Taipei Solo Trip – Day 5 (15 Nov 2017)

The final 2 days were designated to be chill days – The intention was to wind down from all the traveling and just stay local, lazing at cafe’s doing my writing stuff, or chilling at pubs exposing myself to more Taiwanese craft beer culture.

Needless to say, I woke late, near to lunchtime, while nursing my hangover. The weather was warmer (ugh) and a lot sunnier, and it would be thus for the next couple of days. I had my favorite Lu Rou Fan for lunch, and finally moved out from my hotel at 3pm. Yeah half the day wasted.

I visited my next cafe on this day. It is called the – Let’s meet F2F Cafe and had quite decent reviews on the net. Per my usual methods, I used google map to find the perfect bus route, changed a few buses and found myself before the cafe just as the air turned slightly chilly – despite it being slight off the beaten path for me.

The cafe was spacious with very, very comfortable-looking tables and seats that gave that hippy industrial chill. The cafe delivered what it advertised – abundant and accessible power ports, big wide comfortable table and seats, chill and serene (slightly luxurious) ambience perfect for study and writing. A section of the cafe housed humongous and comfortable couches where a cute Japanese/Chinese-like mother daughter group were up to their bubbly stuff, whiling the afternoon away.

I have to say the place was huge and could house up to a hundred if need be. There was a full fledged counter selling bubble teas, coffee, tea and even alcohol. On their menu was the regular junk foods, pasta and sandwiches. The staff gave a very warm reception; even offering free coffee for (me) first time visitors.

A great leisurely afternoon later, evening finally arrived! It was time to pack up my notebook and mouse, and start my evening reconnaissance for bars and pubs!

On this evening, I traversed the west side of the city hall sector taking in the (slightly) chilled night air and visited 3 touted joints boasting 3 different characteristics and themes. Click on the names and follow the links below to learn more about them.

The Speakeasy bar – No! It was anything but a speakeasy. It was more a traditional English with a name slightly out of sync with today’s definitions of pubs.

(Follow this link to find out more about the Speakeasy Bar)

Ounce – Now this was the true blue secret underground pub, complete with your chatty bartenders serving up bespoke drinks.

(Follow this link to check out my experience at Ounce – a (real) Speakeasy pub)

Sappho live Jazz ($300 cover charge) – Another one of the more popular Jazz joints in Taipei. Band was decent, if a bit too chatty. Great for jazz music and some beer.

(Follow this link to get the low down on this Jazz Pub)