Taiwan Gay Guide: Pride Week, Bars & Gay Saunas in Taipei

Taiwan’s Pride celebration is one of the biggest LGBTQ+ events in Asia. Every year, travelers from around the world fly to Taipei to experience the energy of Taiwan Pride Week — and after attending it myself, I finally understand why.

Before visiting, I didn’t realize just how massive the event was. I met people from the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, and pretty much every corner of Asia. The atmosphere was welcoming, international, and honestly a lot more exciting than I expected.

However, because it was my first time visiting Taiwan during Pride Week, I made a few planning mistakes. In this Taiwan gay guide, I’ll share everything I learned — from where to stay and which gay bars to visit, to the best gay saunas in Taipei and tips for enjoying the Pride parade itself.

Hopefully this helps you plan your trip so you can have the best possible Pride Week experience in Taiwan.

Where to Stay During Taiwan Pride Week

The first lesson I learned is that location matters — a lot.

When planning my trip, I booked a hotel near Taipei City Hall because that’s where the Pride parade begins. That seemed logical at first… until I realized that almost all of Taipei’s gay nightlife is located in the Ximending district.

Staying near the parade route meant I had to travel back and forth every night, which was inconvenient during an already busy Pride Week.

Why Ximending Is the Best Area

Ximending is essentially the center of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ scene. Most of the gay bars, clubs, shops, and saunas are located here, making it the best place to stay if you want to be close to the action.

One hotel that stands out during Pride Week is the Midtown Richardson Hotel.

This hotel reminded me of the Luxor Hotel during EDC Las Vegas — not because of the design, but because of how many gay travelers stay there during big events. If you open your dating apps while staying here during Pride Week, you’ll probably notice the same thing: the entire grid is full.

Even outside the hotel itself, the surrounding neighborhood is packed with LGBTQ+ visitors.

Getting Around Taipei

Another great thing about Taipei is the public transportation system.

The MRT system is clean, reliable, and easy to use. With a transit card, you can take trains and buses almost anywhere in the city in under an hour.

That makes it much easier than relying on rideshare apps during busy Pride events.

The Center of Taipei’s Gay District

The heart of Taipei’s gay nightlife is located around the Red House Theater in Ximending.

Red House Theater

Red House Theater

The Red House is more than just a historic building — it’s basically the landmark of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ district.

Around the theater you’ll find:

• outdoor gay bars

• LGBTQ+ shops

• Pride events and gatherings

• tons of international visitors

During Pride Week the entire area is packed with people sitting outside, drinking, and socializing. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, and it’s very easy to strike up conversations with nearby tables.

One bar I stopped at was DaDa Bar, where I simply grabbed a beer and relaxed with friends while watching the crowd. The vibe was casual, social, and energetic.

Just be prepared for the heat — Taipei can be humid, and Pride crowds make it even warmer.

Taipei Gay Bars During Pride Week

Taipei has an impressive gay nightlife scene, especially during Pride Week. However, one thing to keep in mind is that every venue gets extremely crowded.

If you arrive late, you may end up waiting in line for an hour or more.

Commander D

Commander D is an underground bar with a dungeon-inspired aesthetic. Think metal fencing, chains, and dark lighting.

Cover charges during Pride Week are usually around 800–1000 TWD, often including a drink ticket.

The crowd was attractive and international, but the space itself felt relatively small. There’s also a dark room area if that’s something you’re looking for.

HUNT

HUNT is known for themed nights, including underwear or “fundoshi” nights where guests change into provided underwear.

The club itself isn’t huge, but the energy inside is lively with pop music, K-pop, and dance remixes. Drinks are strong and reasonably priced, and the crowd tends to be younger — mostly in their 20s and 30s.

Major Pride Week Parties in Taipei

Taiwan Pride isn’t just about bars. Several large parties and festivals happen during the week.

CandyLand Party

CandyLand is a two-day Pride event with a rave-style atmosphere.

The event features:

• multiple dance stages

• DJs playing techno and house

• international crowds

• circuit-party energy

The venue is spacious, though the dance floors can still get crowded.

Formosa Pride Festival

Formosa Pride is one of the biggest LGBTQ festivals in Asia.

It’s essentially a multi-day circuit party featuring huge dance floors, DJs, and massive crowds of international visitors.

If you enjoy large dance parties and circuit culture, this is one event you probably won’t want to miss.

Best Gay Saunas in Taipei

Gay saunas are another major part of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ scene.

During Pride Week they become extremely busy, and each one attracts a slightly different crowd.

XL Club

This sauna is smaller but known for having a younger crowd.

The layout includes:

• a steam room

• small corridors for cruising

• several private rooms

The space is compact, but many visitors come here because of the energetic atmosphere.

Hans Sauna

Hans Sauna

Hans Sauna is one of the most comfortable and well-designed gay saunas in Taipei.

Amenities include:

• home theater room with recliners

• karaoke room

• modern facilities

• central Ximending location

The crowd tends to be slightly older and more relaxed compared to other venues.

Soi 13 Sauna

Soi 13 is one of the busiest saunas during Pride Week.

It’s larger than many other venues and attracts a wide range of visitors, including locals and international travelers.

While the price is higher than some other saunas, the crowd diversity makes it a popular stop for many Pride visitors.

Taiwan Pride Parade Experience

Taiwan Pride is the largest Pride parade in Asia, and the experience is truly incredible.

The parade starts near Taipei City Hall and draws massive crowds every year.

Best Time to Arrive

Arriving around 11:00 AM is ideal.

At that time you can still walk around comfortably, explore the booths, and collect free merchandise before the main parade begins.

By around 2:00 PM, the crowd becomes extremely dense and it’s much harder to move around.

What to Bring

For Pride Week in Taipei, I highly recommend bringing:

• water or cold drinks

• sunscreen

• comfortable shoes

• a backpack for free merchandise

You’ll be walking quite a bit, and the parade route can take 1–2 hours to complete.

The Atmosphere

What makes Taiwan Pride special is the support from the entire city.

People line the sidewalks cheering. Residents watch from apartment balconies. Some even join the parade spontaneously.

The overall vibe is joyful, inclusive, and incredibly uplifting.

Final Thoughts on Taiwan Pride Week

Taiwan Pride Week is one of the most exciting LGBTQ+ travel experiences in Asia.

Between the massive parade, the international nightlife, and the welcoming atmosphere, Taipei becomes a global LGBTQ destination for a few unforgettable days.

Whether you’re interested in:

• exploring Taipei’s gay bars

• visiting a sauna gay Taipei experience

• attending huge Pride parties

• or simply enjoying the energy of the parade

Taiwan delivers one of the best Pride celebrations you can find anywhere in the world.

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