time to see their rates.
Does Taipei Have a Red Light District?
No.
There used to be a red light (or adult) district in Taipei, but it doesn’t exist anymore.
They do have hostess bars, which is where you can pay girls to drink with you and keep you company. Not sexually. I don’t know where these are, because they’re not advertised. But they do exist.
What to Do at Night
The following sections will cover all the best places to check out in Taipei City at night. I’ll do my best to provide accurate pricing and hours. However, these could change at any time.
Let’s dive in.
1. Best Bars in Taipei for Foreigners
Let’s compare all the best bars for expats, tourists, and locals:
- Brass Monkey
- Revolver (my favorite)
- Ounce
- BARCODE Taipei
- KOR Taipei
I hear many expats and tourists talking about Brass Monkey. That would be the first place to check out if you’re after a bar/restaurant with many other foreigners.
Revolver is my favorite bar just because they also serve nachos and burritos. And they have a bunch of dope Star Wars art.
I don’t know much about the other bars, but I recommend checking them out.
Bring your passport. The staff will card you to ensure you’re at least 18 (legal drinking age).
I’m not going to talk about the best pickup bar in Taipei. That’s up to you to find out. The Speakeasy Irish Bar is the closest thing you’ll get to an English pub in Taipei. And some of these bars may have metal bands playing at them occasionally.
Let’s talk about music venues.
2. Music Venues in Taipei
Music venues in Taipei include:
- REV-NOW
- Revolver
- Sappho Live
- Legacy Taipei
I haven’t seen live music in a long time. Hence, I don’t have experience at most of these places, except Revolver. Revolver is also a bar that serves great-tasting nachos and burritos. One of the few places in Taipei to get decent-tasting Hispanic food.
However, it’s always packed in there. I recommend getting to Revolver immediately when they open.
3. Night Clubs: Best Nightclubs in Taipei
Consider one of the following nightclubs in Taipei City:
- OMNI Nightclub
- WAVE CLUB Taipei
- M Taipei
- BOX Nightclub
- IKON
- FRANK Taipei
Many search for the following clubs that are now permanently closed:
- Club Myst
- B1
- Elektro
- Klash Taipei
- Room 18
Bring a passport with you whenever entering a nightclub, as they’ll check whether you’re over 18 years old — legal age to enter nightclubs or lounges.
Much of the information in the table above may differ from what you’ll experience. Most of these clubs did not publish their prices, which made me rely on reviews. Or the clubs could raise their prices.
4. Night Markets: Best Night Markets in Taipei
The following sections will provide details on the following best night markets in Taipei to visit:
- Raohe Night Market
- Shilin Night Market
- Shida Night Market
- Ningxia Night Market
- Huaxi Night Market
- Linjiang (Tonghua) Night Market
I’ll suggest foods to eat at each market, talk about their hours and address, then cover any other relevant information.
1. Raohe Night Market
| Hours | Daily: 5 – 11 PM |
| Address | Raohe St., Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105 |
| Food/s to try | Black pepper bun, stinky tofu, & mochi. |
| Chinese Name/s | 饒河街觀光夜市 (Ráo hé jiē guānguāng yèshì) |
Raohe Night Market is one of Taipei’s oldest and most popular night markets. It’s located in Songshan District, near the Songshan MRT Station.
The market is about 600 meters long and divided into 3 sections. The first section has all of the food stalls. Find all sorts of Taiwanese delicacies here. From savory dishes like oyster omelets and stinky tofu to sweet treats like shaved ice and bubble tea.
The second section of the market sells various goods, such as clothes, accessories, souvenirs, and household items.
The third section of the market is home to the Ciyou Temple (慈祐宮), a Taoist temple close to 300 years old. The temple is a popular tourist destination and an excellent place to take a break from the bustle of the market.
2. Shilin Night Market
| Hours | Monday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Saturday & Sunday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM | |
| Address | No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111 |
| Food/s to try | Oyster mushrooms, fried chicken, & vermicelli noodles. |
| Chinese Name/s | 士林夜市 (Shì lín yèshì) |
Shilin Night Market is one of Taipei’s largest and most popular night markets. It’s in Shilin District, near the Jiantan MRT Station. The market is excellent for finding Taiwanese street food, souvenirs, and other goods.
It has more than 500 stalls; you’re sure to find something you like. Some of the most popular food items at Shilin Night Market include oyster omelet, stinky tofu, and bubble tea. Many stalls also sell clothes, accessories, souvenirs, and household items.
3. Shida Night Market
| Hours | Mon – Fri: 4:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Weekend: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | |
| Address | Lane 39, Shida Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 |
| Food/s to try | Fried chicken, pineapple buns, & fried dumplings. |
| Chinese Name/s | 師大夜市 (Shīdà Yèshì) |
Shida Night Market is a small but popular night market in Da’an District, Taipei. It’s known for its trendy fashion and accessories and its selection of local snacks and desserts.
The market’s also a popular spot for students and young people, often crowded on weekends.
If you want a unique shopping experience or a taste of Taiwanese culture, then Shida Night Market is a great place to visit. It is a fun and lively place to spend an evening.
4. Ningxia Night Market
| Hours | Daily: 5:00 PM – 1 AM |
| Address | 103, Taipei City, Datong District, Ningxia Rd, 寧夏夜市 |
| Food/s to try | Shredded Chicken on Rice, oyster omelet, & papaya milk. |
| Chinese Name/s | 寧夏夜市 |
Ningxia Night Market is a small but lively night market in Taipei. It’s a great place to experience the local culture and try various Taiwanese street food.
There’s not much else to talk about with this night market.
5. Huaxi Night Market (Snake Alley)
| Hours | Daily: 4 PM – 12 AM |
| Address | Huaxi St., Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108 |
| Food/s to try | Sweet soup, steamed minced pork w/ pickles in broth, & steamed buns. |
| Chinese Name/s | 華西街觀光夜市 (Huáxī Jiē Guānguāng Yèshì) |
Huaxi Night Market is a two-block-long night market in Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan. It was known for its snake-based dishes, but the last snake-based eatery closed in 2018.
The market still sells other delicacies, including turtle blood and meat, deer penis wine, and seafood. It also has stalls selling local snacks and restaurants that serve traditional Taiwanese dishes.
I’d avoid Huaxi because there isn’t much to do there.
Instead, consider this next night market.
6. Tonghua / Linjiang Night Market
| Hours | Daily: 6 PM – 12 AM |
| Address | Linjiang St., Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 |
| Food/s to try | Yu Pin Yuan Iced & Hot Tangyuan, stinky tofu, & stir fried dishes. |
| Chinese Name/s | 通化夜市 (Tōnghuà Yèshì) or臨江夜市 (Línjiāng yèshì) |
Tonghua Night Market is a small but lively night market in Taipei. It’s a great place to experience the local culture and try various Taiwanese street foods.
Furthermore, it’s a great place to wander around, people-watch, and buy cheap clothing or cellphone accessories from some stands and stalls.
Where to Stay Once You’re Done Partying
Here are all the best districts to consider for placing yourself near Taipei nightlife:
- Xinyi District: The most popular tourist district in Taipei & home to many of the city’s best hotels, restaurants, & bars.
- Also close to many of Taipei’s most popular nightspots
- Daan District: Home to a number of art galleries, cafés, & restaurants.
- Zhongshan District: Home to a number of bars & clubs, making it a great place to stay for those looking for a more authentic Taiwanese nightlife experience.
- Wanhua District: Close to the Red Room bars in Ximending.
Specific hotels to consider include:
- The W Taipei
- Hotel Indigo Taipei Zhongshan
- Silks Place Taipei
- Hotel Popei
- Meander Taipei Hostel
- SleepBox Hotel Taipei
- Dan Hostel Taipei
FAQs
What Is There to Do at Night in Ximending?
Check out the street food, watch street performers, and go to one of the many bars around the Red House. There’s not much nightlife in Ximending, otherwise.
Where Do I Go for the Taipei Countdown?
Most people wait in front of Taipei 101, but this is crowded and uncomfortable. I recommend watching afar from the observation deck in Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain). Or from a restaurant in Maokong Mountain. I recommend heading to these places around 8 PM on December 31st.
