Taipei Travel Guide to Gay Nightlife

The Netflix movie, Your Name Engraved Herein, may inspire you to travel to Taiwan, and I recommend it when you’re ready to travel again. I admit, when I was offered the opportunity to go on a trip to Taiwan two years ago, I was more thrilled about getting an all-expenses-paid trip. Yeah, I thought Thailand would be my first journey to Asia, but the travel gods had a different plan for me. During my 7-day tour around Taiwan – thanks to Sita World Tours — I couldn’t understand why no one in my close circle of friends or other travel colleagues ever mentioned Taiwan as a gay travel destination. It’s usually thought of as a quick layover for travelers heading to other countries such as Hong Kong and Thailand. From the honeymoon haven, Sun Moon Lake to an adventurous hike on Sanxiantai Island to a spiritual stroll at Fo Guang Buddhist Monastery to the bustling metropolis of Taipei, this island country of more than 23 million people appeals to travelers from around the world for different reasons.

A little levity at the Martyr’s Shrine in Taipei, Taiwan

Tourists are attracted to Taipei’s rich culture, history, and famous sights, including the towering Taipei 101, for jaw-dropping views of the city. Locals and international travelers flock to watch the changing of the guard at Martyr’s Shrine every day at noon. And if you enjoy watching locals flex their culinary skills, head to Shilin Night Market to sample the food at the crowd-pleasing hawker stalls. Don’t miss out on checking out the unique handmade jewelry and clothes sold at the market, too.

This thriving capital city also appeals to LGBTQ+ travelers. Touted as the “San Francisco of the East,” Taipei is one of nine progressive cities and nine counties on the island where same-sex marriage is legal; workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned; and every October, the city’s Gay Pride celebration attracts more than 50,000 revelers. It’s no wonder why Taipei has become a major gay-friendly travel destination, attracting visitors from around the world and other Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

Taipei 101 building at a distance

In addition to these positive steps in gay rights, Taipei has a vibrant, welcoming LGBTQ+ community – something I learned during my two-night, bar-hopping escapade. The Red House District (Wanhua) is home to more than 25 different gay bars, shops, and restaurants. Take the MRT or Subway and hop off at the Ximen station or take an Uber, which can be cheap, depending on where you’re staying in the city. Before your bar crawl begins, I recommend hitting the Ximending Night Market (open at 5 pm) to fill up on good Taiwanese food and do some shopping before the real action kicks into high gear.

One of the things, I enjoy about visiting the Red House District is the bars – lined up next to one another – have patios and outdoor seating. You can choose where and how you want your night to begin. I started my bar crawl at Bears Bar, the first gay bar as you enter the gay village. Grab a seat and a Taiwan Beer, and watch as the bears, otters and their chasers (of all ages) converge on the patio. G-Paradise is another popular hangout for bigger boys and bears. I’m not sure they are still there, but Tetsu and Alex were super friendly and made me and my other travel buddies feel at home. A five-minute walk west of G-Paradise, Bear Junkies is another modern bear bar owned by a gay couple, serving drinks, coffee, tea, and snacks. Just remember this bar is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. And for bears that don’t drink, consider a stop at D Cup Café, where they serve non-alcoholic drinks in pitchers!

Gay bars in the Red House or Wanhua District

Not only does this neighborhood bar scene attract furry patrons, but they also do a great job attracting a diverse crowd of locals and tourists (including Westerners) who have various interests. For example, guys into BDSM usually frequent the leather bar Commander D. If you enjoy dancing, head to HERO Bar. For theme nights like KY Wrestling, make a pit stop at Hunt. The Garden, Mudan, Café Dalida, and Casa Café & Bar are other options for late-night revelers.

In addition to the Red House District, there are other gay venues located in other neighborhoods, including the Zhongshan District, north of Ximen. If you’re in the Zhongshan District, grab a drink at the music bar and lounge Goldfish, popular with the muscle crowd and the bears. This high-ceiling space also showcases local artists via photography and art exhibits.

Goldfish Bar

After all the talk about bars, you can’t leave Taipei without tipping back a bottle of Taiwan Beer. I tried two lagers: Original and Gold Medal. There’s also flavored Taiwan Beer. Yeah, I know. It sounds terrible, but it was so good! I tried the pineapple-flavored Taiwan Beer at The Garden, and it was much better than I thought it would be. There’s mango-flavored beer, too. And if a Malt beer is your preferred choice, try Mine Amber or Mine Dark. Just remember to stick with beer or cocktails during your fun bear bar crawl in Taipei. You’ll thank me later.

No, it’s not a Heineken. It’s a pineapple-flavored Taiwan Beer.

For more information about the LGBTQ+ scene in Taipei, take a look at the Gay Taipei Guide on Gay Cities. As of March 3, 2021, Taiwan has reported a total of 958 cases of COVID-19, 926 have recovered, and nine people have passed away due to the disease. Before you plan a trip, check out the travel advisories on the website for the US Department of State as well as the websites for Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and check out the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control.