Navigation verdict first: Taichung's night isn't a point, it's a line.
From Yizhong Street heading southwest — Central old town, Calligraphy Greenway, Gongyi Road, Fengjia — is a six-kilometer east-west nightlife belt. Each segment is 10–15 minutes by car; two or three a night is normal. One main line, two branches.
Main line 18:00 — Yizhong and Boguan E. St: eat first
Start in North District. Yizhong Street is student territory, NT$200–300 a head, packed after seven. To skip the students, Komugisho Izakaya Boguan at Boguan E. St No. 31 — 3,900-plus reviews, 4.6 — seats you at six without a wait. Don't drink much here; three stops remain.
Main line 20:00 — Central old town: height and singing rooms
Ten minutes toward Taichung TRA station. The old town has grown two kinds of night: high bars and singing rooms. NiteRoom at Ziyou Rd Sec. 2 No. 6 — 3,000-plus reviews, 4.9 — is bistro and singing space at once, the most-reviewed night venue on the Central list. For the view, PANO 24 Sky Bar on 24F of Jianguo Rd No. 111 (330-plus) or 11F Talking Bar on 11F of Liuchuan W. Rd Sec. 3 No. 16 (490-plus, 4.9), both within ten minutes of the station. Melody KTV on 8F of Block B, Lüchuan W. St No. 135, 5,800-plus reviews, is Central's answer for big singing groups. Parking is easier than you'd think — plenty of garages, rates vary. Drivers, listen: alcohol starts here; hand the rest of the night to cabs.
Main line 22:00 — Calligraphy Greenway and Park Lane: izakaya belt
Ten minutes west into West District. The lanes beside Calligraphy Greenway hold Taichung's densest izakayas. Wu Liu Shou Park Lane at Zhongxing St No. 111 — 19,600-plus reviews, 4.9 — is the most-reviewed izakaya in Taichung; no booking on Friday-Saturday means a queue. Tiger River Chiyo Park Lane at Xiangshang N. Rd No. 156 (2,800-plus) and General's Mansion Park Lane at No. 159 (2,200-plus) sit five minutes apart — one full, next one. ABV Bar & Kitchen Mediterranean, Taichung at Taiwan Blvd Sec. 2 No. 320 (4,300-plus) for those not in a skewer mood. The Calligraphy Greenway bistro walk maps these lanes in detail.
Main line 00:00 — Fengjia: late food and rooms
Fifteen minutes from West District. End of the main line, latest to close. WS Bistro at Wenxin Rd Sec. 2 No. 558-1 — 7,000-plus reviews, 4.9 — is the most-reviewed bistro on the Xitun list. Qixidi Skewers Fengjia at Fuxing Rd No. 365 (5,800-plus) still seats late. For singing, Silver Cabinet KTV Fengjia at Xitun Rd Sec. 2 No. 273-5 (4,800-plus) runs through the small hours.
Branch A: Gongyi Road bistros
From the Greenway, turn to Nantun instead of Fengjia. Gongyi Rd Sec. 2 is Taichung's densest bistro street — bistro88 at No. 88 (3,000-plus), Luxy Vivid Bistro at No. 699 (1,600-plus, 4.9). Rongshao Izakaya Nantun Wenxin HQ at Wenxin Rd Sec. 1 No. 530, 16,000-plus reviews, heads the Nantun list. The Green Line runs along Wenxin — the only stretch of Taichung nightlife you can do by MRT. Booking details in the Gongyi Road dining belt.
Branch B: Chongde Road izakayas
From Yizhong, turn to Beitun instead of Central. Wu Liu Shou Chongde at Chongde Rd Sec. 2 No. 226, 11,000-plus reviews, is the other stronghold. Easy parking, but far from everything else — for Beitun residents who won't cross town.
Honest notes
Taichung's night runs on cars. The Green Line only reaches Wenxin Rd; Yizhong, Central and the Greenway rely on buses or walking; between segments, cab. After eleven on weekdays, most places outside Fengjia and a few downtown spots start closing. For late food, the Taichung late-night food map joins every stop. If you drank, keep off the wheel — late taxis and designated drivers are easy to find.