Taipei Nightlife

Taipei Nightlife-Part I

Updated 25 August 2022


This page contains photos of some of Taipei's "finest" nightspots that Dawg Flight knew well and ran hard.

Please send us an E-Mail (Click Here) for any corrections, additions, or comments...or to send us your Photos.


              (1. & 2.) 1970 Taipei Street Maps              (3.) Taipei Bars Map circa 1967     (4.) Taipei Club District 2006
Credits: (1. & 2.) Map of Taipei City 1970, Nan Hua Publishing Co. Ltd., Taipei   (3. & 4.) Bars Map provided by B. Martin (SLK: '63-'67 & '70-'75)   (5.) "Google Earth 2006"
(Click on Images to Enlarge-To Zoom-In click again when opened)

(1. & 2.) Two 1970 street maps of the Taipei Club and Bar District located several blocks around the intersection of Chungshan North Road and Min Chuan East/West Road. The Linkou Club is shown as the "Officers' Club" (center) just below "MAAG" and "PX". The 63 Club ("Club 63") is in the upper center above the Keelung River and MAAG Compound.
(3. & 4.) Circa 1967 "Taipei Bars Map" (two orientations) showing the location of all the bars in Taipei. The map was distributed to GIs arriving in Taipei from Vietnam for R&R.
(5.) 2006 "Google Earth" satellite image showing the 1970/71 locations of several old clubs and landmarks along Min Chuan West Road (center of photo running east/west) and Chungshan North Road (tree lined street on right running north/south in photo).


Linkou Bus Stop, Flamingo Club, Florida Bakery, Suzie Wong Bar, and OK Bar
1970/71 Photos: (1.) Mike Hine (Dawg Flight: '68-'70)   (2.) Paul Birden (Charlie Flight: '69-'70)   (3. & 4.) S Callas (NSG: '71-'72), courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)
1970/71 shots of the corner of Chungshan North Road ("Chungshan Pae Lu") and Nung An Street where the Linkou Bus stopped
in front of the "OK Bar" (neon sign) and "Suzie Wong Bar" (next door) to drop-off Dawg Flight for another long night on the town.

(1.) Fall 1970 shot of the Linkou Bus Stop. The Florida Bakery is on the corner at Nung An Street with the "Flamingo Club and Restaurant" above the bakery on the second floor (the club's entrance was off to the left on Nung An Street). Just beyond the bakery are the bright neon signs for the OK and Suzie Wong bars. The Oasis Hotel was up ahead on the left (not visible). The King's and Central Hotels are illuminated in the distance (center background). Wu-Chou's Massage Parlor was off to the right on the opposite side of the street.
(2.) 1969 shot of the Linkou Bus Stop shown in the previous photo on a misty, foggy winter's night. The Florida Bakery and neon signs for the OK and Suzie Wong bars are on the left.
(3.) 1971 shot taken from the sidewalk along Chungshan North Road approaching the Linkou Bus Stop ahead. Across the street from the Linkou Bus Stop's location is Wu-Chou's Massage Parlor's blue vertical sign partially visible above the red and white bus. A Gas Station is also across the street with its sign partially visible over the grey and white bus (far right) and its two gas pumps visible just to the right of the orange and white bus.
(4.) 1971 view looking south along Chungshan North Road's sidewalk just a few yards beyond the Linkou Bus Stop. The Oasis Hotel (not shown) was ahead off to the left of the photo. Visible in the distance (upper left) on the opposite side of the street are the King's and Central Hotels at the busy intersection of Chungshan North Road and Min Chuan East/West Road. The Pillbox (not visible) was on the corner across the street from the King's Hotel. The San Francisco Club and Prince Club were to the right of the Pillbox.


The Prince Club, Holiday Club, and 63 Bar
Photo credits: (1.) 1969 photo by Carpenter   (2.) 1970 photo by Lentz   (Below Right) 2011 photo by Jim Valkwitch (NSG: 1971-72)
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

(1. & 2.) 1969 (left) and 1970 (right) shots of the Prince Club, 63 Bar, and Holiday Club (next door to the 63 Bar) taken from across Min Chuan West Road in the vicinity of the China Night Club (see photos below). The Prince Club was Dawg Flight's watering hole...and "THE PHANTOM'S" favorite spot. The sign over the Prince Club entrance reads: "Welcome R & R".
  (Photo on Right-Click to Enlarge) "Then and Now"...March 2011 shot of the Prince Club's building (far right). The club was located at the corner (far right foreground).

  Taipei's clubs were open late or all night daily except for a couple of weeks proceeding Chinese New Year when they closed early. All the Taiwan clubs were closed on Chinese New Year's Eve and for several days afterward during the 15-day observance and celebration of the holiday...a rough period for the Dawgs.
  NOTE: 1970 was the Chinese Year of the "DAWG".


(Click on Images to Enlarge)   Image credits: (1. to 4.) 1971/72 club cards provided by C. Jenkins.   (5.) provided by Doug Price
Prince, Holiday, and White House club cards. The White House Club was located at 53 Min Chuan West Road, just beyond the Prince and Holiday Clubs.


The Prince Club
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)   Photos: (1. & 3) S. Swallom   (2. & 4.) M. Hine

  June 1970 (shown on wall calendar) shots of the Prince Club's "U"-shaped bar and illuminated back bar...the view the Dawgs had as they sat at the bar and drank their peejou and "Yellow Submarines", hot-breathed the "Smok-ahs", listened to "Three 'Dawg' Night" playing on the jukebox, and toasted to "Malaysia" with "Whiskeyman" and "THE PHANTOM"...Gambay!!! Most of the Prince Club employees were college students at Taiwan University.


The Prince Club (continued)
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)   1970 Prince Club photo credits. (1., 2., 3., & 5.) M. Hine   (4.) S. Swallom

(1.) Brian "Baloney" Brady negotiating "extended payment terms" for his growing Prince Club bar tab with the Prince Club owner (left), manager and Lucy, an employee, outside of the club. During the "negotiations" in 1970 the club owner told Brian he was full of "baloney"...and the nickname stuck.
(2.) JB Davis outside the Prince Club in 1970. The girl's mother, who is just off to the left of the photo, sold flowers in the clubs downtown.
(3.) Tina, a Prince Club employee and Taiwan University coed, outside the club in 1970.
(4.) 1970 shot of a Prince Club employee with the club entrance and its green door with round window in the background.
(5.) 1970 shot of Paul Diggins outside the Prince Club.


      Jukeboxes and 1970 Jukebox Tunes

1970 Number One ("Ding Hau") Hit Songs (Click Here)   Top 100 Hits of 1970 (Click Here)   ...other years accessible

Wurlitzer Jukeboxes like the 1968 model shown on the far left were a common fixture in Taipei Clubs and Bars
in 1970/71 including the Prince Club, ABC Club, and King's Club (photos below).
...five plays for 20 cents NT (5 cents U.S.)



(Click to Enlarge) Photo credit: unknown


China Night Club, Ambassador Club, and Imperial Club
Photo credits: (1. & 3.) J. Boex (Dawg Flight '70-'71)   (2.) D. Price (NSG '71-'72) courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"
(4.) Neil Stackhouse (Charlie Flight '72-'73) courtesy of "6987thAlumniAssociation.org"   (5.) courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

(1.) 1970 shot outside the China Night Club, a popular Dawg Flight haunt on Min Chuan West Road, right across the street from the Prince Club.   (2.) 1971/72 shot taken on the sidewalk outside the China Night Club. (Front window sign is visible in the left background.)   (3.) 1970 shot of the China Night Club's oval bar.   (4.) 1972/73 shot of the Ambassador Club located on Chungshan North Road.   (5.) 1970 card for the Imperial, Ambassador, and China Night Clubs.


Taipei Clubs
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)   1970 photos by M. Hine
(1.) 1970 shot taken inside the Duke Club located on Min Chuan East Road not far from the King's Hotel (see photos below).
(2.) 1970 shot taken inside the "B B Club" located on Min Tzu Road next to the Hotel Linkou and two doors down from the Linkou Club (see photos below).
(3. & 4.) 1970 shots taken inside two unidentified clubs. Taipei club employees were typically university students.


Mona Lisa Club and ABC Club
Photo credits: (1.) J. Crum   (2.) P. Birden   (3.) A. Wang courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"   (4.) C. Hoope (courtesy of "TaipeiAirStation.blogspot.com")   (5.) E. Axe (courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com")
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

(1. & 2.) The Mona Lisa Club located on the second floor at 180 Chungshan North Road, was a favorite Dawg Flight haunt (1969 photo and card). The Mona Lisa Club's owner was a dear friend of Dawg Flight.   (3.) 1970/71 shot of the ABC Club and its Wurlitzer Jukebox.   (4.) 1956/57 shot of the ABC Club located at 160 Chungshan North Road (close to the Mona Lisa Club).   (5.) 1971/72 ABC Club card.   Note: A wedding shop is located at that address today (2012).


Sharon Club and (new) Flamingo Club
(Click on Images to Enlarge)   Photo credits: (1.) S. Swallom   (2. & 3.) C. Jenkins

(1.) 1970 shot of the Sharon's Club located near the President and Imperial Hotels.   (2. & 3.) 1971/72 Flamingo Club card (front & back) also located near the President and Imperial Hotels (see map on card).   Note: The Flamingo Club moved to this new location sometime after March 1971. Prior to that timeframe it was located above the Florida Bakery (see photos at top of page).


King's Hotel, King's Club, 77 Club, Pink Bar, and Monte Carlo Club
(Click on Photos to Enlarge) Photo credits: (1. & 2.) M. Wagner   (3.) L. Tinker courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"   (4. & 5.) N. Carpenter   (Below left) J. Valkwitch (NSG 1971-72)   (Below right) club cards, P. Birden

(1.-above) February 1972 shot of the King's Hotel located on the corner at 150 Chungshan North Road, Section 2, and Min Chuan West Road. The King's Club and 77 Club (second floor) are adjacent on the right. The Central Hotel (grey building) is partially visible on the far left.
(2.-above) Feb 1972 view of Min Chuan West Road. Shown on the left are the King's Hotel (far left-on the corner), King's Club, 77 Club (second floor), and Pink Bar. The Monte Carlo Club was located behind the Pink Bar down the alley shown just beyond the 77 Club (see map on card below). The covered entrance to the underground walkway beneath the intersection is on the corner (far right), and the Pillbox is just off to its right. The San Francisco Club's small red sign is visible (far right) just to the upper right of the roof over the tunnel entrance.
(Photo on Left-Click to Enlarge) March 2011 shot of the former locations of the King's Hotel (corner), King's Club (white sign), and 77 Club (billboard).
(3.) 1970 shot of the Pink Bar located on Min Chuan West Road next door to the 77 Club. The alley to the Monte Carlo Club is to the left of the Pink Bar. The Monte Carlo was located in the alley in an adjacent building right behind the Pink Bar (see map on the Monte Carlo Club card on the right).
(4.) 1970 shot of the Monte Carlo Club, another favorite stop for many Dawgs. The Monte Carlo was located in an alley between the 77 Club and the Pink Bar. The Pink Bar is the red brick building on the far right of the photo.
  (Images on Right-Click to Enlarge) 1970 Monte Carlo Club card (front/back).
(5.) 1970 shot of Dawg Steve "PB" Swallom waiting for the Linkou Bus at the Pillbox on the corner in front of the "Paradise House Handicraft and Art". The San Francisco Club was around the corner to the right. Across Min Chuan W. Rd are (L-R) the King's Hotel, King's Club, 77 Club & Mongolian Bar-B-Q, and Pink Bar (far right).

"Taipei Signal Army" website (Click Here) "Then and Now" photos and first-hand details of the King's, 77, and Monte Carlo clubs from 1969 and today.



King's Hotel, King's Club, and 77 Club (continued)
Photo credits: (1.) Mike Homcha (Able Flight '67-'68)   (2.) J. Crum courtesy of "TaipeiSignalArmy.blogspot.com"   (3. & 4.) Skip Dunbar courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"   (5.) S. Swallom
(Below right) L. Tinker courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

(1.) 1968 shot of Dave "Hippy" Holt (Able Flight) going for a joyride on a pedicab in front of the San Francisco Club (see photos below). Shown across the street (Chungshan North Road) are the King's Club (far left), 77 Club, and Pink Bar.
(2.) 1969 shot taken from the Pillbox of the King's Club and 77 Club across the street. The Pink Bar is the building partially visible on the far right. The Monte Carlo Club was located down the alley visible between the Pink Bar and 77 Club (see photos and Monte Carlo Club card map above).
(3.) 1970 shot of the King's Hotel, King's Club, and 77 Club. (Note: This 1970 photo of the 77 Club, taken later than the two previous shots, shows the changes made to the 77 Club's facade and sign that year.) The 77 Club was located on the second floor directly above the King's Club and the Mongolian Bar-B-Q restaurant on the first floor.
(4.) 1970 shot of the King's Club entrance located next door to the King's Hotel and below the 77 Club located on the second floor.
(5.) King's Club bar and wooden emblem on the wall (far right), 1970.   (Right Photo) King's Club's Wurlitzer Jukebox, 1970.



The San Francisco Club
Photo credits: (1. & 2) N. Carpenter   (3.) S. Swallom   (4.) Neil Stackhouse (Charlie Flight 1972-73), courtesy of "6987thAlumniAssociation.org"
(Below left) Don Price (NSG 1971-72) courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com"   (Below right) Larry Johnson (NSG 1971-72) courtesy of "LinkouNavyTaiwan.wordpress.com"
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

(1.) 1970 view from the intersection at Chungshan North Road looking down Min Chuan West Road. The San Francisco Club's red signs are on the right next to the "Paradise House Handicraft and Art" store on the corner. The Pillbox (see photos above) was located on the corner on the sidewalk just off to the right of the photo. The white vertical sign for the "Johnson Yu" Furniture store (next photo) is also visible just beyond the San Francisco Club. The Prince Club was a few blocks further down the street on the same side.
(2.) 1970 shot of the San Francisco Club, a popular Dawg Flight haunt, located upstairs on the building's second floor (1971/72 card on right). The Playboy Bar and Hong Kong Bar were just off to the left of the photo (see photos below). The Pillbox is just off to the right on the corner.
(3.) 1970 view of the "San Fran's" interior, bar top, and backbar after climbing the stairs and entering the club on the second floor.
(4.) San Francisco Club 1972/73.

(Left Photo-Click to Enlarge) 1971/72 shot of the "treacherous" stairs leading up to the San Francisco Club on the second floor. Dawg Lee "Rhee" Higgins was occasionally spotted tumbling down those stairs...



The Playboy, Hong Kong, and Fox Bars
Photos credits: (1.) P. Schultz,   (2.) W. Miskimmin (courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com")   (3. & Below Left) J. Crum   (4.) provided by S. Ellinger   (Below Right) provided by P. Birden

(1.) 1971 shot of the entrance to the "Playboy Bar" on Min Chuan West Road (reference 1970 map on right-Click to Enlarge) a couple of doors down from the San Francisco Club shown in the photos above.
(2.) 1971 shot of the "Playboy Bar" and "Johnson Yu Furnishings" located next door to the San Francisco Club, which is just off to the right (see photos above). The Hong Kong Bar (next photo) was located on the opposite side of the building shown on the far left across the alley from the Playboy Bar. The Prince Club (see photos above) was off to the left a few more blocks down the same side of the street.
(3.) 1969 shot of the Hong Kong Bar located at 17 Min Chuan West Road (1970 map on right). The Playboy Bar was located just off to the right of the photo. The Prince Club was located off to left a few more blocks down the same side of the street.
(4.) 1966 shot of the "Fox Bar" also located on Min Chuan West Road (see Bars Map at top of page) beyond the Playboy Bar, Hong Kong Bar, Prince Club, and 63 Bar. Also shown is the "Happy Hotel" conveniently located next door.
(Left Image-Click to Enlarge) Hong Kong Bar ad from a 1969 "Pacific Stars and Stripes" newspaper.



Taipei Linkou Club, Hotel Linkou, and "BB" Club 1970
Photo credits: (1.) N. Carpenter (2.) L. Greth (USTDC 1965-69) courtesy of "USTDC.blogspot.com" (3.) Skip Dunbar (courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com") (4.) M. Hine (5.) M. McKenney (Below left) K. Mathieu (Below right) J. Valkwitch
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

(1.-above) Open 24/7, a decent meal, drinks, live music and dancing could be found at the Linkou NCO Club on Min Tzu (Tsu) Road. Hotel Linkou, and the "BB" Club were next door (1970 photo).
(Photo on Left-Click to Enlarge) Then and Now. Sept 2009 view of Min Tzu Road and the former locations of the "BB" Club (far left), Hotel Linkou (red brick), and Linkou Club next door (behind trees). Cave Books (yellow sign) is visible in the background at the intersection at Chungshan North Road.
(Photo on Right) March 2011 shot of the former "BB" Club (gray bldg.) and Hotel Linkou (right-red brick).
(2.-above) 1969 shot of the alley behind the Linkou Club and Hotel Linkou that connected to Chungshan North Road located at the trees in the left background. The Linkou Club's red door above the "Employee Only" parking sign was a rear employee entrance and second floor emergency exit. Hotel Linkou's parking area is to the right of its windmill sign.
(3.) 1970 shot of "Nick's Orchestra" performing at the Main Club on the Hill. Shown are the Lucy the singer, Nestor on drums, and bandleader Nick Valdivia playing the trumpet. The group played nightly at the Linkou Club downtown and occasionally at the main club on the Hill.
(4.) "The Ritmos" rock-and-roll dance band shown playing at the Linkou Club on the Hill in 1970. They also performed regularly at the downtown club .
(5.) August 1969 shot of Dawg Mike "Guitar Man" McKenney (KY) and his "GI" rock-n-roll band "Mom's Apple Pie". This group from Linkou played occasionally at the downtown Linkou Club along with other local "GI" bands. Behind "Guitar Man" Mike ('69-'70) are Gene Mucciolo and John Hernandez, Charlie Flight 203s.

(Click Here) to view a 1970 Linkou Club membership card, Linkou chits, and the complete 1969 menu from the Taipei Linkou Club.


Linkou Club, Hotel Linkou, and Mandarin Club 1969
All four photos courtesy of "TaipeiAirStation.blogspot.com". Photo credits: (1.) "stitched" panorama photo provided by B. Ryale   (2. & 3.) Clarence Spohn (CCK: '68-'71)   (Below right) Donald Patrick (photo taken on R&R).
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

(1.) April 1969 panoramic shot of the Linkou Club (center), Hotel Linkou next door, and their original entrance (left) located at #59 Chungshan North Road (foreground). The Mandarin Club's sign on the building is visible on the far right (see Mandarin Club photo on right). The East Compound is located just off to the left of the photo.
(2.) April 1969 shot of the original Chungshan North Road entrance and covered walkway to the Linkou Club (far right) and adjacent Hotel Linkou. The old entrance shown was torn down later that year when Min Tzu (Tsu) Road was extended beyond the Linkou Club and Hotel Linkou.
(3.) April 1969 shot of the Linkou Club (on left-behind wall), Hotel Linkou, and Mandarin Club (far right). Shown to the left of the Mardarin Club are the President Hotel (large tall bldg.) and Imperial Hotel (roof sign is visible) located behind it. Shown on the corner to the right of the Mandarin Club are Lee's Portrait Gallery, the Asia Record Co., and Taipei Books.
  Min Tzu Road is shown in the lower right corner where it ended at Chungshan North Road. A few months later in 1969, Min Tzu Road was extended across Chungshan North Road and beyond the Linkou Club and Hotel Linkou, which then fronted on Min Tzu Road.
  (Photo on Right-Click to Enlarge) 1967 shot of the Mandarin Club's entrance on Chungshan North Road. The Linkou Club is off to the left.


The Linkou Club and Linkou Annex in Taipei 1960s
Photo credits: (1., & 2.) Jim Bohn ('61-'62), (3.) Leon German ('62-'63), and (4.) Paul Harris (Dawg Flight '66) courtesy of "6987thAlumniAssociation.org"
(below left) S. Swallom   (below right) Image provided by Jim Primus USAF (SLK: '58-'60) courtesy of "LinkouNavy.com".
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

(1.-Above) 1961/62 shot of Chungshan N. Road (foreground) and arcade entrance (far left) that curved right and led to the Linkou Club's front entrance ("arrow"-top of photo). There were several shops along the covered walkway including a tailor and souvenir shop. The kiosk next to the white car sold snacks.
  The Linkou Annex was next the Linkou Club's entrance on Chungshan North Road. The Annex was a converted house that provided food, drinks, and temporary quarters. It opened early 1957 and closed about 1963. It had a bar, several tables, and kitchen downstairs. Upstairs were about 12 double bunks and showers. Lodging cost 25-50 cents a night. East Compound's main gate is to the left.
(2.) 1962 shot of the entrance to the Linkou Club located at #59 Chungshan North Road. The Linkou Club later fronted on Min Tzu Rd (left photo) when it was extended late 1969. Construction on the Min Tzu Road extension started around July/August 1969 and was completed about November.
(Left Photo-Click to Enlarge) Linkou Club, Hotel Linkou, and BB Club on Min Tzu Rd taken from the Hotel Roma 1970.   (Right Photo) Linkou Clubs' "Calendar of Events" 1960.
(3.) 1963 shot of Ken Lassiter (left) and Gary "Yogi" Knighton on Chungshan North Road next to the old entrance (far right) to the Linkou Club. "The sign in Chinese on the cart in the photo above reads, 'Sullivan, The Genuine One'. The vendor is selling vanilla ice cream...his bicycle horn made a 'Ba Bu' sound." Fred Kudia ('59-'63), [03 Apr 11]
(4.) 1966 shot of the Linkou Club Annex entrance on Chungshan North Road (foreground) with the Hotel Linkou visible in the background.

  NOTE. The Linkou Club in Taipei was built in 1958 and was originally referred to as Branch No. 2 (see the "Calendar of Events" heading in the image on right).
  "The building that housed the first Linkou Club was originally the first Officers' Club in Taipei named the 'Oasis Club' (circa 1955). When the new officers club opened just a block or so farther north on Chung Shan North Road, the small Oasis Club closed. Some years later, the 'old' Oasis Club building was opened as the Linkou Club." [courtesy of Kent Mathieu, Taipei Air Station Blog"]

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  "The Taiwan Report" (1965 edit.): "The Linkou Clubs are run mainly by and for the NCO's of the Linkou Air Station. There is no grade distinction and dues are $1.00 per month. There are two separate units (Linkou and Taipei) to these clubs but they are under the same management, Cards from local clubs are honored. Facilities include dining rooms, ball rooms, snack bars, stag bars, game rooms, barber and beauty shop, and a hostel managed by the club annex."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

  Les Duffin ('62-'66): "I do remember a place that provided temporary lodging sometime between 1964 and 1966. Someone got the bright idea of setting up a place where guys who didn’t want to make the long trek up the hill after a late night could crash for one or two nights. It was located in a three or four story concrete building on Chungshan N. Road, between the Linkou Annex and "K Shoe & Tailor" store (see photos on left and right). I think it had at least two floors of that structure and the rooms (berths is a better description) were just a few dollars a night. But I don’t remember any food being served; the club was nearby for breakfast. I tried it once but it proved nearly impossible to get a decent night’s sleep. I don’t think it lasted very long, probably because others reacted the same way, and because lots of people had apartments in town anyway. I think it closed within a few months of opening." [08 May 11]

(Left Photo-Click to Enlarge) 1970 shot of Dawgs Dick Ferretti (left) and Bill Martin approaching "K" Shoe & Taylor on Chungshan N. Road near the Linkou Club. photo by N. Carpenter
(Right Photo) 1968 shot of the buildings along Chungshan N. Rd near the Linkou Club, which is to the left. "K" Shoe & Tailor is behind the bus (right). photo by J. Crum

  Les Duffin ('62-'66): "The Linkou Annex did actually have another location. It moved sometime in 1975 or maybe earlier, after losing its lease on the building. The club ended up in a high-rise along the north side of Lin Sen North Road. That’s where it was when I returned to Taiwan for my final tour in summer of 1975 and it remained there until it, and the base, closed down in 1977. I was told it had the ground floor and the basement of what was mostly an office building." [08 May 11]



The 63 Club (MAAG NCO Open Mess)

  Considered one of the best NCO clubs in the Far East, this large club had it all...pizza bar, TVs, slot machine room, Olympic-size pool, poolside drink service, barber shop ($.25 haircuts), steam and sauna, and two masseuses ($.25 massages). The adjacent Stag Bar had its own building, small bar, jukebox, obligatory bar games...darts, shuffleboard, pool...and no "saujays" allowed. The $1.00 monthly club dues included a monthly "Men's Night" in the main dining room with a free full course steak dinner, 10-cent top-shelf drinks all night, and a "burlesque" floor show...complete with dancing girls on stage.
  Members received a bottle of champaign for birthdays and wedding anniversaries, and a brass ashtray when departing the island. Stateside performers in 1969 and 1970 included the Drifters, Gary Lewis, Gary Puckett, and USO shows...all performances took place on stage in the main dining room (see photo below left).
  "Club 63" was established in 1952 in a small building located in the rear of the West Compound (photos below). In 1957 the club was relocated to its large new facility along the Keelung River. On July 1, 1973 the management of the 63 Club changed from the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) to the Navy Headquarters Support Activity (HSA) that also managed the Navy Exchange, Commissary, and other facilities in the East and West Compounds. In addition, at that time the club's name was changed to the "China Seas Club".

(Click to Enlarge) 63 Club's main entrance, December 1965 photo source: "The Taipei Report" (1965 edition) provided by S. Ellinger

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  Excerpt taken from "The Taipei Report" (1965 edition): "The 63 Club is located approximately five blocks north of the HEDSUPPACT [MAAG East/West] Compounds. Active memberships are open to all non-commissioned officers of the U.S. of grades E-5 and above. Associate membership is available to the lower pay grades. Facilities include dining rooms, ballrooms, cocktail lounge, stag bar, swimming pool, game rooms, barber shop, beauty parlor, reading room, and a snack (pizza) bar. Dancing is offered nightly, free buffet dinners, picnics, bingo, Monte Carlo, children's movies each Sunday afternoon, weekly TV movies, and special floor shows. There is a $5.00 initiation fee and dues are $1.00 per month. The club extends credit each month to members in good standing. The amount extended is according to grade. Cards from local clubs are honored except for special club events. Members may bring guests."

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The 63 Club 1960s and 1970s
Photo credits: (1.) Lentz   (2.) Swallom   (3.) Gary Roske (Shulinkou ASA, 1970-71)   (4.) L. Duffin   (Below Left) M. Wagner
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

(1.) November 1970 photo of the 63 Club located approximately five blocks north of the Linkou Club. The main entrance was just to the left of the red car on the right. The Stag Bar's small building is visible behind the white car on the far right. The Olympic-size pool was behind the wall on the left. The large Sky Lounge Ballroom and Top-5 Lounge (E-5s and above only) were located on the second floor behind the full-length windows shown on the balcony level (upper left) of the club's main building. The Sky Lounge Ballroom and Top-5 Lounge was the site of the (Click Here) Dawg Flight 1969-71 Christmas parties. (Don Wilson is facing the camera at the table on the far right.)
(Left Photo-Click to Enlarge) 1971 Dawg Flight Christmas party in the 63 Club Sky Lounge Ballroom and Top-5 Lounge upstairs.
(2.) July 1970 shot of the sidewalk and Keelung River (far right) located right across the street from the 63 Club (previous photo), which is off to the left of the photo. Pictured are "Dawgs" (front to back): Nelson Carpenter (camera), Dick Ferretti, and Mike Emerson. Shot was taken by Steve Swallom. The newly built Martyrs' Shrine, completed in 1969, was in the distance (not visible) just beyond the group in the photo.
(3.) 1970 shot of the 63 Club's main entrance. The Stag Bar is just off to the right of the photo.
(4.) Circa 1966 shot of the rear of the 63 Club and the Keelung River taken from the Grand Hotel, which overlooked the club. Shown are the club's Olympic-size pool (right), main building (left), and separate Stag Bar (far left). The Martyrs' Shrine, completed in 1969 (three years after this photo was taken), was located a short distance beyond the 63 Club. The Martyrs' Shrine was later located just off to on the left of the photo and fronted on the road shown running beyond the 63 Club.

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Photo credits: (1. & 2.) Lentz   (3. & 4.) source: "The Taipei Report" (1965 edit.) provided by S. Ellinger   (Below Right) 63 Club lighter images provided by J. Crum courtesy of "TaipeiSignalArmy.blogspot.com"
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

(1. & 2.) May 1970 shots of the 63 Club and Grand Hotel (upper far left). The club's swimming pool (photos below) was located behind the wall.
(3.) 1965 shot of the 63 Club's main dining room (its entrance is off to the left), bandstand and stage. Kitchen doors are shown on both sides of the bandstand.
(4.) 1965 shot of the Sky Lounge Ballroom and Top-5 Lounge (ranks E-5s and higher only) located upstairs on the second level.
(Right Images-Click to Enlarge) A 63 Club lighter, which came in handy while trying to summon a waitress to your table for service in the main dining room (photo 3. above). It was a common practice to hold a lighted match or lighter overhead to get your waitress's attention in the darkened dining areas of the 63 Club and Linkou Clubs (downtown and on the Hill).

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The Original "63 Club" 1952 to 1957

Photo credits: (1.) 63 Club "MAAG-NET Magazine", June 1973 (provided by S. Ellinger)   (2. & 4.) provided by S. Ellinger
(3.) Ira House (MAAG 1955-57)   (5. & 6.) pool photos by Tom Jones (1957-58) courtesy of "TaipeiSignalArmy.blogspot.com"
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)
(TOP ROW-Above):   (1.) 1952 shot of the small "Club 63" (63 Club) at its original location in the West MAAG Compound where the Bowling Alley was later located. The 63 Club first opened in 1952. In 1957 the club was moved its new location along the Keelung River. (The 63 Club got its name from "APO 63", the U.S. military mailing address for the Taipei area.)
(2.) 1955 shot of the "Club 63" located in the MAAG West Compound prior to moving to its new location in 1957.
(3.) 1955/56 photo of the West MAAG Compound sign showing "Club 63" was located off to the left of the sign. Visible on the far left is the original U.S. Naval hospital, which was relocated to a new facility in Tien Mou in 1961. (The groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. Naval hospital in Tien Mou was on July 25, 1960.) The sign reads: (Left side-top to bottom) Hospital, Club 63, Motor Pool, Post Engr (Right side) Hqtrs TDC, Amer Red Cross, Chaplain, Finance Office, Commissary.
(BOTTOM ROW-Above):   (1.) 1957 shot of the newly completed 63 Club located along the Keelung River, after moving from its original location in the West Compound.
(2.) 1957/58 shot of the new Olympic size-pool and newly built 63 Club in the background. The pool house, diving boards (next photo), and wall running along the street in front of the club are just off to the right.
(3.) The opposite view in 1957/58 of the 63 Club pool as shown in the previous photo. The shot was taken in front of the club looking toward the diving boards and pool house (background). The street running in front of the club and Keelung River were on the opposite side of the wall visible on the far left.
  (Right Image-Double Click to Enlarge) Page from a 1956 MAAG phone book showing the 63 Club (Bldg. T-220 West Compound). Club Oasis, located across Chungshan North Road (#59 Chungshan N. Road) was a converted house that provided lodging, food, and drinks for GIs. Its name was later changed to the Linkou Annex (see above). The mailroom, "APO 63" (Bldg. T-121 East Compound) is also shown. The 63 Club's name was derived from "APO 63". Image provided by Kent Mathieu

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63 Club "MAAG-Net" Magazine, June 1968
MAAG-NET images provided by K. Mathieu courtesy of "TaipeiAirStation.blogspot.com"   (Below left) ashtray provided by Lentz
(Click on Images to Enlarge-To Zoom-In click again when opened)

(1.-above) The 63 Club (MAAG NCO Open Mess) MAAG-NET monthly magazine cover, June 1968.
(2. & 3.) (magazine's adjoining pages 6. & 7.-) "Tenth Anniversary Show" for the club's bandleader Rudy Arevelo and his orchestra that performed nightly.
(4.) 63 Club "General Information", including the "In & Out Reception", and weekly program schedule. Departing club members received a large brass 63 Club ashtray (image on left) at their respective "Out Reception".
(5.) The 63 Club's "Hours of Operation" June 1968. The club closed at 11:45 p.m. weeknights and 1:45 a.m. weekends.
(6.) 63 Club June 1968 calendar of events. Noted are: "Men's Night" (June 21) and the "In" (June 28) and "Out" (June 7) Receptions.

(Left Image-Click to Enlarge) 63 Club brass ashtray received at the club's March 1971 "Out Reception" as a going away present.

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The American Club in China (Formerly the 63 Club)

Today the 63 Club is the American Club in China (Click Here for Website), an upscale private club
exclusively for the international business community and American expatriates living in the Taipei area.

"...Club 63 [American Club in China] really is almost exactly the same inside today, excluding decor, as it was in the '70s. The only extension to the building has been around the swimming pool where extra sport facilities have been built by the American Club in China (ACC). Most current ACC members have no idea of the history of the building or any notion of Club 63." [02 Feb 2008]

Photo credits: (1., 2, 3., & 4.) W. Thayer   (5.) "Google Maps" 2007
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

(1.) 2005 photo of the main entrance to Taipei's American Club in China (ACC), formerly the 63 Club.   (2.) 2005 shot of the ACC in Taipei. The opulent Grand Hotel looms over the club in the background.   (3.) 2005 shot of the ACC club's front parking area and the sidewalk along Chungshan North Road.   (4.) Circa 2005 photo of the ACC's main building, which is relatively unchanged from the 1970s.   (5.) 2007 photo of the ACC and its swimming pool, which is the same as the 63 Club pool.

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(Click to Enlarge) 2013 "Google Satellite" image of the American Club in China (ACC). "Google Satellite" image source: "Wikimapia.org"

"Google Satellite" Imagery (Click Here) 2013 "Google Satellite" overhead images of the American Club in China and close-up views of its expanded facilities, including the tennis courts and parking garage located behind the main building, that were added sometime after the 1970s when it was the 63 Club. The Grand Hotel and the Martyrs' Shrine, which are located behind and to the right (east) of the club, respectively, can also be viewed.






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