Hi folks
This is probably a real long shot…
But has anyone been to or heard anything about a bar in Shalu called the ‘Big Rose’ ?
Its across from Providence University and is apparently popular with foreigners…
Will go and check it out tomorrow night after work. It opens at 9pm but thats about all I know about it (apart from the name and location)
Well duh… Next time Ill check google 
And apparently its called ‘Big Rose Bang’
Billed as a ‘NZ Bar in Taiwan’ - sounds cool!
bigrosebang.com/ <-- website
Hallelujah! Praise Flod! I have found somewhere to hang out at last - its only about 15 mins by scooter from my digs in Wu Qi 
Taichung’s pub scene has recently exploded with variety and diversity, with one of the loudest “bangs” emanating from over the hill in Shalu town. Big Rose Bang started life last spring as a small, cozy pub with a long wooden bar, featuring inexpensive drinks and a good music collection. A free Internet connection and downstairs pool table helped make Big Rose Bang one of the best places to unwind in Shalu.
While financial pressures, exhaustion or simple loss of interest defeats many new pub owners, owner Andrew Marychurch has implemented every one of his early dreams and plans. His dedication has paid off, catapulting his establishment into the ranks of one of the most entertaining and interesting options in the Greater Taichung area.
The large downstairs area now entices sports fans and movie buffs to enjoy the huge satellite screen and comfy sofas. The decor has been upgraded and improved with art on the walls. Musicians now flock to perform and jam on the stage in the downstairs area, turning Shalu into a budding musical talent incubator and welcome antidote to endless cover bands. The upstairs remains cozy and quieter, and the tradition of inexpensive drinks continues. From Monday to Thursday, cocktails featuring a designated spirit are all on sale for NT$50 each.
Located on Taichung Kang (Taichunggang) Road (known as JungChi Road in Shalu) near the bottom of the hill and across from Providence University, Big Rose Bang attracts a fair number of students from the area. However, the after-work crowd is also in evidence, as are the few Shalu-based foreigners.
In spite of the Taichung Kang Road location, the pub is easy to miss. The sign isn't very prominent and the front of the pub oddly doubles as a jewelry shop. To locate Big Rose Bang, follow Taichung Kang Road down the hill for about five minutes after passing Tung Hai University, locate Providence University (on the right) and walk directly across the street. Big Rose Bang is also located on the COMPASS map.Went and checked this bar out on Tuesday night.
It opens at 9pm and I stayed until about 11pm
Drinks were reasonably priced. Coronas were 100NT, Ice coffee 90NT - thats all I drank this time… I guess the other drinks are same kinda price…
The staff spoke basic english and went out of their way to make me feel at home, offering me strange flavoured cigarettes to try and making small talk.
There seemed to be a ‘regular’ crowd that came in after work, and these guys were friendly and welcoming too…
Thursday night is ‘Jam’ night so if my conjunctivitis has settled down by tonight, I will go and get some pictures to share…
This bar has a very good ‘vibe’ and the people were friendly. A very nice find!
I used to be a regular there. Yeah, there’s definitely a nice regular crowd, who can’t be bothered making the trip to Taichung.
The jam night stopped happening sometime after Andrew and family sold the bar and started living in Thailand or maybe even before. Maybe they’ll start doing it again and start showing sport on the big screen downstairs again too.
[quote=“Matchstick_man”]I used to be a regular there. Yeah, there’s definitely a nice regular crowd, who can’t be bothered making the trip to Taichung.
The jam night stopped happening sometime after Andrew and family sold the bar and started living in Thailand or maybe even before. Maybe they’ll start doing it again and start showing sport on the big screen downstairs again too.[/quote]
Hey Pubba, that article you quoted was written quite a long time ago. As MAtchstick Man rightly points out it was owned by a fella called Andrew. He ran it with his wife. But that was years ago now.
The new owner keeps it open for the amusement of his friends. So I think you will find that the jam night is dead, afaik, and the bar had no regular opening times. I certainly never saw it open during the week. I imagine they may have opened it for the Christmas period, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up of it becomming a regular haunt.
Ah ok…
Yes I asked about Andrew the kiwi and yep - he and his wife are now living in Thailand…
It does seem to be a bit of a ‘club’ but I was welcomed into their group straight away so it wasnt too offputting…
I asked when I was there and they are open 9pm to 2am Tuesday to Sunday
Didnt go last night, went to Taichung instead (to Fridays for dinner and then a bar called J&Js)