6 of the best Taipei bars to enjoy the cocktail revolution

A real cocktail revolution is under way in Taipei’s vibrant bar culture, with its melting pot of cultures from all over Asia and the Western world. Rojita Tiwari reached this conclusion after a week of barhopping, tasting different cocktails and interacting with the island’s finest bartenders.

Victor Yang, with his boyish charm, moves swiftly behind the bar from one end to the other at ‘AHA Saloon’ – creating cocktails with the accuracy and precision of a perfect laboratory – while striking a conversation with guests.

Aki Wang’s den “Indulge Experimental Bistro” is somewhere one can spend hours listening to his passionate explanations of every flavour of the tea liqueurs that he creates with hand-picked teas from across Taiwan.

At “Fourplay”, five minutes into the conversation Allen Cheng wins you over by serving a drink precisely the way you want it – as you choose the ingredients.

Nick Wu’s touch is evident in every element of his sophisticated “Bar Mood”, from the furniture to stocking the bar with only syrups and juices made of local ingredients; and also occasionally spoiling guests with an unusual cocktail off the menu.

These bartenders are all magicians of their craft.

Taiwan’s bar culture wasn’t always so vivacious. The island saw an change in drinking culture during the nineties when a night out meant hanging out with friends at the teahouse. While a minimalist approach to decor and drinks at these bars nowadays suggests that most aspects of Taiwanese life are inspired by Japanese culture, the versatility, and ease with which the younger generation has adopted the virtues of the east and west virtues is commendable. A reflection of this was evident in many of the cocktails I tasted.

Here are 6 bars across Taipei that will give you the experience of a lifetime.

1. Indulge Experimental Bistro – For the art of tea and cocktail mixology