Gay Taipei Guide: LGBTQ+ Culture, Bars & Hotspots 🇹🇼

Intro to Gay Taipei

It just doesn't get as gay as it does in Taipei.

Taipei is one of Asia’s most LGBTQ+ affirming cities: marriage equality (since 2019), the region’s largest Pride parade (each October), and a dense, walkable urban core with cafés, night markets, and queer nightlife centered around the Red House in Ximen. Beyond nightlife you get hot springs in Beitou, hiking in Yangmingshan, coastal villages like Jiufen, and ultra-modern architecture (Taipei 101) alongside temples and heritage lanes.

I've personally been to Taipei four times since I studied there in 2012. Most recently, we spent a month in Taiwan, as part of a cycling trip around the island, which culminated in Taipei with Taipei Pride at the end of October and us trying to explore every nook and cranny of Taipei to make the most accurate gay Taipei guide as possible. It turns out, Taipei is exploding with LGBTQ+ culture...there are tons of gay venues to hang out, so naturally, we might miss a few things! Please let us know in the comments below if we do!

FAQ: Being Gay in Taipei

What is the legal & social situation in Taiwan and Taipei?

Same‑sex marriage is legal; anti-discrimination exists in various domains; adoption is fully allowed. Public sentiment is broadly accepting, especially among younger generations. You will see plenty of couples holding hands in Ximen, Da’an Park, and around creative markets.

Is Taipei safe for LGBTQ+ visitors?

Very safe. Violent crime is rare; petty theft minimal. Queer venues operate openly. Basic urban awareness (watch phones at night markets) is enough. We felt unbelievably safe in Taipei.

Generally, we feel this way all over East Asia (such as China and South Korea) where same-sex love is often met with curiosity, but here it feels celebrated as well and embedded in the way of life, which is an added bonus.

Can couples show affection in Taipei?

Hand-holding and brief kisses are routine in Ximen, near Red House, and inside nightlife venues. In temples or traditional markets keep gestures modest.

We saw so much public display of affection between gay and lesbian couples in Da’an Park, which was so refreshing!

Booking accommodation as a same-sex couple in Taipei?

No issues. International and local hotels routinely host LGBTQ+ travelers. Simply book one bed; staff are accustomed to diverse guests.

In other parts of the country, they may question if you book one bed, as local norms are different, but there will unlikely ever be any hostility.

If you want to support the community when staying in Taipei, go with Booking.com Travel Proud properties, but just do some comparisons, as the prices are often a little less on Agoda 😉.

Using dating apps in Taipei?

Grindr, Hornet, Tinder all function and locals are very open on it (no headless profiles here 😜). Standard cautions: meet in public first, verify profiles, and respect privacy. Messaging often shifts to LINE or WhatsApp quickly.

How is LGBTQ+ life outside of Taipei?

Outside Taipei, LGBTQ+ life is present but more low‑key. Travelers rarely report safety issues, though many regions remain more traditional.

In smaller towns and rural areas, hotel staff may still question double‑bed bookings for two men or two women, reflecting local norms (it happened to us twice while we were biking around the island). It is never in a hostile way, and you can always reaffirm that you booked that double bed!

Larger cities like Tainan and Kaohsiung offer bars, events, and community organizations, but many locals still keep a low profile with family.

Overall, Taipei is the epicenter of openness; the rest of the country is welcoming, but continues to catch up.

The Gay Map of Taipei

Where to Stay in Taipei

Key areas:

• Ximen (西門町): This is the center of LGBTQ+ culture in Taipei. You have access to the Red House bars and quick MRT access. If you are just in town for the weekend and want to experience gay culture to the fullest, go ahead and stay in this area.
• Taipei Main Station / North Gate: Transport hub, quick hop to Airport Express and intercity rail.
• Da’an / Zhongxiao East Rd: Stylish cafés, boutiques, central MRT interchange.
• XinYi District: Taipei 101, malls, skyline views, upscale hotels. You can kind of think of this area as like NYC's Financial District, so not as much going on at night, although some of Taipei's LGBTQ+ parties are actually located out this way.

If nightlife proximity (walk to Red House) matters, Ximen or North Gate is ideal. For balanced café + shopping + transit, Da’an / Zhongxiao wins.

The Best Gay-Friendly Hotels in Taipei

• W Taipei (XinYi): Rooftop pool, design focus, near some of the non Red House clubs and Taipei 101.
• citizenM Taipei North Gate: Smart rooms, Booking.com Travel Proud member, techy check‑in, short walk to Ximen.
• Humble House Taipei: Art-forward interiors, skyline views.
• Golden Home Hotel: For somewhere inexpensive, but still close to all the action, look no further than Golden Home Hotel. We stayed here a few nights earlier on in our month-long Taiwan trip and not only were the rooms much nicer than expected, but the ladies at reception were so kind and helpful, really doing their best to make sure we left Taipei with the best impression.

Gay Taipei Nightlife

Red House Plaza (紅樓) in Ximen is the gay nucleus of Taipei: an open square ringed by rainbow-flag cafés, bars, and gay apparel shops, busy Friday (or even during the week) to late Sunday. When we would go out in Taipei, we would start at Red House Plaza early in the evening to have a few drinks (make sure to look out for special deals at each place), meet some friendly locals, and then move over to another location to continue bar-hopping or go to one of the major clubs or infrequent parties.

Here’s the flow for this section: warm up at the bars of Red House Plaza, branch out to citywide bars/clubs, then check pop-up parties or festivals.

Red House Plaza: Bars to Start Your Night

Grab a table along the square for happy-hour deals and people watching, then bounce between venues, arriving before 22:00 keeps lines short. It’s an easy meet-up zone before heading to late-night clubs. There will generally be a host calling out for you to come in at a lot of these (we hate these 😜), but it is just because there is so much competition in this area.

Spotlight: Café Dalida

Café Dalida gets a special shout-out, as it was the friendliest of places we went to, had a drag queen interacting with guest to keep things all light and bubbly, had a nice ambiance, was easy to meet people, had some nice snacks, and had a 4-for-3 beer deal.

Spotlight: VERSBLUE

VERSBLUE is a bit closer to the Ximen Metro Station and just at the start of all the Red House Plaza madness. They have a nice little DJ stand open, in the evening, friendly staff, and the vibe is a bit more intimate than the others. They also have a few hours in the afternoon focused on coffee, which is great for people watching with a view of the Red House.

Other Red House Plaza Bars

You'll find something special at each of these! They are listed in no particular order.

• The Garden
• Mudan
• Casa Bar
• SOL Bistro
• G-Paradise
• CYUN (群) Bar
• Redhouse No. 27
• Commander

Taipei Gay Bars & Clubs Beyond Red House

Beyond the Red House cluster, Taipei’s late-night energy spreads into compact clubs and specialty bars from Zhongxiao to Xinyi. Most spots have a modest cover that usually includes 1–2 drink tickets; prices shift with DJs or theme nights. Check IG or Facebook pages for the latest hours and dress notes, bring physical ID, and expect peak crowds after 23:30, but arrive early or reserve a table if you want space.

Spotlight: Hunt

We went to Hunt on a wrestling singlet night. For 500 NTD, we received 200 NTD in credits for drinks, were given a wrestling singlet to wear, and the rest was history. We loved all the eye candy there in their wrestling singlets and can highly recommend this to anyone who loves a themed night. There is a sizeable darkroom off to the side.

Spotlight: La Fin

We visited La Fin during Pride weekend for the SLUTS party, which was high-energy, tightly packed, and theatrically chaotic (one segment even staged a mock gay wedding). Music skewed toward driving, darker techno reminiscent of Berlin late nights.

Despite a comparatively neutral Instagram aesthetic, the venue is very queer-friendly and regularly hosts trance and techno events with rotating local and international talent. Expect: late peak (after 00:30), strong sound, performance interludes, and a mixed but predominantly queer crowd. Arrive early or secure presale if capacity looks tight.

Other Taipei Gay Bars & Clubs

• Cosma: The newcomer in the Taipei scene with electronic music (especially techno) spread over two dance floors and handing out strong drinks.
• Commander D: This is more of your BDSM-style night if you are into that! Leather/theme nights; check dress code and floors per event.
• Locker Room: Circuit-forward gay club with frequent theme nights, pop/EDM DJs, gogo performances, and peak crowds after 23:30.
• G·Star: Pop-forward with drag performances; known as one of the most popular gay clubs in Taipei, as it has been around a while.
• Pawnshop: Mixed, queer‑welcoming underground for house/techno; strong local/international DJ bills, late finish.
• BITCH Taipei: Also a newcomer with intermittent high-energy themed events
• Paw Bar: Bear bar with a friendly crowd, relaxed atmosphere, and occasional themed nights.
• Fairy Taipei: Restaurant by evening, club by late night; Weekly DJs playing a variety of different types of tunes
• Hero Bar: Friendly and intimate bar for a more chilled out night

Gay Taipei Parties, Pop-Ups, and Festivals (Irregular Schedule)

Beyond the standard weekend bars and clubs, Taipei’s queer scene is energized by roaming party collectives that drop infrequent, higher‑production events (warehouse, rooftop, multi‑room takeovers). These aren’t weekly fixtures, think monthly or seasonal, so you need to watch Instagram, LINE groups, and stories for date + venue drops, presales, and dress/theme cues. Buy tickets early (capacity limits), expect sharper DJ lineups or drag rosters, and plan late: crowds peak after 23:30 once people migrate from Red House warm‑ups.

Spotlight: BACKDOOR

BACKDOOR is a roaming queer party collective throwing a handful of high‑energy events each month in rotating Taipei venues. Pride Candyland showed why it’s a must: two distinct dance floors (uplifting circuit vs. darker techno), tight production, dense sweaty crowd, and late peak well after midnight.

Tips:

• Watch IG stories for date, venue, and ticket drops.
• Secure presale early (capacity fills fast).
• Expect themes; light effort on outfit elevates the experience.
• Arrive before 23:30 if you want any breathing room.

Other Gay Taipei Parties, Pop-Ups, and Festivals

• TABOO events: Warehouse/rooftop pop-ups; follow IG for announcements.
• ETA Music Festival: Queer‑inclusive multi‑stage electronic festival around Taipei Pride with international/local DJs and big production.
• Formosa Pride: Large-format Pride season parties with international DJs.

Small-print: Always verify nights on IG/LINE; many venues rotate themes or change locations.

Gay Taipei Saunas, Spas, and Cruising

Gay Saunas in Taipei

• Hans Men's Sauna
  • Classic men-only bathhouse with a loyal local following. Facilities typically include lockers, showers, steam, lounge, and TV areas. We came here on a Sunday afternoon/evening of an ordinary weekend, and it was packed. They even have a karaoke room!
  • Vibe: relaxed, mixed ages; busier Fri–Sun evenings.
  • Practical: modest cover with towel/locker; Check Google for latest hours.
• I/O Taipei Sauna
  • Newer, design-forward space; clean facilities, good airflow, and a tidy layout that’s easy to navigate.
  • Vibe: younger crowd on weekends; occasional promos/events posted to Facebook.
  • Practical: card + cash usually accepted; bring flip-flops; confirm hours and theme nights on FB before going.
• Soi 13 In Gay Sauna
  • Compact, social sauna with friendly staff and simple amenities (showers, steam/dry, resting areas). There is different pricing for locals and foreigners.
  • Vibe: approachable first-timer option; after-dinner and late-night peaks.
  • Practical: towel deposit may apply; light dress codes for theme hours appear occasionally—verify on FB.

Gay Massage Spas in Taipei

• A.K. Spa
  • Professional male therapists; oil/sports/Thai options in private rooms; showers on-site.
  • Booking: reserve online or via phone/LINE; same-day slots go fast on weekends.
  • Practical: arrive 10 minutes early; discuss pressure preferences up front.
• Amigo Gay Spa
  • Friendly, bilingual front desk; 60–120 minute packages, add-ons (scrub/aroma) available.
  • Booking: DM via site or LINE for fastest confirmation; watch social for promos.
  • Practical: cards often accepted; tip not expected but appreciated for great service.
• Prime Man Spa
  • Upscale setting focused on aromatherapy and relaxation; quiet rooms and consistent technique.
  • Booking: advance reservations recommended, especially evenings.
  • Practical: communicate sensitivities/allergies; light refreshments sometimes provided.

Gay Cruising in Taipei

Public cruising exists in Taipei but is far more low‑key than in the past, and most people now meet via apps or at licensed venues (saunas/bars).

• 228 Peace Memorial Park (near NTU Hospital/Ximen): We were staying right by here for a part of our trip, and it was indeed a cruisy vibe at night. We must have made a bit too much eye contact with one guy one evening without the intention of cruising, and he followed us around the park a bit until we went into a 7-11 😜. Historically a meetup spot, but recent local reports say it’s much quieter, with more families, better lighting, and occasional police presence. Discreet meetups can still happen after dark, but expect less activity than “back in the day”. Source: Reddit discussion (r/Taipei)
• Other mentions online: Blog roundups note sporadic cruising reported in larger parks and some public restrooms around central areas, but frequency fluctuates and details change; treat any lists as historical, not guarantees. Source: Gayifiers guide

Safer alternatives: use apps to arrange private meetups, start the night at Red House bars, and consider the saunas listed above.

Taipei Pride

Taiwan hosts East Asia’s largest Pride, and Taipei is the epicenter. We attended in 2025, and it was seriously exciting just how well-attended, and a big deal the yearly event is for Taipei. There was a million and a half activities happening across the weekend.

Quick Facts About Taipei Pride

• When: Last Saturday of October; Pride week runs Thu to Sun.
• Where: Parade staging around Taipei City Hall (Xinyi). Routes vary yearly and usually loop through Xinyi/Ren’ai corridors before finishing late afternoon. There are two routes you can take.
• Scale: 150k–200k+ participants; family-friendly, political, and festive.

Key Events During Pride

• Pride Village/Market: NGO booths, merch, and food near City Hall (Fri–Sun).
• Main Stage + Parade: Stage from ~12:00; step-off ~13:00; finish ~17:00.
• After-Parties: Red House street party, plus club nights by BACKDOOR, Locker Room, Cosma, La Fin, and more. Buy presale early. We used this website and this Google Sheet (same information) to help us plan for Pride events, although it might change on the yearly.

How to Plan Taipei Pride

• Book early: Reserve hotels 2–4 months ahead (Ximen or Xinyi), as they get expensive!
• Transit: MRT to City Hall or Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
• Essentials: Water, sunscreen, portable charger, light poncho or umbrella. In our case, we definitely needed the umbrella.
• Accessibility: Wide boulevards and curb cuts; join outer lanes for more space.
• Etiquette: Stay within parade lanes, pack out trash, respect photo consent.

Updates

• Official info and route
• Date overview
• Party drops

What to Eat in Taipei

Some Essential Taipei Bites

• Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵): Rich broth, tendon cuts, pickled greens. One of our favorite comfort foods.
• Gua Bao (刈包): Steamed bun, braised pork, peanut sugar, cilantro.
• Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯): Minced soy-braised pork over rice.
• Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐): Fermented fry—strong aroma, mild flavor center.
• Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎): Egg-omelette cooked with tapioca starch to give it a chewy texture, oysters, leafy greens, and a sweet and/or hot sauce on top
• Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅): Flaky, sometimes with egg/cheese upgrade.
• Mango Shaved Ice (芒果冰): Seasonal mountain of fruit + condensed milk + mango ice cream on top. This is one of my biggest guilty pleasures in Taiwan.
• Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶): Origin city is Taichung (or debatably, Tainan) but it is ubiquitous in Taipei; experiment with sugar/ice levels until you find your perfect match.

In general, the food is not spice-forward like good-old China's Sichuan province; more balanced sweetness, umami, subtle herbal notes. Vegetarian and vegan stalls are abundant (look for 素).

Where to Eat in Taipei

Let's go through some of the night markets, restaurants, and cafés that residents of Taipei and locals fuel themselves up on!

Night Markets

The night markets of Taiwan are undoubtedly some of the world's most famous, and unlike other Asian countries, like Thailand, where we would only find them open on certain days of the week, Taiwan's night markets are generally open on a nightly basis.

Our two favorites in Taipei are Shilin Night Market and if you are staying close to Ximen, North Gate, or Taipei Main Station, Ningxia Night Market. Make sure to try some of the bites mentioned above.

Restaurants

This is a tricky one, as there are plentiful options here, and it is just hard to go wrong, but here is a mix of must-tries and restaurants we loved while we were Taipei.

• Din Tai Fung: This world-famous chain actually started in Taipei, so it is a must-visit. You'll be dreaming of soup dumplings for a long time afterwards, and it is much cheaper than other ones around the world. Making a reservation is a must or check the queue if you want to go more spontaneously.
• Bear Junkies: We put this one in because it is very LGBTQ+-friendly (especially a place to visit if you are part of the bear community 🧸), and the portions are massive.
• Lao Chang Muslim Beef Noodle: We are big fans of beef noodle (牛肉麵) and this Muslim shop was the best one we found in Taipei in our few weeks of staying there. The beef was unbelievably tender, the noodles were out of this world, and it was all put together in a gorgeous broth.

For a more conclusive list of where to eat in Taipei, check out this Taipei food guide.

Cafés

The café and coffee scene in Taipei is also plentiful and there are lots of lovely places to hang out and get a decent cup. We did happen to go to Vietnam after Taiwan, so we have been spoiled for coffee forever, but Taipei does take its coffee seriously.

• HiHi Cafe: A queer-friendly cafe, which is a great alternative to the bars to meet up with others and right across the street from Red House.
• Dreamers Coffee: A nice little place to work and with the rainbow in the front, it feels very LGBTQ+-friendly. They take their desserts seriously, too.
• Star Rocket Co-Working Cafe: A great place to hang if you need to get a little work done. Fast internet, good coffee, and co-working vibes in the center of the city.

Where to Shop in Taipei

Right in the heart of Red House Plaza, sandwiched between the other bars, there are a few gay shops where you can get all your essentials including harnesses, cute undies, speedos, and other things (ehemm, poppers). There are also a few others scattered around the city as well.

• GUY SHOP
• GO Body Men Gay
• Forbidden Sexy
• Bad Boy: On a reservation-only basis
• Body Formula

What to Do in Taipei

Taipei has a lot going for it, and just like the food and restaurants, you can stay for months and hardly skim the surface of all the things you can do. There is a mix of everything, from those who love the concrete jungle side of things to those who prefer to retreat out of nature.

Urban Icons of Taipei

• Taipei 101 Observatory: The tallest building in all of Taiwan. Head to the top for sunset hour; it is advisable to get advance tickets.
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: This expansive plaza impressed me way more than I thought it would. Make sure to watch changing of the guard on an hourly basis from 9 am to 5 pm. We really enjoyed it during the latter part of the day, as the buildings just looked so impressive against the dark sky.
• Longshan Temple (龍山寺): A temple with ornate carvings. Visit during morning incense waves.

Cultural / Creative Places in Taipei

• Huashan 1914 Creative Park: Once a Japanese-era winery and distillery, now it is an incredibly creative spot with exhibitions and design shops.
• Songshan Cultural & Creative Park: Galleries, weekend markets.
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA Taipei): A museum with rotating installations.

Nature & Escapes Nearby Taipei

• Elephant Mountain (象山): A 20–30 minute stair ascent to postcard skyline vantage. A great way to escape the urban landscape and immerse yourself in nature.
• Yangmingshan: National Park with sulfur vents, misty ridgelines, cherry blossoms in season.
• Beitou Hot Springs: Hot springs that are reachable by taking the Taipei MRT.

Day Trips From Taipei

• Jiufen: Known for narrow lantern-filled alleys and hillside tea houses. We came here on a day trip from Taipei, and it really felt like the Spirited Away world. We recommend taking a local train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang and then a short bus from Ruifang to Jiufen Old Street, although there are direct buses (these fill up fast, though).

• Yeliu Geopark: Wave-sculpted rock formations.
• Taichung/Chiayi/Tainan/Kaohsiung: In reality, with the high speed rail, you can get to some of Taiwan's other big cities in no longer than 1.5 hours (Kaohsiung). We did most of this route by bike (with a bit of cheating with trains 😜), so for more about these cities and things to do in each one, check out our Newbie's Guide to Cycling Around Taiwan post.

TL;DR: Plan Your Taipei Trip (Logistics)

Apps to Install in Taiwan

LINE for messaging (but you'll also be fine with WhatsApp), Google Maps, Uber, Foodpanda or Uber Eats for food delivery. Dating Grindr / Hornet / Scruff.

Best Time to Visit Taipei

October to November (post-typhoon, mild, Pride), March to May (pleasant spring). Summers are humid with afternoon showers. Winter is often complete with cool drizzle but it still manageable. We went in October and while the first half was extremely sunny and humid, it cooled down the second half, complete with lots of showers.

Entry & Visas for Taiwan

Many nationalities can enjoy visa-free entry (duration varies: 14/30/90 days). Confirm on Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs site. Passport validity 6+ months recommended.

Getting To Taipei

Taoyuan International (TPE) connected via Airport MRT (~35–40 min to Taipei Main). There are also buses from the airport as well. Songshan Airport handles regional flights (Japan, domestic). High-speed rail (HSR) from elsewhere in western Taiwan lands at Taoyuan HSR (connect by shuttle) or directly to Taipei by conventional rail.

Connectivity in Taipei

We used Trip.com's Taiwan eSIM from the moment we landed to the moment we left. It did the trick for us, was reliable, and very inexpensive. The only downside is that ChatGPT and Gemini did not work (perhaps because Trip.com is a Chinese company), but all other apps work. If that is a dealbreaker, go with an eSIM like Yesim.

If you are in town for longer, 4G/5G prepaid SIM or eSIM at airport kiosks, but bring your passport. Unlimited data packages are common. Public Wi‑Fi is sporadic except at convenience stores, so we recommend relying on mobile.

Health & Safety in Taiwan and Taipei

Tap water is usually filtered at venues, so your hotel will likely have a filtered tap outside your room that you can drink from (beware that there isn't always cold water, nor is the hot tap labelled with red all the time).

Pharmacies are well-stocked. Taiwan consistently has the best-rated healthcare in the world, so you'll be in good hands should you need any help, but make sure to get travel health insurance for your trip. We are big fans of Genki and have written a review about our experience with it.

Outside of health, there are earthquake tremors occasional in Taipei and the city and island are quite often subjected to typhoons.

Getting Around Taipei

The MRT is extensive with bilingual signage. Use an EasyCard or iPASS to tap in/out (available for purchase at convenience stores). However, you can also use cash at the kiosks, too. Buses fill network gaps. Bike share (YouBike) requires an EasyCard + quick registration.

Payments in Taipei

Cards are widely accepted in malls and hotels, but we've found that it is still a very cash-centric society. Small night market vendors still cash-first. ATMs are available in pretty much all 7‑Elevens for international withdrawals.

Tipping in Taiwan

It is not customary. Exceptional service in upscale dining may accept a small gesture, but there is no expectation.

Additional Practical Notes

• Language: Mandarin is predominant; but you should be able to get by with English, especially in Taipei.
• Toilets: Clean; tissue mostly provided; carry a spare pack for night markets.
• Power: 110V, Type A/B outlets (US style).
• Emergency: Police 110, Fire/Ambulance 119.