Taipei Pre-Party Spots: Where to Start Your Night Out
Taipei is one of the easiest cities in Asia for a night out. The MRT is convenient, convenience stores are everywhere, and different neighborhoods have completely different nightlife vibes. But if you are new to Taiwan, the hardest question is often not where to club — it is where to meet your friends before the night really starts.
This guide is for foreigners visiting, studying, interning, or living in Taiwan who want relaxed, affordable, and social places to start the evening before going to a club, live music venue, karaoke room, or late-night food spot. Some people like a proper bar with happy hour. Some prefer sitting outside with friends. Others want something cheap near the MRT before heading to Xinyi, Ximen, or Da’an.
The best Taipei pre-party spots are not always fancy. In fact, part of the fun of Taipei nightlife is that your night can start in a small local bar, a student neighborhood, a park, or even with a quick drink from 7-Eleven before moving somewhere else. The key is choosing the right area for your budget, your group, and where you plan to go afterward.
Best for cheap drinks
Revolver, convenience store drinks, and student areas like Gongguan.
Best social atmosphere
Red House Bar District in Ximen, especially for groups and visitors.
Best relaxed start
Da’an Forest Park, apartment pre-drinks, or casual bars near MRT stations.
1. Revolver — Best Classic Taipei Pre-Party Bar
Best for: cheap drinks Area: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Budget: $–$$Revolver is one of Taipei’s most famous foreigner-friendly bars and live music venues. It has been a go-to spot for students, backpackers, English teachers, exchange students, and long-term expats for years. If you are new to Taipei and want somewhere easy to meet people, Revolver is a safe first choice.
The vibe is casual, slightly alternative, and much less polished than the cocktail bars in Xinyi or Da’an. That is exactly why people like it. You can come in normal clothes, grab a beer or mixed drink, and meet friends before heading somewhere else. It is also close to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall MRT Station, which makes it convenient if your group is coming from different parts of the city.
Revolver works especially well as a Taipei pre-party spot because it is central without being too expensive. If there is a show upstairs, the atmosphere can get lively early. If not, it is still a simple place to start the night before moving to Ximen, Xinyi, or another late-night area.
Good for: students, exchange students, solo travelers, live music fans, budget-conscious groups.
Nearby MRT: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station.
Tip: Check their latest schedule before going, especially if you want live music or event nights.
2. Red House Bar District — Best Outdoor Pre-Party Area in Ximen
Best for: social groups Area: Ximending Budget: $$The Red House area in Ximen is one of the most iconic nightlife spots in Taipei. Behind the historic Red House building, you will find a cluster of outdoor bars with tables, lights, music, and a lively crowd. It is also one of Taipei’s most well-known LGBTQ+ friendly nightlife areas, but everyone is welcome as long as they are respectful.
This is one of the best Taipei pre-party spots if you want to sit outside, chat, people-watch, and slowly start the night. Compared with a club, the Red House Bar District is much easier for conversation. Compared with a small indoor bar, it feels more open and relaxed. For foreigners visiting Taipei for the first time, it is also easy to find because it is close to Ximen MRT Station.
Red House is especially good before a night out in Ximending. You can start with drinks behind Red House, walk around Ximen, get street food, and then continue to a bar, karaoke room, or club. If your group cannot decide what kind of night they want, Ximen is a smart place to begin because there are many options nearby.
Good for: visitors, LGBTQ+ travelers, groups, first-time Taipei nightlife experiences.
Nearby MRT: Ximen Station.
Tip: Walk around first before choosing a bar. Prices and vibes can vary from place to place.
3. Gongguan — Best Student Pre-Party Area Near NTU
Best for: students Area: Gongguan / NTU Budget: $–$$Gongguan is one of the best areas for students in Taipei. It is close to National Taiwan University, NTUST, and many language students, which means the neighborhood has a younger and more casual feel than Xinyi or Zhongshan. If you are studying in Taiwan and want a low-pressure place to meet friends before going out, Gongguan is a very practical choice.
The area has casual restaurants, student bars, cafés, bubble tea shops, late-night food, and convenience stores. It is not always the most glamorous nightlife district, but that is part of the appeal. You can eat dinner, have a drink, meet friends, and then decide whether to continue to Ximen, Revolver, Da’an, or a club later in the night.
Gongguan is also a good pre-party area because it is budget-friendly compared with many central Taipei neighborhoods. For exchange students or Mandarin students who are trying to save money, it is easier to have a fun night here without spending too much before you even reach the main event.
Good for: NTU students, NTUST students, Mandarin students, casual groups, budget nights out.
Nearby MRT: Gongguan Station.
Tip: Eat before drinking. Gongguan has plenty of affordable food, so do not start the night on an empty stomach.
4. Da’an Forest Park — Best Relaxed Outdoor Start
Best for: chill groups Area: Da’an Budget: $Da’an Forest Park is not a bar, but it can be a nice place to meet friends early in the evening before moving somewhere louder. It is one of Taipei’s most famous green spaces and is often described as the city’s “lungs.” For students and expats living near NTNU, NTU, Guting, or Da’an, it is also easy to reach.
This works best for a relaxed start, not a wild party. Think: meeting a few friends, having a simple drink or snack, chatting, then heading to a nearby bar or MRT station. It is also a good option if you are on a tight budget and do not want to spend NT$300–500 before the night has even started.
The important thing is to be respectful. Taipei is a dense city, and parks are shared by families, joggers, older residents, and people who simply want a quiet evening. Keep the noise down, clean up everything you bring, and avoid turning a casual meet-up into a public disturbance.
Good for: small groups, budget nights, students living near Da’an or Guting.
Nearby MRT: Da’an Park Station.
Tip: Bring a trash bag and leave the area cleaner than you found it.
5. Convenience Store Drinks — The Most Taipei Way to Start a Night
Best for: budget travelers Area: anywhere Budget: $Taipei convenience stores are part of daily life. 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart are everywhere, and for many foreigners, they become the easiest place to meet friends before going out. You can buy a drink, grab water, get a snack, use the bathroom if available, and wait for the rest of the group.
The old-school “7-Eleven crawl” idea is simple: meet at one convenience store, walk toward your destination, and stop along the way. But it is better to keep this casual and responsible rather than turning it into a challenge. Nobody needs to rush drinks or annoy people on the street. The convenience store pre-party works best when it is just an affordable way to start the night before heading somewhere more social.
This is especially useful in Taipei because convenience stores are usually near MRT exits, bus stops, night markets, and nightlife districts. If your group is meeting in Ximen, Gongguan, Da’an, or near Taipei 101, there is almost always a convenience store nearby.
Good for: budget nights, students, casual meetups, groups waiting for friends.
Nearby MRT: anywhere in Taipei.
Tip: Buy water too. Taipei nights can be humid, and clubs get crowded.
6. Your Apartment — Best If You Keep It Respectful
Best for: close friends Area: your neighborhood Budget: $If you live in Taipei, your apartment can be the easiest pre-party spot. You do not need to travel, drinks are cheaper, and everyone can relax before going out. This is especially common among students and expats living in shared apartments.
But Taipei apartments are often close together, and sound travels more than you might expect. Many buildings have families, elderly residents, and people who work early. If you are renting a room in a shared apartment, you also need to think about your flatmates. A small pre-party can quickly become a problem if music is too loud or guests are coming in and out late at night.
The best rule is simple: use your apartment as a starting point, not the whole party. Have a few drinks, get ready, meet your friends, and then move outside before it gets too late. This keeps your neighbors happy and helps you avoid trouble with your landlord or building management.
Good for: close friends, small groups, people living near nightlife areas.
Tip: Keep noise low after 10 PM and never invite a large group into a shared apartment without asking your flatmates first.
7. Xinyi — Best Pre-Party Area Before Clubs and Rooftop Bars
Best for: club nights Area: Taipei 101 / Xinyi Budget: $$–$$$If your final destination is a club, lounge, or rooftop bar, Xinyi is one of the most convenient areas to start the night. It is more expensive than Gongguan or Revolver, but it is polished, easy to navigate, and close to Taipei 101, shopping malls, restaurants, and nightlife venues.
Xinyi is a good option when you want a more dressed-up night. You can meet for dinner, have one drink nearby, then walk or take a short taxi ride to the next place. It is also a practical choice if your group includes people who are visiting Taipei for only a few days and want the classic Taipei 101 night view experience.
The downside is price. Drinks in Xinyi can be much more expensive than student areas. If you are on a budget, consider eating and pre-drinking somewhere else first, then heading to Xinyi later.
Good for: club nights, rooftop bars, visitors, birthdays, dressier nights out.
Nearby MRT: Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station or Taipei City Hall Station.
Tip: Check dress codes before going to clubs or higher-end bars.
How to Choose the Right Taipei Pre-Party Spot
The best place to start your night depends on three things: your budget, your final destination, and your group’s energy level. If you are new to Taiwan and want something easy, Revolver or Red House are strong choices. If you are a student trying to save money, Gongguan or a convenience store meet-up might make more sense. If you are planning a club night, Xinyi is usually the most convenient.
Taipei is also very MRT-friendly, so you do not need to stay in one neighborhood all night. You can start near campus, move to Ximen, then finish with late-night food somewhere else. Use the official Taipei Metro website to check routes, fares, first trains, and last trains before heading out.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also useful late at night, especially after the MRT closes. Still, it is smart to plan your way home before you start drinking. Save your address in English and Chinese, keep your phone charged, and make sure at least one person in your group knows where everyone is going.
Helpful Taipei Guides for Foreigners
If you are new to Taiwan, these guides can help you plan more than just your night out:
Final Tips for a Better Night Out in Taipei
Taipei is fun, safe, and easy to explore, but good nightlife still depends on common sense. Bring your ARC or passport copy if you might need ID. Carry some cash because smaller bars may not always accept foreign cards. Drink water between drinks. Do not leave your friends alone if they are too drunk. And if you are living in student housing or a shared apartment, remember that one noisy night can create problems with your landlord, roommates, or neighbors.
The best Taipei pre-party spots are the ones that match your night. Revolver is great for a casual foreigner-friendly bar. Red House is perfect for outdoor drinks in Ximen. Gongguan is ideal for students. Da’an Forest Park works for a relaxed budget start. Convenience stores are classic Taipei. Your apartment is fine for a small group if you keep it respectful. Xinyi is the right choice when the plan is clubs, cocktails, or a more dressed-up night.
Start simple, choose a neighborhood near your final destination, and leave room for late-night food. That is usually how the best nights in Taipei happen.
Moving to Taipei for study, work, or exchange?
A good night out is easier when you live in the right area. If you are looking for student-friendly rooms, shared apartments, or short-term stays in Taipei, browse available housing on My Room Abroad.
