Taipei gay scene

Taipei is easy to do as an LGBTQ+ visitor.

In fact, Taiwan Pride is known for attracting visitors from around the world – especially the neighbouring countries that don’t have pride celebrations of their own.

Taiwan Pride first started back in 2003, and initially started as a small protest march in central Taipei, with just over 700 participants.

Ximending is the obvious base if you want quick access to bars, clubs, and people out late, but you can also stay anywhere on the MRT and move around fast. The area offers a range of public and private hot spring facilities, as well as the beautiful Beitou Thermal Valley, where you can take a leisurely stroll.

Stay in LGBTQ+-Friendly Accommodations

• W Taipei: This luxury hotel in the upscale Xinyi district is known for its stylish design and exceptional service.

  As a peaceful act of protest, one of the last remaining veterans, Huang Yong-Fu, aged 86 (back in 2008) decided to paint the houses in bright colours, starting with his own home, and moving to the next and the next until he had decorated the entire village.

  As a result, tourists swarmed to the village, to see the “rainbow houses” and the “Rainbow Grandpa” that painted them.

  Dubbed “Rainbow Six” because of its location at Exit 6 of Ximen MRT station, it is just a couple of minutes’ walk from The Red House.

  Things to do in Tainan

  Anping Tree House

  This was such a cool place – and completely reminded us of Ta Prohm in Angkor Wat, Cambodia – think Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider!

  The Anping Tree House used to be a warehouse, built around the end of the 19^th Century.

  Head on over to the most fun and fastest growing Taiwan Facebook group with 150,000+ members and ask the experts!
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  Taipei’s Rainbow Crossings

  There are two iconic rainbow crossings in Taipei – the first, Rainbow Six (6號彩虹) was unveiled in Ximending (by exit 6 of the Ximending MRT) in 2019 to coincide with the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Taiwan.

  In time for Taipei Pride 2025 (Taipei Color), the Rainbow Six Crossing has recently been repainted (in August 2025) so it will shine bright again for Pride.

  A second Taipei Rainbow crossing (The Rainbow Starting Line) was painted in Xinyi, in the shadow of Taipei 101 in 2020, to coincide with Taipei Pride that year.

  Both Taipei rainbow crossings have become popular photography spots and are some of the most Instagrammable places in Taiwan.

  Incidentally, there is also a rainbow crossing in Kaohsiung at Pier2 Art Center but as of summer 2025, it looks quite faded and is in need of some TLC.

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  You might like – Our guide to Ximending at night and our Ximending hotel guide

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  Taipei Gay Bars and LGBTQ+ Friendly Venues

  The Red House area, Ximending

  One of the highest concentrations of gay bars in Taipei is around The Red House in Ximending.

  One of Taipei’s most iconic buildings, the Red House is a beautiful old building that has served many purposes over the years since it opened in 1908.

  The parade generally falls on the last Saturday in October.

• Taipei Pride Village: The Pride Village is usually located in front of the Town Hall, and is the place to be to continue the celebrations once the parade has finished. And for

  Commander D

  Commander D is a bar for the cheeky ones amongst us to check out, I mean, just use your imagination for what you think the “D” stands for!

  Commander D is an underground cruise bar, and is fetiʂh and BDSM themed – dim red lights, dark corners, and even whips and chains hanging from the walls!

  Commander D is about a 10 minutes’ walk from The Red House gay area, and generally attracts a mixed crowd, although most will be looking for some fun!

  Address:No.

  It is one of the most incredible views I have seen.

  And if you feel really brave enough – you can even ascend to floor 101, which is the outdoor observation deck – but be warned, it gets quite windy up here!

  Taipei 101 is also adjoined to a large, multilevel shopping mall, so once you have ascended and taken in the views, you can head back down for some shopping, or food at one of the many food and drink outlets.

  Visit GinGin, the gay bookstore

  GinGin is the first, and as a result Taiwan’s most famous LGBTQ+ bookstore, having been open for over 25 years.

  GinGin has English speaking staff that are more than happy to assist, and as well as books, it also sells DVDs, magazines, items of clothing and more.

  GinGin is also a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights for the people of Taiwan – they have long been avid participants in Taiwan Pride, and also use the store as a culture shop, featuring exhibitions, as well as holding different arts and cultural activities instore.

  GinGin can be found on a small quiet street behind Taipower Building, full address 100, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Roosevelt Rd, Section 3, Ln 210, Alley 8, 8號1樓.

  Just something to note – no filming or photography is permitted inside the store.

  Visit the Rabbit God Temple

  I still can’t believe that Taiwan has a god for the gays – let alone a temple where you can go to worship and make offerings and pray.

  It was really interesting to learn about the history of The Rabbit God, especially the fact that such a large number of people make the journey to the temple each year.

  Even if you don’t want to make any offerings or pray to the God yourself, it is still a really cool place to visit – after all, as I said above, it is the only religious shrine/place of worship in the world that is dedicated just for us gays!

  228 Peace Memorial Park

  228 Peace Memorial Park is a historic, municipal park located in Taipei, within walking distance from Ximending.

  The park contains memorials dedicated to the victims of the February 1947 massacre, including the 228 Memorial itself standing at the centre of the park.

  However, the park itself has been adopted by the gays.

  maybe you’ll have to find out for yourself.

  Music ranges from international chart hits to K-pop anthems (of course!), and the venue also puts on theme nights, such as drag shows.

  Address: B1, No. 23, Long Jiang Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491

  Gay Bars in Kaohsiung

  Being the second largest city in Taiwan, I did expect Kaohsiung to have a little more of a gay nightlife scene, and it seemed that it did actually use to, but a couple of the longer running gay bars and gay dance bars have now closed – most likely as a result of those two years of which I no longer speak.

  Whilst Kaohsiung does only have one gay bar to speak of now, it does cater to its LGBTQ+ community with various gay events and parties.

  30,000 spectators. Various venues across Taipei are transformed for spectacular parties organised by the Formosa Rainbow Music Festival, as well as other well-known organisations. With its late opening hours, until 04:00 Monday – Friday, and until 05:00 on a weekend, Castle is the place to go to close out your night.

  As well as the bar with dance floor and DJ, Castle is also known for then entertainment it puts on – karaoke, drag shows, go-go dancers and cabaret shows to name just a few!

  They also do a fantastic New Years Eve party, with reservations highly recommended due to limited seating, where a ticket includes show and unlimited drinks.

  Address: 40041, Taiwan, Taichung City, Central District, Section 3, Liuchuan W Rd, 16號9樓

  First Floor

  First Floor is Taichung’s other main gay bar – bar area upstairs, and karaoke down in the basement.

  This “gay-karaoke” bar might be small, but is a hit with both locals and tourists alike, thanks to its friendly bar staff and its warm and welcoming atmosphere.

  – and so my plans to hit up more of Asia had to be put on hold.

  That is, until October 2023 rolled around, and I had the chance to finally visit Taiwan – and it certainly blew all of my expectations out of the water.

  My Taiwan gay guide will give you all the information that you need to know about this gay-friendly island in East Asia.

  Is Taiwan Gay Friendly?

  While not quite as popular a travel destination as some of its Asian neighbours, Taiwan has long been considered as one of the most gay-friendly destinations in Asia – rivalling even Thailand.

  Although situated in a part of the world where for the most part, views towards LGBTQ+ people are more conservative, and LGBTQ+ rights are challenged, the island of Taiwan is a shining beacon for LGBTQ+ visitors – where LGBTQ+ travellers are not only accepted, but welcomed with open arms!

  Since 2003 Taiwan has also held its iconic annual Pride celebration – which I was so fortunate to be a part of last year.

  Gay Taiwan: Complete LGBTQ+ Travel Guide. Taiwan had been on my radar for quite a while! Once you leave this hall area, you are within the grounds of the museum, and it is a short walk to reach the museum.

  These grounds and gardens are absolutely stunning – you could easily spend the day outside walking through, looking at all the different plants and flowers, some of them absolutely covered in beautiful butterflies.

  The short walkway to the museum is lined on both sides with 4 pagodas, 8 in total, each of which represent something different and significant to the Buddhist faith.

  It was even nicknamed “company”, due to its visitors showing up like clockwork each day looking for company.

  In more recent times, the park was designated as a “Rainbow Landscape” and in 2016 it even had its iron gate painted in the colours of the rainbow to show support for gender equality and LGBTQ+ equal rights.

  To date, it is still used as a gay cruising spot, particularly amongst Taipei’s older generation, so if you do decide to explore, especially on an evening, just bear this in mind!

  Visit The Red House District

  The Red House District may be most well-known for its thriving gay nightlife, but it’s not all about what happens at night time.

  The Red House is an iconic landmark of this district, and in itself is worth a visit.