Entertainment in Taiwan
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Chocoholic
Leave room for desert. This tiny, brightly painted café is an old favourite, dating back to the days when good chocolate was impossible (as opposed to merely inconvenient) to find. Expect cakes, chocolate drinks and a clientele of smiley young things galore.
reviewed
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Willy's Second Base
Loud and fun, with good British pub fare on offer (meals NT$200 to NT$300).
reviewed
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B
Armory Pub
A staple of the bar scene. Serves meals with a decent range of vegetarian options.
reviewed
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C
Red Pavilion Theatre
The Red Pavilion Theatre is one of Taipei's older buildings. The wooden, octagonal structure was originally a public market, then a theatre for Chinese opera as well as a second-run cinema. Since beginning life anew as a multipurpose centre for vocal and visual arts it has hosted a variety of performers and performances, such as Taiwan-based world music group A Moving Sound and the Taipei run of the Vagina Monologues.
Exhibits and performances change frequently, but even if you come just to check it out (or have a coffee), it's worth the time.
reviewed
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D
Liuhe Night Market
The train-station area, especially as you head down Jhongshan Rd, is filled with inexpensive cafés and restaurants. Nearby Liuhe Night Market is famous islandwide for its hundred-plus food stalls. You can eat well here for around NT$100 to around NT$200. (It's also very clean, as there is literally one rubbish can every 10m.) Other places to try traditional foods include the Lotus Pond area, especially on Shengli Rd.
reviewed
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E
Maussac
Maussac is an upscale teahouse, complete with a bookshelf's worth of jars featuring teas from around the world. In addition to tea, set-meal specials, including pasta, meat and seafood dishes, are all served with a haute European flair. Maussac's charming jazz atmosphere makes it a popular spot for Taipei's chic looking to unwind with a meal, tea or both.
reviewed
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F
Taipei Eye
Taipei Eye showcases Chinese opera together with other rotating performances, including puppet theatre and aboriginal dance. Audience members have the unique opportunity to watch the actors as they rehearse and put on make-up, wigs and costumes.
reviewed
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G
Orange Music Cafe
Orange is the predominant colour of this bar and café located across from Shilin MRT station's exit two. An up and coming chill-out spot, Orange serves food, but is better known for another fire-related activity, the 'fire dance' performances which begin every Friday night at 22:50.
reviewed
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H
Corridor Cafe
Smack in the middle of Taiwan's most respected institute of higher learning, the Corridor Cafe offers a small-stage performance space for both planned and ad-hoc performances. Good coffee, artistic vibes and a good place to meet up with Taipei artists.
reviewed
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I
Rose House
Readers have written in praise of this teahouse, which, despite its normal storefront, looks like it could have been decorated by Laura Ashley inside. Among its dozens of varieties are Earl Grey and mango. Teas are sold by the cup, the set and the tin.
reviewed
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Fuhsing Arts Academy
Traditional Chinese opera is best sampled in Beijing; there are not many places left in Taipei where it is still performed. However, the Fuhsing Arts Academy holds performances of this delicate art, and many hotels can make a booking for you.
reviewed
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J
Velvet Underground
Rock and roll lives, baby, at this underground (literally) club across from Taipei Main Station. Live bands, full bar, Mexican food and walls covered with kick-ass rock art not unlike something out of a museum of album covers. ROCK ON!
reviewed
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Rock Candy
Rock Candy is a tiny club squeezed into a pre-WWII building and mainly patronised by locals in their twenties and ex-pats keen to boogie along to tracks from Europe and the US. The crush in the club means new friends are easily made.
reviewed
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K
Fong Da
One of Taipei's original coffee shops, Fong Da dates from the 1950s and still uses some of the original equipment. Whenever we've been away for a while we always stop in as absence makes the heart grow Fong Da.
reviewed
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L
Smooth Bar & Grill
If you need something a little stronger than bubble tea, try this long, long-running bar and grill just a block north of Chun Shui Tang Teahouse. The bar is well stocked and has a big-screen TV for watching sports. There's also an international menu offering curries, steaks, pastas, goulash and more.
reviewed
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M
Norwegian Wood
A very cool coffee house serving espresso drinks as well as alcohol. Known as a hangout for Taipei's literary crowd, as well as being a gay and lesbian friendly venue.
reviewed
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Lighthouse Bar & Grill
A popular hangout in the Tsoying District, with good service, live sports broadcasts, and a wide selection of bar favourites like pizza and sandwiches.
reviewed
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O
A Chuan Melon Drink
Well-known melon (or winter squash, technically) drink stand across from the Official God of War Temple. Look for the line-up.
reviewed
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Londoner
Another veteran of sorts is this sports bar with a lively vibe and a great menu.
reviewed
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P
Vie Show Cinemas
In the FE21' Mega Department Store. You can book tickets online in English.
reviewed
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Vie Show Cinemas, Restaurant & Bar District
You can book tickets in advance on the Warner Village website.
reviewed
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Vie Show Cinemas, Train Station Area
You can book tickets in advance on the Warner Village website.
reviewed
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Vie Show Cinemas
You can book tickets online in English.
reviewed
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Well
One of the best places to try lei cha (pounded tea) is in this rustic Hakka house. You can sit inside at tables, or on wooden floors, or even outside on a wooden deck under the plum trees.
reviewed
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R
W Bar
Part of a three-storey lounge/restaurant cafe opened in 2005 by Taiwanese fashion designer Isabelle Wen, this 3rd-floor bar lounge oozes chic, with beaded glass curtains, high-backed wooden chairs and soft lighting. The 1st-floor cafe has a more casual, feminine vibe and a definite light safari theme. There's also a small clothing shop on the 1st floor selling Ms Wen's clothing and accessories. There's no cover charge, but there is a NT$350 spending minimum.
reviewed