Beer is good but beers are better!
Date of visit: February 2025
A cozy basement bar in Taipei’s Ximen district. A sanctum amidst the chaos above.
Vibe:
More Beer is tucked in a back alley but is easy to find thanks to its annoying advertisement loop. Just listen for “Hi, welcome to More Beer…” in a stilted rhythm. I have a bounty out for anyone who can get me a recording of the whole jingle.
There is no bar seating available; you order beer at a counter up top and then descend into a cozy camping themed room. There are a few tvs and local pop is playing, but it’s nothing too obtrusive to the environment. There’s also a karaoke machine; it was down for maintenance when I went, but you’ll be avoiding this anyways as a solo drinker.
This is ostensibly a capybara themed bar but I think it’s mostly to drum up TikTok hype. There is a case filled with stuffed capys as well as capybara teapots and drink toppers.
Overall, More Beer feels like your friend’s finished basement. It’s the perfect place to take a breather.
Drinks:
Your drink du jour is the wonderful Taiwan Beer, served in 500ml (120 $NTD) or 1000ml (200 $NTD) sizes. There’s no guarantee that 1000ml cups will be available but cool bartenders will give you 2x500ml for the same price. There’s also an extensive list of beer cocktails, liquor, and non alcoholic options like tea.
But you’re here for beer. It’s in the name! Try a beer cocktail if you’re feeling fancy, but stick with beer.
Online menu available here.
The Move:
More Beer opens at 1330 Mon-Th and 1200 Fri-Sun, making it the perfect place to recover from your morning adventures and ease into the afternoon. Want to relax outside of your hotel? More Beer. Overwhelmed by the bustle of Ximen? More Beer. Trying to plan and pregame your evening debauchery? More Beer! I used More Beer like an extra room in my hotel and recommend you do the same.
Bonus:
Apparently this is a thing in the summer months:
Nearby places of interest:
- Ximen Beer Bar: Where you should go after dark.
- 永和豆漿大王 (Yong He Soy Milk): One of hundreds of tiny breakfast shops with the same name. I can vouch for this one. Cheap eats, fast, English friendly, and open ridiculously early. The peanut rice milk is top notch.
- Out of Office Coffee Roastery: in Zhongzheng, so not exactly local, but a must stop. Check out Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park in the morning and swing by for a coffee on the way to Daan Park. I’ve never had a better pourover in my life and very may never will.
- 93LuWei (Ms Beef Noodle): Fantastic dinner option. Don’t overthink your first visit: get the bone marrow beef noodle soup. If you’re with a friend, add the truffle dumpling soup and split both. The food is decadent in the best way. The dedicated English speaking employee (possibly the owner) is over the top enthusiastic about his food for good reason.
- McDonalds Kunming Branch: McDonalds hates America. You’ll understand what I mean after visiting here. A spicy McCrispy is the perfect late night drunk food. Open 23hrs/day.