This blog is all about speakeasies which have non-alcoholic options for non-drinkers visiting Taipei, Taiwan.
After writing my last blog post about non-alcoholic options in Hong Kong. I wanted to make a better effort at checking out non-alcoholic options for non-drinkers on my recent trip to Taiwan. I found some non-alcoholic speakeasy bar options in Taipei for your next trip to Taiwan! I stand firm in my belief that you can go to bars, not drink and have a good time.
Keep reading to find out more about what happened when I visited three speakeasy bars in Taipei. I have been to bars before where the only option is a soft drink so I thought speakeasies would add a bit more novelty this time and maybe give you some ideas if you visit Taiwan.
1. Hanko 60 – No. 60, Section 2, Hankou St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108.
Taipei MRT Stop: Ximen (Blue Bannan Line or Green Songshan-Xindian Line).
Firstly, I paid a visit to Hanko 60 which has a very central location. This is a cool movie themed speakeasy which isn’t too far from Ximending if you’re in that area. I looked out for movie posters outside with several holes in the wall. Ring the doorbell and someone will greet you at the door.
Once you enter, you’ll see what looks like what used to be the lobby of a cinema which has been converted into a bar. There is a wide array of drinks available and they’re brought out in small bath tubs, saline drip bags, and many other quirky ways. Also, they didn’t have mocktails on the menu. The staff were very hospitable and gave me plenty of ideas to choose from (specify sweet or sour at the start).
A sever called Caveira recommended that I order from Roy, the mixologist. I was asked if I would prefer a sweet or a sour option. I opted for both! For my first drink, Roy gave me the sour option. It had grapefruit, calpis, butterfly pea flower and orange, lime. It tasted pretty good and I even thought that it was a little sweet!
My second drink was a sweet option. It had a lot of fresh apple, apple vinegar, soda water, honey and sambucus (to connect your bones together). Both mocktails cost 250 NTD each which I appreciated because it was a lower price due to the fact that that there was no alcohol inside. I have been to places where non-alcoholic drinks can cost the same as those with alcohol. There were loads of other novelty options with alcohol to choose from, too.
All in all, I think that it’s a bar to come with friends for sure. However, there are loads of seats along the bar if you’re alone and want a chat (or not!). When I was there, people were pretty sociable. I would recommend this bar to my friends.
2. Ounce – No. 309號, Section 4, Xinyi Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106.
Taipei MRT Stop: Xinyi Anhe (Red Tamsui-Xinyi Line).
Secondly, I took a trip to Ounce Bar. I almost walked past here but once I found the right part to press I was glad I came! Ounce is located in Da’an District in Taipei. To be honest, someone outside had to eventually ask me if I was looking for this place. I kept walking up and down and at one point I nearly started awkwardly walking around a restaurant next door.
To be clear, there was no drinks menu here. However, you can chat with the staff and they’ll conjure something up for you! I think this was probably the most sociable bar that I was in. The staff were happy to chat to customers. There was a mixture of locals and visitors, too.
In addition, I paid 350 NTD here per drink. Initially, I was skeptical and wondered if it would be worth it (it was). Once again, the fact that I didn’t have alcohol worked to my advantage. I did feel that they make a great effort to craft unique cocktails regardless.
For my first drink, I received a concoction of ginger, spice, passion fruit and honey. The ginger and spice were strong (which I loved!) but a nice balance with the ginger and honey, too. I had to remind myself to take my time. It definitely made me want to order another drink.
And that’s exactly what I did! My second drink had earl grey, ginger, Tabasco, lemon and soda water. This drink was strong on the Tabasco! It made me sip and savor the drink rather than down it like I usually do!
Lucas served me and was very friendly. He offered me to sit at the bar or on the lower seats. I ended up sitting in both sections. It was a great bar to come with friends or alone. Overall, it was very sociable!
In both parts where I sat, people struck up conversations with me. I was also offered a (non-alcoholic) shot before I left. It is definitely my favourite speakeasy bar to recommend as there was a great atmosphere and it felt like a bar I would want to come to regularly if I lived in Taipei.
3. Bar Pun – No. 5號, Lane 378, Section 4, Xinyi Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106.
Taipei MRT Stop: Xinyi Anhe (Red Tamsui-Xinyi Line).
Thirdly, I headed over to Bar Pun. This was definitely the most ‘speakeasy’ of speakeasies! Why? Because it took me so long to enter! This bar is located down a dark laneway on an already very dark and quiet street in Da’an District in Taipei.
I read online that you have to press a red button. I did. Multiple times. Without giving the game away, try pressing different parts of the button. The door automatically opens and it leads you through to 1920s decor and vaudeville music playing out.
To be fair, I arrived here very close to closing time. I didn’t stay too long because the place was dead. Also, I didn’t want the reason staff couldn’t get home early/on time! Also, just to be clear, the staff were still very nice.
I had one drink with guava, ginger ale, black tea and a little ginger for 250 NTD. Again, something which I really appreciated as it was lower than the prices on the menu because it didn’t contain alcohol.
Finally, Ounce and Bar Pun are located near one another so you can try both if you’re in the area and you have the time. If you have managed to read this far, which bar would you like to try and why? Maybe you have another suggestion? Please let me know in the comments!
