Nightlife in Taiwan

Taiwan is a strange meshing of Western and Asian cultures. Some you will find familiar, others almost unfathomable. There are numerous recreational outlets that you won’t find else where.

People usually spend their evenings in the Karaoke Clubs. Waiting lists for rooms can sometimes be as much as an hour on weekends. These clubs are arranged into rooms of various sizes where friends can gather to sing songs with microphones in front of a big screen TV, play drinking games, eat food, and play cards. If you like to sing English songs of the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, or you have an urge to sing songs by the Carpenters, Mariah Carey, or the Bee Gees, this is the place for you. All the most popular Chinese songs of the day are there for singing. This can be a great way to practice your Chinese, too.

Live music shows are becoming more and more popular, but the clubs usually have high cover charges. Popular bands perform regularly in Taiwan. You can attend Chinese and Western Opera and Classical almost any evening at the National Concert Hall and National Theater in Taipei.

Movies are now arriving in Taiwan just a couple of weeks behind openings in the U.S. and cost around NT$240. They are not overdubbed in Chinese like they are in other countries in Asia but have subtitles along the bottom of the screen: a much better alternative. Some of the Hong Kong and Taiwan movies are great entertainment, even if you don't understand a word - the action speaks for itself.

Every major city has some good western style pubs and beer houses where you can go play pool and darts, or sit and talk with friends. There are many of these clubs with their popularity changing every month. If you like these kinds of places, ask anyone where the best clubs are this month and they'll steer you in the right direction.