MANILA, PHILIPPINES, April 11, 2023 – The APT Taipei, running April 28–May 7, 2023, at the Asia Poker Arena is fast approaching so we at the APT have done a little homework to bring you all the essential information on how to get to the venue, where to stay, great places to eat, and entertainment available away from the tournament tables.
Read on as we give you the lowdown on what to do on your tournament trip to Taipei.
LOCATION
The APT Taipei is taking place at the brand new CTP Asia Poker Arena, which is around a 40-minute taxi ride from Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport.
You can pre-book an airport pickup via the Asian Poker Tour website with prices ranging from TWD $1,400-$1,800 (USD $45-$60). The prices are for a one-way pick-up from the airport to your hotel – more details on hotels below – and needs to be booked at least one week in advance.
You can also catch the Airport Line (Express) to Taipei Main Station, which takes around an hour and ten minutes.
You then have the option to either take a short five-minute walk over to Rear Station and catch the #52 bus to Zhongshan Girl High School – which is nine stops and should take around 13-minutes – or you can take a five-minute walk over to Beimen Station and catch the Songshan–Xindian MRT for two stops to Songjiang Nanjing station, which is located around a 10-minute walk from the venue.
HOTELS
The Asia Poker Arena is located in the heart of the Zhongshan District in central Taipei and there are several great hotel options in the area.
We have deals in place via the APT website that offer our players great value so you should definitely check those out.
CHECK inn Taipei Nanjing Address: No. 16, Section 3, Nanjing E Road Located around a five-minute walk from the Asia Poker Arena. With our special APT deal room prices range from TWD $2,900-$3,600 (USD $95-$120) per night for a queen bed or twin bed room with free Wi-Fi and includes breakfast.
Happiness Hotel Address: No. 18, Lane 97, Songjiang Road Also located around a five-minute walk from the venue, with our special APT deal room prices start from TWD $2,300-$2,800 (USD $75-$90) per night for a double room with a simple breakfast box included.
FX Hotel Taipei Nanjing Address: No. 131, Section 3, Nanjing E Road The four-star Taipei Fuyi Fashion Hotel is located around an eight-minute walk from the venue with APT room deals starting from TWD $2,600-$3,200 (USD $85-$105) per night for a queen bed or twin bed room which includes breakfast and free Wi-Fi. A paid airport shuttle is available to guests who book in advance with gym facilities also available, all rooms are non-smoking.
FOOD
There is a wealth of dining options available near the venue offering a wide variety of cuisines ranging from Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, and Western-style pubs, depending on your fancy. Some of the standouts in the nearby area include:
Address: No. 80, Section 1, Jianguo N Rd, Zhongshan District MENU Open from 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-11pm the Zue Yuan Restaurant offers high quality Cantonese cuisine served in elegant dining rooms with recommended specialties including abalone, Dim Sum, pepper pork and crispy chicken. This is one of the closest dining options available.
Joseph Bistro Address: No. 13, Lane 69, Songjiang Road, Zhongshan District MENU A highly recommended Indian bistro that features in the Michelin Guide and offers Konkani-style dishes from the western coast of India, located a two-minute taxi ride or short walk from the venue. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30am-2pm and 5:30pm-9pm.
Mayur Indian Kitchen restaurant & MIK-6 live hookah shisha bar Address: No. 1-1, Songjiang Rd, Zhongshan District MENU Funky eatery with an Indian & Chinese menu highlighting curries, dumplings, noodles & grilled meats that also offers clients a hookah shisha lounge. Open from Tuesday-Friday 12pm-3pm and 5:30pm-midnight, Saturdays 12pm-3am, Sundays 12pm-midnight. Located a three-minute taxi ride or 10-15 minute walk from the venue.
Sushi Express Yitong Restaurant Address: Section 2, Nanjing East Rd, Zhongshan District [MENU](Address: Section 2, Nanjing East Rd, Zhongshan District MENU Japanese classic conveyer belt style Shushi for those looking for a quick bite to eat, open Monday-Sunday 11am-9:30pm located a short walk from the venue.) Japanese classic conveyer belt style Shushi for those looking for a quick bite to eat, open Monday-Sunday 11am-9:30pm located a short walk from the venue.
Broccolibeer Address: 104 Songjiang Rd, Zhongshan District MENU Homestyle Korean dishes are served at this funky, vintage-style restaurant that has outdoor seating. Open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-3pm and 5:30pm-11:30pm, Friday 11:30am-3pm, 5pm-midnight, Saturdays 11:30am-3:30pm, 5pm-midnight and Sundays 11:30pm-3:30pm, 5pm-11:30pm and located a short seven-minute walk from the venue.
The Pub (Irish Pub) Address: No. 3, Lane 25, Songjiang Road, Zhongshan District MENU A classic Irish-style pub offering drinks, cocktails, Western bar food, pizzas, and Taiwanese-style dishes such as rice, noodles, and seafood. Located a two-minute taxi ride or a short 10-minute walk from the venue, open from 6pm-4am Monday-Sunday.
COFFEE
Those looking for a quick caffeine fix near to the Asia Poker Arena should check out:
Komeda‘s Coffee Nanjing Jianguo Address: No. 204, Section 2, Nanjing East Road, Zhongshan District MENU A family-friendly Japanese-style coffee shop offering food and drinks, open 7:30am-10pm Monday-Sunday. Located a short five-minute walk from the venue.
Starbucks Songjiang Chang’an Address: 54 Songjiang Rd, Zhongshan District MENU Those looking for a recognizable coffee brand should be familiar with the Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts, light bites, and Wi-Fi availability. Open 7am-8:30pm Monday-Friday and 7:30am-8:30pm Saturday-Sunday and located a six-minute two-block walk from the venue.
ENTERTAINMENT
Of course, the highlight of the entertainment on offer during the festival will be the APT Players Party held at Babylon Bar at 9pm-3am on Thursday, May 4. Boasting great views of the famous Taipei 101 Tower and featuring music from DJ Lynne and others with free-flow drinks and a buffet this promises to be a blast!
There are also a wealth of bars and nightspots in Taipei worth checking out and we’ve compiled a short list of the highlights near the venue:
HAKU Taipei and Triangle These two French-managed bars and nightclub spots offer both outdoor and indoor seating.
HAKU offers cocktails and beer in a retro-wave neon jungle that is open Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm-2am, and Sundays from 2pm-10pm.
Triangle is a wildly popular bar/club that has quickly developed a very loyal following for their diverse range of club nights every Friday and Saturday from 11pm to 4am.
Fridays the music is hip hop club hits and house with a TWD $300 door fee with an open bar before 12am. After midnight its TWD $300 with 1 drink included.
Saturdays is Latin and Reggae night with a TWD $200 entry fee before 12am and TWD $300 after 12am, both including a drink.
Dance floor tables with table service are available for up to eight people for TWD $4,000, and VIP booths for up to eight people start at TWD $5,000 both coming with a 10% service charge.
The easiest way to get there is the Songshan–Xindian MRT for one stop from Songjiang Nanjing to Zhongshan changing to the Tamsui-Xinyi line for three stops to Yuanshan and then walking to Maji Square.
Two Three Comedy
Two Three Comedy Club is a bi-lingual comedy club and bar in the heart of Taipei City.
The best nights are the two open mic nights on Wednesday and Friday, although they offer English and Chinese language comedy seven nights a week with a full bar offering craft beer, wine and cocktails.
Open Monday-Sunday from 6pm-2am. The easiest way to get there is by bus from the Nanjing & Jianguo Intersection for three stops to Nan Jing Linsen Rd. Entrance.
Brass Monkey Taipei
Address: 166 Fuxing North Road, Zhongshan District
MENU The Brass Monkey Taipei is a hugely popular sports bar open seven days a week that boasts a weekly live sport schedule.
Opening hours are from 5pm-1am Mondays-Wednesdays, 5pm-4am on Thursdays and 5pm-2am Fridays & Saturdays.
Taipei Salsa night is popular on Tuesdays, but it’s the legendary Brass Monkey Taipei Ladies Night on Thursdays that really pull in the crowds. Located a 15-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride from the Asia Poker Arena.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Of course, the main reason to come to Taipei at the end of April is the APT Taipei 2023. The ten-day 49-event poker series boasts over TWD $50 million (USD $1.6M) in guaranteed prize money.
For the complete APT Taipei schedule please CLICK HERE. Highlights include:
- APT Kickoff (TWD $2M/USD $65K GTD): April 28-29 – TWD $10,000/USD $330 buy-in
- Mystery Bounty Hunter sponsored by Natural8 (TWD $3M/USD $100K GTD): April 29-30 – TWD $16,000/USD $500 buy-in
- APT Super High Roller - 8 Max (TWD $5M/USD $160K GTD): April 29-30 – TWD $150,000/USD $4,800 buy-in
- APT Main Event (TWD $30M/USD $1M GTD): May 1-6 – TWD $50,000/USD $1,650 buy-in
- Superstar Challenge: May 1 – TWD $300,000/USD $9,900 buy-in
- Zodiac Classic sponsored by Natural8 (TWD $3M/USD $100K GTD): May 4-5 – TWD $20,000/USD $660 buy-in
- Double Stack (TWD $2M/USD $65K GTD): May 5-6 – TWD $15,000/USD $500 buy-in
- Mini Main Event (TWD $1.5M/USD $50K GTD): May 6-7 – TWD $10,000/USD $330 buy-in
- APT High Roller (TWD $4.5M/USD $150K GTD): May 6-7 – TWD $100,000/USD $3,300 buy-in
For further information, please contact press@theasianpokertour.com