Sip by Sip | Cocktails, Culture, and Kaohsiung’s Creative Spirit
Taiwan has long held a special place in my heart. It’s a country that gently pulls you in with its layered flavours, deep traditions, and quiet moments of beauty—and never quite lets go. For me, it’s more than a destination. It’s a sensory love affair. As a solo traveller and cocktail enthusiast, I’ve explored many corners of the world. But in Taiwan, something clicked. Here, culture, cuisine, and creativity seem to flow together with effortless harmony. From steaming bowls of beef noodle soup eaten at midnight markets to the way bartenders infuse local heritage into every pour, Taiwan tells its stories through taste.
The series „Sip by Sip | My Cocktail Journey Through Taiwan“ is my love letter to Taiwan’s cocktail culture. On my most recent journey across the island, I set out to explore the evolving cocktail culture shaping Taiwan’s cities, neighbourhoods, and underground bars. Each article takes you somewhere new—from intimate drinking dens to award-winning venues where drinks are more than drinks; they’re expressions of craft, identity, and place.
First Stop: Kaohsiung
Often overlooked in favour of Taipei, Kaohsiung is a harbour city full of surprises. Life moves at a gentler pace here, with sea breezes cutting through the tropical heat and creativity bubbling just below the surface. Kaohsiung is a captivating blend of modernity and tradition. Known for its stunning harbour and rich maritime heritage, this southern gem offers a striking skyline, a bustling street food scene, and a burgeoning cocktail culture that rivals the best in Asia. On my return visit, I was drawn back to two unforgettable bars: Voice Over and Bar Dip. Both continue to embody the spirit of innovation and artistry that defines Kaohsiung’s nightlife. Let’s begin the journey.
Voice Over – A Cinematic Escape into Vintage Elegance
After a short flight from the Philippines, I landed in Kaohsiung with one mission: to see if Voice Over still had it. My first visit had left a lasting impression, but bars evolve—staff change, menus shift, and concepts can lose their magic. Had it stood the test of time?
Fortunately, my hotel was just around the corner. After a quick refresh, I found myself once again at its discreet entrance. Housed in a 65-year-old building that once served as an otolaryngology clinic, Voice Over blends vintage Taiwanese charm with modern mixology. Dim lighting, retro furnishings, and vinyl records set an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and quietly cinematic.
Located near Kaohsiung City Council Station, the bar is inspired by the narration style of early black-and-white silent films. Its name reflects memory and culture told from a bystander’s perspective. Founded by Red Chuang, Voice Over brings together music, cinema, and cocktails in a seamless, deeply personal experience. Stepping inside feels like entering a curated dream. The lighting is intimate, the décor thoughtfully detailed, and every element—from the playlist to the presentation—tells a story. Here, cocktails aren’t just drinks; they’re chapters in a sensory narrative, often inspired by melodies, films, images, or lost cultural symbols.
One of the signature creations, “Chungking Express”, pays homage to Wong Kar-Wai’s iconic film. Still on the menu after two years, it combines anaerobically fermented pineapple, peach, green peppercorns, eucalyptus leaves, and layered extracts of black tea and orange peel. Served with a Voice Over-branded can of pineapple, it offers a poetic, multi-sensory journey that lingers in both flavour and memory.
The attention to detail is exceptional. The bartenders are true artists, crafting drinks that are both visually stunning and conceptually layered. A recent menu update now includes English translations, making it easier to explore. I opted for Four Season—a complex cocktail composed of roasted barley, porcini, adzuki bean, sand ginger, maple syrup, tree bark bitters, and Artemisia smoke. It was accompanied by a delicate “meat paper” made from roasted wheat flour and mulberry leaf. The drink captures the rhythm of the seasons—earthy, grounded, and quietly profound.
What I admire most about Voice Over is its clear identity. Each cocktail has its own voice, yet all speak the same language of taste. The bar has a distinctive signature—rooted, curated, and warm. Even the smoked drinks defy expectations. I’m not typically a fan, but here the smoke is soft and earthy—more of a comforting embrace than a sharp, smoky hit. Each cocktail here is more than a drink—it’s a sensory composition. Voice Over doesn’t just mix flavours; it tells stories. And those stories linger, long after the glass is empty.
Other standouts include:
- Shape of Voice Over – Earthy fig and roasted cacao nibs, finished with sandalwood bitters.
- French Kiss in the Warm Morning – Roasted banana, nutty bitters, and butter beer foam; playful and indulgent.
- Pheromone in the Air – Black garlic and tart wild strawberry meet smoky mezcal in a bold, unexpected pairing.
- Pulse of the Mountain – Spicy mountain pepper and bright passion fruit juice for a wild, refreshing kick.
Bar Dip – A Liquid Tribute to Hakka Heritage
Located in Kaohsiung’s Lingya District, Bar Dip explores cocktail storytelling through a completely different lens—deeply rooted in Hakka culture, yet reimagined through the language of modern mixology. From the first glance to the final sip, it’s clear this bar isn’t following trends; it’s crafting a narrative that honours heritage while pushing creative boundaries.
The inspiration behind the “Dip” brand comes from the Hakka blue dyeing technique in Meinong, Kaohsiung. This traditional process—where natural pigments are extracted through soaking—becomes a metaphor for the bar’s approach to cocktail-making. Soaking, infusing, extracting: the steps mirror the care and transformation in both crafts.
At Bar Dip, cultural heritage becomes flavour. Consider the Blue Dyeing cocktail, a tribute to Hakka textile artistry. Its vivid blue colour mirrors the indigo-dyeing process, while the flavour combines herbal Chartreuse, gin, and teak wood—refreshing, earthy, and utterly distinctive. The same philosophy extends to every detail. Whether it’s distillation, fermentation, or low-temperature cooking, the bar takes its time, soaking and building layers of taste with thoughtful precision.
The ambience is elegant yet relaxed, with a warmly lit bar counter and a team that exudes hospitality. The music, carefully paired canapés, and bold comfort dishes (like their delicious goulash) make for a multisensory experience that celebrates Kaohsiung’s cultural tapestry.
I tried two standout drinks:
- Hakka Grand Tribune Snacks – Umeboshi, pineapple, chilli sauce, curry leaf, yellow jade watermelon, banana, grass fruit, and lavender. A savoury, aromatic blend that may sound wild on paper but is perfectly balanced in the glass.
- 鍋氣 2.0 – Steak sauce, young ginger, umami, bergamot, rice vinegar, squid, chocolate, bonito soy sauce, and balsamic. Complex, umami-rich, and surprisingly harmonious—like drinking the soul of a Hakka banquet.
Every drink here is steeped in identity. Where Voice Over leans into elegance and nostalgia, Bar Dip draws from memory, family, and earth. Together, they represent two poles of Kaohsiung’s emerging cocktail identity: one looking outward with vintage flair, the other looking inward with local pride.
Final Sip – Kaohsiung’s Cocktail Renaissance
Visiting Voice Over and Bar Dip back-to-back felt like uncovering two chapters of the same story – one poetic and universal, the other intimate and rooted. They offer more than exceptional drinks; they offer insight into why we drink, and what a bar can be when it dares to go deeper.
If Voice Over whispers like a vintage film,
Bar Dip sings in bold, local colour.
If you’re travelling through Taiwan with a thirst for craftsmanship, culture, and creativity, Kaohsiung deserves a place on your map. These bars aren’t just raising glasses—they’re raising the standard. Kaohsiung’s cocktail scene mirrors Taiwan’s broader mixology movement—driven by storytelling, cross-cultural fusion, and a deep reverence for local ingredients. Bars like Voice Over and Bar Dip exemplify this evolution, transforming drinking into an act of cultural expression. From speakeasy-inspired concepts to the seamless integration of food and cocktail artistry, Kaohsiung’s bars are redefining what it means to drink with purpose.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious traveller, this city promises an unforgettable journey through flavour, history, and soul.
