🌟 Minimum consumption on weekdays is 400 and on holidays is 600; no time limit on weekdays / 2 hours on holidays
🌟 No outside food or smoking allowed; reservation service provided
🌟 Birthday special event available
❗️ Don't drink and drive, don't drive when drunk! ❗️
Ukitsu Bar features creative cocktails inspired by Ukiyo-e, Kabuki, tea ceremony, and samurai culture, creating a spacious and comfortable dining environment filled with Japanese aesthetics. Combining modern cocktails with Japanese culture and flavors allows you to experience life as transitory as floating clouds, following the philosophy of enjoying life and embracing joy in the moment.
Transport details:
Ukitsu Bar is tucked away in the bustling East District of Taipei.
Nearby parking available for scooters (if you take a shared scooter)
For cars: Parking is available at the "Civic Boulevard Fudun Section Parking Lot."
MRT Bannan Line BL16 Zhongxiao Dunhua Station, Exit 9
Environment:
Ukitsu Bar is located in an alley in the East District. The striking red maple leaf decor at the entrance, alongside the sight of fighting fish swimming through the glass door, instantly attracted my attention. At first, I wasn't sure what type of establishment it was. Upon opening the glass door, I was welcomed by a huge projection of a fighting fish and a solemn torii gate design. Let's just say the overall black design inside, combined with the Edo-style ambiance, surprisingly presented elegance and mystery. At night, it's a very relaxing space. If the torii in the middle could be designed to reflect a traditional Japanese style of prayer, I'm sure the tips for the staff would increase; at least, I would play around with it. The seating area has bar high stools, four-person square tables, and multi-person sofa tables, making the overall space spacious and comfortable. The restroom provides women’s hygiene products, mouthwash, and dental floss - very thoughtful!
That day, I sat at the bar and chatted with the staff about cocktail knowledge; they were very nice, highly recommending!
Birthday Special Event:
Any birthday celebrant presenting identification along with a check-in and review will enjoy exclusive birthday privileges:
- One exclusive birthday cocktail (subject to the day's conditions)
- One plate of birthday shots
- One beautiful Polaroid photo together
Menu:
The menu at Ukitsu Bar features three main themes for cocktails: flowers, fruits, and tea-based spirits, including whiskey, sake, plum wine, thick spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. The food is quite unique, with offerings like dumplings, oysters, chicken soup, and desserts, very different from the usual cocktail bars I’ve encountered!
Cocktail Highlights:
🔺 Flower Splendor $400
Vodka, Umeshu, Pink Pepper, Apricot, Rose, Honey
Fruity Aroma / Spice Notes / Floral Aroma
Served with a glass of rose grape juice ice cubes (so stylish!) and the pre-mixed cocktail, allowing you to complete the final step manually. As the cocktail is poured over the rose ice, the bright red of the grape rose sparkles in the glass like a ruby sinking into the sea. The initial taste is a sweet and tart aroma from the Umeshu and vodka, transitioning to flavors of apricot, rose, and honey that evolve with the melting ice. I believe this drink would appeal to most women, both visually and in flavor, akin to strolling through the floral world of Japanese Kabuki.
🔺 Sudden Rain $400
Gin, Soil Tincture, Sugarcane Juice, Sichuan Green Pepper, Shiso
Woody Notes / Herb / Spice Notes
Upon seeing the soil tincture on the menu, I briefly considered the taste of "eating dirt"? But the staff informed me it wouldn’t be intense. I asked if they disliked shiso since its aroma is quite pronounced. The drink was served with a mini farmer's straw hat, very cute! This cocktail evokes the feeling of waiting for the rain to stop in a gazebo; the gin flavor isn’t strong, with the freshness of shiso and the sweetness of sugarcane being more prominent overall, giving a fragrant yet not overpowering drink experience. If you’re not averse to shiso, give this a try!
🔺 Forest Secret $400 (the day’s birthday cocktail)
Whiskey, Umeshu, Barley Tea, Honey, Palo Santo
Wheat Aroma / Smoky / Woody Notes
I must admit this has become my favorite drink. The entire cocktail exudes a calm presence, akin to a character played by Hu Ge as Mei Changsu.
I'm somewhat hesitant to write about smoky-flavored items, as strong smoke flavor often carries rich aromas of burnt wood and sometimes peaty notes. But the staff reassured me it’s actually not overly intense, so I decided to try it. It turned out to be highly recommendable! This was the first cocktail I had that was neither tart nor sweet. The subtle sweetness from the Umeshu and honey does not overshadow the aroma of whiskey and barley tea, creating a tranquil and stable ambiance, as if one is amidst the serene comfort of the Alishan forest.
Thoughts:
Ukitsu Bar is truly one of the best cocktail places I’ve visited recently. The cocktails express the bar's intentions beautifully, with a relaxing and comfortable overall atmosphere and, most importantly, delicious drinks. Many of the sweeter options that women typically favor also have great layers of flavor.
Emphasizing Food: Tasty cocktails, each showcasing their distinct character.
Emphasizing Environment: Relatively quiet bar, nice ambiance, suitable for dates or friendly gatherings.
Emphasizing Parking: Scooter parking is available nearby; car parking at Civic Boulevard Fudun Section is available.
Emphasizing Restrooms: They are there and thoughtfully stocked with essentials.
Emphasizing Queue: Very quick service, hardly any waiting time.
Emphasizing Service: Quite good; the bar staff are friendly and easy to talk to.
Value for Money: 🌟🌟🌟
(Simple discussion of food and prices.)