Taipei gay scene
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In fact, Taiwan has a thriving LGBTQ+ community of locals, that feel comfortable and safe to live out and proud – especially within the larger cities, and in particular in the capital of Taipei.
And whilst for the most part, public displays of affection are kept for behind closed doors (in line with the majority of Asian cultures), the younger generations are starting to be more open.
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The first Taipei Pride parade took place in 2003 and by 2017, it had grown to over 100,000 participants from all over the world. In 2023, Taiwan also allowed transnational same sex marriages.
From the famous rainbow crossings that were painted to celebrate same sex marriages in Taiwan to LGBT book stores and Rainbow sightseeing buses, Taiwan’s gay scene is thriving.
Featuring clubs, pubs, Taiwan gay events and more, here is our guide to gay Taipei and LGBTQ+
Taipei Pride / Taipei Color
25 October 2025
Taipei Pride is an annual event in Taiwan, attended by tens of thousands of local and international LGBTQ+ members – Taiwan is a very progressive country (another of many reasons to love Taiwan) and the streets become awash with color and celebrations.
Taipei Pride is the largest gay parade in East Asia and always takes place on the last Saturday of October.
The main Taipei Color / Taiwan Pride 2025 event takes place on Saturday October 2025 with a Pride parade that starts and finishes at Taipei City Hall.
– and so my plans to hit up more of Asia had to be put on hold.
That is, until October 2023 rolled around, and I had the chance to finally visit Taiwan – and it certainly blew all of my expectations out of the water.
My Taiwan gay guide will give you all the information that you need to know about this gay-friendly island in East Asia.
Is Taiwan Gay Friendly?
While not quite as popular a travel destination as some of its Asian neighbours, Taiwan has long been considered as one of the most gay-friendly destinations in Asia – rivalling even Thailand.
Although situated in a part of the world where for the most part, views towards LGBTQ+ people are more conservative, and LGBTQ+ rights are challenged, the island of Taiwan is a shining beacon for LGBTQ+ visitors – where LGBTQ+ travellers are not only accepted, but welcomed with open arms!
Since 2003 Taiwan has also held its iconic annual Pride celebration – which I was so fortunate to be a part of last year.
The annual average temperature of the northern part is around 22℃ (71℉) while is around 24℃ (75℉) in the southern part.
Don’t miss the Shilin Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market, and Ningxia Night Market for a true taste of Taiwanese street food. Inside are booth style tables, and a TV monitor used for karaoke.
It is a cash only bar, with a minimum spend, but they do allow you to bring your own food for consumption – so a lot of locals tend to hit the night markets first, stock up on food and snacks and then hit the bar, which stays open almost every day until 04:30.
Address: 803, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Yancheng District, Jianguo 4th Rd, 306號3樓
Rainbow Thursday @ Brickyard
Brickyard is the name of a popular dance club in Kaohsiung, which, although not a gay bar or club, describes itself as “Kaohsiung’s most gay friendly bar since 2009!”
The owners of Brickyard are dedicated to ensuring that all the different types of people that both live in and visit Kaohsiung have not only a fun, but also a safe space to go, to meet up, meet new friends and enjoy the music and dance.
As a result, Brickyard theme nights were born – a bar that each night hosts something different to appeal to everyone, and ensuring that people have at least one night where they feel safe, such as Ladies Night on a Wednesday, Student Night on a Friday, Latin Nights, and Saturdays that mix it up.
And for the LGBTQ+ community, this is Thursday – known as “Rainbow Thursdays”, which is an extremely popular gay night.
For venues, start with Ｗonder bar if you want a lesbian-friendly room with strong cocktails and food.
As a peaceful act of protest, one of the last remaining veterans, Huang Yong-Fu, aged 86 (back in 2008) decided to paint the houses in bright colours, starting with his own home, and moving to the next and the next until he had decorated the entire village.
As a result, tourists swarmed to the village, to see the “rainbow houses” and the “Rainbow Grandpa” that painted them.
The bars here for the most part are all lined up next to one another, and a lot of them also have large patios, and outdoor seating, so you can grab a drink, take a seat and watch the world go by. It was in fact, Taiwan’s first public market and one of the most well-preserved historical buildings in the city.
Around The Red House are many shops and restaurants, a lot of them gay-owned, selling gay merchandise or just popular with the LGBTQ+ community because of their location.
And of course, whilst in this district, you have to capture your Insta-worthy shot on Taipei’s rainbow crossing.
I mean, tell me you’re a British traveller without telling me you’re a British traveller!
Check rates and book
Address: No. 77, Section 2, Wuchang St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10843
Other Gay Friendly Hotels to consider
If looking for other hotels that are gay-friendly, it may also be worth looking at hotel brands that are renowned for supporting the LGBTQ+ community, such as Kimpton, part of the wider IHG brand, and Hilton.
The city is home to some of the most famous gay bars, not just in Taiwan, but in Asia as a whole.
The main gay area of Taipei is located in the Wanhua district, specifically in and around what is known as “The Red House District”, or Ximending.
The Red House, often called Ximending Red House, is an icon of the Wanhua district.
Prior to the days of social media, and meeting apps, the park was once a major meeting site for gay men. However, there are a lot of hotels in and around the Ximending district, and around The Red House itself, which naturally a lot of gay travellers choose to stay at to ensure they are close to the action!
I have included below the four hotels that I stayed at during my visit to Taiwan, as these were the hotels that hosted me during my visit for Taiwan pride, and so I can safely say that all the below hotels are very welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers.
Le Meridien – Taichung
This was a great welcome to my trip to Taiwan and the perfect hotel to spend my first night after the long journey from the UK!
Le Meridien is a beautiful five-star hotel located right in the city centre of Taichung, but is also conveniently located next to Taichung Station, and the bus terminal, providing easy access to explore both the wider Taichung area as well as being convenient when it is time to move on.
The hotel has a stunning rooftop pool, the perfect place to unwind and relax after a busy day exploring Taichung, and the majority of the guestrooms have floor to ceiling windows offering the most incredible panoramic views of the city.
Le Meridien is part of the Marriott brand of hotels, which is another brand that has always shown their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Here’s a detailed guide to making the most of your visit to this incredible city.
Explore the LGBTQ+ Scene
- Red House District: Situated in Ximending, the Red House District is the heart of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ scene. In spring, the city also hosts LGBTQ+ film and arts programming around venues and universities, which gives you a lower-key way to plug in.
Head on over to the most fun and fastest growing Taiwan Facebook group with 150,000+ members and ask the experts!
Click here to join our group >Taipei’s Rainbow Crossings
There are two iconic rainbow crossings in Taipei – the first, Rainbow Six (6號彩虹) was unveiled in Ximending (by exit 6 of the Ximending MRT) in 2019 to coincide with the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Taiwan.
In time for Taipei Pride 2025 (Taipei Color), the Rainbow Six Crossing has recently been repainted (in August 2025) so it will shine bright again for Pride.
A second Taipei Rainbow crossing (The Rainbow Starting Line) was painted in Xinyi, in the shadow of Taipei 101 in 2020, to coincide with Taipei Pride that year.
Both Taipei rainbow crossings have become popular photography spots and are some of the most Instagrammable places in Taiwan.
Incidentally, there is also a rainbow crossing in Kaohsiung at Pier2 Art Center but as of summer 2025, it looks quite faded and is in need of some TLC.
You might like – Our guide to Ximending at night and our Ximending hotel guide
Taipei Gay Bars and LGBTQ+ Friendly Venues
The Red House area, Ximending
One of the highest concentrations of gay bars in Taipei is around The Red House in Ximending.
One of Taipei’s most iconic buildings, the Red House is a beautiful old building that has served many purposes over the years since it opened in 1908.
Expect international DJs, big productions, hot dancers and more!
- Gay Bars and Clubs: And if the circuit scene isnt for you, Taipei’s vibrant gay scene has something for everyone! Be sure to visit the adjoining shopping mall and food court for a taste of Taiwan’s culinary delights.
- National Palace Museum: Housing one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art, the National Palace Museum is a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts.
As the largest LGBTQ+ event in Asia, the parade draws tens of thousands of participants and features vibrant floats, performances, and parties.
Discover Taipei’s Rich Culture
- Taipei 101: This iconic skyscraper, once the tallest building in the world, offers breathtaking views of Taipei from its observation deck.