There used to be a “talking bar” near my old apartment, but it closed down. I never actually went in.
Do these places still exist? Also, has anyone here ever visited one and if so what was your experience?
what’s a ‘talking bar’?
3 Likes
Might be a bar where people actually talk to each other rather than look at their phones.
6 Likes
There was always poker in the front, and then liquor in the rear of such establishments?
2 Likes
Talking to Siri? 
1 Like
There’s quite a few around. Most that I know of are in Taipei.
3 Likes
Some in Taoyuan, Zhongli, Tainan, even Hualien, etc. Probably at least one even in small towns. Not so much in Taipei anymore due to shifting demographics. A few in the Tiaotong area and combat zone area.
Buy drinks, chat, play silly games, snack… can practice Chinese… or they may try to practice English, etc.
It’s usually like a regular bar with hostesses hanging around if wanted but not required.
3 Likes
A bar which employs women whose job is it to talk to the customers. Similar to a Japanese hostess club.
Not sure how the woman get paid - do the punters have to buy them drinks or book their time in some other way?
2 Likes
I’ve heard they get paid extra based on bottle caps, hence why they will bring you a 6 pack and open all of them at once.
1 Like
Variety of ways to get paid. Salary only, bottle caps, selling bottles, commission on sales, tips, etc.
2 Likes
Went to one a couple of times long, long ago in Tainan. Two of us. Had a blast: fun slightly drunk chatting. Those two nights were probably the most progress I ever made with my Chinese. I don’t recall it being all that different in price from the other bars I was frequenting at the time.
But twice was enough to hit the stage of “OK, I don’t want to enjoy this too much and these women are really friggin’ good at getting me to have fun in their company.”
Appearances were not the least bit shady, or not to my naive eyes anyway. Nothing in the way of a hard sell (or indeed promotion) for additional services. The women were pretty but attire wasn’t especially revealing. The whole thing all seemed disarmingly innocent. And fun.
8 Likes
Yes mostly innocent fun. They will be more “friendly” if they know you or you show up with someone they know.
2 Likes
the ones i went to back in the day in taipei were “slightly” different (place was run by gangsters and the girls happened to be nude). Food and endless beer was provided at no extra charge, just one hourly rate per person. TALK all you want in whatever language you want. KTV provided as well, SING all you want. YUP TAipei was pretty shady back then. Probably still is if you know where to go.
2 Likes
It sounds like a Monty Python sketch
6 Likes
as opposed to a “pick up” bar?
slightly different but i remember a cafe in taipei that was pretty novel. This was in the days before cell fones and yes even before the bb call. Yes THAT ancient.
and this cafe had a telephone on each table and a table number . SO if you see someone interesting instead of going over and getting rejected you could call that number…and get rejected over the phone ! all the more civilized and … modern..
fun thing that was. NOt that ive been there ya know . 
2 Likes
do they open the bottles with their hoo-ha-s? or maybe I’m thinking of the Philippines…
Thailand Bangkok Patpong so I heard.
Sounds fuckin’ hi-tech!
I’d have thought just waving at someone and seeing if you get the middle finger or not in response would be adequate communication in this environment. No talking required
1 Like
Vagina?
2 Likes
Sorry the big bottles of Taiwan beer come already opened
They do do lap dances and help you find songs to sing
Makes you wanna go back
Of course if you get carried away your bill rises along with Jonnie