Guts Cocktail Bar 蓋茲 — Restaurant in Zhanghua City

I visited this bar in the end of October. I was not happy with my experience when I left. I have waited two months after first writing this review and reflecting on my experience here, because I wanted to be fair. But my feelings have not changed.

The waitress or assistant bartender was great, the ambiance/ style of decorations also good and the cocktails ok. (the bell is tacky, reminds me of a Gogo bar in the Philippines or Thailand. You ring the bell when someone buys the bartender a drink or gives a tip. Kinda low class especially considering the price for the cocktails.)

As a foreigner, I’ve really appreciated the cocktail bar culture here in Taiwan, its first class. And bartender etiquette hear is quit strong. Like for example I was leaving Habitatto in Taichung (excellent place specializing in tea cocktails) the bartender asked me to wait so that he and another bartender could do a shot with me. Then I went to TMC nearbye (also excellent and specializing in Chinese medicine cocktails) and a similar thing happened. This time I bought them a shot and then they bought me several shots. This has always been my experience in Taiwan bars.

But not here, not at Guts cocktail bar.

It’s the first time in several years of living in Taiwan that I walked out of a bar where I seemingly paid more money for the shots I bought the bartender and the assistant then the actual cocktails I drank. Plus I felt there was an expectation for me to leave a tip. Which I did and would have done…. And not one shot was offered to me in return.

Now let’s be clear. This is a ok bar, decent cocktails, though overpriced, I accept what I paid for, and I am not saying I should be getting something for free, but…… When I asked for the bill, he just punched in a number on a calculator and quickly flashed it at me. I actually felt overcharged. I am not saying that I was overcharged but I felt I was being treated poorly. Which is something I don’t experience here in Taiwan!! Ever!!! Taiwanese are friendly, respectful and most importantly they are honest. But that’s not the impression I was left with. It felt like a Thailand tourist trap.

Make sure they write...

My wife and I have been to a whole lot of cocktailbars all over the world and this is truly one of our favorite ones. In Taiwan it is my number 1. The bartender (vincent) is a very nice guy who speaks english and his skill is truly amazing. You just tell him what kind of flavours you like and he will do the rest. We have been there at least 10 times and he still keeps surprising us with new perfectly balanced and interesting flavours. If you are a cocktail lover, this place...

went here with my friend in thursday night what a blast only us the customers 🤣,but it was great night to spend,was recommended by taiwanese friend she said the bartender has great taste and it’s true ,deff will come back to try...