This page contains additional photos of Taipei's "finest" nightspots that Dawg Flight knew well and ran hard.
TAIPEI MAPS (1. & 2.) 1970 Taipei street map showing the Taipei "Club and Bar District" located in the area around the Pillbox at the intersection of Chungshan North Road and Min Chuan East/West Road, and along those two "main drags" in the northern section of the city. The Taipei Bridge to Linkou on Min Chuan West Road over the Tamsui River is on the far left. The Taipei International Airport is to the right on Min Chuan East Road. The Linkou Club is shown as the "Officers' Club" (center), and the 63 Club is in the upper center.
BAR MAPS (3. & 4.) "Taipei Bars Map" (circa 1967) shows the bars, Linkou Club, MAAG Compound, hotels, Chung Shan North Road, Min Chuan East/West Road, and side streets. The Navy Sea Dragon Club (see photos below), which also served as the R & R Center in Taipei from 1967 to 1972, is shown as "R & R" on the map.
The "Bars Map" shown above was distributed by Taipei hotels to American GIs and Aussies arriving in Taipei from Vietnam on R & R ("Rest and Recreation"). The phone numbers for all the bars shown on the map are listed on the reverse side (not shown). Taiwan first permitted GIs to travel to Taipei on R & R in January 1967. The R & R Center in Taipei located at the Sea Dragon Club (see photos below) was closed during 1972 as American troops were leaving Vietnam. "...Statistics showed that among the 500,000 troops and officers dispatched to Vietnam during the Vietnam War period, over 210,000 had been to Taiwan (a top R & R destination) spending around $52.8 million (US$) during their stay...."
(Left Images-Click to Enlarge) Ca. 1970 shots of a partial list of Taipei R & R hotels and a Hotel Linkou R & R courtesy bag.
photos courtesy of S. Ellinger and "USTDC.blogspot.com"
"Holiday from Hell", A 1967 documentary about GIs on R & R experiencing "Taipei Nightlife".
An excellent 1967 TV documentary film about American GIs and Aussies serving in Vietnam and enjoying R&R ("Rest and Recreation") in Taipei.
Great footage of GIs on R&R at the OK Bar, Suzie Wong Bar (see photos below), Peitou Hotels and Sun Moon Lake.
The documentary is posted on "YouTube" in three parts at the links below.
"Holiday from Hell' courtesy and with permission of "Periscope Film LLC" ("www.PeriscopeFilm.com").
"Holiday from Hell" Part 1 (Click Here): Departing Vietnam for "R & R" in Taipei
"Holiday from Hell" Part 2 (Click Here): Experiencing "Taipei Nightlife", at the Suzie Wong and OK Bars
"Holiday from Hell" Part 3 (Click Here): Enjoying Peitou Hotels and Sun Moon Lake
"Taiwan 1977 & 1968", A film shot on the hectic streets of Taipei.
A fun-filled 1967/68 8mm film posted on "YouTube" (link below) of Taipei and surrounding areas shot by a US Army "GI" stationed in Taipei.
The "77 Club", "Sea Dragon Club", and Shimending are shown as well as some footage of McCauley Beach.
"Taiwan 1967 68" by Dennis Clark (US Army STRATCOM, Taipei 1967-68)
"Great to see the old photos, brings back great memories. Major Betty sponsored our bowling team one year." Dennis Clark [11 Nov 2012]
"Taiwan 1967 & 1968" (Click Here)
(1.) Fall 1970 shot (looking south) of the corner of Chungshan North Road ("Chungshan Pae Lu') and Nung An Street where the Linkou Bus dropped off Dawg Flight right in front of the OK Bar (at neon sign) and Suzie Wong Bar (next door). The Florida Bakery is on the corner (left) and Flamingo Club & Restaurant is above it on the second floor. The King's and Central hotels are illuminated in the distance (center). A Gas Station and Wu-Chou's (photos below) were across the street just off to the right of the photo. The Oasis Hotel (photo below) was up ahead on the left. The Sea Dragon Club (photos below) was located across the street and down the narrow side street shown in photo (2.) below.
(2.) 1969 afternoon shot of the Suzie Wong Bar's manager and an Army "GI" outside the main entrance to the bar and its neon signs. The OK Bar (see previous photo) was located right next door off to the left.
Note: Part 2 of the 1967 "Holiday from Hell" video above includes "GIs" and girls at the Suzie Wong and OK bars.
(3.) 1969 shot taken of the left side of the Suzie Wong Bar and several hostesses looking toward the rear of the bar from the front entrance.
(4.) 1969 interior shot of the right side of the Suzie Wong Bar, its hostesses, and Wurlitzer Juke Box located in the rear of the bar. Bar patrons and "GIs" are missing from the photos because the shots were taken in the afternoon.
(Left Image-Click to Enlarge) 1969 Suzie Wong Bar ad. image provided by John Crum
John Crum (Army, Yangmingshan: 1968-69): "...My friend and I were on our "Farewell Taipei" tour when we figured we'd give the folks at Suzie Wong a buzz and see their reaction. Surprisingly, the manager was very cooperative, as the picture outside (above) shows.The girls (shown above) were a different story...they either hid or scattered. It was a hot afternoon in August of '69 and we were on our way to the Central Hotel." [29 Apr 2011]
(2.) 1969 shot of two GIs on R&R walking with their escorts down the side street from the Sea Dragon Club toward Wu-Chou's Massage Parlor located in the tall building in the background. The sign shown on the left side of Wu-Chou's building reads "International Art Gallery" (see next photos). The Sea Dragon's parking lot and club were located off to the lower left corner of the photo.
(1.) 1971 shot of the opposite side of Chungshan N. Road approaching the Linkou Bus Stop just ahead on the left. Shown across the street are Wu-Chou's Massage Parlor's blue vertical sign (partially visible above the red/white bus) and a gas station (sign partially visible on far right). Two gas pumps are visible just to the right of the orange/white bus.
(2.) Circa 1965 shot of the Oasis Hotel located diagonally across Chungshan N. Road from Wu-Chou's. The hotel had a popular Italian restaurant, a rarity in Taipei, on the lobby level in 1970/71. Ho-Jo's noodle stand and 50-Cent Club & Restaurant were located behind the hotel, accessed via the street visible on the hotel's right.
(3.) 1971 shot of the Happy Club on the first floor and Wu-Chou's Massage Parlor (see photos above) upstairs on the third floor.
(4.) 1970/71 shot of the Happy Club.
(5. & 6.) 1971/72 Happy Club cards (front & back).
(Image on Right-Click to Enlarge) September 01, 1969 China Post newspaper ad for a massage parlor located behind the Oasis Hotel (photo above).
(1.) Looking down Fu-Shun ("Sheng") Street in 1970 is the "Queen's Club" (blue sign-left foreground)...a popular Dawg Flight haunt located on the block behind the San Francisco Club. On the right are the Arcade Bar (1968 Cards on Right), located across from the Queen's Club, the Hawaii Bar, and the five-story Universal Grand Hotel (tall brown sign-right background). The Hoover Theater Restaurants' vertical red sign is visible in the right background.
NOTE: Fu-Shun Street "Then and Now" photos (Click Here for Website). 1970 and 2010 photos of Fu-Shun Street with the same view and location as in photo (1.) on the far left.
(2.) The glitz of Fu-Shun Street at night in 1970 (same view as previous photo). On the left is the Queen's Club behind the blue van. On the right are the Arcade Bar, Hawaii Bar (round sign), and Universal Grand Hotel next door (tall sign). The large Hoover Theater Restaurant was located at the last neon sign in the right background.
(3.) 1971/72 shot of Fu-Shun Street and the "Country Club", formerly the "Queen's Club" as shown in the previous two 1970 photos. Its name changed in 1971. The "Arcade Bar" sign is partially visible in the upper right corner. Shot was taken from the alley (off to right at red gate) that led to Wu-Chow's and the Sea Dragon Club.
(4.-above and Photo on Left) 1972 shots (cropped enlargement on left) of Fu-Shun Street with Chungshan N. Road in the foreground. Shown are the "Country Club" (left-blue bldg), Miami Bar (right-yellow sign), and Universal Hotel (white vertical sign).
Wu-Chou's Massage Parlor and Sea Dragon Club were down the alley to the right of the blue taxi. The small white sign (above truck) reads: "Wu-Chou's Massage and Steam Bath" (see photos above) with the arrow pointing to the right.
NOTE: The Hoover Theater Restaurant's red vertical sign is visible in the right background in the enlarged shot on the left. It was located at 21-23 Fu-Shun St. in a large multistory building, and had live televised performances on Taiwan TV that included Taiwan movie stars, singers, dancers, and acrobats. Floor shows in 1967 were at: 8:00, 10:00, and 11:30 pm. (source: "Guide to Taipei", 1967 edit.)
1.) "Sugar Daddy Row" in Taipei 1971/72 (front to back): Paris Club, Mme. Butterfly Club, Bunny Club, Mayflower Club, Lido Club and Black Cat Club (far right).
1971 cocktail glasses from the Top Hat Club and Black Cat Club (see photos above)
2.) Another 1971/72 shot of several clubs on "Sugar Daddy Row" shown in the previous photo. From the left are the Bunny Club, Mayflower Club, and Lido Club. The Paris Club and Mme Butterfly Club are off to the left of the photo. The Black Cat Club (see glasses photo below) is off to the right of the photo.
3.) 1971/72 Taipei street view of "Sugar Daddy Row" from the opposite end as the previous photos. The signs for the Black Cat, Lido, and Paris clubs are visible in the background.
4.) 1971/72 shot of the Top Hat Club in Taipei (see glass below).
...two of Taipei's "finest" establishments...“Ganbei"...!
1970/71 drink prices in Taipei clubs and bars:
Mixed Drinks-NT $20 (50 cents), U.S. Beer (12 oz. can)-NT $20 (50 cents), Taiwan Beer (large brown bottle)-NT $30 (75 cents),
Wu Mei Jyou (sweet plum wine)-NT $10 (25 cents) per glass, Soft Drinks-NT $10 (25 Cents), Girls' Drinks (bars)-NT $50 ($1.25).
(Click on Glasses to Enlarge) Image provided by Ray Riccitello
(1.-above) 1970 shot taken from the King's Hotel of the intersection of Chungshan North Road (foreground) and Min Chuan East Road (right) looking east in the direction of the Taipei International Airport. Shown on Min Chuan East Road are the Duke Club (left center), Casablanca Bar (large bldg-far right), and the Shanghai Bar next door in the same building. The Pillbox is off to the far left on the corner.
(2.-above) Another shot looking further east on Min Chuan East Road (1966 photo). Shown on the left are the Casablanca Bar and Shanghai Bar next door. The Duke Club (previous photo) is just off to the left of the photo. Across the street from the Casablanca Bar were the Kow Loon Bar (see "Bars Map" above) and the Lily and Kirin Clubs (see images below), which are all just off to the right of the photo.
(Left Image-Click to Enlarge) Map on the back of a 1971 Casablanca Bar card. Also shown are the Seven King's Club and the King's, Stone House, and American Hotels.
(3.) 1970 shot looking west down Min Chin East Road toward the King's Hotel (blue/white bldg on left). The Stone House Hotel and its sign are visible in the far left foreground.
On the right were the Casablanca Bar, Shanghai Bar, and Duke Club. On the left were the Kow Loon Bar, Lily Club, and Kirin Club.
(4.) The same view looking as the previous photo of Min Chuan East Road looking west. The Stone House Hotel sign is visible on the far left. The illuminated King's Hotel is in the center background.
(Photos on Right) The Casablanca Bar is marked by the "green arrows".
1.) 1968 shot of the Green Garden Hotel located at 114 Chungshan N. Road just beyond the Central and King's hotels that were located off to the right of the photo at 120 and 150 Chungshan N. Rd. respectively. The alley shown in the next photo is on the far right. Chin Hsi Street and its bars shown in the photos below is off to the left of photo just beyond the Green Garden Hotel.
2.) Adjacent and to the right of the Green Garden Hotel (shown on the far left) was this alley located off Chungshan North Road. The Mermaid Club's sign is visible on the right side of the alley. The Central Hotel was off to the right of the photo on the next block. (1968 photo)
3.) 1970 shot of the OK Club.
(1.-above) Shown down this alley located behind the King's Hotel are the "Charming Bar" (ref. bars map at top of page) and the "Royal Club" (on right).
(2.) Looking down the same alley shown in the previous photo from the opposite end is the sign for the "Charming Bar"(see previous photo) on the left side of the alley. The "Royal Club" (not visible-see previous photo) was located just ahead of the "Charming Bar". Partially visible right above the "Charming Bar" sign is the revolving rooftop restaurant and lounge of the 14-story Central Hotel.
(3.) 1970 shot of the bars on Chin Hsi Street. From the left are the Pei Ping Bar (not visible-just off to the far left), U.S. Bar , London Bar, and Play Mate Bar. The "Kent Hotel" (Click on Card to Enlarge) sign is partially visible at top of the photo and to the right of the Play Mate Bar.
(Left Photo-Click to Enlarge) Enlargement of photo (3) above showing the U.S., London, and Play Mate bars, and Kent Hotel (far right).
(4.) Circa 1962 shot of the New York Bar, which is on the right side of the alley (its dark horizontal sign is visible) located off Chungshan North Road (see Bar Maps at top of page). The Shanghai Bar shown in the photo above is at its original location on Chungshan North Road. Chin Hsi Street and its bars shown in the previous photo are off to the right of the photo (just beyond the Shanghai Bar). Note: The Shanghai Bar later moved to another location several blocks away on Min Chuan East Road, as shown in the Shanghai Bar photos above.
(5.) 1964 shot of the New York Bar sign (far right) looking south on Chungshan North Road toward downtown Taipei and Shimending with the recently opened Ambassador Hotel in the background. The New York Bar was located down an alley (see previous photo) located just off to the right of its sign shown in the photo. Just off to the right of the photo are the Shanghai Bar and the bars on Chin Hsi Street shown in the previous photos, and the Green Garden Hotel shown in the photos above..
(1.) 1959/60 shot of the Little Woman Bar and Diamond Horseshoe Bar located in Taipei's notorious "Sin Alley" (Chin Chou Street).
Note: The Diamond Horseshoe Bar shown in the photo above was later renamed (prior to 1963) the American Bar (see Bars Map at top of page).
(2.) 1970 shot taken inside the Little Woman Bar located on Chin Chou ("Chin Chow") Street, which was on the opposite side of Chungshan North Road from Chin Hsi Street where the bars shown in the photos above were located (see map on card above). The two-way mirror shown on the back wall was a common fixture in Taipei bars and was used by the bar's "Papasan" to keep a watchful eye on the hostesses and patrons.
The "Price List" on the wall reads: Mixed Drinks-NT$20 (50 cents-US$), Taiwan Beer (large brown bottle)-NT$30 (75 cents-US$), Soft Drinks-NT$10 (25 cents-US$), Girls' Drinks-NT$50 ($1.25 US$).
(3. & 4.) 1970 Little Woman Bar card, front and back with map.
(5. & 6.) 1970 VIP Hotel card, front and back with room rates. 1970 single room rate was $10-$13 (US$). The VIP Hotel and Hotel Chin Chou (1970 Hotel Chin Chou card on right) were conveniently located right across the street from the Little Woman and American Bars.
(TOP ROW) 1970 shot of the popular New Life Hotel in Peitou and card (front & back). The "New Life" had cheap rooms, hot spring baths, and a friendly attentive staff...all key ingredients for a Dawg Flight "Peitou Party". (BOTTOM ROW) 1970 shot of the Hotel Peitou and matchbook. (far right) 1969 ad for Peitou's Hotel Sincere.
How could we ever forget the friendly PMO Town Patrol (APs, MPs, SPs and ROC MPs) that had a particular "fondness" for the hard-running Dawgs of Dawg Flight. Ever vigilant...they patrolled the Taipei clubs and bars looking for rogue, long-haired hippies "which violated police regulations" as spelled out in the June 30, 1970 article shown on the right. Of particular concern was..."men wearing women's clothing, shoes or ornaments."
Jim "LT" Hansen, Dawg Flight Commander (1971-73): "...My troops on Dawg Flight wanted to wear their hair longer than what the military regs stated, so there was always an effort to get the troops to comply with AF grooming regulation, 35-10, to look sharp so the local cops wouldn't pick them up while running clubs. You could wear your hair long in Taipei, but had to prove you were an actor, entertainer, or had a very good reason for having long hair. If you couldn't prove it, the Taipei cops would take you to the local police station and give you a 'free' haircut..." [25 June 2010]
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