Taipei’s Rock/Emo/Punk/Indy/Electro Scene

If you enjoy indy rock, emo, punk, and or electro tunes, and are in search of the hip music scenes amongst Taipei locals for these genres. Then you should check out Underworld, Bushiban, and The Wall. Live shows at these venues range from 300NT to 500NT at the door, which usually includes a free cocktail or beer.

Also, The Wall is apart of a “life space,” which is what the locals refer to as a building, in this case a basement, specifically designated for a scene. So, within the confines of this basement is a music studio called The Ball, a tattoo parlor known as J Tattoo, White Wabbit Records a music store, Free Hugs a street bar, and of course The Wall.

Underworld (bar / venue)
45, ShiDa Rd
(02) 2369-0103
http://www.upsaid.com/underworld/




There’s a bar in New York called Trash Bar in the Williamsburg neighborhood, and if you’ve felt at home their. Then Underworld is your home away from home in Taipei. This bar/venue is a great place to go with friends to have a few bottles of Taiwan Beer and watch the local bands like Hindsight, Space Cakes, and Digihai jam it out. It has a very low-key grungy cool vibe and the locals are really friendly here.

My first night out to Underworld I came with a friend thinking I was only going to stay until the bands stopped playing at 11pm. We ended up hanging out with one of the local bands until 2am just talking, having fun, and taking turns in buying rounds. The Taiwanese are extremely friendly people, just as long as you are friendly in return.

If you are interested in their upcoming shows then checkout their website. Also, it is hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Its on Shida rd closer to the Heping end, and is two doors down from a Watsons. The door is cherry red. Just walk in, go down the stairs, and rock out. Also, the better nights to go are Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

Beverage Price Range
o Large bottle of Taiwan beer 150NT
o Heineken, Carlsberg, Corona, and the like 140NT
o Cocktails 160-200NT

Bushiban (bar only w/ occasional live DJ)
152, Roosevelt Rd, Sec 3, 2F
(02) 2368-6571



This bar is where you want to be if you’re in search of a friendly bar tender, classic rock tunes, a mellow atmosphere, good chats, good beer and liquor, and some salty munchies. I have only been here once, but on that night they had a DJ playing some Patsy Cline, Radiohead, and Neil Young. The better nights to visit are Fridays and Saturdays.

Beverage Price Range
o Happy Hour on Carlsbergs before 10pm and Sapporos after 10pm
o Corona, Heineken, and the like are 150NT, but if you buy 6 you get 1 free
o Cocktails 150-250NT
o Sunday – Thursday is buy one get a free drink from the 100 price range for free
o Great free snacks

The Wall (bar / venue)
b1F., No.200, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd.
Wunshan District, Taipei City 116, Taiwan
(02)2930-0162
www.thewall.com.tw
info@wall.com.tw

The Wall has a very Chelsea/Meat Packing look in terms of décor, but filled with Taipei hipsters and rockers. The stage is decent sized, and there are comfy couches in the backroom if you just want to lounge and relax while watching a show. Or you can get a table for you and your group of friends and munch on some finger foods while watching the local bands perform, but if you’re really into the music, then just hop towards the front of the stage and rock out with the rest of the fans out there. 

Beverage Price Range
o Carlsberg 100NT
o Cocktails 150-200NT

If you’re interested in visiting the Wall check out their calendar of shows here because its only open during show nights.

Free Hugs (bar) Open 6pm-2am Tues-Sun

Free Hugs is the place where you go to hangout with your friends and chat over drinks in comfy chairs while listening to fun indy music. The bartenders are the nicest and cutest locals you could possibly ever meet. So, if you’re in search of a relaxing casual time, then drop on by Free Hugs.

Beverage Price Range
o 150-250NT
o Beer 100-150
 
The Ball
b1F., No.200, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd.
Wunshan District, Taipei City 116, Taiwan
(02)29323325
www.theball.com.tw

Is a music studio in The Wall life space. The people that run The Ball are super down to earth and carefree. They have one studio, and three drumming practice rooms. If you want to reserve a space just call, the girl that works the desk speaks great English.

Price Range
o 300NT an hour for studio time
o 50NT an hour for drum time
 
J Tattoo
b1F., No.200, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd.
Wunshan District, Taipei City 116, Taiwan
02-89352531
http://tw.club.yahoo.com/clubs/JTATTOO

This is probably the cleanest tattoo parlor I have ever seen in my entire life. The tattoo artists are pretty talented, and though their English is not the best. If you really want a tattoo all you have to do is point to a picture, and pay. The prices range from 2000NT and up.
 
White Wabbit Records
b1F., No.200, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd.
Wunshan District, Taipei City 116, Taiwan
(02)87732224
www.wwr.com.tw

Is a cute little music store with a wide array of music, selling cds and records from local and foreign bands like The Knife, The Shins, Deerhunter, Ratatat, and Radiohead to name a few.