Print

Mail

wiki links

Recommended by those in the know

There's no such thing as bad publicity. So when DPP City Councilor Wang Shih-chien (王世堅) earlier this week graciously listed the top 10 places in Taipei where ecstasy is used or sold, curious youth began looking for addresses.

Wang reportedly sent his young staffers out on the town to secretly videotape suspected discotheques and suss out the availability of drugs at each. They returned with footage of young girls taking naps at tables and boys talking in restrooms -- incontrovertible evidence that Taipei零 youth need better social lives.

Near the top of Wang's list of places where ecstacy is prevalent is the infortuitously-named 911 Discotheque, located (I'm not making this up) on the "XLand"level of Taipei's Core Pacific Mall (京華城), next door to Plush.

The shadow of a lava lamp cast against the wall lures would-be party-goers to 911's doorway. An obfuscation of signs adjacent the entrance suggests that Wednesday is Ladies?Night. If they arrive before the witching hour, women pay only NT$200. Men presumably pay market price. No one's entrance fee is likely to exceed NT$500, and it always includes a drink, which are in the NT$150 to NT$250 range.

In spite of (or perhaps because of) it's reputation as a drug haven, 911 is an interesting place to people-watch, and even provides a nifty plexiglass floor in the loft area for surreptitious sightseeing. Never mind mixing with strangers, however, this is easily Taipe's loudest bar and the sound system has enough bass to loosen dental work. The music is not bad, though, and promises to get better. DJ Dig Doug, having spun the best set at Kenting's Moonlight beach rave last weekend, is scheduled to dish out more of the same Wednesday before scurrying off to the US. Apart from getting a job in Wang Shih-chien's office, it just might be the best night out you can have next week.

The 911 Discotheque is located at 12F, 138 Pate Rd. Sec. 4, Taipei. (台北市八德路四段138號12樓). For more information call (02) 3762-1107.

This story has been viewed 3866 times.