Nothing but ROCK!!!

---By Charles McHale Translated by Eva Huang

Velvet Underground
50, ZhongXiao West Rd., Sec. 1, B1
(02) 2314-1868
Hours: 12 pm-1 am
www.velvet-underground.com.tw

The Velvet Underground is hard to find. It's really underground but, with live music five nights a week, word has spread since opening last December. Across the street from Taipei Main Station, it's in the K-Mall building next to the Shinkong Mitsukoshi building. You enter next to the Hi-Life convenience store and find a staircase to B1. Just like Alice, go through the convenience store looking glass and you're transported to the world of Rock.

Whether you are coming earlier for dinner or stumbling down the stairs after happy hour to catch the show, you won't be disappointed. A Marshall stack is a pile of speakers by the brand that became famous when Jimi Hendrix used them. All you need to know is that a Marshall stack will rock you at Velvet Underground. It's a big stage and there's plenty of room to dance and still lots of tables to relax at and enjoy the music. The stage rolls from 9 to 11 p.m. with local Taiwanese bands and a foreigner band on Friday or Saturday. A majority of the music is original rock, from punk to pop and metal to funk, with some jazz and folk mixed in. A-Xiang, Tizzy Bac, Ray Band, Mimi Chang and Public Radio are just a few of the greats local and foreign that have played at Velvet Underground.

After eleven p.m. the DJ parties begin, with Ladies' night on Wednesday and Saturdays 'til early. Check the schedule for details at www.velvet-underground.com.tw. Cover charges vary from NT$300 to NT$400 on weekends, with a discount for students.

The cover charge is waived with a minimum food purchase, if you're having dinner. The kitchen offers a variety of appetizers, salads and pizzas, with steak and Mexican and Italian dishes for the main courses. Try the Seafood Paella (NT$350) or the Velvet Toreos, a sampler of their Mexican dishes (NT$560). Velvet Underground is open for lunch and dinner and open late.