Top Bars in Taipei – Most Viewed (2025)

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.

At first glance, Mozi appears as a stylish barber / salon in Taipei’s Da’an District — clean lines, leather chairs, curated bookshelves, and attentive hairstylists. But tucked behind one of the bookcases (or a subtle secret door) is its other identity: Mozi Bar, a hidden cocktail lounge and speakeasy built upon the concept of a modern salon-salon hybrid. The atmosphere inside Mozi is intimate and moody. Dark woods, vintage accents, leather upholstery, and soft amber lighting set a mood that is both sophisticated and relaxed. The décor leans toward a mid-century gentleman's club aesthetic with nods to classic salons and libraries. Cocktails at Mozi are carefully crafted — they balance flavors, local touches, and aesthetic presentation. One review mentions they offer tea-infused cocktails, seasonal fruits, and creative twists. For example, Tea from Grandpa (Earl Grey–infused gin with lime) is cited as a recommendation. The bar also offers small bites and bar snacks / light plates to accompany drinks. Because Mozi shares space with the salon, part of the charm is the dual life of the venue: you may walk past haircuts, styling tools, or hairdressers before discovering the tucked-away bar. The entrance is intended to be discreet — patrons often need to push a bookshelf or pass through a back corridor. Visiting Mozi feels like joining a quiet, refined conversation in a hidden enclave. It’s well suited for people who enjoy craft cocktails, slow evenings, design details, and places that reveal themselves gradually rather than wave “Open” signage.

Tucked discreetly above a bar in Taipei’s Xinyi District, Alchemy Speakeasy Bar Taipei is less a destination than a discovery. To enter, guests must pass through the front bar (Marquee / “MQ”), find an inconspicuous staircase, walk a corridor lined with black-and-white photos, and then slide open a hidden wall or bookshelf door to reveal a moody, intimate cocktail chamber. Inside, the lighting is low, the décor vintage, and the air scented with mystery. Dark wood, leather seating, antique accents, and jazz or blues playing softly in the background compose a setting that feels lifted straight from the 1920s. The bartenders lean into both classic prohibition drinks and inventive house signatures — expect flavors infused with local touches like oolong tea, chrysanthemum, or Asian botanicals. One regular favorite is Beginning of Prohibition, a drink theatrically wrapped in newspaper, embracing the spirit of secrecy. Another is Aloe No.12, which blends oolong-infused rum, white wine, aloe liqueur, honey, lime, and often delicate floral or local garnish accents. The crowd tilts towards cocktail devotees, night owls, and couples seeking something beyond the ordinary. On weekday evenings it can be calm and lingering, but on weekends the discreet room may fill up. Service is usually professional (some reviews note bartenders explain the menu in English, others say the staff is less chatty). One interesting point: while the MQ bar (under which Alchemy is hidden) is reportedly closing, Alchemy is expected to remain open. Visiting Alchemy feels like stepping into a secret society: the thrill of discovering the entrance, the hush of the inner room, the reverence given to each cocktail, and the way time seems to slow. For those who love storytelling through ambiance and flavor, it’s a must-see in Taipei’s nightlife.

Tucked discreetly behind a modest café façade on Xinyi Road, Ounce Taipei is where mystery, craftsmanship, and warmth converge. No flashy signage, no obvious menu—just a hidden entrance and a sense that you’ve stumbled into a well-kept secret. Once inside, warm lighting dances off rich wooden surfaces, and bottles of rare spirits silently promise stories and sensations yet to come. The bar operates on an “omakase”-style cocktail philosophy: there is no menu. Instead, you chat with your bartender about flavors you enjoy—perhaps something herbal, smoky, or citrusy—and they conjure a drink tailored to your palate. These custom creations pack personality and technical finesse, with prices hovering between NT$350–450 (around US$11–14). Beyond the cocktails, Ounce offers an intentional, relaxed atmosphere. The space is intentionally intimate—bar seating invites you to watch the craft in action, while tucked-away tables encourage quiet conversation. Skilled bartenders, often expats well-versed in global cocktail culture, are as engaging as they are adept—many patrons return again and again, drawn by personal rapport as much as the drinks. Others highlight the rarity of the spirits—not commonly found elsewhere in the city—stacked behind the bar like precious artifacts, ready to be part of your next bespoke concoction. For those intrigued by hidden doors, craftsmanship, and a curated experience that's as much about conversation as cocktail, Ounce Taipei offers a soulful, sophisticated escape—and a benchmark in Taipei’s modern speakeasy scene.

Nestled in a quiet alley off Dunhua South Road, Bar Mood (吧沐) opened its doors in September 2017 and has since become a celebrated gem in Taipei’s cocktail scene. Created by mixologist Nick Wu, this bar transports guests from the businesslike street-level into a dim, intimate realm—think sliding doors, rich wooden tones, and custom furniture crafted by Wu’s parents, who have mastered their trade for over 50 years. Inside, the bar is sensorially rich: a living bartop garden teeming with native Taiwanese flowers, herbs, and botanicals—often foraged—that infuse their cocktails with a distinct local essence. The menu juxtaposes Western classics with Eastern nuances, featuring ingredients like oolong tea, bitter melon, peanuts, and soy milk—sometimes sourced from Wu’s own family—crafted using techniques like rotary distillation and low-temperature cooking to elevate each drink. Bar Mood has repeatedly landed on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list (2019–2021), clinched the Asia’s 50 Best Sustainable Bar Award in 2022, and rose to No. 37 in 2024. It’s known not just for taste but for artistry—guests often rave about signature concoctions like “Sweet Osmanthus Blossom” and “Chrysanthemum Whisky,” and occasionally enjoy off-menu surprises like a seaweed-infused Ramos Gin Fizz. Reviewers frequently highlight the “exquisitely crafted” drinks, cozy atmosphere, and attentive service, making it ideal for date nights or discerning cocktail seekers.

Nestled in Da’an District, Draft Land reimagines the cocktail experience with its inventive “cocktails on tap” concept, blending casual fun with refined flavor. Patrons can sample from an evolving lineup—think rum swirls of coconut, mango, and pandan or artful mixes like beetroot with matcha and jasmine—without commitment. Founded in 2018 by bartender Angus Zou of Drinks Lab, the bar’s mission is clear: make high-quality, approachable cocktails more affordable and accessible. Surrounding this fun are 17+ taps pouring balanced, pre-batched cocktails from behind the bar—plus a cozy upstairs "Testing Room" where seasonal creations are crafted live, and you can take a front-row seat in both flavor and process. On the ground floor, it's a lively, standing-room‑only scene with rapid pours and vibrant chatter. Head upstairs for a more intimate vibe, where bartenders experiment with high/low alcohol profiles, visual coordinate menus, and unique ingredients—even offering small bar snacks to pair with drinks. With a relaxed yet quirky atmosphere, friendly drafttenders, and the freedom to discover your favorite flavor by sampling first, Draft Land suits both weekend groups and solo sippers. Especially popular on weekends—and just around the corner for locals and tourists alike—it blends innovation with comfort, making every visit feel fresh.

ROOM by Le Kief, tucked discreetly behind Le Kief’s tailor shop in Taipei’s Daan district, is the brainchild of Seven Yi — a former chef‑manager turned molecular mixologist. Ranked No. 19 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021, it delivers a seasonally evolving cocktail‑food pairing concept where each theme reshapes the ambiance, music, and menu. The circular layout places bartenders at the center as a stage, with guests seated around — creating intimate focus on drinks and theatrics. Before 10 pm, ROOM offers set tasting menus of five cocktails paired with six canapés, designed around thought‑provoking themes like ‘memory,’ ‘perfume,’ or local flavors, often in collaboration with fragrance brands or local chef. A la carte service starts later in the evening for cocktail-only guest. Expect molecular techniques like milk‑washing, sous‑vide infusions, and ingredient deconstruction — each drink is a living narrative, often light on alcohol but heavy on sensory storytelling. Music, lighting, tableware, scent cues, and service pacing all blend into a choreographed experience that stimulates all five sense. Though small and reservation-only, ROOM by Le Kief offers an immersive cocktail experience that feels more like experimental theater than a bar. It’s ideal for drinkers craving conceptual creativity and sensory surprise beyond classic cocktail expectation.

Bar Pine (松) situates itself at the intersection of memory, terroir, and design. Located in Da’an District, Taipei, it inhabits what was once a woodwork shop, channeling its material legacy into every detail of the space and drink program. The name “Pine / 松” draws from the pine trees that once stood on its rooftop and the site’s prior life as a timber business. That dual reference to wood, nature, and architecture offers continuity between its past and present. Designers (including Insitu Design) shaped the interior with stone, wood, subtle lighting, and quiet elegance. The entrance leads you through a garden-hallway concept, easing visitors from street noise into a contemplative drinking den. Bar Pine’s menu is not static: it rotates seasonally (they mention “Season 7” in social media). Their cocktail philosophy frames every drink as a story—rooted in memory, in Taiwan, in “菜市場” (marketplace) themes, in local ingredients (pine needle, preserved plum, oolong tea, etc.). One feature that sets it apart: patrons sometimes receive complimentary hot soup (often chicken) before or after drinking, a gesture of Taiwanese hospitality merging warmth and conviviality. Though primarily a cocktail bar, they also pair with dishes: their food menu leans into Taiwanese flavors and uses local ingredients, making drinks and food part of a unified experience. In short: Bar Pine is less about spectacle and more about slow sediment—the taste of place, memory, and design, distilled into a glass.