MANILA, PHILIPPINES, February 19, 2024 – The APT Taipei 2024, running February 28 to March 10 in partnership with the Chinese Texas Hold'em Poker Club (CTP), is fast approaching and promises to be the biggest festival in the tour's 17-year history.
The action-packed series will spread 105 Trophy Events over 12 days and boasts over TWD 150 million (~USD 4.8M) in prize pool guarantees, including the tour's largest-ever Main Event guarantee of TWD 65 million (~USD 2M)!
In addition to the world-class tournament poker on offer, the vibrant city of Taipei provides visitors with a host of accommodation and entertainment options. We have done a little homework to bring you all the essential information on how to get to the venues, 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 2024 is taking place over two venues; the CTP Asia Poker Arena – Asia's largest permanent poker room – and the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟), both located in central Taipei around a 40-minute taxi ride from Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport.
You can pre-book an airport pickup and dropoff via APT's official travel partner DK Poker Tour Bookings with a one-way trip costing USD 42, and a return trip costing USD 84. Those also arranging accommodation via DK can get a USD 20 discount for booking a 7-night package, and a USD 30 discount for booking a 10-night package. Pickups need to be booked at least one week in advance. You can also book a pickup via Travel as Local (TAL) for USD 45.
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 CTP Asia Poker Arena.
HOTELS
The majority of the marquee event action is playing out at the CTP Asia Poker Arena – which is located in the heart of the Zhongzheng District in central Taipei and there are several great hotel options in the area.
High Roller tournaments and mixed games are playing out at the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) – which is located in the nearby Songshan District and there are also hotels located close by.
We have deals in place via APT official travel partners Travel As Local (TAL) and DK Poker Bookings for accommodation options suitable for both venues, and have listed some of these below:
Address: No. 16, Section 3, Nanjing E Road The three-star CHECK Inn is a five-minute walk from CTP Asia Poker Arena. Prices start at USD 110 per night, with packages available from USD 785 for a queen bed or twin bed room with free Wi-Fi and breakfast included.
Address: Section 3, Bade Rd, 76號1樓 The three-star Artree Hotel is located a two-minute walk from the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) venue. Rooms come with WiFi and include breakfast with packages starting from USD 860.
Address: No. 12, Beiping E Rd The three-star Jiamei Hotel is located around a ten-minute walk from the CTP Asia Poker Arena. Rooms have Wifi and breakfast is included with packages starting at USD 510.
Address: No. 10, Lane 123, Songjiang Rd A three-star option located between both venues, rooms come with a queen-size bed, WiFi and include breakfast. Packages start from USD 460.
FOOD
There is a wealth of dining options available near the venue offering a wide variety of cuisines ranging from American BBQ to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Korean, with some Western-style pubs also an option depending on your preference. Some of the standouts in the area include:
Baba Kevin's American Barbecue
Address: No. 5號, Alley 8, Lane 303, Section 3, Nanjing E Rd, Songshan District
Google Ranking: 4.5 stars
Authentic American BBQ in the heart of Taipei. Owner Kevin imports hickory, mesquite, cherry and oak hardwoods and smokes all the meat in traditional Texas fashion. Located a 15-minute walk or 8-minute taxi ride from the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟) venue and a 20-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride from the CTP Asia Poker Arena.
Yang Shin Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No. 128號, SongJiang Rd, Zhongshan District
Google Ranking: 4.3 stars
A fusion of Western culinary concepts, Japanese culinary skills, Chinese culinary techniques, and local Taiwanese ingredients, Yang Shin offers a modern take on vegetarian cuisine and dim sums. Located a 10-minute walk from the CTP Asia Poker Arena and a [15-minute taxi ride from the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟).
Mayur Indian Kitchen Restaurant & Shisha Bar
Address: No. 1-1, Songjiang Rd, Zhongshan District
Google Ranking: 4.7 stars
Funky eatery with an Indian & Chinese menu highlighting curries, dumplings, noodles, grilled meats, and vegan food that also offers a hookah shisha lounge. Located a 5-minute taxi ride or 10-15 minute walk from CTP Aisa Poker Arena, or a 10-minute taxi ride from CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟).
Sushi Express Yitong Restaurant
Address: Section 2, Nanjing East Rd, Zhongshan District
Google Ranking: 3.7 stars
Japanese classic conveyor belt style Shushi for those looking for a quick bite to eat, open Monday-Sunday 11am-9:30pm located a 5-minute walk from the CTP Asia Poker Arena and a 10-minute taxi ride from CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟).
Address: 104 Songjiang Rd, Zhongshan District
Google Ranking: 4.4 stars
Homestyle Korean dishes are served at this funky, vintage-style restaurant that has outdoor seating. Located a 10-minute taxi ride from CTP Asia Poker Arena and an 11-minute taxi ride from CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟).
COFFEE
Those looking for a quick caffeine fix near each respective venue should check out:
Address: 104 ChangAn East Rd Section 2
Google Ranking: 4.9 stars
A local coffee shop offering food and drinks, open 7:30am-5:30pm Monday-Saturday. Located a short five-minute walk from the CTP Asia Poker Arena.
Address: No. 30號, Section 3, Bade Rd
Google Ranking: 4.2 stars
Japanese franchise Komeda's Coffee is located a one-minute walk from the CML 華人麻將競技聯盟 venue. Open 7am to 9pm Tuesday to Sunday, Mondays 11am to 9pm.
ENTERTAINMENT
Of course, the highlight of the entertainment on offer during the festival will be the APT Players Party on Thursday, March 7 featuring music from DJ Lynne.
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 Sunday from 6pm-2am.
Triangle is a wildly popular bar/club that has a loyal following for its Freaky Fridays which come with no cover charge; the music is hip hop club hits and house and doors are open from 11pm to 4am.
Saturdays are Latin night with a TWD 200 cover charge before 12am and TWD 300 after 12am, both including a drink.
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.
Address: 106, Taiwan, Taipei City, Da’an District, 和平東路三段70號
Google Ranking: 4.5 stars
Those looking for the best pint of draught Guinness in Taipei should look no further than the authentic James Joyce Irish Bar.
Located in the southern Da'an District, the James Joyce offers bar food and freshly made pizzas, with live music on Saturdays. Opening hours are 6pm to 2am Monday to Sunday, and 6pm to 2:30pm Saturdays.
APT players showing a valid APT Taipei 2024 tournament receipt can get a 10% discount off their bar bill.
Address: 166 Fuxing North Road, Zhongshan District
Google Ranking: 4.1 stars
The Brass Monkey is a hugely popular sports bar open seven days a week that boasts a weekly live sports schedule.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 5pm to 1am (Thursday to 4am, Friday to 2am) Saturday & Sunday 5pm to 2am (Sunday to 1am).
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.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Of course, the main reason to come to Taipei at the end of February is the APT Taipei 2024. For the complete APT Taipei 2024 schedule please CLICK HERE.
You can filter the schedule by venue to see which events play out where with the majority of the marquee events running at the CTP Asia Poker Arena.
High Rollers and mixed games will predominantly play out at the CML (Chinese Mahjong League 華人麻將競技聯盟).
Festival Highlights include:
- APT Main Event (TWD 65M/~USD 2M GTD): Mar 3-9 – TWD 70K/~USD 2.2K buy-in
- APT National Cup (TWD 15M/~USD 475K GTD): Feb 28-Mar 2 – TWD 10K/~USD 320 buy-in
- Superstar Challenge: Mar 1-2 – TWD 800K/~USD 25K buy-in
- Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8 (TWD 10M/~USD 317K GTD): Mar 2-3 – TWD 15K/~USD $475 buy-in
- APT Super High Roller (TWD 10M/~USD 317K GTD): Mar 2-3 – TWD 300K/~USD 9.5K buy-in
- Sunday Super Stack (TWD 2M/~USD 63K GTD): Mar 3 – TWD 30K/~USD 950 buy-in
- Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8 (TWD 20M/~USD 633K GTD): Mar 7-8 – TWD 60K/~USD 1.9K buy-in
- Mini Main Event (TWD 6M/~USD 190K GTD): Mar 9-10 – TWD 22K/~USD 700 buy-in
- APT High Roller (TWD 11M/~USD 348K GTD): Mar 9-10 – TWD 150K/~USD 4.7K buy-in
- Micro Main Event (TWD 2M/~USD 63K GTD): Mar 10 – TWD 11K/~USD 350 buy-in
For further information, please contact press@APT.Poker