Antique Bar 1900

Perched on the 3rd floor above Dihua Street’s historic AS Watson / Watson & Co building, Antique Bar 1900 transports visitors to the late 19th / early 20th century Europe. The building itself carries weight: once Taipei’s first Western pharmacy, this structure bears layers of local history and architectural legacy. The décor is deliberate and immersive. Walls dressed in deep greens, dark wood furnishings, shelves stacked with vintage typewriters, telephones, and ornate frames—many pieces from the owner’s European antique hunting. Art nouveau and Viennese Secession motifs, including prints inspired by Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt, frame corners and hallways. A vintage cash register is still used, lending authenticity to the aesthetic. The sense is that every object was chosen with intention—not just décor, but narrative. The drink program aligns with the theme. Absinthe is a hero here—offered in several varieties, with a traditional fountain for slow ice drip dilution. The bar also emphasizes Irish whiskey, and a curated cocktail menu leans European — riffs and classics that complement the old-world environment. Drinks like Death in the Afternoon (absinthe + bubbly) are known among patrons. One interesting detail: the bar was launched as a “three-year limited plan”, matching the owner Alan’s diplomatic spouse posting cycles. In other words, the bar’s life was originally set to mirror a term abroad, giving it a poetic temporality. While that was the initial plan, it remains operating and beloved among aficionados. Visiting is akin to being a guest in a century-old salon. You sip slowly, lean into conversation, and absorb the quiet drama of time and objects. For lovers of absinthe, antique tales, or romantic evocations, Antique Bar 1900 is a must.