This article contains advertising. Our booking links are routed through a partner that adds commission tracking automatically, so if you book through one we earn a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to you. It never affects what we recommend. Affiliate disclosure
KTV is one of those things you do not understand about Taipei until you have done it – and after you have done it, you understand why Taiwanese people will give up a Friday night, NT$2,000 per person, and 4 hours of sleep just to sing in a windowless private room with eight friends. Taiwanese KTV is a cultural institution, dramatically different from Western karaoke bars, and one of the most fun nights you can have in the city if you go in with the right expectations. This 2026 KTV Taipei guide covers what KTV actually is, the main chains and their differences, how to book, prices, food and drink options, English songs availability, and the etiquette that makes a KTV night work.
What Is KTV?
KTV (the acronym “Karaoke Television”) is the Taiwanese institution that combines a private soundproof room, top-end audio and video equipment, an enormous song database including current pop hits in multiple languages, table service for food and drinks, and a multi-hour booking. Your group rents a room for a block of hours, then sings, eats and drinks in it until checkout. There is no public stage and no audience of strangers – your group is the only audience.
This is fundamentally different from Western karaoke. In the US and UK, karaoke means a public bar with a singer queue and crowd. In Taipei (and across East Asia), it means private. The Taiwanese KTV experience is closer to renting a hotel room with a stage than going out to a bar to sing.
Why does this matter for visitors? Two practical implications: you control the audience (only your friends hear you, so the embarrassment threshold drops to near zero), and you commit to a multi-hour block (each branch sets its own minimum, so ask when you book). A KTV night is the activity, not a stop within an evening.
The Major KTV Chains in Taipei
Cashbox Partyworld (錢櫃)
Cashbox has six branches in Taipei City: Dunnan, Linsen, Zhongxiao, Songjiang, Nanjing and Zhonghua New Hall. Room classes run from small and medium rooms up to extra-large rooms and a presidential room, so check the sizes at your chosen branch. Excellent song database including the most current Mandopop, English, Japanese, and Korean hits. Food menu is restaurant-grade – hot pot, sushi, Western, Asian fusion. Pricing varies sharply by time of day. This is the safe, reliable, tourist-friendly default.
Holiday KTV (好樂迪)
The other big name you will see, with rates set branch by branch, so compare them with Cashbox’s before you book. Multiple Taipei locations including Da’an, Ximending, and Songshan. Quality is good but rooms are smaller and the food selection more limited than Cashbox. Excellent value for serious singers more than serious eaters. The Songshan branch is particularly popular with younger crowds.
Star Castle KTV (星聚點)
Premium-tier KTV with the most elaborate themed rooms and high-end audio equipment. Each room has a distinct design (some quite extravagant – jungle theme, gothic theme, etc.). Higher prices, smaller chain. Best for special occasions or couples. Locations in Ximending and Zhongshan.
Cashbox vs Holiday KTV
Either chain works for a first visit. Compare the branch nearest your hotel, its room sizes and its menu on the chain’s own site, then choose on price and location. Both have full English-friendly song search interfaces.
How Much Does KTV Cost in Taipei?
KTV pricing in Taipei is complicated by time-of-day tiers. The same room can cost NT$200/hour at 11am or NT$600/hour at 10pm. Rough 2026 pricing per person at a mid-tier Cashbox or Holiday KTV:
Morning (10am-1pm) – cheapest tier: NT$300-500 per person for 3 hours with light food/drink package.
Afternoon (1-5pm): NT$400-700 per person.
Early evening (5-7pm): NT$500-800 per person.
Prime time (7pm-11pm): NT$800-1,400 per person.
Late night (11pm-3am): NT$700-1,100 per person.
Holidays and Friday/Saturday: Expect higher rates; each Cashbox branch publishes its own on the Cashbox price page.
Ask about the minimum booking length when you reserve; there is often a per-person minimum food/drink spend too (typically NT$200-400 added to the room rate). Some packages include a buffet or hot pot for the full duration.
A typical group of 6 friends at peak time will spend NT$1,000-1,500 each for 3 hours including food and drinks. A late-night session with snacks can land at NT$700-900 per person.
Booking and Walking In
Three ways to book a KTV:
App or website: Cashbox (錢櫃) and Holiday KTV both have apps and websites with English support. Pick the location, time, room size, and food package. Confirm with a credit card or QR code. Book ahead for weekend evenings and for big groups.
Phone call: Front desk speaks basic English at the major chains. Useful for last-minute or specific room requests.
Walking in: Possible Tuesday-Thursday and during off-peak hours. For Friday and Saturday evenings, reserve rather than take your chances. If you plan to walk in, call the branch first to ask which rooms are free.
What to specify when booking: number of people, total hours, room size, and any food/drink package preference. Chains sell time-based packages, some bundling food and drinks with the room; what each includes varies by branch, so compare it with a room-only booking before you choose.
English-Language Songs at KTV
Good news: every major Taipei KTV has thousands of English songs. The current Mandopop, K-pop, J-pop and English-pop hits are all available within a few weeks of release. Specific notes:
Check your songs first: Coverage differs from chain to chain, so look up your must-sing tracks in your chosen chain’s catalogue before you book. Holiday KTV’s song search is on its app page.
How to search: The remote control or in-room tablet has a search interface in both Chinese and English. Type the artist or song title in English; the system will find matches. If you cannot find a song, type the artist; complete song lists for major Western artists are typically there.
Pre-sing a queue: Modern KTV systems let you queue a run of songs, so you can build a setlist for your whole group before you start singing. Useful for keeping momentum going.
Food and Drinks at KTV
The food at major Taipei KTVs is surprisingly good – usually better than what you would expect from a karaoke room. Standard menu categories:
Hot pot: Both Cashbox and Holiday KTV serve in-room hot pot at most locations. Pre-portioned ingredients, induction burner brought to the table. Comfort food for groups.
Buffet: Many packages include all-you-can-eat from a hot bar in the lobby. Sushi, dim sum, Asian and Western dishes. Quality 5/10 but quantity matters.
A la carte: Pizza, burgers, fried chicken, sushi rolls, salads, fries. Restaurant-quality at the larger venues.
Snacks: Popcorn, nachos, dried squid, candy. Cheap and constant.
Drinks: Soda, juice, tea, coffee (free in most packages). Alcohol is a la carte – beer NT$120-180, basic cocktails NT$200-300, decent whisky bottles NT$1,500-3,000.
Rules on outside food differ by branch, so ask yours. Cashbox does let you bring your own alcohol, but charges corkage per room: NT$800 for a small or medium room, NT$1,200 for medium-large, NT$1,600 for large, NT$2,000 for extra-large and NT$3,000 for a presidential room. Tipping is not expected.
KTV Etiquette: Don’t Be That Person
A few unspoken rules that locals follow:
Pass the microphone. The point is everyone sings. Two microphones get passed around the room; do not hog the mic for multiple consecutive songs unless invited.
Sing songs others can join. Solo ballads can drag if no one else knows the song. Songs that lend themselves to chorus singing (popular Mandopop, classic rock anthems, pop choruses) work best in groups.
Volume control. The remote has voice volume, music volume, and reverb. Reverb saves bad singers; turn it up high if you are insecure. Music volume should be loud enough to mask the singer but not so loud you cannot hear them.
Cheering and applause. Even mediocre singing should be applauded by the group. The point is fun, not American Idol.
Phone use. Most groups have everyone on their phone half the time. This is normal; not rude.
Smoking. Most major KTVs are non-smoking inside rooms. Smoking allowed in dedicated outdoor areas or the rooftop.
Time management. When your booked time runs out, you can extend (usually NT$200-400/hour) at the desk, or you have 10-15 minutes to wrap up. Plan your final songs.
Best KTV for Tourists in Taipei
If you are visiting and want the best first-time KTV experience, here is the ranking:
Cashbox Partyworld Zhongxiao East Road: Large rooms, strong English-language song database, restaurant-grade food, multilingual staff. Easy MRT access at Zhongxiao Dunhua Station. The go-to for most tourists.
Cashbox Partyworld Ximending: Younger crowd, central location, plenty of food options. Mid-tier prices.
Holiday KTV Da’an: Best value option. Smaller rooms but the song database is the same. Good for budget travelers or smaller groups.
Star Castle Ximending: Best for special occasions – themed rooms, elaborate decor, premium audio. Higher prices.
Where to avoid: Smaller, independent KTVs in older buildings. Lower production values, less reliable English support, sometimes lacking song database depth.
What Time of Day Should You Go?
For tourists, the sweet spot is the early afternoon (1-4pm) on a weekday:
Prices are lower than at prime time; check the branch’s rates for your date, time and room.
Rooms are available without advance booking.
The food package gets you a substantial lunch as part of the room.
You leave with the rest of the day still available.
You do not get the late-night party energy but you also do not have to skip dinner to fit it in.
For a more atmospheric experience, go on a Friday or Saturday evening. Book ahead, plan to spend NT$1,200+ per person, and treat it as the whole evening’s activity.
Late-Night KTV Options
Many Taipei KTV branches stay open into the small hours, but closing times differ from one to the next, so look up your branch before heading out. Late-night sessions (11pm-3am) attract groups continuing from clubs and dinners. Prices are slightly cheaper than prime evening but rooms are often half-empty and the energy can swing from euphoric to exhausted.
If you are out late and feel like singing, ring the nearest branch to ask whether a room is free before you walk over. Bring a designated phone alarm; the rooms are dark and easy to lose track of time in.
KTV for Groups of 2 or Solo
KTV is designed for groups but works for smaller numbers:
Couples: ask Star Castle or Cashbox about a small room for two; expect about NT$300-500/hour. Comfortable for date nights.
Solo singer: Yes, you can rent a single-person room. Some KTVs have dedicated solo-singer “mini-rooms.” Cost similar to a couple room. Worth doing if you want to practice songs or have an unusual personal moment in Taipei.
Trio or quartet: A small group works fine in any standard room. Most fun at 4-8 people.
Large group (10+): Reserve one of the largest rooms or a VIP room, and confirm its capacity and equipment with the branch. Excellent for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or any large group event in Taipei.
One-Night Sample KTV Itinerary
If KTV is the centerpiece of your night out:
6:30pm: Dinner at a sit-down restaurant near the KTV location.
8pm: Arrive at the KTV. Check in, order food package, get to room.
8:30pm-11:30pm: Sing. Eat the in-room food. Drinks ordered as you go.
11:30pm: Check out. Extend if the group is still energetic.
12am: Late-night noodles or convenience store food on the walk home.
For a longer night: dinner 7-9pm, KTV 9pm-1am (with an hour extension), late-night street food until 2am, taxi home. Total spend per person: NT$1,500-2,200.
Related Taipei guides
- Best Nightclubs in Xinyi District, Taipei: Guide
- Best Rooftop Bars in Taipei with Skyline Views
- Craft Beer in Taipei: Best Breweries & Taprooms
- Live Music in Taipei: Best Venues from Indie to Jazz
- LGBTQ+ Nightlife in Taipei: Bars, Clubs & Events
- Taipei’s Best Bar Streets & Drinking Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is KTV in Taipei?
KTV is Taiwanese-style karaoke in private soundproof rooms. Groups rent a room for a block of hours, order food and drinks to the room, and never share space with strangers. Different from Western karaoke bars where you sing in public.
How much does KTV cost in Taipei?
NT$400-800 per person off-peak, NT$800-1,400 per person prime time, including the room and a basic food/drink package. Holiday KTV is slightly cheaper than Cashbox Partyworld. Groups of 4-8 typically spend NT$1,000-1,500 each for 3 hours.
What is the best KTV in Taipei?
Cashbox Partyworld (錢櫃) is the easy default for visitors, with six branches in Taipei City. Holiday KTV (好樂迪) is the chain to compare it with. Star Castle is the premium themed option.
Are there English songs at Taipei KTV?
Yes – thousands. Every major chain has comprehensive English-language databases covering pop, rock, R&B, country, and musicals from the 1970s to present. The in-room remote and tablet supports English search.
Do I need to book a Taipei KTV?
For Friday and Saturday evenings, yes: reserve in advance. For weekday afternoons and Sunday evenings, walk-in is usually fine. Large groups should book whatever the day.
How long is a KTV session?
Minimum booking lengths vary by branch and time slot, so check when you reserve. Extensions available at the desk for an hourly rate (NT$200-400/hour).
Can I bring my own food and drinks to KTV?
It varies by branch. Cashbox allows outside alcohol for a per-room corkage charge, from NT$800 for a small room up to NT$3,000 for a presidential room, so ask your branch about its food and drink rules. Most KTVs have menus extensive enough that bringing outside food is unnecessary.
Is KTV in Taipei kid-friendly?
Yes during daytime hours, and afternoon sessions suit families; check the branch’s rules on children before you book. The rooms are private and clean, with kid-friendly food options. Avoid late-night sessions for children due to the alcohol-heavy atmosphere and noise.
What time does KTV in Taipei close?
It depends on the branch: many open late, so check the hours of the one you plan to use. Late-night (11pm-3am) sessions are common with the post-dinner-and-club crowd. Reserve ahead for prime weekend hours.
Is there a dress code at KTV?
No. Casual dress universally accepted. T-shirt, jeans, sneakers all fine. The rooms are private, the lobby is utilitarian, and no one will judge your outfit.
The Bottom Line
KTV is one of the most distinctly Taiwanese nights out you can have in Taipei and worth doing at least once on a visit. Book a 3-hour session at a Cashbox Partyworld in the early afternoon if you want a relaxed introduction (NT$800/person), or commit to a Friday-night Cashbox flagship room with friends if you want the full experience (NT$1,300/person). Bring a group of at least 4 for the best energy, expect to spend longer than you planned, and treat the food and drink package as the evening’s dinner. With this KTV Taipei guide, your first private-room karaoke experience will go from “what is this?” to “let’s do it every night” by the end of song three.
Photo Credits
Partyworld in Taipei: 20260717 131520 Cashbox Partyworld Taipei Buildings by Saimmx, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.