Gay Taipei – Where to soak up the sun and dance until dawn

Unlike many countries in Asia, Taipei has an out-and-proud LBGTQ+ district full of rainbow crosswalks and lively clubs.

Sep 16, 2023 - 20:00
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Gay Taipei – Where to soak up the sun and dance until dawn
Patrons at Cafe Dalida pose with the night's drag queen who is dressed in a purple ruffled dress.
Credit: Café Dalida

Unlike many countries in Asia, Taipei has an out-and-proud LBGTQ+ district full of rainbow crosswalks and flamboyant queers called the Red House Gay District. Here you’ll find Taiwanese and international gays sipping beers at sidewalk watering holes not afraid to be seen. The combined neighborhoods of Zhongshan and Ximen have a thriving nightlife scene where you can find anything from mega clubs filled with theatrical drag performances, gritty underground techno hot spots, intimate karaoke lounges, k*nky cruise bars, and a healthy dose of bear dens…

Café Dalida

Café Dalida

Foreign friendly drag spot No. 51, Lane 10, Chengdu Rd · Taipei
(223) 707-833
https://www.facebook.com/cafedalida/

This hetero-friendly drag bar is where Taipie’s polished queens perform in an intimate and lush garden setting for your enjoyment. Don’t miss Café Dalida where many of Asia’s top queens got their start, and where you might just stumble upon the next Drag superstar twirling in this humble cafe.

Casa Cafe and Bar

Casa Bar

Cocktails galore No. 57號, Lane 10, Chengdu Rd · Taipei
(222) 382-069
https://www.facebook.com/casabartaipei/

Casa Bar is located in the center of the Ximen district, has stiff cocktails, and tasty snacks such as Japanese curry or traditional Taiwanese dumplings.

Commander D

A hunk sits on the bar at Commander D with his shirt and pants wide open reading a book in Chinese.
Credit: Commander D

Commander D

Sub(teranean) K*nky watering hole No. 36號, Section 2, Kaifeng St · Taipei, TW 108
(886) 223-8908
https://www.facebook.com/commander.tw/#

Climb down into this dimly-lit subterranean leather dungeon for fetish forward experience. Commander D plays international dance music, hosts k*nky shibari bondage shows, and is known for its cruisey “anything-goes” atmosphere. Especially when the bartenders lower the blinds at night.

G Star

G Star Club

Get lit B1, No. 23, Long Jiang Rd · Taipei 104
(225) 078-186
https://www.facebook.com/gstarclub/

G-Star is a gay megaclub filled with choreographed drag shows, multi-colored lasers, and sweaty Taiwanese twinks loosing themselves to K-pop anthems. Need a break from the madness? Belt it out in private karaoke rooms on the second floor. We can’t, however, confirm that is the only thing happening there.

Goldfish Bar

Goldfish Bar

Creative cocktails No. 13, Lane 85, Linsen N Rd · Taipei City 10491
(022) 581-3133
http://www.facebook.com/goldfishtaipei

Although this may be the fishiest bar in Taipei, Goldfish Bar is actually filled with hunky bears guzzling down glowing cocktails under the neon-lit underwater-themed grotto. Don’t fret, even if you’re not a muscle queen or bear chaser, the aquatic atmosphere and friendly staff won’t make you feel like a fish out of water.

Hanes Singing bar

Hanes Singing Bar

Favorite for karaoke 15號 Lane 138, Linsen N Rd · Taipei City 10491
(022) 567-6560
http://facebook.com/hanessingingbar

Tucked down a side street next to Zhongshan station, Hanes is a cocktail lounge with comfy booths where karaoke is the name of the game. You won’t find private rooms here to share with your new friends so make sure to brush up on your singing voice so you don’t shatter a glass. 

Hunt

Three men in singlets wrestle in a bathtub full of lube.
Credit: Hunt

Hunt Taipei

Not for the shy boys 7號 Section 2, Guiyang St · Taipei City 108
(022) 331-1069
https://www.facebook.com/HuntTaipei/

Hunt is a relatively small basement neighborhood bar, but packs a punch with its kooky-named drinks and sexy themed night such as J-lube wrestling, shower shows, small towel nights, and underwear parties. The crowd is rowdy and the boys aren’t shy.

Mudan

Mudan

Party in pink No. 45號, Lane 10, Chengdu Rd · Taipei City 108
(022) 370-0940
https://www.facebook.com/mudan.red.house/

Mudan is a colorful little gay bar in the heart of The Red House gay district with an expansive patio where patrons enjoy libations, fried foods, and the neighborhood eye candy.

Pawnshop

Three leather bond kinksters pose for the camera at a party at Pawhshop.
Credit: Pawnshop

Pawnshop

Alternative queer dance club 恆德建設股份有限公司 10681, Taiwan, Taipei City, Da’an District, Section 4, Xinyi Road, 281號號 8 樓 · Taipei City 106
(022) 752-1155
https://www.facebook.com/pawnshop279

Known for its diverse programming of Asian and international underground DJs, Pawnshop has three spaces dedicated to techno, live music, and house. Not officially labeling itself a gay bar, this club pulls a very queer crowd looking to dance through the night.

Omni Club

https://taipei.gaycities.com/bars/301357-omni-nightclub

People from all over the world come to Omni for its dazzling lights and vibrant sounds. It’s a stylish club with popular gay nights and mixed crowds on other nights. Make sure to check it’s social media account to stay up to date.

Wonder Bar

https://taipei.gaycities.com/bars/309308-%EF%BC%B7onder-bar-lounge

Popular with women, fems, and they/thems, Wonder Bar takes the form of a trendy lounge and a colorful nightclub for a one-of-a-kind queer woman Taipei experience.

Bear Junkies

A group of muscle bears and their admirers hold up their glasses around a table at Bear Junkies.
Credit: Bear Junkies

Bear Junkies 熊飲(早午餐&酒吧)

More bear than you can handle 192號 Kunming St · Taipei City 108
(022) 311-8525
http://www.facebook.com/bearjunkies

By day you’ll find Taipei’s bears brunching on fried food and recovering from last night’s outings, but by evening Bear Junkies becomes a casual beer den where the city’s husky hunks and their admirers can be found clinking cocktails.

23 Music Room

23 Music Room is a gritty DIY-feeling record shop and bar that feel like you’re partying in someone’s decked-out garage. This space often hosts queer takeovers and pulls an alternative indie crowd. Are you an upcoming DJ? Don’t skip out on open deck nights to share your skills and vibe.

Grey Area

Grey Area

Unapologetically queer 57-3號 Section 1, Zhongshan N Rd · Taipei City 104
(022) 542-6699
https://www.instagram.com/p/CpaHf6JPenQ/

Unapologetically queer, Grey Area is a culmination of Taipei’s underground party people in the form of a multi-floor club complete with a bar level, sultry lounge, and a Funktion-1 soundsystem stacked dance floor.

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