By Pieter Vorster Translated by Iva Huang

     Attract a crowd of ladies and the men are sure to follow. Or is it rather, promise the men a crowd of ladies and they will go, and this will prompt the ladies to follow? Add to that the intergender (and in some venues, interracial) dynamic that exists, and the dilemma becomes a conundrum. Luckily, these financial and sociological considerations belong to management, and we have but one concern: "Where in South Taiwan do you go for Ladies Night?"

     In answer to this question, Carrie at the Pig & Whistle asked: "Are there other Ladies Nights in Kaohsiung?" Her point is valid. Few establishments seem to have a regular evening where ladies get a discount, or free entry, simply for being female.
However, those looking for the enjoyment to be had at a Ladies Night need look no further than the Pig & Whistle (199, SzWei 4th Rd., LingYa, Kaohsiung City; tel: (07) 330-1006), a cornerstone of social life in the harbor city.

     As a part of their traditional foreign-pub business model, they instigated Wednesday Ladies Nights almost ten years ago. They have kept up the tradition and it has grown into Kaohsiung's most popular Ladies Night. Upstairs, ladies pay NT$150 to enter, which entitles them to a drink at the bar. Men pay NT$400, for which they get two drinks. If you're hungry, the Pig & Whistle has an excellent selection of gourmet Western food.
Once inside, you're faced with a packed dance floor, mainstream music, a crowded bar, and the assurance of a midweek party. Unless you want to secure a table, it's advisable to go a little later (after 11 pm). Go by taxi--don't drink and drive. And you never know--you may meet someone special, and not want to go home directly...

     A relatively new addition the Kaohsiung nightlife scene, Viva Disco Lounge (126, JungHua 3rd Rd., ChienJin, Kaohsiung City; tel: (07) 285-8777) is a stylish disco lounge where you can relax in plush couches, enjoy delightful cocktails and dance your heart out to good music (DJ from 12 midnight to 2 am). If you prefer watching, there is a clear view of the dance floor and bar area from the second level. Along with an assortment of beers and fine wines they serve some of the best snacks to be found. Thursdays from 9 pm is Ladies Night: ladies get in for free, while men pay NT$300. Says Mandy: "I come to Viva because it is the best club in this city--by far!"

     There's something happening every night of the week at Viva, but the theme may not always be obvious. For up-to-date details, contact the management at (07) 285-8777.
Apart from these choices, mention should be made of Roof Lounge (15F, 165 LinSen 1st Rd.; (07) 241-6666), which no longer has a Ladies Night, but is always a great place to go with a lady; and BoBo (Bourgeois & Bohemian Disco Lounge: 31, HaiBian Rd.; (07) 269-1511), specifically the frequent Frisky Parties. There have been special offers for ladies at some of the Frisky parties, but with or without them, these events are always extravagant.

     The final, and most important, question for revelers has to be: "Why do you come to a Ladies Night?" Lisa at the Pig & Whistle had this to say: "I like the music and the atmosphere and the excitement... and the people." One of the guys summed it up a lot faster: "Why do you think?"

     People in Tainan need not go all the way to Kaohsiung for Ladies Night. On Wednesdays, REBAR (365, JianKang Rd., Sec. 1; (06) 263-6860) offers every lady free entrance, plus a coupon which can be exchanged for NT$100 worth of food or drink. Between now and the end of August, guys get in free, too! Also worth bearing in mind is AD (B1, 52, GungYuan Rd.; tel (06) 220-9997), which has two Ladies Nights every week--Wednesday and Sunday.