Hanko 60
Hanko 60 occupies a renovated 1960s building that channels old Taipei with period-appropriate decor, vintage furniture, and a drink menu built around local ingredients and nostalgic recipes. The space feels like stepping into a time capsule of Taiwan's mid-century bar culture, when Taipei's entertainment district was taking shape under Japanese and American influences. The two-story layout separates a ground-floor bar from an upstairs lounge area with sofas and lower lighting. Drinks reference Taiwanese history: a cocktail named after a specific decade uses ingredients popular in that era. The kitchen serves retro Taiwanese bar snacks, including dishes that have mostly disappeared from modern menus.
What to Expect
A themed bar that earns its concept through genuine historical detail rather than superficial decoration. The drinks are creative and the atmosphere is genuinely different from anything else in the Linsen area. Think museum bar, not costume party.
Nostalgic, warm, and distinctly Taiwanese. A bar with a sense of place and time.
1960s and 1970s Taiwanese pop, Japanese enka, and mid-century American jazz. All played on vinyl when possible.
Casual. The retro theme doesn't require period clothing, though some regulars dress the part on themed event nights.
History buffs, cultural tourists, and anyone who wants a drinking experience with genuine Taiwanese character rather than an imported concept.
Cash preferred, cards accepted
Price Range
Cocktails TWD 350-550, beer TWD 200-300, bar snacks TWD 150-400
Cocktails: USD 11-17 / EUR 10-16. Beer: USD 6-9 / EUR 6-9
Hours
Wed-Sun 6 PM to midnight, closed Mon-Tue
Insider Tip
The upstairs lounge is quieter and has the best vintage furniture. Ask about the story behind each cocktail; the bartenders enjoy explaining the historical references. The bar snacks pair intentionally with specific drinks.
Full Review
Hanko 60 gets its name from the Japanese-era rubber stamps (hanko) that Taiwanese people used as personal seals, combined with the 1960s decade that inspires its design. The building itself dates to that era, with tile floors, louvered windows, and structural details that a new build couldn't replicate. The renovation preserved these elements while adding a functional bar, modern plumbing, and code-compliant wiring.
The ground floor bar has about 30 seats between bar stools, tables, and a window counter that looks out onto the street. The bartenders work behind a vintage-styled back bar stocked with spirits and house-made ingredients. Upstairs, the lounge has sofas, low tables, and walls hung with photographs of 1960s Taipei.
The drink menu is the creative core. Each cocktail connects to a moment in Taiwanese history or culture. A drink referencing the Japanese colonial period uses shochu and plum. Another nods to the American military presence of the 1950s with bourbon and Coca-Cola syrup, improved with homemade spiced cola. These aren't gimmicks; they're genuine attempts to tell stories through drinks.
The bar snacks follow the same philosophy. Dishes like salt-crispy chicken in the old night market style, braised pig ears with garlic sauce, and hand-rolled peanut mochi recall a food culture that modern Taipei has largely outgrown. They pair intentionally with the cocktail menu.
The crowd is a mix of locals who appreciate the cultural depth and visitors who stumble upon something they didn't expect. On a quiet Wednesday, you might be the only customer, which makes for an intimate experience. Weekend evenings fill both floors with a warm, conversational crowd.
The Neighborhood
Hanko 60 is on a side street in the Linsen area, in a block of older buildings that have been gradually taken over by bars, cafes, and small galleries. The neighborhood's transition from purely a business entertainment district to a creative zone is visible in the mix of old hostess bar signage and new independent storefronts.
Getting There
Walk from Zhongshan MRT station (six minutes) or Shuanglian MRT station (eight minutes). The building's age makes it stand out from its newer neighbors. Look for a tiled facade and a small sign with the bar's name.
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