Night Places for Away from Home

Night, Drinks, Chill

By ShanChien

After a tiring day filled with presentations and part-time jobs, people may want to have some fun to relax or reward themselves. Going to a bar would be one good idea, whether going alone or going with friends. Honestly, there are few bars around Shih Hsin as you can imagine (what life is like after sunset on the outskirts of Taipei). However, there are still some to recommend.

   

First, the bar James Joyce, close to the Gongguan Night Market, is an Irish bar as it is self-evidently named after the most famous Irish literary figure. The cocktails at James Joyce are cheaper than those at the bars in the Daan District, but they may look more plain than fancy to you. The taste of their cocktails can vary, depending on which bartender is on shift. However, when you see their manager at the bar, you can ask him to custom-make whatever you want, even if it is something not on the menu. What if you have no interest in cocktails? You can try Guinness, a dark stout beer, which though are also available at PX Mart or 7-11, its fresh version coming out of the tap right in front of you tastes just different. Though it is easier to buy Guinness, that at the bar is always cooler than that you buy from the convenience stores. Thus, the beer will not turn bitter so soon. What’s more, the bar owner occasionally invites some country music or blues bands and when there is a sports event taking place, you can easily find the bar is so packed up with people that you can hardly find a seat. Furthermore, on Saint Patrick's Day, there will always be a celebration. If you would like to go to James Joyce, get off the MRT at the Gongguan Station and go out through Exit 1. Just turn left and go straight for about ten minutes. You will then see James Joyce.

    The second recommendation of a bar is 89 Loop Sports Bar, a fairly new bar that just opened about

two years ago. As “sports bar” in the name points out, this is where people go to watch sports events with drinks and bistro food. Prices of food and drinks at 89 Loop are higher than those at James Joyce, but people pay more there for the fancy décor and fancy looks of their cocktails. If you want to have some different drinks from classic cocktails, 89 Loop would be a good choice. Besides, you can play dart games there though not for free. If you would like to go to 89 Loop Sports Bar, you get off the Gongguan MRT Station and go out through Exit 1. Turn right and go straight for five minutes. When you see TKK Fried Chicken, you find where 89 Loop is. 

The third recommendation, differently located from James Joyce and 89 Loop, H&W Restaurant and Bar is not at Gongguan but Dapinglin (大坪林). To get to H&W, you can take Bus 647 to the Dapinglin MRT Station first, and then either walk there or ride a Ubike. Both the prices and the level of fanciness of H&W’s cocktails fall between those of James Joyce and 89 Loop. In addition, fried food at H&W is worthy trying.

James Joyce, 89 Loop, and H&W are the three bars near Shih Hisn University. Though their cocktails do not appear like those you see at the Daan bars, they are perfect choices for a relaxing, casual night out. Value for money!