TAICHUNG -- area code (886-4)

Population is over 1 million (that's close to 40,000 Utopians).
• Men in Taichung message forum
• Taichung Gay Scene Updates message forum

The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Taiwan offers a fresh insider's glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 12 cities including Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan and Taichung. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order

Click here for Taichung hotels and accommodations.

• G Plus Lounge Bar
  121 Gong Yi Rd (across the street from Nova) 2301-3498. Dance floor and two lounges on three levels. Open 8pm to 5am weekdays and 9pm to 3am weekends and holidays. No credit cards.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I went to G Plus last night. Being new there were not many people yet. But the staff was very friendly and showed me all three floors and tried to speak in English (since I don't speak Chinese). Hope more gays find this place. It's small but kind of nice." -- asialove2, Feb 18, 2006

  Comments from Utopians:

  "BoBo's has a gay night, usually on the 3rd Fri of the Month. Great dancing, a lot of cute guys, both Asian and foreign. The DJ is great too." -- grrrl guide, Nov 25, 2005

  "I also have been told that there is no western style gay bar/pub in Taichung. All are karaoke bars. Many with a host at your table (That means you buy drinks for him, too. However drink prices in Taichung are cheap, so its not too bad if you enjoy the company). Two bars just opened one is Focus (see below under Karaoke). The other one is Shin Chiao (just opened on the day I was there). Both bars cater mainly for local crowd. but a foreign visitor won't have problems (if you can find it LOL )" -- gayrice, Sep 10, 2005

Comments from Utopians:

"I went around looking for a dancing place. I was told at the bars that Taichung has no disco for gays!!! The huge Taichung Central Department Store disco HAD a gay Fri night but is now closed, as is another prominent disco that also HAD a gay Fri night. Not looking good! So, where is everybody going? Some at Pig Pen or Lion King, huge straight discos, but most just go to Taipei on the weekends." -- blondmanly, Jul 10, 2005

• Ai Qiao
  B/1, 216 Cheng-gong Rd, 221-1975. Not far from Hon Hwa Gong Sauna & Tai-chung Park.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Ai Qiao is upbeat, nicely decorated and the people are quite trendy. The music was also quite cool. A great place to go before and after dinner!" -- yongzhewudi, May 20, 2008

• Big Elephant
  8F-3, No. 12, Sec. 2, Tzu Yu Rd, 222-4336
• Flower City
  9F-1, No. 9, Sec. 2, Tzu Yu Rd, 220-0380, 220-1165. Young crowd.
• Macro
  Manpower show on the weekend.
• Purple Grindery
  Basement, No. 60, Chung Shen Rd, 220-2126
• Shin Chiao
  Lane 19, Section 1 Shuang Shi Rd. Japanese style karaoke bar. Mature customers.
• Sydney Disco Pub, 226-2890.

• Taichung Park
  Located at the intersection of Gong-yuan Rd and Shuan-shi Rd. Take bus number 4, 14, 16, 32, 41, 100 or 102 and get off at Tai-chung Park stop.
• Taichung Movie Theater
  188 Gong-yuan Rd, 202-3820. Shows straight adult movies, but mainly gay audience.
• Train Station

• Life Restaurant
  100 Xue-shi Rd, 234-4145. Next to Zhong-zheng swimming pool, inside Zhong-zheng Park. Take bus number 38 or 31 and get off at China Medical College Stop. It shares facilities with the swimming pool and gym so lots of things may be observed.
• Sunny Park Café
  259-12 Xi-tun 2nd Rd (next to Ming-liu Plaza), 258-7425. Take bus number 102 and get off at Ding Shan Shi Li stop or take a cab to Xi-tun 2nd Rd, Shang-shi North 5th lane.

• Adam
  Shuang She Lu 1 Tuan (Section 1) 19 Siang No. 2, 2220-1069. This place is on the corner. Look up for a big vertical white neon sign board with 4 red chinese characters and their phone number below it (there is no English sign, but you can match the phone number listed here). Young Crowd.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Adam is primarily for young men, but there are a few older guys who go there who like the young guys. It has multiple floors and many different rooms: karaoke, wet areas, TV lounge, porno lounge, dark areas, fun rooms, etc." -- cotton4silk, Feb 9, 2006

  "There is a fantastic Adam Sauna. It is so happening. It is the largest and best sauna in Taiwan. International men from all over..." -- tonedsg, Apr 18, 2005

• Hon Hwa Gong
  B/F 145 Kuang Fu Rd, 225-2665. Open 24 hours.