Lab

Lab lives up to its name. The bar is owned by Makita Takafumi, who works as both a scientist and a bartender, and it applies that combination of curiosity and precision to cocktails. It was ranked No. 99 on the extended Asia's 50 Best Bars list in 2026, one of four Taipei bars in the region's top 100 that year, and it is a strong choice for drinkers interested in where modern mixology is heading.

The room is deliberately stripped back. It is monochrome, with almost no decoration, sleek surfaces and low lighting, so that all the attention falls on what is in the glass. Many of the cocktails are colourless, the result of techniques designed to draw the most from each ingredient, including herbs grown in the bar's own garden. The effect can be surprising: a drink that looks like water may carry intense flavour, so take your time with each one.

The menu has several sections. There are reinterpreted classics, such as the cuba libre and the old fashioned, cocktails inspired by aromatherapy, and caffeinated drinks for those who want a lift. Perhaps the most fun is the section of flavour profiles, which lets guests build their own drink by choosing the character they want; it is a good way to talk to the bartenders about your tastes and end up with something made just for you.

Lab suits couples, solo drinkers and small groups who appreciate a quiet, focused atmosphere; it is not the place for a loud night out. The 50 Best guide puts the average price at around US$13 a cocktail, so budget accordingly and plan on two drinks to get a feel for the menu. The bar is listed as open every day, but exact hours are not given, so check its Instagram account before you go and consider arriving early in the evening at weekends.

Lab is on Section 4 of Ren'ai Road in the Da'an District. That puts it within a short taxi ride of the other award-winning bars on Dunhua South Road, To Infinity and Beyond and Bar Mood, so a serious cocktail tour can take in three of Taipei's top 100 bars in one evening. Taxis are the simplest way to move between venues, and pacing yourself with water between rounds makes the evening more enjoyable.