Time seems to move slower in Dai-Da-Cheng, a district in Taipei that retains the grandeur of its past. The scent of dried herbs and incense wafting from traditional medicine shops and temples creates a unique atmosphere. This lively blend of old and new doesn’t just offer refreshing herbal teas; you can also delve into hidden alleys and old houses to find bars that serve soul-stirring cocktails.
## Small City Out: A Secret Base in the Old District
Open the back door of a lifestyle store and you’ll find Small City Out, a bar nestled in a courtyard reached by stone steps. The space has the look of an old-house coffee shop, but a prominent wall of liquor bottles reminds you that this is a bar. Small City Out opened in 2016. Eason, the owner, who had learned from Japanese cocktail master Kazuo Ueda at Tender Bar in Ginza, said, “I was struggling with whether to open the shop here. But rather than competing in the East District, I wanted to create my own style.” Without overthinking it, he borrowed old furniture from the landlord and gathered what he could to set up shop in this old district, bringing the quiet atmosphere of Tender Bar with him.
Small City Out, with its understated elegance, offers coffee and low-alcohol cocktails during the day. Tracy, the manager, recommends “Ten Years in the World,” a cocktail with apple as the base, enhanced with Sichuan peppercorn, fragrant herby Mayflower, and a touch of citrus. The pleasant acidity and refreshing coolness make it ideal for a relaxing afternoon, chasing away any blues.
For coffee lovers, there’s “Old Smoker,” a cocktail that evokes the smoky aroma of a cigarette without having to leave the bar. Eason says, “It doesn’t taste smoky, but smell your fingers.” The lingering smoky aroma is reminiscent of stories untold, leaving you wanting more. Why not settle in, have a Grasshopper or a Gimlet, and experience the magic of a Hard Shake? The night is young.
Phone:
(02) 2559-5560Address:
2F, No. 15, Lane 362, Minsheng West Road, Datong District, Taipei City## Antique Bar 1900: A Journey Through Old Europe
Across the street from the bustling Xiahai City God Temple, a temple with a loyal following both locally and internationally, stands the century-old Watsons Pharmacy. Its facade blends Baroque and Chinese elements, and on the third floor, nestled within this classically opulent building, is Antique Bar 1900, adorned with Art Nouveau aesthetics.
Alan, the owner of Antique Bar 1900, returns to Taiwan only a few times a year, spending the rest of his time abroad with his wife, who works in diplomacy. Alan, sporting a Dali-esque moustache, describes Dai-Da-Cheng as a district where tradition blends with innovation, perfectly suited for an antique bar’s historical character. Gina, the manager, explains, “Antique Bar 1900 strives to capture the ambiance of 1900s Europe. The walls feature works by Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt, and the antique typewriter, furniture, and other vintage pieces are largely from Alan’s collection from his time in Belgium.”
Stepping into Antique Bar 1900 feels like stepping back in time to old Europe. Gina, dressed like a European lady, gracefully introduces us to the traditional way of enjoying absinthe (also known as wormwood liqueur, a potent anise-flavored spirit distilled from herbal extracts). “We have five types of absinthe to choose from, sourced from Czech Republic, Norway, Italy, and more. We let our guests smell the aroma first, then dilute it with ice from an ice bucket to experience its true essence.” Beyond its intense anise flavor, here you can savor finely crafted absinthe with floral, milky, and citrus notes, challenging the conventional image of absinthe as just a green liquor with sugar burnt on top.
Phone:
(02) 2555-6906Address:
3F, No. 34, Dihua Street Section 1, Datong District, Taipei City## Jade Dew: Botanical Cocktails in a Cave-Like Setting
Jade Dew, opened in February 2024, derives its name from a blend of the Chinese words for “rare and precious dew” and the Japanese word for “night” (Yoru). The bar’s concept, from the name to the design, cocktails, and food, is infused with meticulous attention to detail. This reflects Kai, the owner, who has learned from prominent Taiwanese and Japanese bartenders like Perry and Shinji Mukai.
Kai elaborates on the space concept, saying, “I wanted to create an atmosphere that is both wild and warm, a departure from the typical Taipei vibe.” He achieved this by crafting a cave-like rock texture using fiberglass and incorporating a cedar wood bar for a touch of woodiness. The cocktail menu reflects the natural ambiance, drawing inspiration from the Kumamoto Bar Yokan’s use of local plants. “Taiwan has so many native plant species. I felt I should be doing this too, showing more people the beauty of Taiwanese plants.” This is why most of the bar’s cocktails feature locally sourced plants, such as Taiwan’s native species like Taiwan Five-Needle Pine, Mayflower, and Rhus chinensis. These plants are both the inspiration and the main ingredient in the cocktails, echoing the name “Jade Dew” which also refers to a plant.
“I use traditional methods like plant extraction and clarification, then adjust the acidity and sweetness, and finally consider other elements that enhance the plant flavors.” For instance, the Taiwan Five-Needle Pine cocktail uses fresh leaves for extraction, resulting in a guava-skin-like herbal expression. This is complemented by the green cardamom and orange blossom aroma at the back, leaving a fresh and non-bitter finish. Another cocktail, Mayflower, has a pleasant essential oil and angelica aroma. The blackberries in the drink and the final sip create a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy flavors, adding a multi-layered fruitiness to the complexity of the plant.
Phone:
(02) 2559-8789Address:
1F, No. 243, Chang’an West Road, Datong District, Taipei City## Cicada Bar: Unpretentious Elegance, showcasing the Essence of Cocktails
As you wander through the alleys of Dai-Da-Cheng at night, you’ll find Cicada Bar, tucked away in a row of old Minnan houses, next to the former residence of Taiwanese folk lyricist Li Linqiu. The bar, newly opened in May 2024, is owned by Lance, who believes opening the bar in Dai-Da-Cheng was pure fate. “I wasn’t intentionally targeting this location. I saw this house and decided to open the bar here.” It was only after coming to Dai-Da-Cheng that he began to learn about the old district’s history and its once-bustling prosperity.
Cicada Bar retains the rustic charm of its original stone brick walls, with the aroma of sandalwood filling the air. Lance prefers not to impose a specific style on the bar or its space, saying, “I don’t want to emphasize anything, I just want to express myself through my design.” Even the sandalwood, for him, is just “burning.” Although he says this, Lance pays attention to the smallest details. The bar doesn’t serve food with strong flavors, and the Japanese rock sugar, three-warming sugar, and ginger sugar used in the cocktails are all homemade. This is to ensure guests can savor the clean flavors of the cocktails.
He incorporates Taiwanese teas like honey-scented black tea and Jinxuan oolong into classic cocktails, aiming to maintain the essence of those classics while allowing the tea notes to shine through in the finish. When asked about his unique pairing techniques, he says, “I always buy the tea first and experiment to see what goes well with it. I do the same with fruit – I go to the fruit store, see what looks good, and buy it.” There’s no pre-planned approach, but the resulting Secret Garden Martini, with its grape and white flower notes, is more delicate than a typical Martini.
Phone:
(02) 2559-9012Address:
No. 12, Lane 86, Xining North Road, Datong District, Taipei CityThese four bars offer a glimpse into the diverse and exciting bar scene in Dai-Da-Cheng. So, if you’re looking for a unique and memorable experience, be sure to check them out.
