Travellers headed to Kaohsiung, Taipei, need not worry about combing the city dry looking for a decent place to grab a drink. The Taiwanese Municipality is sprawling with trendy cocktail bars and polished whisky lounges that can rival that of its capital.
In Kaohsiung, the trendiest joints tend to be more laid-back and low-key than their counterparts in Taipei, so don’t expect to be chugging beer like a beast and tearing up any dance floors. If that’s the sort of thing you’re desperately trying to avoid, then here’s a list of bars we think you might enjoy.
1. 三千 – Atman Space
Shouldering the responsibility of a cocktail bar, a cafe and a reservations-only salon, this quaint and cosy bar tucked away in a small alley in a busy neighbourhood is the real oasis of calm. Atman Space is decorated with simple decor and includes a small library of books for guests to enjoy whilst enjoying a coffee, a tipple and possibly even a hair cut.
Address: No. 94號, Minquan 1st Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 802
Opening Hours: 7PM – 2AM (Daily)
Contact: +886 7 221 6456
2. Bar Diary
With a back bar that exhibits over a hundred different whiskies, Bar Diary exists as a literal oasis for curious tipplers and whisky lovers alike. Sporting a cool, polished prohibition era-type feel to it, this whisky joint is the perfect spot to drown out your sorrows by the dram.
Address: No. 82號, Funong Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 804
Opening Hours: 9PM – 5AM (Daily)
Contact: +886 7 522 4467
3. Bar Five Cocktail & Food
If you’re the sort that prefers having your drink served with a side of theatrics and Instagrammable flair, then definitely pay Bar Five a visit. The bar itself is spacious and the ambience is pretty chill but when it comes to their drinks, it’s anything but. Expect theatric displays in the form of smoke, elaborately decorated drinks and surprises that will have you ordering more drinks just to satiate your curiosity rather than your thirst.
Address: No. 2-4號, Renyi Street, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 802
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Daily)
Contact: +886 7 338 3020
4. Hush Drinker
If you’re looking for a bar with awesome drinks made with incredible passion, with a cosy atmosphere accompanied by solid music, you won’t be disappointed paying a visit to Hush Drinker.
Dubbed as one of Kaohsiung’s best bars, Hush Drinker offers fabulous service alongside a dizzying array of delicious cocktails. If you’re lucky, you just might be able to meet the bar’s resident pup!
Address: No. 11號, Wufu 4th Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803
Opening Hours: 7PM – 2AM (Sun to Thu), 7PM – 3AM (Fri & Sat)
Contact: +886 7 561 7808
5. Inn Bistro
Hidden on the other side of a big red door on the ground floor of a hotel, Inn Bistro is where locals and tourists go to to have their minds completely blown by means of expertly crafted cocktails and occasional live music performances.
The bar hosts many local and internationally acclaimed mixology talents so you just might be able to pop in during some bartending high-flyer’s guest shift.
Address: 801, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Qianjin District, Liuhe 2nd Road, 128號2樓
Opening Hours: 8PM – 3AM (Tue to Sun), Closed on Mondays
Contact: +886 7 288 2998
6. The Drunken Master Whisky Bar
Whiskey lovers headed to Kaohsiung can look to sample some of the best Asian whiskies, along with bottles from all around the world, at The Drunken Master Whisky Bar.
Featuring more than 400 different brands, encompassing nearly every known variety of whisky from bourbon and rye to Scotch and Japanese whisky, you’ll be hard bent not to want to bleed your entire wallet dry.
While their range of whisky is an easy draw, what people stay for is the warm, convivial ambience and their attentive staff who will do their utmost to make you feel welcome.
Address: No. 172, Zhonghua 3rd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801
Opening Hours: 7PM – 1.30AM (Mon to Sat), 8PM – 12AM (Sun)
Contact: +886 7 285 4312
7. Amore 小酒吧
Exuding a warm, fun and cosy vibe perfect for anyone to just prop their feet up, enjoy a drink and bid a long, tiresome day goodbye, Amore in Kaohsiung is a small bar hidden within an office building. Their wine list is extensive but it’s really the cocktails that people come for.
They’re all intricately prepared and each one strikes with equal parts potency and elegance of the highest degree. Many of their signature cocktails make use of fruit so expect to be bombarded with a myriad of colours. Trust us when we say, it’s impossible to leave after just having one drink.
Address: 802, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Lingya District, Wufu 3rd Road, 101號8樓
Opening Hours: 8PM – 2AM (Thu to Sun), Closed on Mondays to Wednesdays
Contact: +886 956 166 188
8. Arthouse
Located right next to the harbour, Arthouse Marina is an awesome bar to visit if you’re looking to just kick back with friends and have a few properly-made drinks. Guests can choose to sit inside at the bar or outside on the balcony to enjoy the view of the marina below.
Address: 804, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Gushan District, Shaochuan Street, 51號2F
Opening Hours: 7PM – 3AM (Daily)
Contact: +886 7 531 9340
Read our nightlife guide to Taiwan.
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