Taipei is home to some of the best bars in Asia and the world. Most of them are small and intimate, with creative menus and uniquely Asian touches. There are also some of the most English-friendly spots in a country that generally isn’t. As a bonus, these bars are all located within a relatively small area in the upscale Da’an District, making bar hopping a breeze.
Thanks to recommendations from fellow Drinkstagrammers and the Asia’s Best Bars List, here are the 5 best cocktail bars in Taipei, Taiwan. Ganbei!
5 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan
Bar Mood
Depending on which night you go, you might think Bar Mood was closed or you got the location wrong. The entrance is brightly lit and has several standing-only counters. When I arrived, there was no one there except for a few bartenders batching syrups and infusions. But I pressed on and asked the waitress for a seat. When they slid the back doors open to reveal the gorgeous and packed bar above, I knew I was at the right place.
This was the first bar I tried in Taiwan and it ended up as one of my favorites. Their quality and craftsmanship are inspired by Japanese bars like Tokyo’s famous Bar High Five, but their ingredients and aesthetics are distinctly Chinese. Their menu contains creative drinks that make use of various tea syrups, such as pu’er, and local herbs such as goji berries, Taiwanese basil, and lemongrass. And it doesn’t get more Chinese than the impressive serving vessel for the Tyrant’s Blessing, seen above.
Posino Taipei
Photo Credit: Posino Taipei
Posino is my other pick as a must-try bar in Taipei (along with Bar Mood). This spot is electrifying and glamorous, with an aesthetic based off of Vegas nightlife. (Pro tip: If you win at Black Jack, you get a free drink!). Make sure to plan ahead, because reservations are required.
Many of their drinks are actually inspired by casinos around the world, and are super unique and delicious. Flavors range from sweet to even spicy. The From Vegas To Macau cocktail has black tea, whisky, and condensed milk for anyone with a sweet tooth. Or try the Casino De Monterrey, with tequila, jalapeño tomato basil, Campari, Lillet, Vermouth, and, yes, a decorative Dorito.
Their service was as amazing as their drinks. With each cocktail, the bartenders took the time to describe the inspirations, ingredients, and techniques used. You can learn a lot and it shows that these are not randomly thrown together.
Indulge Experimental Bistro
Many cocktail connoisseurs consider Indulge Experimental Bistro to be not only the best bar in Taiwan, but one of the best in the world. This is why reservations are highly recommended, as I learned the hard way when I was turned away on a fully booked Thursday night!
But I lucked out a few nights later and got in. A good one to start with is their fruity and earthy Ruby cocktail with whisky, black tea liqueur, ginger, beets, raspberry, and rose. But the fun one was their Tung Ting cocktail, due to its garnish of Japanese raindrop cake made from olive juice.
While their cocktails were delicious and creative, I didn’t feel the same wow factor I got from Bar Mood. I also didn’t get a chance to try their cuisine which is supposedly quite good, so come both hungry and thirsty.
Draft Land*
The pictures above are from Draft Land’s Hong Kong location (hence the asterisk), which I visited shortly after my Taiwan trip. But the original Draft Land is in Taipei, so I’m fairly confident it’s just as good. As the name suggests, all of their craft cocktails are pre-batched and served on tap. This means instant service without sacrificing quality. The best part is you can sample any of their drinks before committing to one (I’m guilty of sampling several here). All of this adds up to a casual and fun drinking experience that’s more akin to a wine bar than a speakeasy.
HANKO 60 如醉如夢
The cool thing about HANKO 60 is that their signature menu is based off of movies, both classic and new. The decor really speaks to their love of cinema, too – the bright red lighting will make you feel like you’re at the theater. I honestly had a bit of trouble finding it because it’s sort of hidden, but you’ll know if you see the movie posters.
If you’re lucky, you may find your favorite movie listed on the menu. I didn’t, but the drinks didn’t disappoint. I went with the Baywatch because it looked cute – who can resist a drink served in a mini bathtub with a rubber duck? With Pandan Rum, mango, grapefruit, and coconut, I thought it was delicious. They also have a more classic and simple drink menu, as well as yummy bites which is great if you’re with a group.
