Bats
House Piano Pub
--By Niang Chen Translated by Picker
Chen
When you walk into the Bats House, the high ceiling,
spacious interior and neon lights give off a spirited,
vibrant and warm feeling. Although the red-tiled floor,
dark wooden seats and large beer ad posters give this
place a Western bar vibe, the overall atmosphere is
one of Taiwanese hospitality.
The pub's outgoing owner, Mr. Chen, explains that his
establishment is a mixture of pub, restaurant and KTV,
making it an ideal destination for a slightly-older
crowd to have a pleasant time over a glass or two, singing
their hearts out after a stressful day at work. The
dance floor also periodically features special events
that bring together those who love to dance. Every Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday, this relaxing place also features
live rock music and, on other days, there are performances
by a talented keyboardist who plays music upon request.
Those who come to the Bats House mostly fall into the
40-to-50-year-old age group who--interestingly enough--are
themselves mostly owners of establishments or working
in other professional fields. Other than song requests,
the pub also plays softer music, thus avoiding the louder,
more raucous sounds that emanate from other pubs.
Naturally, the pub provides a variety of cocktails,
beer and other cold beverages. The Long Island Iced
Tea is NT$250 and a Corona costs NT$160. The kitchen
also provides a number of dishes, including vegetables,
main courses, stir-fries, Hakka cuisine, dumplings,
fried rice and other items. The head chef recommends
the spicy thousand-year-old egg dish and the fried fish
sticks. Both are NT$200 a plate and go great with a
beer.
