Chess
Chess operates as an upscale lounge on the edge of the Linsen district, attracting a crowd of professionals in their 30s and 40s who want quality drinks in a refined setting. The interior is dark wood, leather seating, and ambient lighting that creates intimate zones within an open floor plan. The bar program focuses on whisky and classic cocktails, with a menu that runs deep on Japanese and Scotch single malts. A live jazz duo or pianist plays on select weeknights, keeping the volume low enough for conversation. The staff are knowledgeable about their spirits and happy to guide selections, which is useful given a whisky list that runs to several pages.
What to Expect
A calm, sophisticated space where the focus is on good drinks and conversation. No dance floor, no loud music, no pressure. The kind of bar where you can spend two hours over three drinks and feel like you've had a full evening.
Refined, intimate, and genuinely relaxing. A counterpoint to the neon energy of the surrounding Linsen district.
Low background jazz, occasional live piano or duo performances
Business casual to smart. No need for a suit, but jeans and a nice shirt is the minimum. The crowd dresses well.
Couples on a date, small groups of friends who prefer conversation over music, and whisky enthusiasts who want access to a serious collection.
Cards and cash accepted
Price Range
Cocktails TWD 350-600, whisky TWD 400-1,500 per pour, light food TWD 200-500
Cocktails: USD 11-19 / EUR 10-17. Whisky: USD 12-47 / EUR 11-43
Hours
Mon-Sat 7 PM to 2 AM
Insider Tip
Sit at the bar for the best service and whisky recommendations. The back corner booths are the quietest if you're on a date. Ask about their monthly whisky tasting events, which offer flights of premium pours at a discount.
Full Review
Chess occupies a ground-floor space that feels larger inside than the storefront suggests. The layout uses booths, bar seating, and a few standalone tables to create distinct zones without physical barriers. The dark wood paneling and leather upholstery age well and give the room a warmth that newer bars struggle to achieve.
The whisky collection is the centerpiece. Japanese malts from Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Nikka sit alongside Scotch selections from Islay to Speyside. The bartenders know the collection and can match suggestions to your preferences with precision. Cocktails follow classic recipes with minor local twists. An Old Fashioned here uses a brown sugar wash that adds depth without sweetness.
Live music nights bring a jazz pianist or small combo that plays at conversation level. This isn't a music venue; the performers know their role is to enhance the atmosphere, not dominate it. On nights without live music, the playlist runs through jazz standards and ambient downtempo.
The crowd is older and more settled than the nearby club scene. Many are regulars who've been coming for years. Conversations at neighboring tables tend toward business and travel rather than the where-are-we-going-next energy of younger venues. This is a destination, not a waypoint.
Pricing is fair for the quality. The premium whisky pours are expensive because the bottles are expensive, not because of an arbitrary markup. Standard cocktails sit in the normal range for a quality Taipei bar. No service charges or hidden fees.
The Neighborhood
Chess sits at the edge of the Linsen North Road entertainment district, a few blocks from the more traditional hostess bars and KTV venues. The surrounding area has restaurants and convenience stores. Zhongshan MRT station is a short walk west.
Getting There
MRT Green Line to Zhongshan Station or Red Line to Zhongshan. Walk east toward Linsen North Road. The bar is on a side street just off the main road. Taxis from Xinyi cost TWD 150-200.
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