Taichung Nightlife, Taiwan >The Pig Pen

The Pig Pen: Still alive and grunting in Taichung

By Douglas Habecker
Translated Gillian Chang

“The Pig”. That is the usual answer when almost any foreign resident who was in Taichung a decade ago is asked what nightlife hangout they remember from those days. However, in a testimony to its enduring appeal and perseverance, The Pig continues to pull foreign and local night crawlers as one of the city’s most resilient establishments.

“The Pig” was the moniker first given to the Pig & Whistle British-style pub when it came to this city from Taipei in the early 1990s. With a 1996 relocation to the 7th redevelopment zone, The Pig was renamed The Pig Pen. Since then, this sizable place has maintained its position as a favorite nightlife destination, even as it has gone through various renovations. Walk into either the downstairs restaurant bar, or upstairs disco area, and you’ll instantly experience the slightly-worn aura that the years and thousands of customers have left behind.

The first-floor restaurant and bar maintains the faded, well-used traditional British-style pub atmosphere, with wooden decor and furniture, an appealingly-cluttered bar and all manner of miscellaneous decorations, from old beer bottles to antiques and vintage plaques. A good range of meals are served until 10 p.m., with appetizers/lighter meals available after. Favorites include the Bavarian Pig Knuckles (NT$400), Pork Rib & Chicken Combo (NT$500), and “Mexican Munchies” selections like Chicken Burritos (NT$240). There are also reasonably-priced burgers, sandwiches, pastas and pizzas in the NT$150 to NT$300 range.

Entertainment on the first floor includes big-screen sports and other broadcasts and live house bands from 10 p.m. on. However, livelier pastimes are found at the big disco upstairs, with DJs and a weekly line-up of bands like Twister and Hot Shock. On weekends, the place is packed, particularly after 11 p.m. Additional pulls are Sunday-Tuesday/Thursday NT$300 all-you-can-drink nights, and Wednesday Ladies Nights. Normal cover charge is NT$300 (NT$400 Fridays/Saturdays), but foreigners get in free Fridays and for half-price on Saturdays. The Pig has a total of five bars (including one outside) serving all manner of beers, wines, cocktails and spirits for NT$150 to NT$250 per drink.

With its tried-but-true combination of food, music, dancing and atmosphere, there’s little reason to doubt that The Pig will be welcoming patrons for many years to come.