Gay Taipei

Six of Taiwan's Hottest Gay Bars

Aug 6, 2009 John Howe

The gay scene in Taipei, capital of Taiwan, is expanding, exciting and energetic offering dance, disco and karaoke for even the most jaded of gay disco bunnies.

As recognition and acceptance of lifestyle difference grows the number of ‘alternative' entertainment venues continues to increase in vivacious Taipei. Most of Taipei's gay clubs and bars offer cutting edge music, enthralling light shows and top class international DJs.

There is a good mix of gay-friendly businesses from bars and pubs to saunas, spas and massage parlours. Many of the bars, pubs and cafes are concentrated in the Red House district which contains the greatest number of gay venues than any other Taipei location.

Here are six of Taiwan's hottest gay bars with a special recommendation for Fresh as the liveliest of gay Taipei.

Café Dalida

For a real ‘foreign friendly’ reception try Café Dalida, an al fresco bar that opens early and closes late. Good for cocktails, coffee, music and much, much more.

Contact:

Red House, No. 51, Lane 10, Chengdu Rd,

Tel: 886-22370-7833

Fresh – a four-floor Restaurant, Café, Bar and Club

Fresh is a restaurant, café, bar, club and is spread over four floors the first being a very nice vegetarian restaurant and a chill-out space. The second floor houses the main bar and a couple of lounge rooms ideal for relaxing, on the third floor there is a large dance area and the best part for me is the forth floor roof garden.

Fresh is a popular club and gets into the swing before midnight and runs until the morning hours.

On Friday and Saturday nights there is a minimum cover charge of NT$300 (US$ 9). Westerners will feel comfortable as English is spoken.

Contact:

2/F No. 7, Sec. 2 Jinshan South S Rd

Tel: 886 22358 7701

Email Fresh in Taipei

The Fresh website

G5@Luxy a Dazzling Dance Venue

Luxy is a T-dance venue that is guaranteed to dazzle even the most jaded of senses with vibrant sounds and a lavish lighting system that astonishes and bedazzles. In this luxurious club be prepared for a thrall of chiseled bodies and smiles that are infectious. The clientele is pan-Asian and international DJs.

Contact:

5F No 201, Chung Hiaso E Road, Sector 4, Taipei

Tel: +886 2 2772 1000

Fax: +886 2 2711 0011

Luxy website

Taipei's ageHa for the Best DJs

ageHa is one of those unusual beasts in the gay club scene – a chain. ageHa’s Tokyo club is capacious Taipei’s ageHa is just a little smaller. Size though doesn’t matter because ageHa Taipei offers the best in Japanese and Caucasian DJs with excellent professional dance shows at the weekend.

Contact:

B1, No 171, Songde Road, Sinyi District, Taipei,

Tel: +886 2 2346 5556

Fax: +886 2 2346 6605

Email: info@ageha-taipei.com

Outside Taipei

The gay scene is not as developed in cities outside Taipei but in Taichung City there are two well-established venues to try.

Orange Karaoke Bar

Orange is a tastefully decorated karaoke bar that has a loyal following of gay men and lesbians. It is also a favoured spot for Taiwan’s drag queens. There is no cover charge but a minimum purchase of two bottles of Taiwan beer each person is expected. Hosts pour the beer for the customers and try to engage in chit-chat, here’s a tip for English speakers – chat in English long enough and they will eventually leave.

Look for a brilliant orange sign and that’s the place to head for. Orange is open till the very wee hours of the morning.

Contact

B1, No 32 Ji Guang Street, Taichung City

Tel: +886 4 2222 7920

Jumbo in Taichung City

Jumbo is the main gay venue in Taichung City and becomes pretty full, not to say crowded on Saturdays but other nights are only reasonably packed. Admission of NT$350 (US$ 10) is charged but for this two drinks are included from a large range of imported and local beers or whiskey can be bought at the bar.

Jumbo guarantees a great night’s entertainment and dancing to the latest in Taiwan pop. When it finally decides to close shop then pop along to Orange with the rest of the disco bunnies and finish off the Taichung City night in true Taiwan style.

Contact

B1, No 5 Lane 133, Zi You Road, Sector 2, Taichung City.

Tel: +886 4 2224 9970

Taiwan is finding its gay feet so to speak the nightlife is both exciting and infectious and well worth a visit.

The copyright of the article Gay Taipei in S Asia/China Travel is owned by John Howe. Permission to republish Gay Taipei in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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