The annoying part of a rainy day in Taipei isn't the rain itself, it's watching your outdoor plans fall apart: the park you wanted to walk through is off, and window-shopping turns into rushing between awnings with an umbrella. Here are a few indoor spots in the East District and Da'an worth killing an afternoon in, plus one option that's open 24 hours and never closes for weather.
What makes rainy days in Taipei annoying
- Outdoor plans (parks, night markets, walking around) get scrapped and you need a new one on the spot
- Malls and cafés get crowded fast, and finding a seat becomes a gamble
- Plenty of shops don't open until early afternoon, so heading out early on a rainy morning can mean everything's still closed
Why an indoor option beats waiting it out
Standing under an awning scrolling your phone until the rain lightens up wastes the whole point of the day. Somewhere that's already indoors and doesn't care about weather is simpler. A darts bar fits that: the boards are inside, you can sit and play, no wet floors or wind to deal with, and a group can easily spend a whole afternoon there without getting bored.
Other indoor options in the East District and Da'an
- SOGO Zhongxiao (No. 45, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao E. Rd): sits right above Zhongxiao Dunhua Station, so you can go straight in without stepping outside. Restaurants, beauty and clothing all in one building
- eslite Songyan (No. 88, Yanchang Rd, near Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station): one of eslite's flagship stores, with books, design goods and a cinema in one place, big enough to spend half a rainy afternoon in without running out of things to look at
Both are in the same stretch between Zhongxiao Dunhua and Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall as AI DARTS, so they fit into the same day's plan.
Why AI DARTS works especially well on a rainy day
- Open 24 hours, every day of the year: it won't suddenly close because of rain, and the boards work the same either way
- No cover charge, so a small, spur-of-the-moment group ducking in out of the rain isn't a wasted trip
- You can bring your own drinks, so you can sit down, drink what you brought, and throw a few rounds without needing to go back out for a second stop
Done at SOGO or eslite and the rain still hasn't stopped? Check this East District guide for lanes worth ducking into, or just come to AI DARTS to wait it out. Menu is here.
FAQ
Does AI DARTS really stay open when it's raining?
Yes, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, rain doesn't close it. Any exceptions are announced in-store or on LINE.
Do I need to book ahead?
No, there's no booking system, just walk in and play. If you want to check on conditions first, ask us on LINE.
Does it get more crowded on rainy days?
We don't have fixed data to promise either way, it's safest to check with us on LINE before heading out.
Any other indoor options nearby?
SOGO Zhongxiao and eslite Songyan, both listed above, are real options in the same neighborhood. For more East District spots, see the East District guide.
A rainy day doesn't mean nowhere is worth going. Somewhere indoors that doesn't care about the weather is honestly the easier plan.