Vender
Taichung, Taiwan
- No.43 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023
After a successful bartending career in Singapore, Summer Chen returned home to Taiwan to open Vender with her partner, Darren Lim. This highly original bar is built around the concept of vending machines, with the speakeasy-style entrance disguised as a vending machine that is unlocked by inserting a coin.
Once inside, guests are greeted with a miniature shot of Singapore Sling (a nod to Chen's past), while vending machines sell bottled cocktails and beers. The unique drinks list presents the main ingredients used in each creation in ‘pockets’, allowing guests to explore the ingredients. Many feature herbs and spices from Southeast Asia, while the food menu also nods the region with dishes such as bak kut teh (a Hokkien pork rib broth) and chilli crab on offer.
Signature cocktail A Cigar Vending Machine is inspired by Chen's first taste of Cuban cigars and features dark rum, red wine syrup, aromatised wine, fresh lemon juice, egg whites and chocolate bitters. As a final touch, the cocktail is smoked using Taiwanese cypress wood chips.
Key Information
Location
No. 118, Wuquan West 4th St, West District, Taichung, 40348
